18 Terrific Tapas Recipes will make the perfect night with friends (2024)

Just a few short weeks ago we hosted a Tapas night. Each couple, we invited two couples besides ourselves, made 5 dishes plus a magnificent sangria! That was a total of 15 dishes, sounds like a lot but we managed to get through them without an issue. Some were small pintxos (just a bite), while others a bit larger! They did have one thing in common though, all were delicious. That is why I wanted to bring you this collection of 18 Terrific Tapas Recipes.

I can’t share with you all that we made as some were from cookbooks but this collection I put together for you has many wonderful options for your next tapas night.

Maybe some of you aren’t familiar with tapas. Basically it is Spanish appetizers that are usually served at a bar in Spain. One after another is served and this comprises your meal. I hope you enjoy our collection of Spanish Tapas Recipes!! I wish for you to “comer bien” or eat well!

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Table of Contents

Spanish Tapas Recipes

Spanish Tapas are canapes, snacks or tiny plates of a variety of different dishes that originated in Spain. In fact, Spanish tapas come in many different varieties and forms and can vary depending on where in Spain you are visiting.

How to Make Tapas

There are several different ways to make Tapas. Considering the variety of ingredients that can be used to create delicious small plates, there is a Tapas recipes for everyone.

From Patatas Bravas, Catalan-Style Spinach, Baked Feta Cheese with Olives and Lemon to Marinated Roasted Red Peppers and Shrimp in Romesco Sauce. The list continues with Queso Fresco Cheese and Apples, Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms and Mascarpone Stuffed Dates with Pomegranate and Honey.

The possibilities are just as endless as the tapas will seem.

Easy Tapas Recipes

From potatoes to other veggies, to cheese or seafood and more, Spanish cuisine is one that is full of flavor! Every bite will pack a punch of delicious tastes to share with family or friends!

Tapas dishes can be served hot or cold and some can be servedeither way or at room temperature. Eating tapas evokes conversation and friendship. There will always be something wonderful to talk about as dish after dish comes out to tempt all your senses.

Olives and Spanish olive oil are very essential in tapas and almost always some dishes will include those ingredients at some point in the meal. You can start off with simple marinated oliveswith lots of crusty bread to dunk. I made something very similar to this recipe and we all adored it.

Tapas can be very easy to serve too, don’t get intimidated with the number of dishes. Some like our marinated peppers take only a few minutes to pull together and can be made ahead of time. Serving an excellent inexpensive wine with your meal will add a lot of enjoyment to the dining. We sure have loved the newLiberado with our tapas meals.

Tapas

Tapas recipes are a fantastic addition to your cooking repertoire. They make for such a fun night of noshing and are perfect for get togethers and parties. Rather than serving a big meal to your guests you can opt to serve delicious Spanish tapas. There are such a wide variety of tapas recipes from vegetarian tapas to beef, chicken, chorizo or pork tapas, there is something for everyone.

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Patatas Bravas by Noshing With The Nolands

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Spanish Omelette (Tortilla de Patatas) by Scrummy Lane

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Catalan-Style Spinach by Foolproof Living

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Marinated Roasted Red Peppers by Noshing With The Nolands

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Mascarpone Stuffed Dates with Pomegranate and Honey by Foolproof Living

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Baked Feta Cheese with Olives and Lemon by The View From Great Island

Common Questions About Tapas

What are Tapas?

Tapas are essentially tiny plates of food originating from Spanish cuisine. Basically, like bar snacks served alongside beverages.

Tapas are great as a snack or even as a meal when you make a range of different kinds. These small dishes are a great way to try a large variety of different food without overfilling you belly and emptying your wallet.

Serving these recipes are fantastic for entertaining because most are easy to make and with such a large range of recipes they are sure to suit the different tastes if your guests.

What are Three Popular Tapas?

There are cold tapas, like cheeses and mixed olives or warm tapas like chopitos. Chopitos are fried and battered baby squid.

