This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Italian appetizers often include bread, tomatoes, and cheeses and this collection has them all! There’s something for everyone.
We Love Antipasto!
Italian appetizers are always hearty and tasty. Whether you are planning an entire Italian-themed dinner, a Homemade Lasagna night, or just need appetizers for a tasting spread, I’ve got you covered!
- For Italian appetizer tips & tricks, scroll to the bottom of this post!
More Collections
Best Italian Appetizers
The antipasti are designed to whet the appetite for the meal that will follow. They come in a variety of colors, textures, and tastes as well as in hot and cold forms.
These are some of our favorite and BEST!
1 Easy Bruschetta Recipe
Easy Bruschetta Recipe
Total Time: 14 minutes
Recipe Video
This easy bruschetta recipe is quick and simple. With just 5 ingredients, it's the perfect appetizer for any occasion.
Get the recipe
2 Fried Zucchini
Fried Zucchini
Total Time: 25 minutes
Recipe Video
Restaurant-style fried zucchini is a family favorite! It's simply addicting, especially dipped in ranch or marinara.
Get the recipe
3 Burrata Board Recipe
Burrata Board Recipe
Total Time: 26 minutes
This simple burrata board is a stunning and sophisticated appetizer. It's easy to assemble, and perfect for any occasion!
Get the recipe
4 Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
Recipe Video
Just like the originals, these copycat Olive Garden breadsticks are light, airy, and flavored with butter and garlic salt.
Get the recipe
5 Garlic Bread Recipe
Garlic Bread Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Recipe Video
This is by far our favorite Garlic Bread recipe. It takes minutes to put together and is SO cheesy and delicious. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal, but especially for pasta and Italian dishes!
Get the recipe
6 Mozzarella Sticks
Mozzarella Sticks
Total Time: 40 minutes
Recipe Video
Everyone is obsessed with these gooey homemade mozzarella sticks, breaded with a flavorful coating and fried to golden perfection.
Get the recipe
7 Caprese Kabobs Recipe
Caprese Kabobs Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
Simple, quick and delicious Caprese Kabobs take minutes to throw together and are perfect for any party or get together.
Get the recipe
8 Italian Meatball Recipe
Italian Meatball Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
Recipe Video
This homemade Italian meatball recipe is sure to rival your favorite Italian restaurant. They are juicy, soft, and full of flavor!
Get the recipe
9 Pizza Dip Recipe
Pizza Dip Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
Recipe Video
This quick and easy pizza dip recipe is everyone's favorite food in dip form. Add your favorite pizza toppings and dip away!
Get the recipe
10 Focaccia Bread Recipe
Focaccia Bread Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 55 minutes
Recipe Video
Crisp yet fluffy bread topped with delicious herbs and seasonings. This flavorful focaccia bread is so easy to make, and is perfect for sandwiches, dipping in soups, or enjoying on its own!
Get the recipe
easy Italian Appetizers
From caprese skewers drizzled in balsamic vinegar to Italian Meatballs dipped in Marinara Sauce, there are plenty of easy appetizers to complete your Italian spread!
11 Fried Eggplant Recipe
Fried Eggplant Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Recipe Video
With a crispy outside and tender middle, this fried eggplant dipped in marinara will be a favorite way to eat your veggies!
Get the recipe
12 Mozzarella Bites Recipe
Mozzarella Bites Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Fried Mozzarella Bites are delicious, easy, and the perfect party appetizer when served with marinara. Everyone loves this bite-sized snack!
Get the recipe
13 Bruschetta Caprese Recipe
Bruschetta Caprese Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
Toasted bread rounds are topped with a mixture of juicy tomatoes, ripe avocado, and fresh mozzarella to make this Bruschetta Caprese.
Get the recipe
14 Fried Ravioli Recipe
Fried Ravioli Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Recipe Video
Ready to enjoy in only 15 minutes, this crispy and cheesy fried ravioli is a fan-favorite appetizer! We love to serve it with warm marinara.
Get the recipe
15 Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe
Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
Simple and Fresh Caprese Stuffed Avocados are a twist on classic flavors. This is a perfect appetizer or side to any meal!
Get the recipe
16 Mini Pizzas
Mini Pizzas
Total Time: 18 minutes
These bite-sized mini pizzas are topped with fresh tomatoes and basil and are on the table in only 20 minutes!
Get the recipe
17 Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe
Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
Deliciously cheesy Chicken Parmesan Sliders make a perfect appetizer, but can hold their own as a main dish too!
Get the recipe
18 Zucchini Chips Recipe
Zucchini Chips Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
If you’re looking for a tasty side, these Baked Zucchini Chips are your answer! Sliced zucchini baked to perfection with a bread crumb and parmesan crust. These bite-sized veggies taste amazing and are a great alternate to the classic fried zucchini recipe.
