The 25 BEST Tapas Recipes (2024)

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Hosting a tapas party, or simply love a variety of great foods on small plates? This is the post for you!

We’ve compiled this great list of authentic Spanish Tapas Recipes for you to try. Tapas are generally eaten as snacks or appetizers in Spanish cuisine, served on small plates and often shared around the table.

This list includes a big variety: seafood dishes, vegetable preparations, salads, meatballs and more. They’re all so delicious!

Cook, or in some cases simply prepare, your way through all of these great Spanish tapas recipes. We hope you love them as much as we do!

1. Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)

Let’s start the this tapas list with one of the most popular and beloved small plates out of Spain. How does a sizzling platter of garlicky, seafoody goodness sound? Grab some crusty bread for sopping and whip up this famous Spanish tapa,Gambas al Ajilloin your very own kitchen!

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2. Spanish Meatballs

These meatballs are one of the most popular tapas out of all Spanish tapas bars. Learn to roll meatballs the Spanish way and make them a center piece of your next tapas party.

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3. Spanish Clams with White Beans and Chorizo

This Spanish clams with white beans and chorizo recipe is delightful. Everything is simmered with fresh herbs and olive oil and goes great with some nice crusty bread!

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4. Espinacas con Garbanzos (Spanish Spinach with Chick Peas)

This classic Spanish tapas is a great addition to your appetizer spread. Hearty chick peas and fresh spinach are cooked in a cozy sauce of tomatoes, onions and exotic spices. One of our very favorite tapas recipes!

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5. Spanish Summer Salad (Pipirrana)

Here to celebrate tomato season this summer is a tribute to all those luscious summer tomatoes, ripening on the vines in warm sunshine. Mixed with just a few more cool crunchies, and you have yet another colorful popular traditional dish, pipirrana, all the way from the south of Spain.

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Check out our collection of favorite Salad Recipes!

6. Pisto

Pisto is like caponata or ratatouille, a hearty rustic vegetable stew with eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, onion and tomatoes with tons of olive oil. You can serve it in small individual cazuelas along with some crusty bread or crostini. Great vegetarian tapas!

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7. Pan con Jamón

Get ready to meet my new favorite appetizer, all the way from Spain…Pan con Jamón!

This one is as easy as it gets, but it’s so, so addictive. You only need three ingredients. But please don’t cut corners here, Pan con Jamón is all about the quality. We’ll teach you all…

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8. Patatas Bravas

How about this delicious tapas from your humble spuds? These Patatas Bravas are crispy, even though they are baked not fried! Topped with a delicious smoky salsa brava and garlic aioli, we bet you won’t stop till you finish all…

Get the Recipe @ foxandbriar

9. Spanish Empanadas

Empanadas is everyone’s favorite snack all over Spain and in many other Latin speaking countries. An empanada is adoughy and flaky pie generously stuffed with savory fillings. Traditionally, these savory fixings are onions, bell peppers, and minced meat, but there are many various other ideas for empanada filling.

Get the Recipe @ thetortillachannel

10. Pan Con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Bread)

Now this tapas is super easy. Just fresh tomatoes, bread, garlic, olive oil… and voila, Pan con Tomate, aka Spanish Tomato bread, is ready for your guests. Such an easy tapas to whip up in a short time for your friends and family!

Get the Recipe @ themediterraneandish

11. Spanish Ham Croquettes

Croquetas De Jamón Serrano are Spanish version of Croquettes. They are wonderfully creamy without using any cheese. They’re basically a fantasticbéchamel sauce(olive oil, butter, flour, and milk) mixed in with leftover scraps of serrano hamand deep-fried to crispy perfection… YUM.

Get the Recipe @ spanishsabores

12. Marinated Olives

Marinate your favorite olives in garlic and lemon infused olive oil with a hint of red pepper flakes. They have the company of some almonds too. Make this super simple, tasty addictive and healthy tapa and get that tapas party going with ease.

Get the Recipe @ theendlessmeal

13. Pinchos Morunos

Pinchos morunos are Spanish pork skewers with a delicious marinade made with earthy, etheric spices. They’re easy to make, full of flavor and are the perfect tapas dish to add to your next party or get-together. Just present these skewers to your crowd and see them dig happily into them.

Get the Recipe @ carolinescooking

14. Chorizo Al Vino Tinto

Chorizo al vino Tinto, simply meaning Spanish chorizo sausage in red wine. This classic tapas is very popular all over Spain in tapas bars. It’s extremely easy to whip up in your own kitchen, with just 6 ingredients.

