Throwing a party and don't want to spend the entire night in the kitchen? When planning your menu, turn to Spain's fashionable tapas: small plates of food shared among party guests. To get you started, we've got the dish on easy tapas recipes, ranging from effortless to intense. And don't forget; shareables are even better when paired with a pitcher of sangria.
Slow-Cooker Stuffed Mushrooms
Two hours in a Crock-Pot, and this stuffed mushroom recipe, which tastes like your fave spinach-artichoke dip, can be yours. (via Brit + Co)
Patatas Bravas With Cheat Garlic Aioli
Fingerling potatoes are highly dippable finger food, especially when fried in olive oil and seasoned with paprika. (via Parsnips and Pastries)
Mushroom Croquettes
Croquetas de jamón, logs of ham coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden, are easy to find at most bars in Spain. These are filled with mushrooms and made with non-dairy milk, so even your vegan friends can enjoy them. (via Cilantro and Citronella)
Chorizo, Manchego, and Olive Skewers
These honey-drizzled skewers are a taste of Spain and a fireworks show in your mouth. (via My Modern Cookery)
Garlic Shrimp With Lemon and Parsley
This simple lemon-garlic shrimp will satisfy with either toothpicks for spearing or crusty baguette slices for dipping. (via Spain on a Fork)
Baked Churro Chips
Steer away from tradition by making churros into chips. They’re easy to make in big batches, and they’re even easier to dip into mocha-fudge sauce, caramel sauce, and whipped cream. (via Brit + Co)
Spanish Cheese Board
Cover all of your flavor bases on a single board instead of making multiple plates. This tapas assortment has Spanish cheeses and meats, grapes, olives, and flavorful spreads. (via My Kitchen Love)
Spanish-Style Tomato and Butter Bean Dip
This addictive dip is so simple, you can even make it on a camping trip. (via Fresh Off the Grid)
Chicken Empanadas
Because no one ever complained about chicken, cheese, and carbs. (via Food With Feeling)
Bacon-Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese and Pecans
These four-ingredient bites are both crispy, chewy, and creamy all at once. (via The Cookie Rookie)
Pan Con Tomate
Sometimes, the simplest dishes — in this case, crusty bread with tomatoes and olive oil — can satisfy the most. (via A Communal Table)
Spanish Crab Cakes With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
You’ve been warned; it will be difficult to resist eating this creamy, paprika-laced sauce with a spoon. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)
Blistered Padrón Peppers
Olive oil, salt, lemon juice, and heat transform these Spanish peppers into a party-worthy treat. (via What’s Gaby Cooking?)
Flank Steak With Goat Cheese on Toast
Grilled flank steak and roasted red pepper sit atop creamy goat cheese and crusty bread, but the real kicker is a roasted fig and onion jam that adds a touch of sweetness. (via Steamy Kitchen)
Spanish-Style Meatballs
Meatballs are a welcome guest at any party. These bites are made with spicy chorizo, a Spanish staple. (via Grab a Plate)
Zanahorias Saliñadas
These vibrant pickled carrot slices, served in olive oil and parsley, make a refreshing accompaniment to heavier, meatier tapas. (via Tara’s Multicultural Table)
Two-Minute Olive Tapenade
Black olives, capers, and olive oil make a salty spread that you’ll hungrily smear on endless baguette slices. (via Mommy Musings)
Tortilla Española
You can’t have tapas without this traditional dish. All you need are potatoes, eggs, good olive oil, and a trusty skillet. (via Savvy Eats)
Fried Calamari With Cilantro Aioli
Looking for a dish with a little wow factor? Behold this simpler-than-you-think squid appetizer. (Baker by Nature)
Pan-Fried Cauliflower
Quick-fried cauliflower is a healthier alternative to fried cheese or meat, but it still tastes indulgent. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)