Spanish starters list: 16 Simple Spanish Appetizers – Insanely Good
16 Simple Spanish Appetizers – Insanely Good
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These simple Spanish appetizers will turn your next gathering into a tapas party!
From gazpacho to bean dip to shrimp, these authentic recipes are just too good!
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I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of time in Spain. So picking out my favorite appetizers was tough!
There are so many to choose from. It’s the land of tapas, after all!
Appetizers in Spain can be anything from potato salad to spicy wedges, and pretty much anything under the tapas umbrella can be considered a starter.
One thing that I love about these snacks is how simple they often are.
Though they’re full of flavor, they only include a handful of ingredients, letting the herbs and spices do the heavy lifting.
You can try one or two, or make a meal out of them with lots of little dishes for everyone to share.
Add some sangria, close your eyes, and just pretend you’re basking in the Spanish sun with this list of 16 traditional Spanish appetizers.
This dish is a lot like a Spanish ratatouille and is made using a wide variety of cooked vegetables.
Between the tomatoes, garlic, thyme, and cumin, it has plenty of flavor.
For the best pisto, be sure to cook your veggies in the right order to prevent them from becoming too soft.
It will take a little extra time but will be worth it in the end.
And don’t skip the fried egg. When you cut into that yolk and let the golden liquid ooze into the vegetables, you won’t be sorry.
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I’m pretty sure everyone (and every country) has their go-to potato salad recipe.
Some are loaded with pickles, others have hard-boiled eggs, and some keep it light with no mayo.
Why not mix it up with something new and exciting?
You’ll find this version in most Spanish restaurants, and you can order it as tapas or as part of a meat and cheese platter.
Filled with creamy egg and mayo, it’s super colorful, with the inclusion of peas, carrots, and roasted red peppers.
It also often includes tuna in the mix, which might sound odd, but makes for a really unique salad.
I’m fully aware that there are countless tapas dishes throughout Spain, and I know they’re all delicious.
But every time I visit the country, I have to have patatas bravas on the table.
There’s just something about the sauce! It’s a spicy mix of tomatoes, garlic, onion, and cayenne that’s incredible over the crunchy potatoes.
And with a light sprinkle of parmesan or manchego cheese, they’re to die for.
In some places, you can even get them served with a fried egg on top.
It’s the ultimate breakfast of champions!
Don’t judge me, but I’m not the biggest fan of gazpacho…
I know, I’m sorry! But my brain just can’t get past the cold!
However, I do know how popular it is, so I had to include it.
Made with just a handful of ingredients, it’s super simple to make and is the perfect appetizer for a hot day.
For the most authentic flavor, try to use Roma tomatoes and allow the soup to sit for a couple of hours so that the flavors can marry.
As much as I love a big bowl of buffalo chicken dip, sometimes I don’t want all those crazy calories.
This chunky dip makes for such a nice change to what we’re all used to, and it’s a lot healthier.
Much like many Spanish dishes, it has a tomato base, spiced with garlic, red wine vinegar, and parsley.
Butter beans are a must in this, and you should be able to find them near the other Hispanic ingredients.
Alternatively, use cannellini beans for a similar creamy texture.
This vegan-friendly salad is a lovely light option to start your meal, and it only takes 5 minutes to throw together!
Cannellini beans are creamy and slightly nutty in their mild flavor, which is the perfect partner for the powerful capers, roasted peppers, and sherry vinegar.
I love the flavor and color of the spring onions, but you could use red onion if you want some peppery notes.
There’s nothing quite like a big bowl of Spanish shrimp. Cooked whole, the flavor is unmistakable and not masked by harsh spices.
All you’ll need is a grill and some lemon to make these babies pop!
Just be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand because it can get a little messy.
Made in Spain from Manchega sheep, this cheese is used all over Spain. It has a mild, buttery flavor with a hint of nuts and a semi-hard rind.
I’d never seen marinated cheese before going to Spain, and it’s such a shame we don’t do it more over here in the States.
Flavored with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and navel orange, this will elevate your cheese platter in an instant.
With the explosion of incredible vegan meals, meat-free Monday has never looked so good.
