Gambas al Pil Pil – Garlic Prawns with Chili

Last updated: April 6, 2026

Gambas al Pil Pil is a traditional Spanish tapas recipe that is super easy to make and loaded with flavor. Large prawns are cooked in olive oil with plenty of garlic, paprika, and chili for some extra heat. The smell of this dish is irresistible and it is always best served with plenty of fresh bread.

This dish is very similar to the ever-popular gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimp) recipe, with the addition of some chili to heat things up. Originally hailing from the northern region of Spain in the Basque Country, nowadays, It’s a popular dish served all over Spain as a tapas.

In this recipe video, we guide you through how to make this quick Gambas al Pil Pil Recipe with easy to follow step-by-step instructions!

🔥 Sweet + Spicy
🥘 Mediterranean Flavors
⏱ Ready in under 15 minutes

Serve with some nice crusty bread to help mop up the delicious chili-infused oil. 

Serves: 4 as a tapas

⏰ Prep Time: 5 minutes

⏰ Cook Time: 8 minutes

✅ Full printable recipe and blog post are available here: Gambas al Pil Pil – Garlic Prawns with Chili