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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!
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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!
Easy Bruschetta Recipe
This easy bruschetta recipe is quick and simple. With just 5 ingredients, it's the perfect appetizer for any occasion.
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Fried Zucchini
Restaurant-style fried zucchini is a family favorite! It's simply addicting, especially dipped in ranch or marinara.
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Burrata Board Recipe
This simple Burrata Board is a stunning & sophisticated appetizer. It's easy to assemble, and perfect for any occasion!
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Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
Just like the originals, these copycat Olive Garden breadsticks are light, airy, and flavored with butter and garlic salt.
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Garlic Bread Recipe
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!
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Mozzarella Sticks
Everyone is obsessed with these gooey homemade mozzarella sticks, breaded with a flavorful coating and fried to golden perfection.
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Caprese Kabobs Recipe
Simple, quick and delicious Caprese Kabobs take minutes to throw together and are perfect for any party or get together.
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Italian Meatball Recipe
This homemade Italian meatball recipe is sure to rival your favorite Italian restaurant. They are juicy, soft, and full of flavor!
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Pizza Dip Recipe
This quick and easy pizza dip recipe is everyone's favorite food in dip form. Add your favorite pizza toppings and dip away!
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Focaccia Bread Recipe
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!
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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!
Fried Eggplant Recipe
With a crispy outside and tender middle, this fried eggplant dipped in marinara will be a favorite way to eat your veggies!
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Mozzarella Bites Recipe
Fried Mozzarella Bites are delicious, easy, and the perfect party appetizer when served with marinara. Everyone loves this bite-sized snack!
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Bruschetta Caprese Recipe
Toasted bread rounds are topped with a mixture of juicy tomatoes, ripe avocado, and fresh mozzarella to make this Bruschetta Caprese.
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Fried Ravioli Recipe
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.
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Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe
Simple and Fresh Caprese Stuffed Avocados are a twist on classic flavors. This is a perfect appetizer or side to any meal!
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Mini Pizzas
These bite-sized mini pizzas are topped with fresh tomatoes and basil and are on the table in only 20 minutes!
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Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe
Deliciously cheesy Chicken Parmesan Sliders make a perfect appetizer, but can hold their own as a main dish too!
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Zucchini Chips Recipe
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.
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Pizza Roll Ups Recipe
Crazy fast and easy to make, these Pizza Roll Ups are oozing with cheese and pepperoni. They are tiny pockets of big flavor!
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Tortellini Skewers Recipe
Quick + simple pesto Tortellini Skewers whip up in minutes for a tasty appetizer perfect for any occasion. They are cheesy and delicious!
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Mini Deep Dish Pizza Recipe
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!
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Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
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!
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Pizza Muffin Recipe
Cheesy pizza muffins are made with canned biscuit dough for a delicious kid-friendly dish that's ready in minutes!
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Zucchini Fries Recipe
These baked zucchini sticks are crusted and baked in panko, parmesan cheese, oregano, and basil. Zucchini fries are healthy AND delicious!
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Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Our favorite fresh tomato mozzarella salad delivers big flavors with just 4 simple ingredients in under 10 minutes!
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Spinach Artichoke Cups Recipe
Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Cups are simple to make, and packed full of delicious spinach and cheese flavor! They are baked to perfection.
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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.
- 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 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!