Tortilla Española - Traditional Spanish Tortilla Recipe

Tortilla Española is a comforting dish made from a simple yet very flavorful combination of eggs, potatoes, onions, and olive oil. It is slightly firm on the outside with a soft, creamy interior. It's like a potato omelet.

Potatoes add a subtle sweetness and a slightly earthy flavor, while onions give it a mild, savory taste that perfectly complements the eggs.

• Only 4 ingredients: Tortilla Española is the most traditional tapa of all. If you have eggs, potatoes, and onions on hand, you can make this classic Spanish tortilla in no time!
• It's Spanish, not Mexican. Tortilla Española is nothing like a Mexican tortilla. It's more like a frittata, but one hundred times more tasty!
• Budget-friendly: Spanish tortilla is an inexpensive dish made with simple, everyday ingredients you probably have on hand.
• Allergen-friendly: This vegetarian recipe is both gluten-free and dairy-free.
• A popular choice for tapas. Tortilla Española is a popular tapa (small dish) in Spain. If you travel in Spain you will discover that it is on the menu in every tapa bar, cafe, or restaurant! It is commonly served as a snack or appetizer but it can also be a main dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
• Delicious either warm or cold. Not only that, you can enjoy it warm straight from the oven, or at room temperature. It is often cut into small pieces or wedges to share with others.
• An easy reliable recipe. I have made this simple Spanish tortilla many times, most often as tapas, but also for breakfast, lunch, and even for a light dinner, and it always turns out perfectly. It's hard to mess up this recipe!

You'll find several recipes for Spanish tapas in my Appetizer index.

A few of my favorites are Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Dates, these easy Spanish Spiced Almonds, and this oh-so-delicious recipe for Prawn and Chorizo Skewers with lemon garlic dip.

🛒 Ingredients

Ready to make a simple Spanish omelet? You'll find a complete list of ingredients with quantities in the recipe card below. But before we get to the full recipe, here are a few notes about the ingredients.

• potatoes: Yukon Gold or another variety of creamy yellow potatoes is my favorite choice for this recipe.
• eggs: You'll need 6 large eggs.
• onion: Adds mild, savory flavor that goes perfectly with potatoes.
• olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil gives this recipe a rich, almost nutty flavor.

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

Here are step-by-step instructions to make this recipe for a Spanish omelet perfectly.

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Peel the potatoes. If they are large, slice them in half. In a large pot, cover them with cool water and boil until they are just fork-tender. Avoid overcooking or the potatoes will not slice nicely.
• Thinly slice the cooked potatoes. Using a mandolin slicer produces uniform slices, but it's not essential. A sharp knife will work too.
• Heat half of the oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat and sauté the onions, just until translucent but not browned. Remove them to a small bowl.
• Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add the sliced, cooked potatoes, sea salt, and sautéd onions.
• Add the remaining oil to the frying pan and when hot, pour in the egg-potato-onion mixture. Let it cook for a minute or two, just until the edges are set.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake at 350 F. for 20 minutes or until the egg has set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
• Run a spatula around the edge of the skillet to loosen the tortilla. Invert a serving plate over the skillet and flip the plate and the pan over together. The tortilla will release easily and should slide right out. It will be a beautiful golden brown.
• Allow to cool slightly. Slice into wedges or small squares and serve warm or at room temperature

👍🏼 Helpful Tips

Don't skimp on the oil! Most recipes for a Spanish Tortilla call for ½ cup of olive oil. I've reduced that to ⅓ cup in this recipe successfully. It adds so much flavor and it prevents the tortilla from sticking to the pan. (Use the full ½ cup if you'd like!)

Use a toothpick to check for doneness. The top might look like it is not completely cooked after it has baked for 20 minutes or so, but use the toothpick test to check. It can be deceiving!

You can make many variations of this traditional Tortilla Española by adding different ingredients. Here are a few examples:

1. Spinach Tortilla or Tortilla de Espinacas: add sautéed spinach to the egg and potato mixture.
2. Tuna Tortilla or Tortilla de Atún: stir in canned tuna to the mixture.
3. Mushroom Tortilla or Tortilla de Setas: add sautéed cremini or shiitake mushrooms to the egg and potato mixture.
4. Ham and Cheese Tortilla or Tortilla de Jamón y Queso: delicious with added diced ham and grated cheese.

These are just a few examples of the many variations of Tortilla Española that you can try at home.

Tortilla Española can be served in a variety of ways, depending on the occasion. Here are some suggestions:

As a tapa: Cut the tortilla into small wedges or cubes and serve it as a snack or appetizer. Top it with a good quality Spanish olive or a slice of pimento as a garnish.

As a sandwich: Slice the tortilla horizontally and stuff it with lettuce, tomato and aioli. Or make a bocadillo de tortilla by stuffing a slice of it between two slices of warm crusty baguette with a slather of aioli.

As a main course: Serve a larger portion of the tortilla as a main course for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, along with a healthy side salad or vegetables.

With sauce: My favorite way to serve the tortilla is with a side of easy garlic aioli or a flavourful Mediterranean romesco sauce for dipping or drizzling.

At room temperature: Tortilla Española can be served at room temperature, making it a great option for picnics, camp-outs, or deck parties.

With toppings: Add toppings, such as sliced avocado, crumbled feta cheese, or chopped herbs like parsley or oregano to the top of the tortilla before serving for extra flavor and texture.

These are just a few ideas for serving Tortilla Española, but feel free to get creative and come up with your favorite ways to enjoy this classic Spanish dish!