I’m not saying you should be giving up meat, but with dishes like this, it is easier to cut back if you want to.
Cooking the short-grain rice in the mix of tomato, garlic, onion, and broth will ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
Just keep an eye on it, as you may need to add more broth as it absorbs.
If you like it spicy, add in some chopped chili with your bell peppers.
These little bites are so heavenly, you’ll need to order double.
Rather than filling them with mashed potatoes or melted cheese, they get their incredible flavor through a jamon-infused bechamel sauce.
The key to a great bechamel is to add the milk in stages. When you put the flour in with the butter, keep stirring until it turns golden brown.
When adding the milk, ladle it in in batches and mix in well to avoid lumps.
You will need to let this rest in the fridge overnight to solidify like a chocolate ganache.
You’ll want it firm enough to handle.
Once they make their way through the breading process – flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs – they need to be fried in hot oil until golden and crisp.
If it takes deep frying to get the kids to eat their veggies, then so be it!
The good news is, everyone will want their fair share of these crispy cauliflower bites. They’re so good!
Be sure to start with fresh, raw cauliflower, as the frozen stuff will have too much liquid and won’t hold up the same.
This really couldn’t be easier. You’ll just need beaten eggs and breadcrumbs. Of course, the paprika gives it a lovely kick.
But if you’re looking for something less spicy, why not try dusting with parmesan or even some ranch seasoning?
This quintessential Spanish snack is often served for breakfast, and you won’t believe how easy it is.
Like many of these Spanish appetizers, the main ingredients are tomato, garlic, and olive oil. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
The key is to start with some decent, thick bread and toast it until the edges are crisp.
Then, rub one side with a clove of garlic, getting all that great flavor right into the bread.
I prefer to grate my tomato rather than use a blender since it keeps some of the texture, but feel free to blitz yours if you like.
When salting your tomatoes, try to use sea salt if possible for the best flavor possible, and use good quality olive oil. I promise you can taste the difference.
If you’re looking for something Spanish that doesn’t include tomato or paprika, this is it.
It’s like a frittata, made with potato, eggs, and onion, and the onion and potatoes are sliced and cooked in olive oil.
Once the potatoes are fork-tender, they need to be drained and cooled before being mixed with the eggs and cooked.
This will take a little practice, as it needs to cook on the stovetop and be flipped halfway through.
The tortilla can be served hot or cold and needs nothing more than a sprinkling of sea salt.
Rather than a huge bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, you’ll find these served in a hot dish with lots of crusty bread.
Tapas are made to be shared, and these meatballs are another favorite of mine. Since many tapas dishes are served cold, it’s nice to have a few hot options.
The combination of beef and pork with Manchego cheese and a rich tomato sauce is super delicious and such a satisfying mouthful.
When a dish is served “al ajillo,” it means that it is covered in a heavenly mixture of garlic, cayenne pepper, and olive oil.
Everything tastes incredible when cooked al ajillo, but there’s something extra special about these mushrooms.
Everyone knows that mushrooms taste immeasurably better with garlic, and the white wine won’t hurt either!
If all the shrimp, meatballs, and fried food are too much for you, then this light dish is the one to try.
Green beans are super flavorful and are often undervalued as a vegetable. But when they’re dusted with smoked paprika, you’ll be crossing forks for the last one!
I love the garlic chips in this dish, and with a drizzle of lemon juice, they’re ready to go.
16 Simple Spanish Appetizers
Make these simple Spanish appetizers to turn your next gathering into a tapas party! From gazpacho to bean dip to shrimp, these authentic recipes from Spain are just too good!
Ingredients
Traditional Spanish Pisto Recipe
Spanish Potato Salad (Ensaladilla Rusa)
Simple Patatas Bravas
Authentic Spanish Gazpacho Recipe
Tomato + Butter Bean Dip
Spanish Bean Salad with Red Peppers
Gambas a la Plancha (Spanish Grilled Shrimp Tapas)
Marinated Manchego With Orange Preserve
Spanish Rice Stuffed Tomatoes
Croquetas de Jamu00f3n Serrano Recipe u2013 Traditional Spanish Ham Croquettes
Pan Fried Spanish Cauliflower
Pan con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Toast)
Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish Omelette)
Albondigas (Tapas Spanish Meatballs)
Spanish Garlic Mushrooms Recipe (Champiu00f1ones al Ajillo)
Spanish Green Beans with Garlic and Paprika
Directions
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a Spanish appetizer in 30 minutes or less!
