A tortilla, also known as a Spanish omelette, is made with eggs and potato and is a traditional Spanish tapas dish. A simple, protein packed meal that makes a nice light lunch, or a delicious addition to a dinner party spread. Serve hot or cold, it's great for picnics and lunch boxes too.
Who doesn't love an omelette? This Spanish omelette is next level, with a layer of crispy potatoes in it. Most of us know tortilla as a wrap or what is used to make nachos, but in Spain it is an omelette that is usually served as part of tapas, or sandwiched in between two thick slices of bread.
It tastes just as good cold, so make sure you make enough to have leftovers and keep it in your fridge for a protein filled snack. You can keep it traditional, or easily adapt it with other ingredients.
Looking for more baked egg recipes? Try our Breakfast Egg Casserole, Baked Egg Tortilla, Oven Baked Eggs, or our Baked Breakfast Muffins.
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Why You Will Love It
- A new way to enjoy eggs
- Protein packed
- Great for lunch boxes and picnics
- A delicious addition to a tapas spread
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Oil - A good quality Spanish olive oil is perfect for giving this tortilla an authentic flavour.
- Shallots - You could swap these for a small brown onion, but we find that shallots have a sweeter flavour.
- Potatoes - The great thing about this recipe, is that you can use any potatoes, making it a really budget friendly recipe.
- Eggs - Use the best quality, high welfare eggs that you can afford, as we think it's really important. Use eggs with a golden yolk, to add a nice colour to this dish.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Spanish Omelette - Step by Step
One: Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the shallots, garlic and potato slices. Cook on a low heat for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes have gotten a little crispy and the onions have softened.
Two: Whisk the eggs in a bowl and season.
Three: Add the eggs to the potatoes and cook on a gentle heat for around 8 minutes.
Four: Put a plate on top of the frying pan (big enough so it covers it) and then carefully flip the pan upside down whilst holding the plate and then slide the tortilla back into the frying pan so it is now cooking the other side. Cook for another 5-6 minutes, so the eggs are cooked through.
Budget Friendly
This tortilla is a really budget friendly recipe, as the main ingredients are potatoes and eggs, which are fairly cheap to buy (when compared to other healthy ingredients) and you can fill it out with whatever leftover vegetables you have. When funds are running low, we always turn to eggs to make meals, as they are cheap and filling
Serving Suggestions
Tortilla is a must at any tapas feast. We always serve it with our Patatas Bravas, Gambas Pil Pil or Chicken Skewers.
As well as a must-have at any tapas spread, this can be a great accompaniment to a large salad or have it as part of a picnic.
Extra Tips
- Keep this well wrapped up and it will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
- Cooked egg dishes freeze well, so this tortilla can be kept in the freezer for up to one year, although they are of best quality up to six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first reference to a Spanish tortilla was in 1817. It was referred to as a dish that could be made to use eggs sparingly, as they could bulk them out with other ingredients. Recipes for this dish can range from the truly authentic with just eggs, onion and potato, but you could also add green peppers, chorizo, courgettes, mushrooms, ham, peas, or anything else you want to throw in.
Keep this well wrapped up and it will keep in the fridge for up to three days. Cooked egg dishes freeze well, so this tortilla can be kept in the freezer for up to one year, although they are of best quality up to six months.
More Egg Recipes
If you’ve tried this Spanish omelette recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Tortilla (Spanish Omelette)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 4 Shallots - sliced
- 1 Garlic clove - crushed
- 6 New potatoes - sliced
- 6 Egg - large
- 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoon Olive oil in a frying pan and add 4 Shallots, 1 Garlic clove and 6 New potatoes (sliced). Cook on a low heat for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes become a little crispy and the onions have softened.
- Whisk 6 Egg in a bowl and season with 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper.
- Add the eggs to the potatoes and cook on a gentle heat for around 8 minutes.
- Put a plate on top of the frying pan (big enough so it covers it) and then carefully flip the pan upside down whilst holding the plate and then slide the tortilla back into the frying pan so it is now cooking the other side. Cook for another 5-6 minutes, so the eggs are cooked through.
