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Bring bold Italian flavors to your table with these 30 easy Italian appetizers. From bruschetta and mozzarella balls to air fryer ravioli, these recipes are ideal for parties, holidays, or happy hour.
When you’re planning a party, holiday meal, or even just a casual night in, Italian appetizers are always a hit. There’s something about a table full of small bites: bruschetta piled high with fresh tomatoes, creamy dips, golden crispy bites, and platters of marinated cheeses and olives. It feels so inviting the moment you see it.
The beauty of Italian appetizer recipes is how versatile they are. On warm summer days, you can serve light and refreshing options like prosciutto-wrapped melon or caprese skewers. When the weather cools down, cozy up with baked dips, stuffed artichokes, or crispy air fryer ravioli that bring a little comfort to the table. Most of these recipes use simple, seasonal ingredients and come together quickly. This is what makes them ideal for home cooks who want big Italian flavor without spending all day in the kitchen.
In this roundup, you’ll find a mix of my favorite Italian-inspired appetizers along with recipes from other talented food bloggers. From classic antipasti boards and savory crostini to fun twists like antipasto egg rolls and chicken parmesan sliders, there’s something here for every occasion. These easy Italian appetizers are the kind of dishes that make people gather around the table and linger a little longer.
the best italian appetizer recipes
Italian Charcuterie Board
Build the ultimate Italian charcuterie board with prosciutto, salami, fresh mozzarella, and classic Mediterranean additions. We are sharing our top tips for selecting meats, cheeses, and pairings for the best appetizer spread.
Prosciutto Cheese Twists
These simple, tasty prosciutto puff pastry cheese twists are perfect for a party appetizer. With only a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can enjoy these delicious bites in no time! Easily make them vegetarian but skipping the cured meat.
Air Fryer Ravioli
Cheesy and crispy, these air fryer ravioli are a delicious appetizer or snack! The crunchy bites are ready in just 20 minutes and are the perfect fit for any gathering. Dip them in marinara sauce for the ultimate experience. Easy, delicious, and guaranteed to disappear fast!
easy whipped ricotta
Ready in only 5 minutes, this creamy whipped ricotta is the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer. Top with your favorite toppings to customize it however you like!
Burrata Caprese Salad
Burrata Caprese Salad is a simple, yet elegant summer salad made with fresh tomatoes, creamy burrata cheese, and basil. This salad is ideal for a light lunch or dinner, but it’s also a hit as an appetizer for a party! The fresh flavors are simple and delicious, making this simple recipe easy to prepare and enjoy.
Crispy Prosciutto
Crispy Prosciutto is a crunchy, savory snack that’s super simple to make in the oven! In less than 15 minutes, you can add this fried prosciutto to a charcuterie board or crumble it up to use as garnish on soups, salads, pasta, pizza, and more.
Caprese Bruschetta
Discover the ultimate taste of summer with Caprese Bruschetta! Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil come together on a crusty bed of bread to create a burst of flavors that perfectly capture the essence of the season. From backyard barbecues to picnics in the park, Caprese Bruschetta is the go-to appetizer that will impress your guests and leave them craving for more.
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Simple Marinated Mozzarella Balls are a quick and easy appetizer that always wow’s a crowd. It’s the ideal snack for any of your holiday gatherings or celebrations. Serve it with crusty bread or as a part of your charcuterie/cheese board!
Tomato Peach Bruschetta
Tomato Peach Bruschetta is a fruity upgrade on the Italian appetizer that you will not be able to stop eating. The sweet peaches with the meaty tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil are the easiest and tastiest bread topping ever!
Roasted Asparagus Herb Ricotta Crostini
Roasted Asparagus Herb Ricotta Crostini is an easy appetizer that screams spring. Golden toasted baguette slices are topped with a creamy lemon and herb ricotta that’s been whipped to perfection. Topped with roasted asparagus, it is simple, fresh, and ideal for large gatherings.
Avocado Bruschetta
Easy avocado bruschetta is a flavorful snack that is killer for a party and also as a midday treat. The bright flavors are so satisfying, and the creamy addition of avocado is the best twist on the Italian classic!
Grilled Lemon Kale Ricotta Flatbread
Grilled Lemon Kale Ricotta Flatbread is the perfect grilled appetizer for your summer BBQ parties. It’s full of fresh, bold flavors and just a touch of lemon and spice that brightens up the whole dish!
Roasted Grape & Balsamic Crostini
Roasted Grape & Balsamic Crostini is a bold sweet and savory appetizer that I love to serve in the winter. You all know my love of balsamic runs deep, so the balsamic reduction with the grapes and creamy ricotta takes this crostini to a whole other level.
Baked Feta with Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs
My favorite foods to make are the ones that completely fill your house with a delicious smell. You know, the one that triggers an automatic “oh my gosh, what smells so good?!” when you open the door to invite someone inside? I live for those foods and this baked feta is definitely one of them.
Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
Easy Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are a sweet and savory appetizer that’s always the star of the party. With only a few ingredients, you can whip up this easy recipe in no time for your next gathering.
