Home » round up » 16 Tapas Party Recipes
by Katie Webster
December 27, 2013 (updated 10/3/22)
Here are 16 recipes that are perfect for a tapas party. We have a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional Spanish Tapas: From Romesco Shrimp, Spanish Tortilla and Marinated Olives, you’re covered with more than enough creative appetizers and hors d’oeuvres to get the party hoppin’!
Table of contents
- Tapas Party
- Planning Your Menu
- Our Favorite Tapas Recipe
- Tapas Recipes
- Questions
- Additional Recipe Round-Ups
Tapas Party
Spanish Tapas are traditional bar food snacks served informally on small plates at counter service cafes, bars and tapas restaurants throughout Spain. In recent years they have really taken off in the states both in restaurants with tapas menus and with home cooks throwing Tapas parties.
Tapas parties are a fun modern twist on a traditional co*cktail party. The menu can include both traditional Spanish-style tapas as well as creative bite-sized hours d’oeuvres too!
Planning Your Menu
When planning your menu keep in mind that for a tapas party, guests will eat about five (large bite-sized) appetizersduring the first hour and then three or so for each hour after that.
Don’t get too hung up on serving only traditional tapas like tortilla and olives or others that are only Spanish in origin, instead offer a variety of highly seasoned, full-flavored recipes from all over the globe. The most important thing is to have fun with the menu!
Our Favorite Tapas Recipe
Out of all of these tapas recipes, one of my favorites is this White Bean Bruschetta with Garlicky Greens.Though they are not traditional, the smoky pepperoni, garlic and creamy white bean puree make them a perfect match and compliment for the flavors in many traditional Spanish Tapas.
They’re incredibly versatile and are simple to make. The luscious white bean spread is smoothed over toasted baguette (crostini) and layered with garlicky spinach. To top them off I added on chopped smoked pepperoni to give them even more savory flavor!
Tapas Recipes
These traditional and non-traditional appetizers and small bites are the making for a fun and festive Tapas Party!
Healthy Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe with Spinach and Goat Cheese
These Healthy Stuffed Mushrooms are an easy, savory and absolutely delicious appetizer recipe to have on hand for the holidays. They are filled with spinach and goat cheese and topped with crunch panko breadcrumbs.
Roasted Grape Crostini with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
These slow roasted grape crostini with goat cheese and walnuts with a drizzle of honey are truly sublime. They’re a yummy and festive ppetizer for a gathering or holiday.
White Bean Bruschetta with Garlicky Greens
These super versatile and yummy White Bean Bruschetta with Garlicky Greens are the perfect Italian-inspired appetizer for your get-togethers. And they come together in just 30 minutes!
Photo Credit:www.spendwithpennies.com
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Bacon wrapped scallops are a classic that no one can say no to. They feel fancy and extravagent without having to put too much effort in.
I'm not sure about you but I'm always craving pesto pasta. And since we can't really be snacking on pesto pasta all day, these pesto almonds are the next best thing.
Greek Salad Cucumber Appetizer Party Bites
These mini Low-Carb Greek Salad Cucumber Party Bites are a fun and super easy no-cook appetizer to make for a party. I have the recipe for them plus four more super simple appetizer ideas- no recipe required!
Photo Credit:www.justataste.com
Spanish Tortilla with Tomato Salad
If you're never had a Spanich tortilla you're in for a treat. Think of it as a play on quiche, except made with thin layers of potatoes stacked on top of one another.
Beet and Caramelized Onion Bruschetta with Goat Cheese
Here is a great healthy, sweet and savory appetizer! Beets and caramelized onions top slices of fresh baguette with crumbled goat cheese on top.
Hoisin-Glazed Turkey Meatballs
In this recipe, see how easy it is to transform lean ground turkey into a savory Asian meatball for a fun party appetizer or football snack food!
Cranberry Pesto Crostini with Chèvre
Have you ever had Cranberry Pesto before? Served with crostini and chevre, it is a simple and flavorful appetizer perfect for a co*cktail party, holiday gathering, or to serve for book club night with friends.
Photo Credit:theviewfromgreatisland.com
Shrimp in Romesco Sauce
Just look at all the beautiful color in this shrimp dish! There's nothing not to love.
15 Minute Chicken Salad Bites with Cranberries and Walnuts
These Chicken Salad Bites with Cranberries and Walnuts are the easiest little appetizers, and they’re ready in only 15 minutes! Just stir cooked chicken together with the Greek Yogurt dressing, and then spoon it into purchased fillo cups.
Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
If you have been looking for a crunchy, savory, addictive and healthy snack, you’re in the right place. These Crispy Roasted Chickpeas will rock your world.
Photo Credit:iowagirleats.com
Crab Rangoon Bites
Crab rangoons are a for-sure crowd pleaser. These are also super simple to make. Just buy some phyllo shells, make the crab rangoo filling and start assembling!
Photo Credit:www.foodiecrush.com
THE BEST Easy Marinated Olives Recipe
Marinated olives are a great thing to always keep on hand in the fridge. Good for snacking and good for serving as appetizers.
Photo Credit:www.foodandwine.com
Grilled Oysters with Chorizo Butter Recipe
These savory grilled oysters are topped with a deliciously smoky lime butter with chorizo!
Questions
- Do you have guests over often? If so, do you tend to make a full dinner or do you serve more appetizers?
- What are your favorite tapas recipes to make?
Additional Recipe Round-Ups
- Here are 35 Healthy Soup Recipes!
- If you are searching for great ideas and recipes for quinoa then here are 30 Healthy Quinoa Recipes!
- I also have a round up of 17 Healthy Winter Squash Recipes.
Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!
Happy Cooking! ~Katie
About the Author
Katie Webster
Katie Webster studied art and photography at Skidmore College and is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute. She has been a professional recipe developer since 2001 when she first started working in the test kitchen at EatingWell magazine. Her recipes have been featured in numerous magazines including Shape, Fitness, Parents and several Edible Communities publications among others. Her cookbook, Maple {Quirk Books} was published in 2015. She launched Healthy Seasonal Recipes in 2009. She lives in Vermont with her husband, two teenage daughters and two yellow labs. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, cooking, stacking firewood, making maple syrup, and tending to her overgrown perennial garden.
More About Katie »
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15 comments on “16 Tapas Party Recipes”
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Tiffany — July 23, 2014 @ 9:50 pm Reply
The food looks scrumptious and stunning!
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Cathie Mann — January 13, 2014 @ 1:45 pm Reply
Katie – absolutely fabulous! Your Dad keyed me up and after just fifteen minutes on your site I am delighted. Question: will the 25 Tapas recipes always be available or do I need to print them to make sure I have them when ready? Thanks for sharing your inspirations with us!
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katie — January 13, 2014 @ 2:33 pm Reply
This post will be here, as will the recipes that I linked to. I am so glad you like to site Cathie! And I appreciate your leaving a comment letting me know you stopped by!
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Lori — January 2, 2014 @ 10:32 pm Reply
This is such a helpful roundup! I have a sangria party each summer, so I’ll be bookmarking this for ideas. While I don’t always stick to strictly Spanish-style tapas or anything, small bites of all kinds are fun!
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katie — January 3, 2014 @ 8:28 am Reply
I agree Lori, and that sounds like fun. I love the way you can nibble all evening and try everything without overdoing it.
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Yankee Kitchen Ninja (Julianne) — December 31, 2013 @ 3:02 pm Reply
Lovely! Pinning so I will never be at a loss for an appetizer recipe ever again. Thanks!
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katie — January 3, 2014 @ 8:26 am Reply
Thanks Julianne. I heart Pinterest love:)
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Christine — December 30, 2013 @ 3:04 pm Reply
what an awesome appetizer roundup! seriously pinning all of these 🙂 happy new year!!
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Katie — December 30, 2013 @ 9:28 pm Reply
Thank you Christine. I appreciate the pins:)
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Kim - Liv Life — December 29, 2013 @ 12:33 am Reply
What a roundup!! Tapas is my preference in celebratory evenings, and you certainly have everything covered here!! Pinning for future use!
(and thanks for including me!)-
Katie — December 30, 2013 @ 9:27 pm Reply
Thanks so much Kim, Your Pomegranate co*cktail would be so perfect with many of these Tapas. Thanks for sharing.
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Kelley — December 28, 2013 @ 11:01 am Reply
Thanks so much for including my bacon, swiss, avocado bites! Im going to share the roundup because everything looks so good!
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Katie — December 30, 2013 @ 9:26 pm Reply
Thank you so much Kelley. I love your bites.
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Karielyn — December 27, 2013 @ 4:50 pm Reply
Hi Katie! Thanks so much for including my Healthy Artichoke Dip recipe in your round up…everything looks so good!! 🙂
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Katie — December 27, 2013 @ 6:57 pm Reply
Why thank you Karielyn. I can’t wait to try your dip. It looks so good (and I love that it is healthy too!)
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