Antipasto Skewers – Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe

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! 

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 (Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe) and easy appetizer recipes (Stuffed Shrimp Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon).

You are probably familiar with many appetizers with Italian roots, like crostini (check out my holiday crostini bar ideas) and bruschetta. 

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

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.

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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 a blend of Italian spices and olive oil (olive oil is 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 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.

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.

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.

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

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