Tortilla (or Spanish Omelette) has always been one of my favorite dishes, since I was a child. It's a typical Spanish recipe, probably one of the most famous in our country. We call it "tortilla de patatas" (potato omelette in English) and it's made of eggs, potatoes, olive oil and salt, and some people add onion too. This is a vegan version and it's so delicious, you won't even notice the difference!
Traditional Spanish Omelette is made with potatoes fried in olive oil, it's really yummy, but it's not very healthy, so we're gonna share with you the traditional recipe and a healthier version, that only requires two tablespoons of oil.
Here in Spain we always use olive oil for cooking, but you can also use whatever oil you like. I love olive oil, I couldn't live without it!
We've used gram or chickpea flour with cold water instead of eggs, it's really cheap, simple and easy, and it tastes amazing. There are other alternatives to substitute the eggs but this is our favorite. This recipe is gluten, soy and dairy free and it's also vegan, requires 6 ingredients, or 5 if you don't want to add onion (but I really recommend it!). Have you ever tried tortilla or Spanish Omelette? It's really tasty, you're gonna love it!
Tortilla (Spanish Omelette). Vegan and Gluten Free
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 medium potatoes
- ½ onion
- 16 tablespoons gram or chickpea flour
- 16 tablespoons water, + 1 cup or 250 milliliters water if you make the healthy version
- Salt to taste
- Dash of black salt or Kala Namak, optional
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and wash them. Cut them in half lengthwise. Then, slice the potatoes in pieces approximately 3 mm or ⅛" thick. Peel and chop the onion into small pieces.
- At this step, you'll have to choose one version. Healthy version: In a non-stick frying pan, place one or two tablespoons of olive oil and when the oil is hot, add potatoes, onion, salt to taste and 250 milliliters or 1 cup of water and bring it to boil. You may need to turn down the heat slightly, so the potatoes do not burn. Cook for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Stir occasionally. Remove the potatoes and onion from the pan with a slotted spoon. Traditional version: In a non-stick frying pan, heat the olive oil on medium high heat, add potatoes, onion and salt to taste. The oil should almost cover the potatoes. Cook for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Stir occasionally. Remove the potatoes and onion from the pan with a slotted spoon.
- In a bowl, place 16 tablespoons of gram flour and 16 tablespoons of water, add salt and beat by hand with a fork. Pour in the potato onion mixture. Mix all together.
- Place one or two tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan and heat on medium heat. Pour in the potato onion mixture and cook over medium heat for about five minutes. Place a plate over the tortilla and turn it around and cook the other side for about another 5 minutes. Turn the tortilla again if required until it's totally cooked.
- Add black salt to get a truly authentic egg-like taste.
Notes
- Follow steps 1, 3, and 4 in both versions.
Sibylle says
Can't wait to try this. I love tortilla española but did not think there might be a vegan version. Thanks a lot.
You have a wonderful site. I love the recipes and the photos!!!
Iosune says
Hi Sibylle! Thanks a lot 🙂 Hope you like it!
Anna says
Hello,
A friend of mine made this and I really liked it. I would like to add eggs to this recipe. How would I do this or more like what should I take out:-)
Iosune says
Hi Anna! I'm vegan, so I don't eat eggs. They're not healthy and they're also bad for the environment and the animals. I suggest you make this vegan recipe, it's a better choice 😉 Have a nice day!
Linda says
Thank you for this lovely recipe. It turned out very well, but the flavour was outstanding, far better than egg omelette ( I did use the black salt too) .X
Iosune says
Hi Linda! You're welcome 😀 I'm so glad you liked it!
ANTON says
Looks insanely beautiful and delicious! Today, try to cook at home, I hope to get as good as You!)
Iosune says
Hi Anton! Thanks a lot, you're so kind 🙂 Hope you like it!
Sara says
I discovered your blog a few days ago in search of a quick recipe for tempeh bacon. Your recipe (http://simpleveganblog.com/tempeh-bacon/) appeared at the top of my Google search and I'm glad it did--the recipe turned out perfect and delicious, and wow it was quick!
On that page I noticed your recipe for tortilla and thought how good a Spanish omelette would be with the tempeh bacon. We tried the tortilla this evening. Oh my goodness, how wonderful it was! My 15-year-old son said his life was changed. My husband said, "Wow. This is good. Is it my birthday?"
The tortilla and the bacon will now be a staple treat in our house and we look forward to exploring more of your recipes. From a long-time vegan family from across the Atlantic, thank you for such a great blog.
Iosune says
Hi Sara! I've never eaten tortilla with bacon, but sounds amazing! Thanks a lot for your kind words 🙂 Have a beautiful day!
C Bailey says
Tried this today after a long time sitting in my Pinterest recipe book, as we have recently moved to Spain this last year! We found a prepackaged vegan tortilla at the hipermercado but it was incredibly expensive (€5 for a size about ⅙ of your recipe!) and wayyyyy too oily for us to like even though we love the concept! Your healthy version rocked our palates and we will be making these regularly for an awesome breakfast or lunch! I also added nooch to the gram flour batter and lots of garlic to the recipe 😛 but I'd recommend for more onion to be included as we found that ½ wasn't enough!
Muchas gracias para la receta fabuloso!
Iosune says
Hi C Bailey! De nada 🙂 I'm sooo glad you liked it 🙂 Yes, vegan tortillas are incredibly expensive and are less healthy. Have a nice day!
Rachel says
Thank you for this recipe & I can't wait to try it! This was one of my go to foods when I was in Spain - when I still consumed eggs. Thanks!
Iosune says
Hi Rachel! Hope you like it 😉
Sera says
Hi! Im just turning vegan and was worried that with my food intolerances i'd be eating only salads from now on so it was a lifesaver to read your egg replacement. Now I can still enjoy an omlette. Thank you!! ?
Iosune says
Hi Sera! You're so welcome 🙂 Have a nice day!
Cassy says
Muchas gracias por la receta! I have been sad about tortilla ever since my egg allergy was discovered years ago. I've never been able to figure out how to do it. Your recipe is amazing. I made it with potatoes the first time and it worked great. My host-mom used to use other vegetables so this time I just made one with green beans and it is delicious too!
Iosune says
Hi Cassy! De nada 🙂 I'm so glad you liked it 😉 I also add green bell peppers sometimes. Have a nice day!
AnSo says
Thanks for this recipe. We make it very often and my husband says it's like the real one in Spain. I have a blog in French where I share some of my favourite recipes, among other things. So I translated your recipe and shared it (with my own photos and a link to your website of course), I hope it's ok. If not, please contact me and I will remove it. Kind regards
Iosune says
Hi Anso! So glad you liked it 🙂 We prefer the recipes are only in our blog, but you don't have to remove as it's in French. Have a nice day!
Roxana says
Nice recipe! Thank you for sharing! xx
Iosune says
Hi Roxana! You're so welcome!
JustaPleb says
Really nice recipe. Recommend medium to low heat after you've mixed in the gram flour. Had it up a bit high to start. Put the pan under the grill for 2 minutes just tlso I could turn it before it started to burn the bottom. Thanks for the recipe
Iosune says
Hi! You're so welcome and thanks for the ideas 😉