Pintxos de txaka (Spanish seafood pintxos)

Learn how to make seafood pintxos with our easy and authentic recipe. This beloved snack from the Basque Country is perfect for an easy starter or nibbles with drinks.

• Iconic dish: Pintxos (pronounced peen-chos) are a cornerstone of northern Spanish – but particularly Basque – cuisine. Much like tapas in other parts of Spain, what sets them apart is that they’re often served on top of bread with a toothpick in (‘pintxo’ means ‘spike’ – the toothpicks are important as they’re an easy way for the waiter/barman to work out your food bill).
• Favourite combination: These seafood pintxos are, unsurprisingly, one of the most popular. One bite into this simple combination of mayonnaise and seafood sticks with grated egg on top, and you’ll see why they’re a favourite.
• Easy swaps: You can add a pickled guindilla chilli as well as or instead of the prawn; decorate the pintxos with strips of roasted red pepper instead of olives, or go the whole hog and whisk up some homemade mayonnaise to make these snacks even fancier.

Discover more regional Spanish flavours with our traditional tapas recipes.