Melon Prosciutto Salad
An easy melon prosciutto salad is a refreshing combination of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew. With the addition of a honey citrus dressing made with fresh citrus juice and herbs, you’ll find yourself making this recipe over and over again for a side dish or even a poolside snack.
Caprese Skewers
Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves stacked on skewers for a fun, no-fuss app. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for that Instagram-worthy finish.
Bruschetta Pinwheels
All the fresh, zesty flavors of bruschetta rolled up into buttery pastry pinwheels. Perfect for parties, they’re easy to make and even easier to eat.
Italian Zucchini Latkes
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these zucchini latkes are a fresh Italian-inspired spin on the classic Hanukkah favorite. Perfect for summer when zucchini is overflowing, they’re a golden, savory bite you won’t be able to stop snacking on.
Chicken Parmesan Sliders
Think chicken parm, but make it bite-sized and perfect for sharing. These cheesy, saucy sliders are an instant crowd-pleaser that will disappear faster than you can say “pass the tray.”
Sausage Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms
Tender artichoke bottoms piled high with a savory blend of Italian sausage, sharp cheeses, spinach, and breadcrumbs, then baked in tomato sauce. It’s everything you want in a warm antipasto—hearty, flavorful, and unapologetically Italian.
Caprese Dip with Boursin Cheese
Take your classic caprese up a notch with this creamy, dreamy dip. Garlic herb Boursin meets juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a scoopable appetizer that loves crostini as much as you do.
Air Fryer Antipasto Egg Rolls
These aren’t your average egg rolls. Packed with Italian deli favorites and crisped to perfection in the air fryer, they’re a handheld antipasto that’ll keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Tuscan Crostini with Sausage and Stracchino Cheese
Simple yet so flavorful, these crostini are topped with creamy Stracchino cheese and savory sausage for an appetizer straight out of Tuscany. They’re rustic, rich, and ready to impress.
Italian Hoagie Dip
All the flavors of a classic Italian sub, but in dip form. Scoop up layers of deli meats, cheeses, and veggies dressed in zesty Italian seasoning for the ultimate party spread.
Prosciutto and Melon
Sweet, juicy cantaloupe meets salty, paper-thin prosciutto in this effortless Italian classic. Add mozzarella balls and a drizzle of balsamic reduction for a fresh, no-cook app that screams summer.
Easy Olive Salad
Briny, bright, and done in just 5 minutes, this olive salad is a flavor bomb that’s perfect on its own or spooned over creamy whipped feta for the ultimate Italian-inspired snack.
Vegan Mushroom Arancini
Golden and crispy on the outside, rich and earthy on the inside – these vegan mushroom arancini take fried Italian street food to a whole new level.
Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella Bites
With just four ingredients and 15 minutes, you’ve got a simple yet irresistible appetizer. Salty prosciutto wrapped around creamy mozzarella? Yes, please.
Goat Cheese, Fig, and Prosciutto Crostini
Sweet figs, tangy goat cheese, and salty prosciutto unite for a perfect balance of flavors in every bite. These elegant little crostini are made for entertaining.
Braised Italian Bison Meatballs
A lighter twist on the Italian classic, these tender bison meatballs are simmered in marinara for a comforting appetizer that’s big on flavor but won’t weigh you down.
Tools for Making Italian Appetizers
You don’t need a restaurant kitchen to whip up these Italian starters. All you need are a few key tools to make prep super easy:
- Sharp chef’s knife – Essential for slicing fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and herbs for all those caprese-inspired recipes.
- Mandoline or vegetable peeler – This is the go-to tool for thinly slicing zucchini or cucumber.
- Air fryer – For making crispy ravioli, antipasto egg rolls, and even warming crostini without heating up the whole kitchen.
- Half sheet baking pan and parchment paper – Use these for roasting crostini, prosciutto, or asparagus without sticking.
- Mixing bowls – For tossing salads, marinating mozzarella balls, and prepping olive tapenades.
- Serving platters and boards – Use them for arranging your Italian charcuterie board, crostini, and dips.
Pair Your Italian Appetizers with Cocktails
Italian appetizers practically beg for a refreshing cocktail to go with them. If you’re serving a platter of antipasti or a variety of crostini, balance the flavors with light, citrusy drinks that keep the tone easy and celebratory. From bubbly spritzes to bold sours, these cocktails will complement your spread beautifully:
Mix and match a few light bites with refreshing spritzes, or go all out with a full antipasto table and a round of Negronis for good measure.
No matter which recipes you try first, these small bites are all about slowing down, savoring every flavor, and sharing food that brings people together. So grab your favorite serving platter and let’s make your next gathering one to remember.
about meghan
Meghan Yager is the recipe developer, food photographer, and creative force behind Cake ‘n Knife, where everyday moments are celebrated with bold, flavor-forward recipes. From cozy cocktails to bold appetizers and indulgent desserts, her approachable style brings people together around food worth sharing. Meghan’s work has been featured by Good Housekeeping, Oprah Daily, Today, Woman’s Day, and The Huffington Post. She lives in Denver, where she brings big flavor and a little sass to every bite.
