Summary: Anchovy montaditos are one of the most versatile appetizers in Spanish gastronomy. With Cantabrian anchovies as the star, each combination is a flavor experience.
The perfect base
A good montadito starts with the bread. The most common options:
- Toasted baguette: classic, crispy, holds toppings well
- Rye bread: intense flavor that balances salty anchovy
- Regañás: Andalusian cracker, very crispy
- Catalan crystal bread: very light, ideal for premium anchovies
- Pan tomate (pa amb tomàquet): perfect Mediterranean base
🛒 Cantabrian Anchovies — Gourmet Selection
The star ingredient of all montaditos. Large, firm fillets with the perfect balance of salt and umami.
View product →8 winning combinations
| # | Montadito | Ingredients | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Classic Catalan | Pa amb tomàquet + anchovy + EVOO | Umami + acidity |
| 2 | Butter and anchovy | Baguette + cold butter + anchovy | Creamy + salty |
| 3 | With piquillo pepper | Bread + piquillo + anchovy + egg | Sweet + umami |
| 4 | With boquerón | Crystal bread + boquerón + olive + gherkin | Gilda as a montadito |
| 5 | Mediterranean | Bread + tapenade + anchovy + capers | Intense, complex |
| 6 | With avocado | Toast + mild guacamole + anchovy + sesame | Creamy + salty |
| 7 | With caviar | Blini + crème fraîche + anchovy + roe | Luxurious, gourmet |
| 8 | With blue cheese | Bread + blue cheese + anchovy + walnut | Powerful, contrasting |
Presentation for guests
For a perfect montadito platter:
- Use a black slate or wooden board as a base
- Alternate heights with glasses or small slate boards
- Garnish with fresh herbs (basil, chives, parsley)
- Add small bowls of sauces (alioli, romesco, piquillo aioli)
- Prepare the more delicate ones at the last minute to prevent the bread from getting soggy
🛒 Gourmet Canned Goods Collection
Complete your platter with cockles, mussels, razor clams, and more premium canned goods to create the most impressive appetizer.
View product →🛒 Products mentioned in this article
⭐ 4.9/5 · Cold shipping 24-48h · Since 1990 at Mercat del Ninot
Frequently asked questions
How many anchovies per montadito?
With quality Cantabrian anchovies, 1-2 fillets per montadito are sufficient. Premium anchovy has a lot of flavor, and if you put too many, it will overpower the other ingredients. With lower quality anchovies, you'll need 3-4 for the flavor to be noticeable.
How far in advance should I prepare the montaditos?
No more than 30 minutes before serving. The bread absorbs moisture from the toppings and quickly gets soggy. If you need to prepare them earlier, assemble the toasted bread bases and add the toppings at the last minute.
Discover our premium selection
Seafood products selected with care since 1990 at Mercat del Ninot, Barcelona. Refrigerated shipping in 24-48h.
