25 Best Tapas Recipes Your Guests Will Love

Prepare yourself for a culinary adventure because these tapas recipes have come to take you away!

These little plates of food are a tradition you’ll find throughout Spain. Diners often go from bar to bar, indulging in Russian salad and chorizo bites with a tall glass of beer – even on a weekday!

Plates like patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo are a great place to start. Then, if you’re feeling wild, you can move on to pulpo alla Gallega.

So, fix up a pitcher of sangria and get ready to fall in love with these tapas recipes.

25 Authentic Spanish Tapas Recipes To Make at Home

1. Patatas Bravas

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Spain a few times, and I just can’t get enough of this spicy dish!

In fact, when I hear the word “tapas,” patatas bravas is the first thing that comes to mind. This classic dish is a spud lover’s dream. 

Crispy, tender potato bites are fried to perfection and finished with a drizzle of bravas sauce to top it off. 

The bravas sauce is one of those things that’s non-negotiable when making this dish. It just wouldn’t be the same without the spicy kick.

2. Ceviche

When making ceviche, you want to use the freshest seafood possible. And in this case, it’s all about the shrimp.

Cooked in citrus until they turn white, you want these pink bites to stay firm. If you leave them to marinate for too long, they’ll turn mushy.

While they’re resting, chop up the veggies to go with it. A blend of tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and jalapeño should do the trick. 

3. Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

I love how grown-up this mushroom appetizer looks and even more how simple it is to make. 

Make sure to clean out the mushrooms well, so you have more room to stuff the savory, creamy crab dip inside.

Don’t forget the sprinkle of parmesan and paprika to top them off!

4. Potato Croquettes

While you may not be able to hop on a plane to Spain, you can easily whip up these bites at home. 

And whether you’re hosting a tapas party or prepping for game day, your guests will be raving about these croquettes for weeks to come.

The outside has a lovely crunch. Take a bite, and inside you’ll find a layer of mashed potatoes oozing with cheese and bacon.

I mean, can any bacon lover resist this? I think not. 

5. Chorizo, Manchego, and Olive Skewers

Spanish chorizo is a special treat that’s seasoned with smoked paprika, and you can get it hot or mild. 

I like to get the hot version and skewer it with olives and manchego, which is a buttery Spanish cheese. 

They make the perfect little nibbles for fancy soirées. They’re also easy to fix up when you need a last-minute appetizer.

6. Garlic Shrimp

Another famous tapas is gambas al ajillo – garlic shrimp. Walk into any tapas bar in Spain, and I can almost guarantee you see this on the menu. 

This 10-minute recipe is all about large juicy shrimp coated in smoked paprika and garlic. There is also a hint of lemon and a touch of parsley to make the flavors pop. 

This dish pairs particularly well with patatas bravas, by the way! So if you make one, you really should make the other, too.

7. Spanish Tapas Board

Are you having dinner with friends? Make it a tapas-themed party and bust out this smörgåsbord of goodness.

This is a legendary spread of all the best Spanish bites. It’s full of manchego, chorizo, marinated artichokes, crusty bread, olives, and two types of Spanish dipping sauce. 

The only thing missing is the napkins because I guarantee your guests will be drooling.

8. Spanish Tomato Butter Bean Dip

This dish is the reason I fell in love with butter beans. They just melt in your mouth, and the seasoning is an explosion of flavor. 

Garlic and shallots make it fragrant and aromatic, and then there’s a splash of red wine vinegar to add some tang. 

I like to serve mine with crusty bread grilled with a brushing of olive oil. I’m getting hungry already!

9. Spanish Empanadas

Empanadas are delectable hand pies you can fill with all sorts of yummy things. 

This Spanish version features pisto manchego, which is a cheesy pepper and tomato filling spruced up with a hint of paprika. Delicioso!

10. Pan Con Tomate

Tomatoes smeared on rustic bread may sound super simple, but it’s rich in flavor. 

Fresh heirloom tomatoes, quality salt, and the right ratio of garlic are key. 

You’ll want to prevent your bread from turning soggy. So bake it with some olive oil and don’t overload the sauce. 

11. Easy Crab Cakes

Homemade crab cakes are so insanely easy and super irresistible. 

Each cake is chock-full of crab meat perfectly seasoned with Old Bay and a pinch of mustard. 