Recipe Tips
- Keep this well wrapped up and it will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
- Cooked egg dishes freeze well, so this tortilla can be kept in the freezer for up to one year, although they are of best quality up to six months.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
samantha rickelton says
We've just returned from Spain and this is making me remember happy times :D
lisa | Garlic + Zest says
This looks healthy and delicious -- love that it's budget friendly too!
Karyn Ryan says
this looks so yummy ;) we're having a fish and potato omelette to-night for tea but i love anything with chorizo so this one will defo be on the menu
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen says
Nothing beats a good tortilla. Nice recipe and I like the video! Have a nice weekend x
Manali@CookWithManali says
looks lovely Dannii! If would make omelette for breakfast more often if my hubby was fond of eggs!
Laura says
I'm on vacation right now and saw this on the menu at a restaurant, but I'll make it when I get home!
mira says
This looks like the perfect breakfast Dannii! Will try it this weekend!
[email protected] says
Looks so good. Love dishes that could be a brunch or dinner entrée.
Phill Palmer says
I do love a good omelette but I wouldn't have ever put that many ingredients in. I feel like I've been missing out my whole life! Thanks for the suggestion looking forward to getting home
Cecilia Keinapel says
Wow this tortilla dish looks amazing, I love that it is budget friendly aswell.I definetely want to try this recipe, looks delicious! I have already signed up there I am always loving your recipes xx
mummy m's memories says
Wow, my mouth is watering just looking at the pictures... but as soon as you said chorizo, you had me sold!
27 hats... Wow... that's almost 1 a day for a month!!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
I love potatoes, eggs, and budget friendly meals! I'm excited for your little family and your new adventures! I wish all of y'all the best!
Emma says
I love Tortilla - it's just iconic Spanish food - we have friends who make it and use a proper tortilla press.
We often make one for lunch & use up all the veges in the fridge - our favourite fillings are ham, mushroom, parsnip, broccoli and peppers.
Deena kakaya says
Hi again! This is one of my all time fave dishes that my dad makes for me. Potatoes and eggs are just meant to be! I add sundried tomatoes though xx
Noe says
Hi Danii and everyone :) ! I've been following your blog for a while now, it is full of amazing recipes, which I thank you for.
Since I got so much from this web, I thought I could give something back, since I'm spanish and tortilla is something that I know pretty well. When I read the recipe, I thought I could suggest you some new things (or maybe you already know them!), in case you want to try something different :)
Just like you said, you can make it with almost any vegetable (I do it to reduce the carbs from potatoes), but the traditional way is only with potatoes. Actually, most people wouldn't even consider possible to add something else to the amazing tortilla. Personally, I like adding some mushrooms and curry to the recipe :)
Instead of leek, we add onion. This is kind of a big fight in Spain, half the people like it with onion, and the other half prefers it without... I love putting a whole small onion on it, which you have to fry first. Also, I completely agree on adding parsley, totally spanish! We add parsley to almost any dish (just like italians do with basil).
Regarding the preparation, the traditional way is to fry the potatoes and the onions. And then cook the tortilla in a pan, turning it when done using a plate (or, if you are skilled enough, flip it in the air). Like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Qe8pk7Bbo Even if it is in spanish, you can see how it looks before flipping it and how to do it. However, in restaurants, they make tall tortillas (adding baking powder and a bit of milk) that are cooked in the oven, but we don't do that in our houses, we prefer the traditional way. What I also do to cut some calories, is to bake the potatoes and onions in the oven (instead of frying them with the pan), and after that I mix then with the beaten eggs (+salt, pepper, parsley) and cook all together in a pan.
The "traditional way" also states that you have to leave the mix of beaten eggs+potatoes+... resting 5-10 minutes before cooking, because that will bring the flavours together and your tortilla will be better. You can also try to put some of this mix on bread.. amazing!
About the way we eat it, all by itself is perfectly Ok and tasteful. Although some people add mayonnaise. What I do love is to squeeze half a lemon on top of my tortilla before I eat it. The combination of flavours is definitely something you want to try!
Enjoy!