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Shrimp in Romesco Sauce by The View From Great Island

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Spanish Garlic Shrimp by Life Tastes Good

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Patatas Aioli by Manu’s Menu

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Mushrooms in Escabeche by Manu’s Menu

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Sous Vide Octopus Spanish Tapas Recipe by Jeanette’s Healthy Living

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Chorizo Sweet Potato Spanish Tortilla Bites by Cupcakes and Kale Chips

Where Does the Word Tapas Come From?

There are many debates about the origin of tapas. Depending on which part of Spain you are from, you may have differing opinions.

It is said that the first Tapas was simply a large piece of bread that was placed over top of a drink to keep the flies out. It is said, the word “Tapas” was born from this experience.

Tapas serve as an amazing way to entertain and enjoy some delicious food. There are many recipes out there that can be used to create delicious tapas. Try your hand at this Spanish cuisine and enjoy.

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Spicy Tortilla Rollups by Vegan in the Freezer

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Queso Fresco Cheese and Apples by Noshing With The Nolands

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Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms by Culinary Ginger

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Sauteed Mushroom and Rosemary Bruschetta by Culinary Ginger

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Queso en Aceite by Noshing With The Nolands

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Spanish Tapas Party Recipes by Flavor Mosaic

18 Terrific Tapas Recipes will make the perfect night with friends (2024)

FAQs

How many tapas per person? ›

Portion sizes will vary by restaurant, but typically, ordering 2 to 3 tapas per person gets the job done. So a party of 4 would order 8 to 12 tapas between them. Don't be afraid to ask your server if you haven't ordered enough food, and remember, your friends are there to help if you've ordered too much.

How do you host a tapas evening? ›

The key to a successful tapas party is balance – both for the dishes on the table and for your own sanity. Pick a handful of tapas that provide a variety of textures, flavors, and time commitments. Mix cold and warm, meat and vegetable, and prepare-ahead and last-minute. And ask for help!

How many tapas for 15 people? ›

Plan 6 to 8 bites per guest if you are hosting a co*cktail party (1-1/2 hour party) or 12 to 15 bites per guest for a tapas dinner party (3 hour party).

What's the healthiest tapas? ›

To get started, here are some options:
  • Ceviche: typically raw fish marinated in fresh citrus juice and spices; the acidity actually “cooks” the fish.
  • Gildas: usually made from anchovies, Spanish chile pepper and olives.
  • Stuffed tomatoes: includes a classic Spanish, spiced-up stuffing.

What is the most widely served tapa? ›

Tortilla de Patatas might be the most common tapa out there. It's also known as a Spanish Omelette however it really has no relation to the classic French dish. Tortilla is a perfect mix of softened potato slices mixed with egg that are fried into a cake like shape.

Can tapas be a full meal? ›

Traditionally, in Spain, dinner is served late. 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 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.

How to do a tapas dinner party? ›

For your tapas dinner party, it's a good idea to serve a selection of drinks to suit a variety of tastes. Spanish wines such as Rueda, Rioja, Mencia, or Cava would pair well with your tapas food. Sherry is another fantastic option for tapas, particularly a nutty Fino or a salty Manzanilla sherry.

What is the best time to eat 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 order when you want a meal of tapas? ›

Tapas: In addition to the options under pincho, above, most traditional spots will offer an array of croquettes (savory fried fritters), empanadas (fried stuffed pastries), pulgas (bite-size sandwiches with meat or cheese), and encurtidos (pickled items that include a wide array of olives), plus lots of specialties of ...

What is a tapas night? ›

Happily served with co*cktails, wine or an ice cold beer, a few tapas dishes shared at the table is a sociable and fun way to dine with your nearest and dearest. Create your own small plate feast at home with our tantalising tapas recipes.

How many appetizers do I need for 20 guests? ›

A good rule of thumb for a dinner party, allow for 6 appetizers per person. For a co*cktail party consider making 12 appetizers per person.

How many dishes should you order for 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!

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.

What are some typical tapas dishes? ›

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.

What are the 3 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.

What is the most traditional tapa in Spain? ›

Spanish Tortilla: A classic tapa, Spanish tortilla is a thick omelette made with potatoes and eggs. Slice potatoes and onions, sauté them until cooked, mix with beaten eggs, and cook until set on both sides. Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo): Sauté shrimp in olive oil with minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and a.

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