Antipasto Skewers - Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe (with VIDEO!) (2024)

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This antipasto skewers recipe is the perfect lazy day Italian appetizer for a large crowd. They can easily be made from store-bought pickled items or your pantry stash!

Antipasto Skewers - Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe (with VIDEO!) (1)

One of my favorite appetizers is these delicious antipasto skewers.

They are a great way to start the party and perfect for folks who like to graze when eating.

Also, they’re great for social butterflies because you can carry your whole appetizer around on a stick with you.

What is better than that? I say nothing; I love food on a stick and easy appetizer recipes.

You are probably familiar with many appetizers with Italian roots, like crostini (check out myholiday crostini barideas) and bruschetta.

But my favorite is an antipasto platter, a selection of cured meats, cheeses, olives, roasted peppers, and marinated vegetables.

Antipasto Skewers - Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe (with VIDEO!) (2)

Antipasto Skewers Recipe Appetizer

Antipasto can comprise so many different things.

When you make these easy antipasto skewers, I want you to take liberties and substitute or add your favorite classic antipasto ingredients.

Since you usually eat each ingredient independently, I don’t think it’s as important as it would be if the flavors go together.

Antipasto skewers are a charcuterie board alternative that takes less thinking and is a fun addition to any party. Thanks to these antipasti skewers, dinner parties and bridal showers just got a lot more fun.

Antipasto Skewers - Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe (with VIDEO!) (3)

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Antipasto Skewer Recipe Notes:

Before preparing your wooden skewers, marinate your cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese.

I like to marinate my cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella in ablend of Italian spicesand olive oil(olive oilis one of my splurges!)for about an hour before preparing my appetizer skewers.

Of course, this step isn’t necessary, but since it doesn’t take that long, why not do it.

The rest of the items I chose can be found in the condiment aisle of your local grocery store – just look for all the weird pickled things and go crazy!

After preparing your antipasto skewers, cover them with plastic wrap and keep them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Leftover Antipasto Skewers

You have some options if you have any leftover antipasto kabobs. You can store leftover skewers in an airtight container for several days. Or you can use the leftover ingredients to make antipasto pasta or salad.

Antipasto Skewers - Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe (with VIDEO!) (4)

Antipasto Italian Appetizers

Antipasto means before the meal in Italian, and this easy recipe is the perfect Italian appetizer.

Antipasto skewers are highly customizable, so you can tailor them to your preferences and the availability of ingredients.

They are perfect for serving as an appetizer before an Italian meal or as a standalone snack for entertaining.

Traditional antipasto inclusions that are perfect for skewers are:

Cured Meats: A selection of cured meats such as prosciutto, salami slices, coppa, and bresaola. These meats provide rich, savory flavors and complement other items on the platter.

Olives:An assortment of marinated or brined olives, including green olives, Kalamata olives, and Castelvetrano olives. They add a briny and slightly bitter note.

Cheeses: Various kinds of cheese, both hard and soft, including mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, Gorgonzola blue cheese, and Pepper Jack. These cheeses offer different textures and tastes, from mild and creamy to sharp and tangy.

Pickled Vegetables: Pickled vegetables such as artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, giardiniera (pickled mixed vegetables), and pepperoncini peppers contribute a tangy and crunchy element to the platter.

Marinated Vegetables: Marinated vegetables like sun-dried tomatoes, grilled eggplant, and marinated mushrooms add depth and flavor variety.

Antipasto Skewers - Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe (with VIDEO!) (5)

Fish and Antipasti

While fish isn’t typically a standard inclusion in traditional Italian antipasto platters, there are exceptions, and regional variations may incorporate seafood or fish-based items.

These seafood elements are often enjoyed in Italian cuisine but may appear on a separate seafood or antipasto di mare (seafood antipasto) platter.

Here are a few seafood items that you might want to serve alongside the antipasto skewers:

Marinated Anchovies: Marinated or pickled anchovy fillets can be served as a salty and briny component.

Marinated Octopus: Tender pieces of marinated or grilled octopus may appear on some antipasto platters, especially in coastal regions.

