These Manchego cheese tapas are quick little bites made with baguette, Spanish chorizo, Manchego cheese and fig jam. They are easy to assemble and work well for a tapas night, Spanish-themed party or last-minute appetizer platter.
How to make manchego cheese tapas
Cut the baguette into thin slices, slice the Manchego into small wedges and get the chorizo and fig jam ready.
Arrange each bite with a slice of baguette, chorizo, Manchego and a small amount of fig jam. Finish with black pepper. Toothpicks are optional, but useful if you are serving these on a platter.
How to cut manchego cheese
To make these manchego tapas, simply cut the block into thin triangles (wedges) and then cut each one in half again. They should be quite thin (about ¼ inch/5 millimeters).
Possible variations
- Cheese: Other hard cheeses can work, including aged Cheddar.
- Chorizo: Use jamón or prosciutto instead.
- Fig jam: Try a little pesto instead of jam.
Frequently asked questions
Tapas can be appetizers, snacks, canapés or small portions of a larger dish (even paella can be a tapa when served in a small bowl or plate). They vary from pub to pub, so there is no right or wrong when it comes to these traditional Spanish appetizers.
In most Spanish pubs, you would find simple snacks - a slice of tortilla Espanola, a bowl of olives or fried potatoes (patatas bravas), a few slices of jamon with a fresh baguette,…
Then, there are places that go the extra mile and turn simple pub snacks into amazing creations. The great place to see this is in Madrid's San Miguel Market (Mercado San Miguel) or in any tapas bar in San Sebastian.
Now that does not mean that in order to taste the best Spanish tapas, you need to go to those places.
You can make them at home or (when in Spain) visit any local pub and have a look at what they have on offer. They are usually ready-made behind a chilled or heated glass counter, which is usually a part of the bar area.
Sometimes, but not always. In some bars in Spain, a small tapa may come with a drink, but this depends on the region and the bar. If you are not sure, ask before ordering.
More Spain-inspired appetizers for you to try
- Patatas Bravas
- Padrón Peppers
- Fried Manchego
- Almond Stuffed Olives
- Garlic Shrimp
- Chorizo Bites
- Bacon Wrapped Dates
- Olive and Feta Shooters
Manchego Cheese Tapas
Ingredients
- 1 baguette (medium, thinly sliced, see note 1)
- chorizo (sliced, see note 2)
- ½ pound Manchego cheese
- black pepper (to taste)
- 9 teaspoons fig jam (see note 3)
Instructions
- Place the baguette slices onto a serving platter. Top each with a slice of chorizo.
- Cut manchego cheese into about ¼ inch slices (5 millimeters) and cut each slice in half. Cut off the black parts. Place one manchego wedge on top of the chorizo. Season with black pepper and top with about a ½ teaspoon of jam.
- Secure with a toothpick (optional). Repeat with the rest of them.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe yields 18 slices but you can get more or less, depending on the size of your baguette. Mine was about 10-12 inches long (26-30 centimeters). Cut it into about ½-inch (1-centimeter) thin slices.
- You will need thinly sliced Spanish chorizo from the deli counter. At least 18 slices.
- Don't overdo it with fig jam. A little goes a long way here. You might need less than 9 teaspoons. The nutritional information is per 1 bite.
- This makes 18 bites, enough for about 6 people when served with other appetizers.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates calculated from available data and may vary with ingredient brands and portion sizes.
Dalia says
Should the baguettes be toasted, or fresh, before assembling?
Julia | Appetizer Addiction says
Hi Dalia. Most Spanish tapas are quite simple so the baguette is not toasted. However, if you prefer it toasted, go ahead and do so! Hope this helps.