Enjoy all the flavours of Spain with these 10 Easy Tapas Recipes, that when put together make the most delicious tapas dinner party feast. From Spanish Tortilla, to Albondigas (smoky meatballs), Patatas Bravas, garlic prawns and the EASIEST Spanish Rice, and so much more.
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If you love eating out at a tapas restaurant, then why not recreate the recipes at home?
These 10 Easy Tapas Recipes are a favourite on any Spanish restaurant menu. These little dishes are packed with garlic, paprika, and herbs and are perfect for sharing.
What is Tapas food?
In Spanish, you can have one 'tapa' and two or more 'tapas'. It is basically a small plate of Spanish cuisine and translates to 'top' or 'lid'.
It is said that when people drank Sherry, they often covered their wine glasses with a slice of bread or meat to keep the flies from doing a nose-dive into the wine, and that is how tapas began and where it got its name. Tapas is classic Spanish cuisine.
Nowadays it is a popular cuisine all over the world and has moved on from a slice of ham covering a wine glass.
There are many types of Tapas Bars and recipes can vary regionally, but popular tapas choices include chicken skewers, meatballs, cod croquettes, garlic prawns and crispy smoky potatoes - many of the Spanish tapas recipes you will find in this post.
The benefit of tapas is you can enjoy 4-5 smaller plates, and even share, so you get to have a hearty meal without being stuffed and you get to try a few different things.
10 Easy Tapas Recipes
Paprika Chicken Skewers
Gambas Pil Pil
Patatas Bravas
Chorizo in Red Wine
Tortilla (Spanish Omelette)
Spanish Olives
Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)
Spanish Rice
Canarian Potatoes (Papas arrugadas)
Serrano Ham Salad - What is a dinner party without a salad? We kept with the Spanish vibe by making this Serrano ham and Manchego salad. We took a base of rocket lettuce (arugula) and dressed it in olive oil, salt and pepper, lemon juice and red wine vinegar and then topped it with Serrano ham (a traditional Spanish ham), shavings of Manchego cheese and some figs.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Put out a selection of wines. A red, white and rose, so that there is something for everyone to go with all the different dishes on offer.
- Have a selection of breads out (including crusty bread, breadsticks and slices) with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a bowl for dipping.
- Put some Spanish meats, roasted red peppers and cheeses on a board as a filler if you have lots of guests. It's always better to have too much food and have leftovers than not have enough.
- Try to make as much as you can earlier on in the day or the night before. The olives can be made in advance and will keep in the fridge for a few days. The chicken skewers and meatballs can be made and kept in the fridge until they are ready to cook.
- Tapas makes great leftovers. Slices of tortilla make for a great snack as you are passing the fridge. The olives can be used in other meals like pastas and salads and the cooked chicken skewers are delicious in wraps.
If you've tried any of these Easy Tapas Recipes please leave a comment below, we love hearing from you!
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Kelly Anthony says
Small plates are my favorite way to eat especially at a dinner party. It is a great way to have a bunch of different types of food in one night. I loved reading your history of how tapas started.
Beth says
Ok, I love the colors and flavors in these recipes! I hope my invite to this dinner party is in the mail!
Katherine says
Oooh so many great Spanish recipes. I don't know where to start!
Tammy says
What a delicious and colorful spread! Sometimes I just like making a few different tapas and having that for dinner with wine. It's a fun way to keep parties simple ^_^
Chris Collins says
I love tapas so much, I just want to try all of these! Those paprika skewers look divine!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
I love tapas but don't often make my favourites at home. Will certainly be giving the recipes a try now though.
Heidy L. McCallum says
This is such an excellent idea for the holidays! I love Tapas, and this would be perfect for the multiple holiday gatherings we host. SO glad I found this on Pinterest today.
Shahzadi says
Love the fact that I can create my most fave tapas - right at home! Thank you!!! Regards shahzadi
Tisha says
These are just what I need for hosting a party!!! Not too heavy perfect for entertaining!
Alyssa says
I am saving this post for the next time I have a dinner party. What a fun idea! I fell in love with tapas when we were visiting Spain. Potatoes bravas were my favorite. But the chorizo in red wine sounds heavenly! I can't wait to do this.
Katie says
This is so fun! I need to do this with my family dinner because I'm sure they'd go crazy for it all!
Ashley says
What a wonderful post -- now I need to host a tapas themed supper club night!!