Festive Antipasto Skewers: The Ultimate Holiday Appetizer
Say hello to your new favorite holiday appetizer: Antipasto Skewers! Completely customizable and universally loved, these vibrant skewers bring the perfect balance of bold flavors, textures, and colors to your festive table. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas gathering, a New Year’s Eve party, or simply entertaining friends and family, these easy-to-make skewers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble the skewers up to 3 days in advance, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- No Cooking Required: A simple, stress-free appetizer that comes together in minutes.
- Light and Flavorful: The perfect small bites to whet the appetite before a big holiday meal.
- Customizable: Mix and match your favorite Italian cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables. Don’t forget to make a few vegetarian skewers for non-meat eaters!
- Festive Presentation: Transform your skewers into a stunning antipasto wreath to wow your guests!
For more easy, delicious appetizer recipes, try British sausage rolls (another holiday favorite!), this baked brie in puff pastry, or this no-cook salmon tartare next.
What Is Antipasto?
Antipasto, meaning “before the meal,” is the traditional first course of an Italian meal. It typically features a variety of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables, setting the stage for the main dishes to follow.
Antipasto can be served as a salad, layered in a sandwich, displayed on a charcuterie board, or, as showcased here, threaded onto skewers for an elegant and effortless presentation.
What Is Mortadella? (Ari’s Favorite Cold Cut!)
If you’ve never tried mortadella, you’re in for a treat! This luxurious Italian cold cut is made from finely ground pork, speckled with white fat and often studded with pistachios. Its silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture and subtle spiced flavor make it a standout ingredient on any antipasto platter. For the best experience, visit an Italian specialty grocer and ask them to slice it thin!
What You’ll Need
The beauty of these skewers lies in their versatility. Here’s what I recommend:
- Cured Meats: Mortadella (a must!), prosciutto, salami, and pepperoni.
- Cheese: Bocconcini (small fresh mozzarella balls) and 3-pepper provolone or gouda.
- Vegetables & Olives: Roasted red peppers, cherry tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, and briny black olives.
- Fresh Basil: A must-have ingredient that adds brightness and balances the richness of the meats and cheeses.
For approximately 3 dozen skewers (serving 8-10 guests), I suggest ¼ – ⅓ lb of each cured meat.
Easy Assembly
- Prepare Ingredients: Lay out all your chosen ingredients for easy assembly.
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread each skewer with a combination of meats, cheeses, veggies, and fresh basil. Mix and match to create variety!
- Store & Serve: Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving. Skewers can be made up to 3 days in advance.
- Presentation Tip: Ensure every skewer has at least 1 fresh basil leaf, 1 cheese, and 2 cured meats for a balanced bite.
Turn It Into A Holiday Wreath
For a stunning and festive presentation:
- Arrange assembled skewers in a circular pattern on a round serving board or tray.
- Layer additional skewers on top to create a full, wreath-like shape.
- Place extra ingredients (like bocconcini and olives) in a bowl at the center of the wreath.
- Optionally, drizzle with balsamic glaze or Italian dressing for extra flavor.
When you’re finished assembling the antipasto board, throw any leftover ingredients in a little bowl, then place in the center of the wreath with a few extra toothpicks or skewers on the side (pictured below with bocconcini and black olives).
Variations & Substitutions
- Alternative Meats: Try turkey, roast beef, porchetta, soppressata, or speck.
- Cheese Options: If bocconcini isn’t available, use torn fresh mozzarella or cubed provolone.
- Additional Veggies: Sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncini, or marinated mushrooms make great additions.
- Bread Addition: Small cubes of focaccia add a delightful texture contrast.
- Seafood Twist: Add marinated anchovies or sardines for a salty, umami bite.
Make-Ahead, Storage, & Serving Tips
- Make-Ahead: Assemble skewers up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container.
- Storage: Keep refrigerated until serving. Leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days.
- Serving: Allow skewers to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.
These antipasto skewers are the ultimate festive appetizer—easy to make, endlessly customizable, and absolutely delicious! Whether you’re hosting a cozy family gathering or a grand holiday party, they are sure to impress.
If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and rating below to let us know how they turned out. Happy holidays and happy snacking!
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For more holiday appetizers, check out the following recipes:
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25-Minute Italian Meat & Cheese Antipasto Skewers
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ lb mortadella
- ⅓ lb prosciutto
- ⅓ lb salami
- ⅓ lb pepperoni
- 8 oz bocconcini or fresh mozzarella, cut into small cubes
- 8 oz provolone or gouda spicy if you like heat!
- 12 oz jar of roasted red peppers
- 12 oz jar of marinated artichoke hearts
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- ½ cup olives any variety
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Assemble all the antipasto skewers. Lay out all ingredients in front of you, then prepare the skewers. We like each skewer to have at least 1 fresh leaf of basil, 1 cheese, and 2 cured meats. If a piece of basil is too large, cut it in ½ or ⅓ so it's comparable in size to the other ingredients. Fill the rest of the skewer with veggies and olives! Continue assembling skewers until all ingredients are used.
- Grab a round serving board or tray. If it's not safe for olive oil (such as marble or other sensitive material), place a layer of parchment paper down first. Place the skewers on the board in a single layer forming a circle, leaving a whole in the center large enough for a small bowl.
- Pile another layer of skewers on top, forming a beautiful holiday wreath! When you're finished assembling the antipasto board, throw any leftover ingredients into a tiny bowl, then place in the center of the wreath with a few extra toothpicks or skewers on the side.
- Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed. Allow antipasto to come to room temperature before serving.
Notes
- We recommend ¼ – ⅓ lb of each cold cut to make about 3 dozen skewers, enough for 8-10 guests.
- Skewers can be assembled up to 3 days in advance, then wrapped with plastic wrap and refrigerated until needed. Allow skewers to come to room temperature before serving.
- Variations on antipasto skewers:
- Drizzle the entire board with balsamic vinegar or Italian dressing (olive oil, vinegar, and Italian seasoning will do the job in a pinch!)
- Use any Italian cold cuts or deli meats you love most: turkey, roast beef, porchetta, soppresata, speck!
- Can’t find bocconcini balls? Use fresh mozzarella torn or cut into bite size squares.
- Add roasted meats such as turkey, chicken, or pork. Cube any leftovers, then toss in Italian dressing before adding to skewers!
- Use up dried or marinated vegetables lying around the fridge or pantry: sun dried tomatoes, pepperoncini, or marinated mushrooms are great!
- Add small marinated fish, such as anchovies or sardines for a salty bite!
What a great idea! Love the wreath and its portable. Where did you get the skewers? They are so cute. Will have to try this for when we can have parties again. ☺️
Hi Camero! Yes, we thought the wreath as a great little touch! I went ahead and added links to purchase the skewers in the post, but I’ll link them here as well. They might also be available at your local grocery store! Good luck and definitely let me know what you think!! xo, Ari