Spanish Appetizers

These traditional Spanish fritters are usually prepared with a buttery béchamel base that is well chilled and formed into round or cylindrical patties, which are then coated in egg wash and breadcrumbs, and finally fried until crispy and go... READ MORE

Migas is a traditional, ancient dish in Spanish and Portuguese cuisine. At its base, it is made from softened bread cooked in fat. Its name, migas, is literally translated to crumbs, referring to its key ingredient - breadcrumbs.... READ MORE

A perfect remedy for a hot summer day called gazpacho is a cold soup consisting of crushed tomatoes, finely chopped cucumbers, onions, peppers, croutons, vinegar, and olive oil. With the same level of familiarity as paella to the consumer... READ MORE

Gambas al ajillo is a popular Spanish appetizer consisting of shrimps that are sautéed in a pan with minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, and olive oil. The dish is usually consumed as a tapa. It is recommended to garnish gambas al ajillo w... READ MORE

This is a traditional tapa dish where whole shrimps are seasoned with salt, then quickly grilled on an iron skillet over high heat. It is recommended to enjoy them simply with a few squeezes of lemon or lime juice on top, while black pepper is opt... READ MORE

Crispy croquetas de jamón are small and unusual Spanish fritters, which consist of a crispy outer shell and a creamy interior. As the central ingredient, they employ a thick variety of buttery béchamel sauce, which is formed... READ MORE

Croquetas de bacalao are Spanish fritters made with cod. Although Spanish croquetas are mainly made with a béchamel base, this popular salt cod variety occasionally replaces béchamel with mashed potatoes. Both options are well-season... READ MORE

Patatas bravas is a traditional tapas dish consisting of potato cubes drenched in a spicy tomato sauce with onions, garlic, chili powder, and paprika. This flavorful combination of ingredients is a staple at numerous tapa bars throughout Spain, an... READ MORE

Rabas or fried squid is the quintessential seafood tapa of the Cantabrian coast. Made with sliced squid strips or rings that are lightly battered or breaded before they are fried to crispy perfection, this dish is best savored when lightly seasone... READ MORE

Albóndigas en salsa is a traditional dish that's typically eaten as a tapa. This appetizer consists of meatballs in rich tomato sauce. The small meatballs are often made with a combination of beef, pork, veal (or a combination of the three)... READ MORE

Escalivada is one of the most famous dishes from the Catalonia region of Spain, but it is also one of the simplest. The main ingredients include eggplants, bell peppers, and sometimes onions and tomatoes, typically grilled whole over hot embers. T... READ MORE

Pinchitos is an Andalusian dish with Moorish influences, consisting of marinated chicken, lamb, or pork pieces that are skewered and grilled over charcoals. The meat is usually seasoned with spices such as cumin, coriander, cinnamon, saffron, and ... READ MORE

Pisto is a traditional dish from La Mancha, consisting of a variety of cooked and fried vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and courgettes. It is very similar to the famous ratatouille. The dish can be served cold as a star... READ MORE

Chicharrón is a popular Spanish and Latin American dish consisting of pork rinds that are fried in oil until they develop a crunchy texture. It is believed that the dish originated in Andalusia and gained popularity in the rest of the world... READ MORE

Mushroom croquetas are the small-sized Spanish fritters that are prepared with a combination of a creamy béchamel base and diced and sautéed boletus mushrooms. The base is well chilled before it is shaped into round or cylindrical fo... READ MORE

Like other varieties of Spanish croquetas, this chicken-based version also starts with a buttery béchamel base, which is later mixed with shredded chicken and shaped into small cylindrical or round patties. Before they are fried, the fritte... READ MORE

Buñuelos de bacalao is a savory version of the ubiquitous Spanish buñuelos fritters that uses dried salt cod. These soft and crispy snacks are typically prepared with a combination of desalted and flaked salt cod, flour, egg... READ MORE

Hailing from the region of Asturias, chorizo a la sidra is one of the most traditional Spanish tapas. It's made with fresh or uncured chorizo sausage that's cut into thick slices and fried in olive oil with the addition of Asturian apple cider unt... READ MORE

Pane e olio is an Italian phrase meaning bread and oil, referring to a simple yet classic Italian dish that highlights the quality of its basic ingredients: bread and olive oil. Traditional Italian bread such as ciabatta, focaccia, or a rustic cou... READ MORE

Boquerones en vinagre is a Spanish appetizer that is commonly served as a tapa. It consists of fresh filleted anchovies marinated in vinegar and olive oil. Before serving, they are commonly seasoned with parsley and garlic, then garnished with oli... READ MORE

Flores de hojaldre is a specialty of the Spanish city of Alcalá de Henares, consisting of puff pastry (hojaldre) that has been rolled into beautiful shapes of flowers or roses. It is the unique shape of the pastry that has given it... READ MORE