All you have to do is mix everything in a bowl, form the cakes, and bake. How easy is that?

12. Spanish Ham Croquettes

Another fantastic way to make croquettes is by stuffing them with Jamon – ham. 

These savory, buttery fried delights are seriously addictive and only take 30 minutes to make. 

However, they’re not exactly the healthiest, so I like to save them for special occasions. 

13. Calamari

If you’re a calamari lover, try this Spanish take. Cornmeal is the secret to getting the outside perfectly crisp. 

As for the calamari, let them marinate in buttermilk, and you’ll be amazed at how this minor step transforms this dish.

All it needs is a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a big bowl of aioli for dipping!

14. Mojo Picante

Bust out all the stops and serve this red pepper sauce with all your tapas plates. 

It calls for six ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand. It’ll also keep well in the fridge so you can prepare this in advance. 

As for pairings, the options are endless! It’ll go great with croquettes, calamari, and more.

15. Chorizo al Vino

This is one of those tapas recipes you’ll find throughout Spain. At first glance, it looks complicated, but it’s remarkably easy. 

What you’ll do is crisp Spanish chorizo, then add a glug of red wine, garlic, and bay leaf. 

The chorizo will soak up all the goodness for a rich, complex bite. When choosing wine, go for something that will complement the meat, such as Tempranillo. 

16. Churros

Every time I eat churros, I feel like a kid all over again. If you love them too, why not try making them at home?

Homemade churros are more simple than you think. All it takes is a little mixing, frying, and rolling. 

These cinnamon and sugar goodies are the perfect way to top off any tapas feast!

Oh, and don’t forget the chocolate sauce! Just heat a cup of cream and pour it over a cup of quality chocolate. Let it melt and mix until smooth.

17. Chicken Pintxo

It’s incredible how much flavor this recipe packs into the chicken. It’s savory, smokey, garlicky, and dripping with deliciousness. 

Did I mention it also gets a topping of fresh chimichurri?

Fire up the grill; you’ll want to try this tonight.

18. Bacon-Wrapped Dates

These sweet and salty bacon-wrapped dates will be gobbled up the second your friends get a look. 

All you need to whip up these flawless bites is four simple ingredients.

The inside is loaded with creamy, tangy goat cheese, while the outside is all about maple-coated bacon. 

And the fig? Don’t even get me started!

19. Spanish Meatballs

If you need something a bit more filling, add this to the list.

These savory beef meatballs are seasoned with two types of paprika and plopped into a rich tomato sauce. 

I recommend piercing them with toothpicks and passing out little plates for serving. They’re messy but so good! 

20. Pulpo alla Gallega

Pulpo alla Gallega is a Galician octopus dish for adventurous types. 

You’ll want to follow the directions precisely, so the octopus doesn’t turn out rubbery. But don’t worry, it’s nothing you can’t handle. 

The final result will be tender and full of flavor.  

21. Spanish Potato Salad

This is not your average potato salad. Instead, it’s creamy, savory, zesty, and rounded off with a wonderful salty bite. 

Like many tapas dishes, you’ll need some paprika and garlic powder. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a creamy potato salad without the mayo and egg. 

The hardest part is deciding whether to serve this or patatas bravas. I say, go with both!

22. Spanish Pork Skewers

Here is another sensational way to prep meaty Spanish skewers. 

You’ll craft a spice-rich marinade then smother it over pork tenderloin. Then, after a few hours of resting, just skewer, grill, and chow down!

23. Padron Peppers

Need an easy vegetarian appetizer? Padron peppers are one of the most straightforward tapas you can add to the spread.

Other than peppers, all you need is some quality olive oil and salt. 

These peppers tend to be a bit mild. However, now and again, you’ll get a surprising one packed with fiery heat. 

24. Fried Baby Artichokes

By now, you probably realize tapas are heavy on the meat. So if you’re looking to add more veggies to the mix, this is a fantastic option. 

These artichokes are super tender with a hint of char to add more depth. 

The seasoning doesn’t take much, either. Some garlic, a hint of lemon, and the usual salt and pepper are all you need.

25. Olive Tapenade

Another phenomenal dip you can add to the tapas menu is olive tapenade. 

The salty bite of olives, capers, and anchovies is excellent slathered on some bread or served with some veggies on the side.

It makes for a really bright contrast to buttery cheese and rich meats.