Looking for some authentic tapas? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide. These 45+ easy tapas recipes are made with simple ingredients and guaranteed to please!
When Rick & I visited Barcelona (which is still one of our favorite cities by the way) we couldn’t get enough of the tapas served there. Some of our favorites were Padron Peppers, Pan con Tomate and Bacon Wrapped Dates.
We loved tapas so much, that we served them at our wedding. I think that it’s such a fun way of eating!
Shishito PeppersPan Con TomateBacon Wrapped Dates
What Are Traditional Spanish Tapas?
Traditional Spanish tapas are Spain’s signature small plates, bites, and appetizers.
They can range from a simple bowl of marinated olives, anchovies, or a wedge of Manchego cheese. But can be as elaborate as garlic shrimp, tender chicken skewers, fried squid, or octopus.
They can also vary by region – with different specialties in each region of Spain.
Many bars and restaurants in Spain serve complimentary tapas if you’re ordering drinks. And they’re meant as a way to keep people from drinking too much.
Pa Amb Tomàquet (or Pan Con Tomate) is a simple but delicious tapas recipe made with only 5 ingredients! It's like a Spanish version of bruschetta in the best way possible with toasty bread, garlic and fresh grated tomatoes.
Octopus Ceviche (aka ceviche de pulpo) combines tender octopus with tangy lime juice, red onions, cilantro and chiles for a light and refreshing appetizer. Serve it with tortillas or chips and enjoy!
Try this easy Spanish ham croquettes recipe and feel like you’re eating tapas in Spain. Perfect appetizers, these delicious croquetas de jamón are a hit!
These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you.
Enjoy this chilled Cucumber Soup as a refreshing summer appetizer or side dish. Made with garlic, jalapeno, yogurt, and olive oil, this easy recipe blends up in seconds and has playful and savory flavors.
The BEST healthy gazpacho is packed with all the goodness of fresh summer produce like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber. It’s healthy, simple to make (blender recipe!), and a real show-stopper.
This Sous Vide Octopus recipe is the most foolproof way to get tender, flavorful octopus. Finish it off on a hot grill or skillet to get the most perfect char on the outside.
Pulpo a la Gallega, Galician Style Octopus, is one of my favorite healthy seafood dishes. Simple, yet flavorful, it’s an easy dish to prepare, yet sure to impress.
This is an easy recipe for fried manchego cheese tapas. It’s a simple Spanish appetizer that can be prepped ahead of time and fried right before serving!
Romesco Sauce is packed with flavor and easy to make with simple ingredients & your blender or food processor. This roasted red pepper based Spanish sauce is delicious with chicken, pork, seafood and roasted vegetables.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Mustard Dipping Sauce are the perfect appetizer to serve at your next party or serve them up for dinner with a couple sides. The best part? They’ll be on your table in under 15 minutes!
This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!
Manchego cheese tapas are the perfect little appetizers not only for a Spanish-themed party. With their simple and quick preparation and a short ingredient list, they are the ideal last-minute bites.
Spanish Meatballs. Guests will love dipping their meatballs in the fragrant and smokey tomato sauce and then mopping up any leftovers with some fresh crusty bread.
Shrimp and Chorizo Appetizers with Roasted Pepper Soup — These punchy and flavorful skewers are packed with spicy chorizo and shrimp, served with homemade roasted pepper soup shooters.
These bacon wrapped cheese stuffed cherry peppers are stuffed with a delicious combination of sharp cheddar cheese & goat cheese. They’re a perfect party appetizer because they can be assembled ahead of time and are always a crowd pleaser!
These bites of Prosciutto Wrapped Grana Padano with Fig Preserves are the perfect party snack. This easy to make, no-bake finger food comes together in under 10-minutes.
Easy Marinated Olives and Almonds is a delicious, healthy, and super simple to make tapas recipe. Flavored with garlic & lemon this appetizer will be a hit!
Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Peppers at home! It’s one of the best and easiest side dishes you can add to burrito bowls, fajitas, or pair with grilled meats.
Chicken Pintxo is a type of Spanish tapas – the perfect party food on a skewer. Pintxo are sometimes called pincho or pinchu, and are served on a skewer or toothpick. It’s traditionally eaten as bar food in a social setting.
Spanish Meatballs – or Albondigas – simmer in enchilada sauce and are topped with sour cream, radishes & cilantro. Serve them taco-style in tortillas or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
Ready in just 15 minutes, full of Spanish flair and made from everyday ingredients, Spanish Garlic Mushrooms are great as an appetizer or a light main meal.
Many of these tapas recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
Wine Pairings with Tapas
Dry, light-bodied, fruity wines work well with Spanish tapas. Try a Spanish Rioja or Garnacha (Grenache).
Bubbles! Think Cava or Sparkling Rosé. The bubbles help cut down on the richness of hearty tapas, but they’re light enough so as to not overpower lighter tapas like marinated olives or ceviche.
Did you Make Any of These Tapas Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of tapas dishes. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
Looking for some authentic tapas? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide. These 45+ easy tapas recipes are made with simple ingredients! Try out this traditional Pan Con Tomate (or Catalan Tomato Bread).
1loafciabatta(split in half horizontally lengthwise, cut crosswise into 1 1/2-inch slices)
3Tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil(plus more for serving)
2garlic cloves(halved crosswise)
2poundsbeefsteak or heirloom tomatoes
Flaky sea salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Place bread on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Bake until golden and crispy, 25-25 minutes. Rub warm bread slices with cut sides of garlic; set aside.
Meanwhile, split tomatoes in half horizontally. Using the large holes of a box grater, grate the cut sides of the tomatoes into a large bowl, until only the skin remains. Finely chop the skins and mix into the grated flesh; season very generously with salt.
Spoon tomato sauce over toasted bread. Let sit a couple minutes to allow the juices to soak into the bread slightly. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with additional flaky salt. Enjoy!