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Easy Spanish Appetizers
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Looking for easy and delicious Spanish Appetizers? From Gazpacho to Spanish meatballs, we’ve compiled a list of authentic Spanish starters that you can make yourself to host your own tapas night at home!
Spanish food generally isn’t too hard to make. Many of these appetizers are quick and simple to put together.
These authentic Spanish appetizers use a lot of vegetables, fruits, seafood, and meat, and you’ll get inspired.
What are Classic Spanish Appetizers?
You’ll find any of the dishes listed in this article easily in Spain, but some foods are just staples in the Spanish diet. Bread, cheese, olives and jamon (ham) will usually be incorporated in the start of a meal.
But Croquetas, Tortilla and Gambas Al Ajillo, which are all on the list, are pretty standard go-to’s as well.
What are Some Popular Tapas Dishes?
Nearly anything that can be served in a small portion can be a tapa. The word actually comes from the Spanish verb “tapar” which means “to cover”. Years ago, a small slice of bread would be placed over the top of a glass to prevent fruit flies from getting into it. Eventually, bars started adding other small foods on top of the bread and when they realized they could boost their alcohol sales by adding these small snacks, tapas became a standard.
These days, tapas are more commonly served on plates, while small appetizers served on sliced bread, usually with a pick holding them together, are known as “pintxos” (pronounced ‘peen-chos’).
Healthy Spanish Appetizers
1. Spanish Bean Salad
This Spanish Bean salad is a quick, healthy appetizer that’s vegan too. The only fresh ingredient used is onion, meaning you can keep most of the ingredients on hand in your pantry and whip this up whenever you need a last-minute appetizer. The focal points of the salad are white cannellini beans and red peppers (the kind you get jarred in oil) and it’s dressed in a simple and refreshing white wine and olive oil dressing.
2. Spanish Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)
Garlic Shrimp is probably one of the more well-known Spanish dishes and it’s so easy to make. It can be served as part of a main course, but still makes a super quick and delicious appetizer. The main components of this dish are just shrimp, olive oil and garlic, with some extra seasonings used to really make the flavours pop. It’s perfect when served with some bread to absorb all the extra garlicky sauce.
Spanish Tapas Appetizers
3.
Patatas Bravas
Who doesn’t love deep-fried potatoes? Patatas Bravas are pretty similar to home fries, but instead of ketchup, you’ll find them served with Bravas sauce, which adds a little spiciness to the dish. This dish is super popular at tapas restaurants, probably because it’s easy and inexpensive to make.
4. Spanish Ham Croquettes
Spanish Croquettes, or Croquetas, are crispy fried bites filled with a creamy Bechamel sauce and chunks of Spanish ham. This is definitely one of the harder recipes on the list, but because refrigeration is required at various steps of the preparation process, you can spread the work over a couple of days. It will be worth the work when they’re the star appetizer at your dinner.
5. Fried Calamari
Have you ever thought of trying to make your own calamari at home? These battered and fried squid rings are enjoyed in quite a few different cultures and they make a great Spanish appetizer. They’re also not as hard as you would think to make.
The main thing you’ll need to find is frozen squid. Some stores will even have it pre-cut into rings, but you can also get it in tube form (try to look for them already cleaned, or you’ll have to do that part yourself).
6. Spanish Meatballs
Albondigas, or “meatballs”, make a great appetizer for even the pickiest eaters. The one thing that really makes this dish different than say, the meatballs you might throw on your spaghetti, is the presentation. While the recipe is for a pretty standard-sized batch of meatballs, serve them in smaller portions on a plate with a piece of crusty bread to really give the vibe of a Spanish appetizer.
7. Shrimp and Chorizo
Here’s a recipe for a one-pan meal that everyone will love scooping out of the dish. Seasoned shrimp and delicious chorizo are cooked in a tomato sauce for the perfect appetizer to be served alongside crusty bread or enjoyed on its own.
