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Italian appetizers often include bread, tomatoes, and cheeses and this collection has them all! There’s something for everyone.

A collage of favorite Italian appetizers.

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!

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

Appetizer Easy Bruschetta Recipe
Total Time: 14 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 28 votes
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2 Fried Zucchini

Appetizer, Side Dish Fried Zucchini
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 228 votes
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3 Burrata Board Recipe

Appetizer Burrata Board Recipe
Total Time: 26 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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4 Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe

Bread Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 64 votes
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5 Garlic Bread Recipe

Bread Garlic Bread Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.89 from 36 votes
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6 Mozzarella Sticks

Appetizer Mozzarella Sticks
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 24 votes
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7 Caprese Kabobs Recipe

Appetizer Caprese Kabobs Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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8 Italian Meatball Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Italian Meatball Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 48 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 9 votes
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9 Pizza Dip Recipe

Appetizer Pizza Dip Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 25 votes
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10 Focaccia Bread Recipe

Bread Focaccia Bread Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 55 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 243 votes
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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

Appetizer, Side Dish Fried Eggplant Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

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12 Mozzarella Bites Recipe

Appetizer Mozzarella Bites Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
4.91 from 22 votes
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13 Bruschetta Caprese Recipe

Appetizer Bruschetta Caprese Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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14 Fried Ravioli Recipe

Main Course Fried Ravioli Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

4.91 from 22 votes
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15 Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe

Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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16 Mini Pizzas

Main Course Mini Pizzas
Total Time: 18 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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17 Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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18 Zucchini Chips Recipe

Side Dish Zucchini Chips Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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19 Pizza Roll Ups Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Pizza Roll Ups Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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20 Tortellini Skewers Recipe

Appetizer Tortellini Skewers Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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21 Mini Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Mini Deep Dish Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes
5 from 11 votes
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22 Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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23 Pizza Muffin Recipe

Appetizer Pizza Muffin Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

4.86 from 7 votes
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24 Zucchini Fries Recipe

Side Dish Zucchini Fries Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 28 votes
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25 Tomato Mozzarella Salad

Salad Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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26 Spinach Artichoke Cups Recipe

Appetizer Spinach Artichoke Cups Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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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. 

  1. 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.
  2. Italian cheese. Use both hard and soft cheese. Parmesan cheese, cheddar, brie, gruyere, goat cheese, Italian Piave, and fresh mozzarella cheese.
  3. Nuts. Place groups of nuts around the board. Some favorites include almonds, pecans, walnuts, and cashews. They can be raw, roasted, salted, or candied.
  4. 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.
  5. Vegetables. Include favorite bite-sized vegetables like baby carrots, broccoli florets, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, red pepper, mushrooms, or snap peas. 
  6. Olives. Add 2-3 different varieties of olives.
  7. 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.
  8. Spreads. Jams, jellies, honey, Basil Pesto Recipe, spicy mustard, ricotta, cream cheese, Hummus Recipe.
  9. Garnish. Fresh herbs and other greenery can give a polished finish to the look of the board.

For More Italian Appetizers:

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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13 Comments

  1. Ellie Grove says:

    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!

  2. Olivia says:

    Such a great variety of recipes for Italian food. All good and so many choices.

  3. Sue says:

    So my knowledge of Italian is limited to pasta. I love this list and cant wait to elevate my Italian meals.

  4. Joy says:

    Italian appetizers are my favorite!! Bruschetta & zucchini are two that I could eat at every meal!!

  5. Jordan says:

    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!

  6. Megan says:

    Italian food is my favorite. The Garlic Bread is our favorite!

  7. Karen says:

    This is such a great collection of Italian appetizers! My favorites are the mozzarella sticks, bruschetta, and caprese kabobs.

  8. Jessica says:

    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!

  9. Katrina says:

    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!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes, we’re all about easy and delicious. So glad you enjoy the appetizers!

  10. Ali says:

    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!