Get the Recipe @ fooddrinkdestinations

15. Spanish Mussels

Looking for some seafood tapas ideas? Try these Spanish mussels, jam packed with flavors. They are smothered in an absolutely divine white wine tomato sauce with smoked paprika, saffron and garlic!

Get the Recipe @ spainonafork

16. Cider Glazed Chorizo Tapas

How about an easy, quick tapas on toothpicks? Make this Chorizo tapas glazed with apple cider sauce spiked with a few herbs and spices. Yummy…

Get the Recipe @eatwell101

17. Manchego Croquetas

If you’re a fan of mozzarella sticks, these Spanish cheese Croquetas are your new favorites. Thick, creamy béchamel sauce, loaded with sharp manchego cheese and fried to crispy perfection. What better tapas than this with some cold chilled beer?

Get the Recipe @ thesugarhit

18. Spanish Tortilla

Are you having tapas for your next brunch or get together? Then this Spanish Tortilla should be the centerpiece. Crispy, fried potatoes and eggs will take your regular omelette to the next level!

Get the Recipe @ cafedelites

19. Mojo Picante

Mojo Picante, aka Spanish Red Pepper Sauce. You can use it as a dipping sauce or drizzle it all over your food. It’s one great tasting sauce for all your seafood, chicken and pork for your next tapas part.

Get the Recipe @ lovefoodies

Check out our collection of favorite Homemade Dip Recipes!

20. Tomato and Butter Bean Dip

Try this dip made with big and creamy white butter beans, tomato paste, garlic, shallot, olive oil, and paprika, stewed together. This will go great over crusty bread or some pita chips.

Get the Recipe @ freshoffthegrid

21. Fried Calamari with Spanish Paprika

This seafood tapa is beloved all over Spain. Learn how to make this perfect, restaurant quality appetizer right at home. Treat your friends and family to this delicious fried calamari. They are so much easier than you may think.

Get the Recipe @ spanishsabores.com

22. Pimientos de Padrón

This is a very regional and classic tapas made out of Spanish local peppers. They are simply fried blistered peppers with some seasonings and salt. Simple, unique, yet delicious for pepper lovers.

Get the Recipe @ craftbeering

23. Pulpo a la Gallega

This one is for the adventurous palate. Pulpo a la gallegais basically an octopus salad.Try this seafood tapas with some eclectic group of friends and savor new flavors.

Get the Recipe @ honest-food

24. Clams with Sherry and Serrano Ham

These clams in sherry infused sauce with serrano ham and pimenton are absolutely delish. Have some crusty bread to mop up the sauce and enjoy this Spanish seafood delicacy.

Get the Recipe @ womanandhome

25. Spanish Cheese Board

Now how about finishing this list of tapas recipes with a grand charcuterie board… tapas style! Think all of the tapas specialties like different Spanish hams and cheeses, olives and spreads. Wow your guests when you take this to your table!

Get the Recipe @ mykitchenlove

Check out our collection of favorite Charcuterie Board Ideas!

So there you go, twenty five great Spanish Tapas recipes. The only question now is, which to try first?

Pin or bookmark this collection of great recipes so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new easy recipes for you!

The 25 BEST Spanish Tapas

This great collection of Spanish Tapas Recipes feature an array of great small plates for you to enjoy. We love this espinacas con garbanzos:

Ingredients

• 2 15.5 oz can garbanzos (chick peas)
• 5 cups fresh spinach
• 1 onion
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 4 garlic cloves
• 3 strips bacon
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Instructions

1. Cut bacon into 1 inch pieces and fry in skillet over medium high heat. When brown and crisp, remove from skillet and set aside. While bacon is cooking, slice onions and garlic.
2. Add onions and sauté in bacon fat. Cook until soft and translucent.
3. Stir in garlic, smoked paprika and cumin powder. Sauté one minute.
4. Mix in tomato sauce and then garbanzos. Sauté for a minute, then add in raisins.
5. Stir in spinach and cook a few minutes until wilted. If your skillet cannot accommodate all raw spinach at once, you can add it in batches.
6. Stir in bacon, serve in a dish, drizzle with a generous portion of olive oil and garnish with slivered almonds.

Notes

1. Let me know which recipes you try, I love hearing from you!

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