Antipasto Skewers - Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe (with VIDEO!) (6)

Smoked Salmon: Thinly sliced smoked salmon can be included for its delicate and smoky flavor.

Sardines: Marinated or grilled sardines may appear on a platter, especially in Mediterranean-style antipasto platters.

Baccalà Mantecato: This Venetian specialty includes creamy, whipped salted codfish served on crostini.

Cured Fish: In regions like Sicily, you might find cured or salted fish like swordfish or tuna.

Seafood Salad: A mixed seafood salad featuring shrimp, calamari, and mussels, often dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs.

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What should I serve with antipasto skewers?

Roasted Nuts: Salted or spiced nuts, such as almonds or cashews, provide a crunchy contrast to the other items.

Fresh Vegetables: Fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips offer a refreshing and crisp element.

Pieces of Bread and Crackers: Slices of rustic Italian bread, grissini (breadsticks), and various crackers serve as a vehicle for enjoying the other components.

Dips and Spreads: Some antipasto platters may include dips and spreads like hummus, olive tapenade, or baba ghanoush to add extra layers of flavor.

Fresh Herbs: Sprigs of fresh basil leaf, rosemary, or parsley can be used to garnish and add fragrance to the platter.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A small bowl of high-quality extra virgin olive oil for drizzling over bread or dipping.

Lemon Wedges: Lemon wedges or slices can be included for a touch of citrus brightness.

Looking for more appetizer skewers? Try these Tortellini Caprese Skewers.

Antipasto Skewers - Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe (with VIDEO!) (8)
Antipasto Skewers - Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe (with VIDEO!) (9)

Antipasto Skewers

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This antipasto skewers recipe is the perfect lazy day Italian appetizer for a large crowd. They can easily be made from store-bought pickled items or your pantry stash!

Ingredients

  • 4 sweet banana wax peppers, cut in half
  • 8 golden pepperoncini
  • 8 artichoke hearts
  • 8 black olives
  • 8 marinated cherry tomatoes
  • 8 marinated fresh mozzarella balls (Bocconcini or Ciliegine)
  • 8 cheddar cheese chunks
  • 8 pickled crimini mushrooms
  • 8 slices of Genoa salami
  • 8 slices of prosciutto
  • 8 slices of soppressata

Supplies

  • 8 bamboo skewers

Instructions

  1. Take a skewer in hand. Slide one of each ingredient onto the skewer. Repeat until all skewers are full.
  2. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 436Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 2475mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 5gSugar: 11gProtein: 28g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may not be correct.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Antipasto Skewers - Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe (with VIDEO!) (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 Italian appetizers? ›

The 11 Best Italian Appetizers Ever
  • Carbonara Arancini. ...
  • Chopped Italian Salad. ...
  • Pan-fried Scamorza with Arugula Salad. ...
  • Bruschetta of Spring Vegetables. ...
  • Bruschetta with Pickled Okra. ...
  • White-bean and Prosciutto Bruschetta. ...
  • Ricotta and Roasted Tomato Bruschetta with Pancetta. ...
  • Autumn Fritto Misto.
May 24, 2019

What does antipasto mean in Italian? ›

The word itself, antipasto, means "before the meal," from the roots anti-, "before," and pasto, "food." The plural of antipasto is antipasti. Definitions of antipasto. a course of appetizers in an Italian meal.

Is antipasto the same as hors d oeuvres? ›

The Appetizer Course

In English, we call these appetizers. For the French, they are the hors d'oeuvre. They are called antipasti in Italian, where they can be served hot or cold, cooked or raw.

What is Italian for nibbles before dinner? ›

If you are planning to prepare an aperitivo at home, try to stick to traditional stuzzichini (nibbles) rather than full meals. For a rustic Tuscan aperitivo, we recommend a few slices of Schiacciata, Taggiasche olives, sun-dried tomatoes and pecorino cheese.

What is the most famous appetizer in Italy? ›

Perhaps the most popular Italian appetizer, antipasto is a dish made up of a variety of different Italian favorites. Even throughout different regions of Italy, an antipasto appetizer contains different kinds of meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

What is antipasti appetizer? ›

Antipasto ( pl. : antipasti) is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. Usually made of bite-size small portions and served on a platter from which everyone serves themselves, the purpose of antipasti is to stimulate the appetite.