Easy
Spanish Starters
8. Pisto (Spanish Vegetable Stew)
Pisto is a great way to brighten up your meal and sneak some vegetables into your appetizers.
It has a tomato base and includes heartier vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and onions. It takes a little longer to cook than some of the appetizers on here, to really get the vegetables soft and tender. But it does make great leftovers and freezes well if you want to make extra.
9. Gazpacho
Gazpacho is cold tomato soup. And not just soup that’s been cooled down. This recipe requires zero cooking. All you’ll need to do is blend a bunch of veggies and some seasoning together, and that’s it! It’s the perfect refreshing appetizer to serve on a hot day.
10. Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates
These Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates are the perfect pop-in-your-mouth appetizers. Sweet dates are stuffed with delicious cheese and wrapped in bacon then speared with a toothpick before being baked. The result is the perfect blend of textures and flavors in a single bite of food.
11. Empanada
Empanadas are great on-the-go foods, but they also make convenient handheld appetizers.
These mini meat pies are a slightly more ambitious undertaking, but they freeze really well before cooking, so you can devote some time to making them and then cook them from frozen.
Other Spanish Appetizers
12. Spanish Potato Salad
Many countries have their own take on Potato Salad and Spain is no exception. In fact, this “Ensalada Rusa” actually translates to “Russian Salad” because the recipe was brought into the country originally by Russian immigrants. This colourful potato salad also includes peas, pepper and carrots in the mix. It also incorporates both boiled eggs and tuna for some added protein.
13. Marinated Manchego
Spaniards love their Manchego. It’s a pretty mild cheese made from sheep’s milk and you’ll find it everywhere in Spain. This marinated recipe infuses the cheese with the flavors of thyme, rosemary, and a hint of chili. It’s the perfect appetizer to put out with toothpicks, to let your guests pick at it casually.
14. Spanish Tortilla (Spanish Omelet)
Spanish Tortilla is nothing like the flatbread you might associate with the word. It’s kind of like a thick omelet, stuffed with thinly sliced potatoes and onions. It makes great leftovers and is traditionally served cold or room temperature, so it’s something you can easily make ahead of time and pull out before a meal for a hassle-free appetizer.
15.
Spanish Serrano Ham and Cured Cheese Bruschetta
Similar to the more known Italian prosciutto, Spain also has its own cured ham, and you will find it everywhere. In fact, many homes even have a leg that they keep on a special stand to cut it because it’s that much of a staple in the Spanish diet.
There are two types you’ll find. Iberico comes from special acorn-fed pigs, making it far more expensive. Serrano is more widely enjoyed and makes the perfect appetizer just thinly sliced on a piece of bread.
16. Spanish Rice
Add some serious flavor to regular rice by making this delicious Spanish rice.
It’s perfectly seasoned, easy to make, and goes with just about anything!
17. Queso Manchego Crostini
This Spanish crostini is an easy and delicious appetizer made with simple ingredients that pack in some big flavors!
All you need is sliced bread, olive oil, Spanish Queso Manchego, and other favorite toppings to make a party platter or delightful finger food.
You May Also Like
- Best Spanish Tapas Recipes
- Spanish Desserts
- Best Spring Appetizers
- ▢ 8 oz shrimp shelled and deveined
- ▢ 2 teaspoons paprika divided
- ▢ salt and pepper to taste
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 8 oz chorizo sausage sliced
- ▢ 1 onion diced
- ▢ 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ▢ 1/3 cup chicken stock
- ▢ 1/2 cup tomatoes sliced
- ▢ 1/2 cup canned chopped tomatoes
In a large mixing bowl, add shrimp, salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon of paprika.
Toss to coat.Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned shrimp. Cook for 2 minutes per side.
Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
Add chorizo to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes.
Add onions and garlic to the pan and cook for a few more minutes until the onion begins to soften.
Add chicken stock, sliced tomatoes, canned tomatoes, and remaining paprika, and cook for 5 more minutes until the sauce has thickened.
Toss to coat.Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 183mg | Sodium: 1349mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 970IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 3mg
Author: Izzy
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Spanish
Keyword: Spanish Appetizers
Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking
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