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Antipasto skewers, or antipasto kabobs, make great party food. Easy to make in advance, they are an easy party appetizer idea that’s ideal for parties, picnics, game day, BBQs, road trips, tailgating and gatherings, among others. This crowd-pleasing antipasto bite appetizer is served on wooden skewers and made with classic Italian flavours. 

A platter of Italian antipasto skewers.

One of the best Italian appetizers if you’re looking for an addition to a charcuterie board or tasty, colorful food on a stick type snacks, is this easy recipe.

Also try smoothie freezer packs, this easy antipasto salad, an antipasto Christmas tree, or antipasto board appetizer.

Overhead view of a platter of Italian antipasto skewers.

Why You Will Love These

Simple to assemble:  This appetizer recipe with marinated vegetables is perfect if you are looking for easy party prep dishes.
Delicious:  The classic Italian trio of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil feature in these Italian appetizers, along with other delicious ingredients.
Popular:  With its classic antipasto ingredients, this no-cook appetizer recipe is sure to impress a large crowd at any occasion. They disappear fast from the buffet table!

Close up view of a platter of Italian antipasto bites on wood skewers.

Antipasto Skewer Recipe Ingredients

Thread fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, cheese tortellini, fresh basil leaves, black and green olives, and salami onto the skewers. The marinade is a combination of olive oil, vinegar, lemon, oregano, parsley, garlic, mustard, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Ingredients to make antipasto skewer appetizers.

How to Make Antipasto Skewers

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Cook the tortellini:  Cook it following the directions on the package and let it cool completely.
Make the marinade:  Shake all the dressing ingredients in a jar until well combined.
Marinate the kabob ingredients:  Pour the dressing over the mozzarella, tortellini and tomatoes and marinate overnight or for at least a couple of hours.
Assemble the appetizer skewers:  Thread the mozzarella, fresh basil, tortellini, green and black olives, meat, and tomatoes on to wooden skewers, garnish with fresh herbs if liked, and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Making an antipasto appetizer on wood skewers.
A platter of Italian antipasto bites on wood skewers.

Substitutions and Variations

You can use chopped fresh mozzarella instead of plain mozzarella balls, or add pepperoncini peppers, or artichoke hearts to the antipasto bites. Additionally, marinated mushrooms are also really good, as are other antipasto items like cured meats or roasted red peppers. Use Italian, Greek or even kalamata olives, as long as they’re pitted. A drizzle of a balsamic vinegar reduction is a nice addition, too.

Close up view of a platter of Italian antipasto bites appetizers.

What to Serve with Antipasto Bites

Whether you’re having these at a backyard BBQ, for bridal showers, or anytime during the holiday season, you might be wondering what else to serve with this easy party appetizer. There are plenty of perfect party food ideas to choose from, for your buffet table. What about chips with a homemade green goddess dip, crab cake egg rolls or deviled eggs? Also, they are a great addition to a charcuterie board or antipasto board.

Antipasto skewers in a cup.

Storage Directions

Store: Keep leftover antipasto skewers delish by wrapping them in plastic wrap and refrigerating. Enjoy within 2 to 3 days.
Freeze: Unfortunately, these are not really suited to freezing because the texture and flavor will suffer.

Close up view of antipasto appetizer bites on wood skewers.

Easy Antipasto Skewers FAQs

Do you serve these with or without the dressing?

Once the kabobs are marinated, you can discard the marinade since the flavours will have soaked into the kabob ingredients. You could always drizzle a balsamic glaze over them or sprinkle over some fresh herb sprigs.

Can you make a vegetarian version?

Feel free to change the ingredients however you want. You can swap the salami for roasted bell peppers or mushrooms, perhaps.

A full platter of Italian antipasto bites.

Italian Antipasto Skewers Appetizer Recipe

5 from 53 votes

Antipasto Skewers

Delicious and easy antipasto skewers: perfect for parties, BBQs & gatherings! Made with Italian flavours, they are a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 12 Balls mozzarella
  • 12 cheese tortellini
  • 24 cherry tomatoes
  • 12 Leaves basil
  • 12 green olives, pitted
  • 12 black olives, pitted
  • 12 Slices salami

Italian Dressing Marinade

Instructions 

  • Cook tortellini according to package directions. Place into a strainer and rinse under cold water until cool.
  • Combine Italian dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake vigorously for 30 seconds
  • Add mozzarella, tortellini, and tomatoes to a bowl with a lid. Pour Italian dressing over and marinate for at least two hours, but preferably overnight.
  • Assemble skewers by rotating mozzarella balls, basil leaves, tortellini, olives, meat, and tomatoes.

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 677mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 538IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Antipasto skewers are one of the tastiest Italian appetizer recipes and these mini appetizers are a breeze to make and guaranteed to be a hit at your next party or gathering.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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5 from 53 votes (41 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




132 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made these for a dinner party last night! They were the first thing that disappeared off the table! Great recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    These were quite delicious!!! I have had antipasto skewers before but never ones with pasta on. It was delicious!

    And they looked so pretty (not as good as yours) but pretty!

    Even my 3 out of 5 kids ate them! That is a winner!!