33 Easy Recipes for Spanish Class

Inside: A list of easy, authentic recipes to make in Spanish classes.

Have you tried cooking in Spanish class? Are you looking for an authentic dish to make or try? I have a great list for you.

One year, one my older classes needed a party break, and we decided to bring in different traditional foods from Spanish-speaking places. One student showed up with a perfect homemade flan (thanks mom!) and everyone raved about it. 

Flan is at the very end of this list, but mostly I focused easy recipes. Like, I love tamales but that is a whole thing.

You’ll also note a lot of the recipes are in English and from the U.S– you might use a more authentic source, just keep in mind that many authentic recipes use different measuring units and hard-to-find ingredients.

This list focuses on recipes you could whip up at home or make together in class!

Contents:

1. Ideas for Cooking in Spanish Class – Jump to section

2. Crockpot Recipes – Jump to section

3. No Cooking Required Recipes – Jump to section

4. Recipes for a Griddle – Jump to section

5. Recipes for a Microwave – Jump to section

6. Drinks Recipes – Jump to section

Ideas for cooking in Spanish class:

• Bring in prepared food for students to simply try and enjoy
• Bring in ingredients and cook together
• Have students do a “cooking show” where they prepare food as part of a presentation (live or recorded)
• As a way to practice writing or following commands in Spanish
• Salsa or guacamole competition
• Use playdough to pretend to cook 

I love this idea from Señora Chase to do a cooking show in class, providing lots of interesting comprehensible input as you go! See her description and full ideas here. 

For each suggested dish, I’m going to list the ingredients so you can quickly see if something is feasible or interesting to you, and then link to a favorite recipe example for the full directions. 

It should go without saying, but of course check for allergies before doing any food activities in class!

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Hispanic Heritage Activities

Crockpot Ideas for Spanish Class:

Yes, even elementary teachers can have a crockpot cooking away, and serve something new to their students.

No-cooking-RequireD REcipes:

Salsa is probably the most common no-cook food to make in Spanish class. You could even do a contest, where different groups try out recipes!

Here are some more no-cooking ideas (a few may need you to bring in a pre-cooked ingredient, but can be assembled in class).

I’m partial to the Peruvian style of ceviche, but there are other countries that offer different variations (it might be safer, and your students might be more receptive to ceviche made with shrimp instead of raw fish). Of course be careful about seafood and allergies!

Recipes That Use a griddle

Recipes for a Microwave

I’m putting these recipes here even if they have some elements that would need to be brought to class pre-cooked. 

There are a million different ways to do this, but here’s what you would need to do tacos al pastor (plus topping from the tostadas above as desired). This could be made in class using a griddle, but if you prepared the meat ahead, you can just reheat the meat and the tortillas in the microwave.

Drink Recipes for Spanish Class

Desserts for Spanish Class

Not all of these are in the easy-to-make-in-class category, but of course who would turn down something sweet at school?

Lastly:

The algorithms really want me to make this a big list of Spanish dishes, instead of dishes for Spanish class, like tapas recipes, patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, tortilla de patatas, etc. I know we all like to work in a variety of dishes, not just Spanish food, so that’s reflected in my list.

Paella doesn’t seem that easy to me, but let’s include it here so the internet is happy with me:

The recipe below calls for a “seafood mix.” Adventurous classes might for a recipe with mussels and squid; I’m assuming chicken thighs and shrimp will be easier to try). Of course, be mindful of allergies. 

Happy cooking!