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!
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.
What Do You Serve at a Tapas Party?
- Bite Sized Snacks – Bacon Wrapped Dates, Serrano Ham, Croquettes.
- Chilled Soups – Gazpacho or Chilled Cucumber Soup.
- Heartier Appetizers – Spanish Meatballs, Chicken Skewers, Garlic Shrimp.
- Drinks – Sangria, Rosé Wine, Rioja, Cold Beer.
- Plus, check out these 25+ Spanish desserts.
The BEST Tapas Recipes to Try
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.
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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!
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This Gilda Pintxo is a classic, easy Spanish tapas recipe. A skewer made with briny olives, salty anchovies, and spicy-ish guindilla peppers.
Gilda Pintxo
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!
Get the RECIPE from Spanish Sabores
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.
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Toasty sourdough with rubbed garlic, a lovely and fresh pan con tomate, topped with one of my favorites: Jamón Serrano. Just heavenly.
Get the RECIPE from Lindsey Eats LA
Cheesy Avocado Crab Stuffed Piquillo Pepper Ciabatta Pizzette’s with Sriracha Aioli.
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Spanish Omelette (Spanish Tortilla) is perfect served hot or cold, and so easy to make! Perfect for picnics, bbq’s, or your Tapas menu!
Get the RECIPE from Cafe Delites
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Almonds make a quick and easy appetizer that's a definite crowd pleaser.
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Enjoy this cold 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.
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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.
Get the RECIPE from Nyssa’s Kitchen
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Green Tahini Sauce are perfect for summer barbeques and so simple to prepare.
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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.
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Patatas bravas is a classic Spanish dish. Crispy potatoes topped with spicy tomato sauce and garlic aioli makes a simple but tasty recipe!
Get the RECIPE from Unicorns in the Kitchen
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.
Get the RECIPE from The Things We’ll Make
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!
Get the RECIPE from Appetizer Addiction
Prosciutto Wrapped Avocado Bites are the perfect party appetizer. They’re an easy to make, no-bake finger food and come together in under 10 minutes!
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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.
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This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.
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Sometimes the simplest foods make the best recipes. Delicious entertaining made easy with these Manchego Cheese, Ham and Olive Bites.
Get the RECIPE from My Kitchen Love
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!
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This easy Spanish calamares recipe makes restaurant-quality fried calamari! Try making homemade calamares fritos today.
Get the RECIPE from Spanish Sabores
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!
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I love this marinated manchego. It’s such an easy and tasty tapas recipe!
Get the RECIPE from Just A Little Bit of Bacon
Calamari a la plancha is squid cooked over a very hot plate–in this case, cast iron skillets. This calamari recipes takes all of 20 minutes to make.
Get the RECIPE from Leites Culinaria
These flavorful Chorizo, Manchego and Olive Skewers will be the star of your tapas menu! You won’t believe how easy they are!
Get the RECIPE from My Modern Cookery
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.
Get the RECIPE from Appetizer Addiction
Grilled Goat Cheese Stuffed Piquillo Peppers are the tastiest tapas!
Get the RECIPE from Midwest and Grassfed
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.
Get the RECIPE from Whole Food Bellies
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.
Get the RECIPE from Eat Well 101
This is an easy recipe for chorizo bites. Glazed in sticky beer sauce this Spanish chorizo sausage appetizer can be enjoyed either warm or cold!
Get the RECIPE from Appetizer Addiction
Mahon-Menorca Pinwheels with Fig Jam & Serrano Ham will be the absolute hit on your appetizers menu. Full of flavor and quick to make.
Get the RECIPE from Eating European
Get this easy expert recipe for Gambas al Ajillo, a popular Spanish garlic shrimp swimming in tasty olive oil sauce. Ready in 10 minutes!
Get the RECIPE from The Mediterranean Dish
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!
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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.
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Fried Artichokes. Baby artichokes are gently fried in olive oil and seasoned with salt and lemon.
Get the RECIPE from Little Ferraro Kitchen
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!
Get the RECIPE from The Endless Meal
Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Bell 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.
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Goat cheese stuffed dates with Serrano ham and basil can be made fuss free with simple ingredients!
Get the RECIPE from The Pastiche
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.
Get the RECIPE from Jeanette’s Healthy Living
These Creamy Spanish Butter Beans are easy to make, made with simple ingredients and pack a ton of flavors.
Get the RECIPE from Spain on a Fork
Why not take your appetizer to the next level with this Spanish Serrano Ham and Cured Cheese Bruschetta. A fantastic combination.
Get the RECIPE from Julia’s Cuisine
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.
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Thin sliced fennel is topped with salami and nutty parmesan cheese for an easy-to-prepare, three-ingredient appetizer that’s sure to impress.
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Fabada Asturiana is a hearty, warming Spanish white bean stew with lots of porky goodness. It’s incredibly easy and the perfect meal for a cold day.
Get the RECIPE from Caroline’s Cooking
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.
Get the RECIPE from Compass and Fork
How to Make Ahead and Store
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.
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45+ EASY Tapas Recipes
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).
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Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
- 1 loaf ciabatta (split in half horizontally lengthwise, cut crosswise into 1 1/2-inch slices)
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus more for serving)
- 2 garlic cloves (halved crosswise)
- 2 pounds beefsteak 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!
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
Equipment
Box Grater
Nutrition
Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 375mg | Potassium: 358mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1259IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