Get the recipe
19 Pizza Roll Ups Recipe
Pizza Roll Ups Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
Crazy fast and easy to make, these Pizza Roll Ups are oozing with cheese and pepperoni. They are tiny pockets of big flavor!
Get the recipe
20 Tortellini Skewers Recipe
Tortellini Skewers Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
Quick + simple pesto Tortellini Skewers whip up in minutes for a tasty appetizer perfect for any occasion. They are cheesy and delicious!
Get the recipe
21 Mini Deep Dish Pizza Recipe
Mini Deep Dish Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes
Mini Deep Dish Pizzas are our new favorite dinner recipe. They're easy, quick and can be made custom for each person with their favorite toppings!
Get the recipe
22 Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
Juicy roasted tomatoes are the yummiest and easiest appetizer or side dish. Roasting them (with a little olive oil, basil and parmesan) brings out every delicious flavor!
Get the recipe
23 Pizza Muffin Recipe
Pizza Muffin Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Recipe Video
Cheesy pizza muffins are made with canned biscuit dough for a delicious kid-friendly dish that's ready in minutes!
Get the recipe
24 Zucchini Fries Recipe
Zucchini Fries Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
Recipe Video
These baked zucchini sticks are crusted and baked in panko, parmesan cheese, oregano, and basil. Zucchini fries are healthy AND delicious!
Get the recipe
25 Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Total Time: 8 minutes
Our favorite fresh tomato mozzarella salad delivers big flavors with just 4 simple ingredients in under 10 minutes!
Get the recipe
26 Spinach Artichoke Cups Recipe
Spinach Artichoke Cups Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Cups are simple to make, and packed full of delicious spinach and cheese flavor! They are baked to perfection.
Get the recipe
elements of an Italian Charcuterie
Arrange the antipasto platter any way you wish. I like to make sure each section of the board has a little of each finger food to snack on.
- Meats. Place slices of meat around the board keeping each type together. Pull apart the meats for easy pickup. I like to include prosciutto, salami, pastrami, cured sausage, Italian bresaola and candied bacon.
- Italian cheese. Use both hard and soft cheese. Parmesan cheese, cheddar, brie, gruyere, goat cheese, Italian Piave, and fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Nuts. Place groups of nuts around the board. Some favorites include almonds, pecans, walnuts, and cashews. They can be raw, roasted, salted, or candied.
- Fruits. Use both dried and fresh. Be sure the fruit will not be leaking juices into the other ingredients. Any fresh uncut berries, grapes, and cherries work. Also dried fruits like raisins, craisins, and dried apricots.
- Vegetables. Include favorite bite-sized vegetables like baby carrots, broccoli florets, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, red pepper, mushrooms, or snap peas.
- Olives. Add 2-3 different varieties of olives.
- Crackers and slices of bread. Pita, small tortillas, Grissini breadstick, toasted crostini, baguette, Ritz, pretzels, wheat thins, Triscuts, parmesan crisps, and chunks of Italian Bread.
- Spreads. Jams, jellies, honey, Basil Pesto Recipe, spicy mustard, ricotta, cream cheese, Hummus Recipe.
- Garnish. Fresh herbs and other greenery can give a polished finish to the look of the board.
I can’t even pick a favorite. So many great ideas!
These are brilliant ideas! Tried some of them and I’m excited to try the others.
I love all these ideas and choices! I have already tried the zucchini fries and caprese kabobs. I am excited to try more of these Italian appetizers. This will be fun for my next party!
Such a great variety of recipes for Italian food. All good and so many choices.
So my knowledge of Italian is limited to pasta. I love this list and cant wait to elevate my Italian meals.
Italian appetizers are my favorite!! Bruschetta & zucchini are two that I could eat at every meal!!
This list of ideas is so helpful! I can’t usually think of any Italian appetizers besides breadsticks, but next time I want to try making Bruschetta and Fried Ravioli. Thanks for the list of ideas!
Italian food is my favorite. The Garlic Bread is our favorite!
This is such a great collection of Italian appetizers! My favorites are the mozzarella sticks, bruschetta, and caprese kabobs.
I loooove Italian food…and appetizers. This is a perfect compilation of both! I love that these are all things my kids would enjoy as well. The variety is great!
You can’t go wrong with Italian appetizers – and I love that these are all so easy to make! The caprese kabobs and bruschetta are my favorites!
Yes, we’re all about easy and delicious. So glad you enjoy the appetizers!
Out of all the different types of appetizers, Italian appetizers are the best! I love anything Caprese and I love this collection of appetizers because it has different variations on Caprese appetizers – especially adding the avocado on the Caprese Bruschetta!