Known as ''the caviar of Northern Spain,'' angulas are baby eels, a Spanish seafood delicacy that's typically consumed with oil and garlic. They're also one of Spain's most expensive foods, reaching prices of up to 1,000 euros per kilo, which is p... READ MORE

Pincho de tortilla is a traditional appetizer or bar snack originating from Basque Country. This classic pincho is made with Spanish tortilla omelet, which is nothing like the Mexican one – it's a cross between scrambled eggs and a crustless... READ MORE

Gazpacho de mango or mango gazpacho is a variety of Spanish gazpacho, a refreshing soup that’s traditionally enjoyed cold. As the name suggests, this version is based on mangoes, which are combined with other ingredients su... READ MORE

Ensalada rusa is a popular Spanish variation of the Olivier salad, that consists of a mixture of diced boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, and sometimes green beans, all combined with mayonnaise to create a creamy texture. In Spain, the salad usually ... READ MORE

La bomba is a popular tapa originating from Barcelona, particularly from the neighborhood of Barceloneta. This delicious and hearty dish consists of a large, round potato croquette stuffed with seasoned ground meat. The croquette is deep-fried unt... READ MORE

Mojama is a Spanish delicacy consisting of cured, wind-dried tuna fillets. It is traditionally dried for at least three weeks until the fillets shrink and darken to a reddish-brown color. The meat is usually served as an appetizer or a snack, but ... READ MORE

Torreznos are traditional Spanish tapas consisting of pork belly that's marinated, dried, cut into strips, then fried in olive oil. The result is a deliciously crunchy appetizer that's served in numerous tapa bar... READ MORE

Pa amb oli is a traditional appetizer or snack originating from Mallorca and the Balearic islands. The dish is made with a combination of peasant bread or dark rye bread, tomatoes, olive oil, and salt. The bread is cut into slices and rubbed with ... READ MORE

Hornazo is a traditional delicacy made by stuffing bread with pork loin, hard-boiled eggs, and chorizo. The bread is made with flour and yeast, and the top is usually nicely decorated with various shapes made from the same dough. It has origins in... READ MORE

Calamares encebollados is a traditional dish that's often served as a tapa. The dish is made with a combination of squid, onions, garlic, olive oil, bay leaves, parsley, white wine, and salt. The garlic, sliced onions, and bay leaves are slowly co... READ MORE

Pinchos Gilda are traditional Spanish pinchos originating from San Sebastian, Basque Country. They're made with a combination of pitted green olives (preferably of the manzanilla variety), anchovy fillets, and small hot pickled peppers such as gui... READ MORE

Pericana is a traditional spread originating from the Valencian Community. The spread is made with a combination of salt cod skins, sun-dried tomatoes, dried chili peppers such as choricero or ancho, olive oil, and salt. The tomatoes and peppers a... READ MORE

Xato is a traditional salad originating from Catalonia. It's made with a combination of endive leaves, anchovies, Arbequina olives, salt cod, and tuna. This traditional salad is dressed with the eponymous sauce consisting of breadcrumbs, garlic, h... READ MORE

Croquetas de chorizo is a traditional croquette variety. It's usually made with a combination of chorizo, butter, flour, milk, nutmeg, eggs, breadcrumbs, and olive oil. The chorizo is chopped and fried over medium heat. It is then shortly simmered... READ MORE

Pimientos del piquillo rellenos are a popular Spanish dish consisting of piquillo peppers that are stuffed with various fillings. Piquillo peppers are small, sweet red peppers from the Navarra region of Spain, known for their vibrant color and sli... READ MORE

Pincho de pimentos del piquillo rellenos de atún is a traditional appetizer or bar snack originating from Basque Country. This type of pincho is made with tuna-stuffed piquillo peppers. These hand-picked roasted peppers originate from Lodos... READ MORE

Caballitos are a traditional Murcian seafood dish made from fresh prawns or shrimp. These prawns are typically skewered on small wooden sticks (hence the name "caballitos," which means "little horses" in Spanish) and then lightly battered and frie... READ MORE

Patatas a la importancia is a traditional dish originating from Castile. The dish is made with potato slices that are fried in a batter of flour and eggs. The potatoes are fried, arranged on a platter or a plate, then topped with a sauce that usua... READ MORE

Morteruelo is a Spanish pâté originating from Cuenca. Although there are numerous varieties of this pâté, in its basic form it typically consists of pork liver, various spices, and meats such as quail, partridge, and hare... READ MORE

Gambas en gabardina is a classic Spanish tapa. It's made with battered and fried shrimps, or as the poetical name suggest, shrimps in a raincoat. In order to make it, fresh shrimps are coated in a batter consisting of flou... READ MORE