5 Quick Festive Tapas for Last-Minute Entertaining

When the holiday season rolls around, unexpected guests and impromptu gatherings become commonplace. Whether you’re hosting a small get-together or simply want to impress friends with your culinary skills, having a few festive tapas recipes up your sleeve can save the day. Tapas, the beloved Spanish tradition of small plates, are perfect for sharing and can be easily prepared in no time. Here are five quick and delightful festive tapas that will elevate your last-minute entertaining.

1. Patatas Bravas with Spicy Tomato Sauce

Patatas bravas is a classic Spanish tapa that features crispy potatoes served with a smoky, spicy sauce. This dish is not only easy to make but also incredibly satisfying and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium potatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Paprika (smoked or sweet)
• Chilli powder (to taste)
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and cube the potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the potatoes and season with salt. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 15 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally for even cooking.

2. Make the Spicy Tomato Sauce: In a separate saucepan, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Then add the canned tomatoes, sugar, paprika, and chili powder to taste. Simmer for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

3. Serve: Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve them hot drizzled with the spicy tomato sauce and garnish with fresh parsley.

This dish can be prepared in under 30 minutes and is sure to ignite a festive spirit!

2. Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)

Gambas al ajillo is an iconic Spanish tapa that features succulent shrimp cooked in garlic-infused oil. The aroma alone is enough to whet anyone’s appetite.

Ingredients:

• 500g shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 4 cloves garlic (sliced)
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Olive oil
• Fresh parsley (chopped)
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat a generous amount of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté until fragrant but not browned.

2. Cook Shrimp: Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer, cooking for about 2–3 minutes per side or until they turn pink and opaque.

3. Finish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

This dish is remarkably quick—ready in less than 15 minutes—and pairs beautifully with crusty bread for soaking up the delicious oil.

3. Stuffed Mini Peppers

Stuffed mini peppers are colorful additions to any tapas spread and can be filled with various ingredients depending on your preference or what you have on hand. Here’s a simple yet tasty version using cream cheese and herbs.

Ingredients:

• 12 mini sweet peppers
• 200g cream cheese (softened)
• Fresh herbs (such as basil, chives, or parsley)
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil (for drizzling)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Peppers: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Halve the mini peppers lengthwise and remove the seeds.

2. Make Filling: In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese with chopped fresh herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined.

3. Stuff Peppers: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each half of the mini peppers, packing it lightly.

4. Bake: Place stuffed peppers on a baking tray lined with parchment paper; drizzle lightly with olive oil. Bake for about 10–12 minutes until they’re slightly soft.

These stuffed peppers can be made ahead of time and popped in the oven just before your guests arrive.

4. Chorizo & Cheese Skewers

Chorizo & cheese skewers offer a delightful blend of flavors in every bite—smoky sausage paired with creamy cheese creates an irresistible combination.

Ingredients:

• 200g chorizo sausage (sliced)
• 200g cheese (such as Manchego or any firm cheese of your choice) cut into cubes
• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh basil leaves
• Skewers

Instructions:

1. Assemble Skewers: On each skewer, thread one slice of chorizo, followed by a cube of cheese, a cherry tomato, and finish with another piece of chorizo or cheese as desired.

2. Grill or Sear: You can either grill these skewers on an outdoor grill or heat them in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes until chorizo is slightly crispy and cheese begins to melt.

3. Serve: Arrange skewers on a platter garnished with fresh basil leaves for an added touch of flavor.

These skewers are fun to eat and only take about 20 minutes from start to finish!

5. Spanish Tortilla Bites

Spanish tortilla is essentially an omelet filled with potatoes and onions—a comforting dish that is also incredibly versatile when served as bite-sized tapas.

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 2 medium potatoes (peeled and thinly sliced)
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• Olive oil
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Cook Potatoes & Onion: In a large frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced potatoes and onion; cook gently until they’re tender but not browned—about 15 minutes.

2. Prepare Eggs: In a bowl whisk together eggs with salt. Once potatoes are cooked, drain excess oil if necessary and mix them into the egg mixture.

3. Form Tortilla: Pour back into the frying pan over low heat; cook on one side until set—about 8 minutes—then flip carefully using a plate to help turn it over.

4. Cut & Serve: Once both sides are cooked through, let cool slightly before slicing into small squares or triangles for serving.

These tortilla bites can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature making them ideal for any gathering!

Conclusion

With these five quick festive tapas at your disposal, you can effortlessly entertain guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Each dish captures the essence of Spanish cuisine while being adaptable based on your pantry staples or personal tastes. The beauty of tapas lies not just in their variety but also in their ability to bring people together around delicious food—and there’s nothing more festive than that! So next time you find yourself preparing for last-minute entertaining during this busy season, remember these simple recipes that will leave your guests impressed without all the stress!