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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Mediterranean

    10 Easy Tapas Recipes

    Published: Oct 30, 2019 · Modified: Jan 18, 2023 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 29 Comments

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    * This is a sponsored post for Skinny Booze *
    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. All delicious when served with reduced calorie wine from Skinny Booze.

    A table coveres in various tapas dishes.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • What is Tapas food?
    • What wine to serve with tapas
    • Lower calorie wine
    • 10 Easy Tapas Recipes
    • Extra tips
    • Feedback

    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.

    A tapas selection of gambas pil pil, olives, albondigas and tortilla.

    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.

    A tapas set up with chicken skewers, chorizo, goat's cheese, bread and tomatoes.

    What wine to serve with tapas

    A good selection of wine is a must at any tapas dinner party, as tapas is made to be shared and enjoyed together, just like a good bottle of wine. Tapas food can be quite rich and heavy, which is why we like to keep the booze light.

    That's why we have teamed up with Skinny Booze who have an amazing selection of reduced calorie wines (as well spirits and wines and ciders).

    Experience all the satisfaction of drinking wine with fewer calories and less sugar with the fantastic selection of wine available on the Skinny Booze website. Selected not just for their calorie savings, but these wines are high in quality and flavour too.

    Five bottles of wine laying on a wooden table.

    When it comes to calories we don't like to drink too many, which is why we love the choice of reduced calorie wines from Skinny Booze. But quality and taste is important to us too, as it is to them. Many of the wines are vegan-friendly, as well as zero sugar – most notably the hugely popular Slimline Wine collection.

    Lower calorie wine

    Usually, lower calorie wines are only so because they have a lower ABV%, however the wines at Skinny Booze maintain a comparable ABV%. Full Strength, Full Flavour & Fewer Calories - just how we like it.

    SkinnyBooze is the only place on the internet you can find products like that. They have sourced wines from all over the world which have significantly reduced Sugars and Carbs to offer the leanest portfolio of ‘better for you’ alcoholic alternatives in the market.

    A hand holding a glass of white wine over a selection of tapas dishes.

    We went with one of the mixed cases of wine that are available on the Skinny Booze website, because then you can get a mix of red, white and rose which is ideal for a tapas dinner party where there is a mix of food like with these tapas dishes. You have red that goes really well with the chorizo (and is even used when cooking it), white to pair with the prawns and rose and a good in between wine.

    10 Easy Tapas Recipes

    Paprika Chicken Skewers
    These Paprika Chicken Skewers are smoky, a little bit spicy, and a delicious way to make a chicken dinner a little bit more exciting.
    Check out this recipe
    Paprika Chicken Skewers on a plate with paprika dip.
    A plate of seasoned chicken skewers with a pot of dip.
    Gambas Pil Pil
    A simple prawn recipe that's a must at any tapas table. Gambas Pil Pil is a traditional Spanish dish that transports your taste buds to the Mediterranean.
    Check out this recipe
    Gambas pil pil in a bowl with a chunk of bread.
    A bowl of cooked prawns, scattered with herbs and a piece of chunky bread.
    Patatas Bravas
    There is so much that you can do with potatoes as a side dish and Patatas Bravas is a traditional Spanish side dish that is perfect for tapas night.
    Check out this recipe
    A bowl of patatas bravas in front of a bowl of olives
    Patatas Bravas in a bowl in front of some olives and a tea towel
    Chorizo in Red Wine
    Chorizo in Red Wine is a real flavour packed dish that is perfect as part of any tapas spread. Simple Spanish flavours cooked together in less that 15 minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    A plate of Chorizo in Red Wine next to some slices of bread
    Slices of chorizo in red wine sauce topped with chopped herbs
    Tortilla (Spanish Omelette)
    A tortilla, also known as a Spanish omelette, is made with eggs and potato and is a traditional Spanish tapas dish.
    Check out this recipe
    A slice of Spanish omelette on a plate with vine tomatoes and green salad leaves
    A slice of tortilla on a plate next to a whole tortilla, some toast and tomatoes
    Spanish Olives
    Spanish Olives are a really easy side dish that are a must at any tapas dinner party or just to keep in your fridge as a delicious Mediterranean flavoured snack.
    Check out this recipe
    A bowl of green Spanish olives with lemon wedges.
    A bowl of green Spanish olives with lemon wedges. Bread and dip are next to it
    Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)
    Albondigas are delicious Spanish meatballs in a rich and smokey tomato sauce. A must at any tapas feast, but equally delicious served with pasta or potato.
    Check out this recipe
    A plate of albondigas with chopped herbs sprinkled on top
    A plate of albondigas with chopped herbs sprinkled on top.
    Spanish Rice
    Easy Spanish Rice, also known as Mexican Rice, is a simple and delicious way to make rice more exciting and a must-have side dish at any Tapas dinner party.
    Check out this recipe
    Spanish Rice in a blue bowl topped with chopped parsley
    Spanish Rice in a blue bowl topped with chopped parsley.
    Canarian Potatoes (Papas arrugadas)
    Papas arrugadas, also known as Canarian Potatoes, means 'wrinkled potatoes' and are a traditional potato dish popular across all the Canary islands.
    Check out this recipe
    A plate of Canarian Potatoes smothered in mojo picon sauce.
    A plate of cooked new potatoes smothered in an orange coloured sauce.

    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.

    Serrano ham salad in a long serving dish.
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    Extra 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 - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly Anthony

      November 07, 2019 at 7:01 pm

      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.

      Reply
    2. Beth

      November 07, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      Ok, I love the colors and flavors in these recipes! I hope my invite to this dinner party is in the mail!

      Reply
    3. Katherine

      November 07, 2019 at 5:11 pm

      Oooh so many great Spanish recipes. I don't know where to start!

      Reply
    4. Tammy

      November 07, 2019 at 4:35 pm

      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 ^_^

      Reply
    5. Chris Collins

      November 07, 2019 at 4:30 pm

      I love tapas so much, I just want to try all of these! Those paprika skewers look divine!

      Reply
    6. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

      November 03, 2019 at 2:00 pm

      I love tapas but don't often make my favourites at home. Will certainly be giving the recipes a try now though.

      Reply
    7. Heidy L. McCallum

      November 03, 2019 at 12:41 pm

      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.

      Reply
    8. Shahzadi

      November 03, 2019 at 12:30 pm

      Love the fact that I can create my most fave tapas - right at home! Thank you!!! Regards shahzadi

      Reply
    9. Tisha

      November 03, 2019 at 10:40 am

      These are just what I need for hosting a party!!! Not too heavy perfect for entertaining!

      Reply
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