Tapas, one of Spain’s most popular culinary exports, are delicious small plates encompassing an assortment of ingredients, flavours and textures. Cooking tapas recipes at home is a great way to explore different dishes in one sitting as well as enjoying a shared culinary experience with friends and family. Read on to find out more about cooking Spanish tapas recipes at home, as well as other delicious sharing style dishes from cuisines around the globe.
Tapas Recipes and Small Plates
What is Tapas?
Tapas is a Spanish culinary tradition that has captivated palates worldwide. The word “tapas” derives from the Spanish “tapar” (“to cover”). This is because tapas recipes were originally small plates or slices of bread used to protect glasses from flies. Over time, the concept has evolved to incorporate a variety of delicious, bite sized small plates enjoyed as part of social gatherings.
Spanish tapas recipes showcase the regional diversity of the country, and have even transcended borders. These small plates offer an opportunity to enjoy a variety of dishes in one sitting, encouraging a shared dining experience.
You can find traditional tapas style dishes with a twist on our small plates menu.
Spanish tapas recipes showcase the regional diversity of the country, and have even transcended borders. These small plates offer an opportunity to enjoy a variety of dishes in one sitting, encouraging a shared dining experience.
You can find traditional tapas style dishes with a twist on our small plates menu.
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Glazed THIS™ Isn't Pork Sausages with Saffron Aioli Patatas Bravas & Lemon Veg
Albondigas Style Meat-Free Balls in Tomato Sauce
Small Plates Inspired by Global Cuisines
Spain isn’t the only country with a tradition of small plates and sharing dishes as a staple of their menus, India, the Middle East, Mexico, Italy, Thailand all have a rich history of communal cuisines featuring small plates. That’s why we’ve created our new “Small Plates” menu, meals made up of three to four smaller dishes inspired by global cuisines. If you’re looking for small plate ideas, check out some of our recipes below.
Types of Tapas and Small Plates
What are the most popular Spanish tapas recipes?
Spanish tapas differs from region to region, and combine lots of strong flavours. Spanish tapas dishes tend to be salty and aromatic, heavily featuring potatoes, meats and cheeses. Classic spanish tapas dishes include:
- Gambas al Ailijio (Prawns in garlic oil)
- Croquettes (deep fried ham and cheese)
- Albóndigas (meatballs)
- Calamares (deep fried squid)
- Boquerones en Vinagre (anchovies in vinegar)
Vegetarian tapas recipe and small plates ideas
Spanish tapas tends to feature meat heavily, however if you follow a vegetarian diet there are still some classic Spanish vegetarian tapas recipes including:
- Castilla cured cheese
- Manchego
- Spanish omelette or tortilla española
- Stuffed peppers
Are there any vegan tapas recipes?
Similar to vegetarian tapas, there’s lots of traditional Spanish tapas which is naturally vegan, below we’ve curated these plus some plant based twists on classics.
- Padron peppers
- Plant based albondigas style meatballs
- Patatas bravas
- Stuffed peppers
What are some keto tapas recipes?
If you’re looking for keto friendly tapas and small plates, then focusing on the wide variety of meats and cheese in traditional Spanish tapas is a good place to start. Take a look at some of our keto friendly taps ideas below:
- Jambon iberco
- Cured cheeses like manchego
- Chorizo stuffed bell peppers
- Thyme roasted tomatoes on a bed of greek yoghurt
Low calorie tapas recipes
If you're looking for low calorie tapas ideas, we’d recommend opting for some of the delicious fish and vegetable dishes on the menu including:
- Padron peppers
- Mussels
- Octopus
- Prawns