• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hungry Healthy Happy
  • Slow Cooker
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • FREE eBook
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Slow Cooker
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • FREE eBook
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Let's get social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Slow Cooker
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • FREE eBook
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Let's get social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Mediterranean

    10 Easy Tapas Recipes

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

    4488 shares
    • 70

    * 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.
    heart icon

    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.

    You'll love these too...

    • A bowl of pesto salad dressing with a spoon in it.
      Pesto Salad Dressing
    • A bowl of marinated olives.
      Marinated Olives
    • A large bowl of aubergine salad next to a yellow towel.
      Aubergine Salad
    • Harissa paste in a jar with a spoon.
      Harissa Paste

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alyssa

      November 01, 2019 at 10:43 pm

      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.

      Reply
    2. Katie

      November 01, 2019 at 8:29 pm

      This is so fun! I need to do this with my family dinner because I'm sure they'd go crazy for it all!

      Reply
    3. Ashley

      November 01, 2019 at 8:27 pm

      What a wonderful post -- now I need to host a tapas themed supper club night!!

      Reply
    4. Rebecca

      November 01, 2019 at 7:48 pm

      Love tapas! these all look so good

      Reply
    5. Leanne

      November 01, 2019 at 7:45 pm

      When we go out to eat we love to hit up a tapas bar, but I love creating it at home even more. I'll have to try some of these easy recipes you've compiled, and I appreciate the wine pairing information too. Always important! ;)

      Reply
    6. kim

      October 31, 2019 at 11:54 am

      Love these ideas! They'll definitely come in handy when hosting during the holidays!

      Reply
    7. Paula Montenegro

      October 31, 2019 at 11:37 am

      Give me a buffet table with tortilla and albóndigas (meatballs) and I can stay there all day! This spread looks sensational! Great showcase of Spanish food. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    8. Danielle Wolter

      October 31, 2019 at 11:26 am

      I'm in charge of Friendsgiving this year and this totally inspired me to make it a tapas party. SO many great ideas here!

      Reply
    9. Adrianne

      October 31, 2019 at 10:21 am

      Holy wow, there are so many good options here! I have to say that I would drink any wine with tapas and yours all look so very good! The rose and spanish meatballs are my pics.

      Reply
    10. David

      October 31, 2019 at 10:20 am

      Yum! Tasty lineup of food. I like the sound of the pil pil with all the garlic. Interesting, haven't heard of this type of wine before. Sounds like a good option.

      Reply
    11. jen

      October 30, 2019 at 8:48 pm

      LOVE these tapas ideas! I love eating like this on vacation.

      Reply
    12. Alina | Cooking Journey Blog

      October 30, 2019 at 8:38 pm

      What a lovely selection of tapas recipes! Thanks for sharing, I will try one of these.

      Reply
    13. Andrea Metlika

      October 30, 2019 at 7:41 pm

      What a great tapas party here. I love all the recipes and I can't wait to share them with my friends.

      Reply
    14. Taylor Kiser

      October 30, 2019 at 7:39 pm

      Everything looks delicious! Such a fun idea for a dinner party!

      Reply
    15. Tara

      October 30, 2019 at 4:54 pm

      Such a fun collection of recipes! I love all these photos. I need to check out Skinny Booze.

      Reply
    16. Vicky

      October 30, 2019 at 4:52 pm

      You have a nice variety of tapas here. I like how there are some heavier options that you can really fill up on, along with some lighter fare like the olives.

      Reply
    17. Sara

      October 30, 2019 at 4:24 pm

      Love this!! I love that you included wines and lower calorie wines. I always stress planning a light dinner party but this will make it so much easier. Thanks!

      Reply
    18. Raia Todd

      October 30, 2019 at 4:15 pm

      These all sound delicious! I'm definitely loving the sound of those Paprika Chicken Skewers and the Patatas Bravas!

      Reply
    19. Katie

      October 30, 2019 at 3:44 pm

      This is so fun!! Can't wait to try this with my lunch bunch friends.

      Reply
    20. Lisa Huff

      October 30, 2019 at 2:40 pm

      Loving all those food options, especially those meatballs! I haven't heard of Skinny Booze and can't wait to check it out. I had no idea there were lower calorie wines out there!

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Made this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Dannii in hat and glasses stood on a beach.

    Welcome!
    My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

    About HHH»

    Salad Recipes

    • A red bowl full of green bean salad.
      Green Bean Salad
    • A large bowl of aubergine salad next to a yellow towel.
      Aubergine Salad
    • A bowl of watercress salad with a wooden fork and spoon in it.
      Watercress Salad
    • Asparagus salad on a large round plate.
      Asparagus Salad
    • Halloumi salad on a round blue plate.
      Halloumi Salad
    • Rocket salad in a large serving bowl.
      Rocket Salad

    Featured in

    Collage of media outlet logos.

    Popular Recipes

    • A pile of air fryer chips.
      The Best Air Fryer Chips
    • 10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry on a blue and white plate.
      10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry
    • Easy tomato pasta sauce coating tagliatelle on a white plate.
      Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce
    • Slow cooker beef brisket sliced up on a serving board.
      Slow Cooker Beef Brisket

    Footer

    Help & Information

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Advertising
    • Blog

    About us

    • About us
    • Newsletter Sign Up!
    • Press enquiries
    • Web Stories
    • FAQ

    Follow us

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

    ^ back to top

    Featured in

    A selection of publications that Hungry Healthy Happy has been featured in

    As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2011-2023 Hungry Healthy Happy • All Rights Reserved • Site Design by D Martin

    • 70
    4.5K shares