10 Easy Tapas Recipes (2024)

Published: · Modified: · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links · 29 Comments

* 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.

10 Easy Tapas Recipes (1)

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.

10 Easy Tapas Recipes (2)

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 (3)

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.

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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.

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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 Paprika Chicken Skewers recipe

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10 Easy Tapas Recipes (7)

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 Gambas Pil Pil recipe

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10 Easy Tapas Recipes (9)

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 Patatas Bravas recipe

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10 Easy Tapas Recipes (11)

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 Chorizo in Red Wine recipe

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10 Easy Tapas Recipes (13)

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 Tortilla (Spanish Omelette) recipe

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10 Easy Tapas Recipes (15)

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 Spanish Olives recipe

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10 Easy Tapas Recipes (17)

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 Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs) recipe

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10 Easy Tapas Recipes (19)

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 Spanish Rice recipe

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10 Easy Tapas Recipes (21)

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 Canarian Potatoes (Papas arrugadas) recipe

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10 Easy Tapas Recipes (23)

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.

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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 Recipesplease 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.

10 Easy Tapas Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular tapas dish? ›

The 10 most popular Spanish tapas you need to try
  • Jamon Serrano. ...
  • Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette) ...
  • Boquerones en Vinagre. ...
  • Albondigas en Salsa. ...
  • Patatas Bravas. ...
  • Croquetas (Croquettes) ...
  • Espinacas con Garbanzos (Spinach with Chickpeas) ...
  • Calamares fritos (Fried Squid Rings)
May 12, 2022

What is a typical tapas menu? ›

Traditional tapas include mixed olives, garlicky shrimp, fried baby squid, meatballs, and chorizo. Whether you're craving briny seafood or crispy potatoes, these are our best tapas recipes.

How many tapas should you order for 2 people? ›

Nonetheless, we have our 'rule': We usually order 2 to 3 tapas per person. If we are a group of 4 or more, we order certain dishes (the ones we really love!) twice. This way everybody gets enough from the dish and the selection as well as the order process is a lot easier.

How many dishes to order in tapas? ›

In general, two to four tapas dishes per person is a standard order for a meal. This may be slightly fewer if you're stopping off for a snack. Tapas do come in different sizes so it's a good idea to check with your server and potentially ask for recommendations. This way, you can ensure the right sized portion!

What is a classic tapas dish? ›

Black pudding and chorizo

Together with ham, these are two of the most popular cured pork products served as tapas. The first is made with rice and the second is served grilled or cooked in cider.

What is Spain's most famous tapa? ›

Tortilla española or tortilla de patatas

One of the most well-known Spanish tapas is made from a few simple ingredients: eggs, potatoes, onions, and a little oil. Unlike the tortillas made in Central and South America, the Spanish tortilla is more of a frittata than a wrap.

What do you order when you want a meal of tapas? ›

Rich cheeses, cured meats, roasted vegetables, fresh seafood, and deep-fried delights are all common players in the tapas game.

What are tapas snacks? ›

Tapas are Spanish appetizers, meant to be eaten in just a few bites. Traditional tapas include mixed olives, fried baby squid, meatballs and chorizo. Papas bravas are another typical dish: It's simply fried potatoes served with a creamy sauce.

Can tapas be a full meal? ›

Tapas served as snacks to keep hunger at bay before the main meal. Their popularity has grown, and tapas are now often eaten as the main meal. They can be thought of as samplers, or you can make a complete meal by combining two or more tapas to enjoy a variety of flavors.

What time is best for tapas? ›

Tapas is traditionally a drink and bite to eat, so when you meet for tapas in Spain, it's usually around 1:30 to 3pm or 8:30 to 10:30pm. If you stick to the traditional Spanish times for tapas, you're guaranteed to get the freshest food and the best atmosphere.

What do you drink with tapas? ›

In fact most tapas' sessions can start with a chilled dry sherry, then move onto a Rosado/Rosé or a Spanish white wine like an Albariño, or a crisp dry Riesling, or even a Chablis, with seafood tapas and then move onto a red Rioja Crianza or light Syrah, or a Rhône-Valley red blend with meat or mushroom-based dishes.

What does tapas mean in Spanish to English? ›

What Does Tapas Mean in Spanish? Tapas has two meanings in Spanish. As a verb, tapas means “to cover”, revealing its origins as a way for guests to cover their drinks with pieces of food. As a noun, it references small plates of food.

What is not allowed on tapas? ›

Our content guidelines are pretty straightforward, not allowing excessive violence and gore, hateful content or copyrighted work, among other issues. Within comics, we also do not allow nudity of any kind and mature/sexual content.

What is 1 tap tapas? ›

Tapas Team. 1-Tap is a great new feature on the Tapas app that gives readers a new way to purchase episodes. Once enabled, to unlock an episode by tapping on the “Next Button” in the lower navigation bar or, if you are an iOS user, by swiping from right to left! Essentially, you can unlock the next episode in 1-Tap!

Do you need money for tapas? ›

While most series on Tapas are free, some premium series have “locked” episodes, which are marked with a small lock icon. Users may unlock these exclusive episodes one at a time with Tapas Ink or Free Episode Tickets, or they may unlock multiple episodes in quick succession by using 1-Tap™ at a discounted rate.

What are the 3 types of tapas? ›

Types of Tapas

You can categorize tapas into three main categories: cosas de picar, pintxos, and cazuelas. We explain the three types of tapas below. Cosas de Picar - The most popular type of tapas, cosas de picar, are finger foods.

Which tapa is known as Spain's national dish? ›

Spanish Tapas / Tortilla Española

This simple but delicious tapa is often referred to as Spain's national dish. A traditional Spanish omelet filled with potatoes. A few ingredients come together in the dish, with crispy egg forming a flaky crust that binds a filling of potato, onion, and spices.

What is Spain's most famous dish? ›

Paella is perhaps the most famous Spanish dish of all, and certainly one of the most abused. Authentic paella originates from the region around Valencia, and comes in two varieties: Paella Valenciana, with rabbit and chicken; and seafood paella.

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