What is a true antipasto? ›

Antipasto means “before the meal” in Italian and can be any type of small meal, or appetizer, before the main dish. Typically, it ends up being a platter of cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables. The fun thing about an antipasto platter is that it can be different every time!

What is salad called in Italian? ›

Salads in Italy come in many varieties, including simple insalata verde (green salad, just a big bowl of lettuce), insalata mista (mixed salad of lettuce, carrots, tomato, perhaps some fennel), and meal-size insalatone (big salads filled with cheeses, meats, seafood, fruits, nuts).

What's the difference between antipasto and charcuterie? ›

Focus: Antipasto is a platter that contains a combination of cured meats, cheeses, vegetables, and other complementary items, whereas charcuterie is primarily focused on cured meats. Origin: Antipasto originated in Italy, while charcuterie is a French term.

What do you eat with antipasto? ›

5 dishes that will transform your antipasto platter
  1. Bread. Italians love bread and a crusty ciabatta or fresh baguette is the perfect antipasto accompaniment. ...
  2. Roasted Vegetables. ...
  3. Fruit. ...
  4. Something sweet. ...
  5. The perfect pairing.

What are the three types of antipasto? ›

The Different Types and Purposes of an Antipasto
  • Antipasto.
  • Primo: pasta, rice, gnocchi, soups.
  • Secondo: meat, fish, vegetarian.
  • Contorno: side dish.
  • Dolce: pastry, dessert.

What does primi mean in Italian? ›

Primi: Primi, or “first dishes,” usually include pasta, risotto (creamy rice) or soup. Pasta, of course, comes in an especially endless variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and sauces. As with everything else on the menu, of course, these dishes will very much depend on what region of Italy you're in.

What is a good appetizer to bring to someone's house? ›

7 Party Appetizers That Actually Travel Well
  • Balsamic bacon grilled peaches. Share on Pinterest. ...
  • Chicken avocado salad roll-ups. Share on Pinterest. ...
  • Blackberry cucumber caprese skewers. Share on Pinterest. ...
  • Crispy Parmesan chickpeas. ...
  • Tomato mozzarella balsamic salad. ...
  • Antipasto party skewers. ...
  • Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts.
Oct 29, 2021

What is Italian for first appetizer? ›

Antipasto. This traditional Italian meal starts with something to nibble on before the main courses commence. These appetizers can include cold and hot dishes like cheese, soppressata, and bread.

What is Italian happy hour called? ›

An aperitivo (or apéritif) is often described as being similar to the American happy hour, but in reality, it's much more than that.

What is a common appetizer in Italy? ›

Bruschetta

A classic Italian appetizer that's hard to resist. Bruschetta is a simple dish made of toasted bread, garlic, and a topping of juicy tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese. It's the perfect combination of flavors and textures, making it a staple in Italian homes and restaurants.

What are the 8 appetizers? ›

They work perfectly to tide you over until your dinner is ready, but they also ensure you're not full when your meal comes.
  • co*cktails. co*cktails are some of the most popular appetizers. ...
  • Hors D'oeuvres. ...
  • Canape. ...
  • Relishes & Crudite. ...
  • Salad. ...
  • Soup. ...
  • Chips & Dips.
Aug 1, 2022

What are the most popular starters in Italy? ›

Crostini, breadsticks, bruschetta and arancini are just a few of our favourite Italian starter recipes, but there's plenty more to explore in this stunning collection. We're got Italian starter classics including fritto misto and caprese salad, along with a lemon ricotta twist on the traditional bruschetta recipe.

What to bring to an Italian party? ›

  • 1Crispy air fryer Italian frittole. ...
  • 2Italian grazing plate. ...
  • 3Polenta chips with pesto dipping sauce. ...
  • 4Cheat's gelato pavlova. ...
  • 5Florentine potato bake. ...
  • 6Confit tomato and ricotta crostini. ...
  • 7Crusty Italian bread. ...
  • 8Semi-dried tomato arancini.

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