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.
📋 Table of contents
The perfect base
A good montadito starts with the bread. The most commonly used options:
- Toasted baguette: classic, crunchy, holds toppings well
- Rye bread: intense flavor that balances salty anchovy
- Regañás: Andalusian cracker, very crunchy
- 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 (anchovy in vinegar) | Crystal bread + boquerón + olive + guindilla pepper | Gilda in montadito form |
| 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
- Decorate with fresh herbs (basil, chives, parsley)
- Add small bowls of sauces (alioli, romesco, piquillo aioli)
- Prepare the most 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 other premium canned goods to create the most impressive appetizer.
View product →Frequently asked questions
How many anchovies per montadito?
With quality Cantabrian anchovies, 1-2 fillets per montadito are enough. Premium anchovy has a lot of flavor, and if you put too much, 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 gets soggy quickly. If you need to prepare them earlier, assemble the toasted bread bases and add the toppings at the last moment.
