Is it just me, or is it an Italian appetizer kinda day? These bites are a) delicious, b) easy to make, and c) full of warm and wonderful flavors like basil, oregano, and garlic that basically bring the best of the best foodie feelings right on into your house.
Also noteworthy: these appetizers are what everyone will be talking about. So two points for that!
1. Italian Meatballs
Yes! Meatballs aren’t just for spaghetti. I am here to tell you they stand beautifully all on their own. These perfectly spiced meatballs are just the ticket for any occasion.
You bake these savory little bites, and it’s an experience you just don’t want to miss. Honestly, with these meatballs on your plate, you may not even notice the main dish.
2. Caprese Skewers
Everyone loves Caprese salad, right? Now, you can take your favorite dish on the go with these Caprese skewers.
It’s all of your favorite ingredients but with the added convenience of a stick. SO GOOD.
You get to combine all those amazing flavors of mozzarella, tomato, and basil in this unique recipe. I’m just saying, you might never eat Caprese salad the regular way again.
3. Crostini
Oh, Crostini. A total classic. This is the finger food that pairs well with any meal, Italian or not! Just think about enjoying that toasted bread brushed with olive oil any time of the day.
It’s incredibly simple to make and also just so rewarding. There is a reason they say bread is better than cake. It goes so well with a meal or is honestly enough all by itself.
4. Zucchini Garlic Bites
Got a ton of garden zucchini? This is the delicious twist you need to send out summer. From loaves of bread to these bites, zucchini is just such a highly versatile vegetable. You can use it in countless ways.
For this recipe, you combine shredded zucchini with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. The result is this crispy, savory bite that is just perfect for carrying marinara sauce. YUM.
5. Margherita Flatbread
The fresh ingredients are 100% what make this delicious flatbread pizza. Slices of homegrown (or store-bought!) tomatoes just smother the top of a homemade flatbread.
You pair them with fresh basil, olive oil, and cheese, and… YES. You’ll have the freshest pizza pie known to man.
Enjoy this as an appetizer, the main course, or even both! Why not?
6. Arancini Balls
Arancini! We’re talking cheese-stuffed rice balls that just melt in your mouth. And with sweet peas and ham, this may just become your new go-to recipe for comfort food.
You have to try these warm, gooey treats straight off the stove. You will fall in love with their savory, creamy centers. This recipe makes enough to share, but let’s be honest, you don’t have to.
7. Antipasto Salad
If you loved the idea of the antipasto platter, you’ll flip for this antipasto salad. You get to save room on the table by mixing all of the ingredients together!
This dish has all of your favorite antipasto ingredients, but it combines them into forkable perfection in a tossed salad.
This way, you’ll get a little bit of each ingredient in every single bite. SIGN ME UP.
8. Italian Green Beans
Parmesan cheese just makes everything better. Including green beans! You have to try these fresh green beans sauteed with bread crumbs and parmesan. It might become your new go-to recipe.
I am obsessed when recipes taste great and are also easy to make. This is one of those!
Give your traditional green bean recipe a break and try these Italian style green beans instead.
9. Italian Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
These stuffed mushrooms are such an elegant dish. You can serve them on your fanciest of occasions!
With fresh herbs, shallots, and plenty of parmesan cheese, these mushrooms will charm every single guest.
Try this delicious blend of flavor for dinner tonight. You will not be disappointed!
10. Marinated Olives
Take all the flavors of a good olive and kick them up a notch with this fragrant marinade. All the traditional Italian spices are represented in this completely irresistible side dish.
Olives are a great source of healthy fats and a great alternative to carbs in a side dish. When you’re serving Italian, that can be a rare find! SO GOOD.
11. Caponata
Caponata is a savory dip that just sits beautifully on top of crusty bread and crispy crackers.
With olives, eggplant, tomato, and more, there is just a myriad of flavors here to delight your tastebuds.
With so many vegetables represented in one dish, you just know it will be good.
12. Tuscan Truffles
With three kinds of cheese, you just know these truffles have to be amazing! We’re talking goat cheese, mascarpone, and, of course, parmesan, all coming together to create these delicious truffles.
If you thought truffles were only sweet, think again! These savory truffles are incredibly satisfying and absolutely irresistible. Yes, please.
13. Bruschetta
Bruschetta is such a classic tomato-based salad. It’s the perfect first course for your Italian dinner.
Fresh basil and tomato bring a completely crave-able flavor that you are sure to love.
You can try this dish all by itself, or use it as a topper for small slices of bread.
14. Italian Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted vegetables always make a great side, and cauliflower is no exception. I love it.
With its firm texture and mild flavor, this veggie holds up so well in the oven and is just super easy to season.
Give your cauliflower a makeover with these Italian seasonings and be blown away at just how delicious and simple this side dish is.
15. Eggplant Parmesan Poppers
Poppers are made for parties, and these eggplant parmesan poppers are no exception. Pop these on the table during your next potluck and just watch them disappear.
You can enjoy these flavorful, cheesy poppers any day of the week. Try them as an appetizer, but I won’t tell anyone if you serve them as your whole meal.
16. Italian Cheese Pull-Apart Bread
Ugh. This Italian cheese pull-apart bread is just sinfully delicious. You get to enjoy this flaky, buttery, bread base that’s absolutely smothered in stretchy melted cheese. This dish takes the whole dinner roll idea to a new level.
Not only is cheese pull-apart bread delicious, but it’s also simple to make with ingredients you probably already have.
Nothing is holding you back from enjoying this dish tonight!
17. Spiedini
Spiedinis are delicious meat and onion kebabs. The beef is perfectly breaded and then placed on the skewer with flavorful onion and currant.
This delicious dish is the perfect starter for any meal! It’s also the perfect on-the-go food.
18. Spaghetti Fritters
If you have leftover spaghetti noodles, you have to try these pan-fried spaghetti fritters. The results are amazing finger foods that save you the mess of the real dish.
You fry small portions of pasta together into finger-sized patties and serve the sauce on the side as a dip. This makes a great appetizer or a super easy weeknight dinner!
19. Caprese Flatbread
With basil, pesto, tomatoes, and mozzarella, this Caprese flatbread is just loaded with fantastic ingredients.
You can make it in minutes and have a delicious meal or appetizer.
The crusty flatbread is the perfect base for this pizza-like dish. Caprese flatbread is the perfect dish to slice up and share with friends!
20. Calzone Pinwheels
Okay, so I have thoughts. Since this recipe includes fillings rolled up in dough, I think they should be called stromboli pinwheels.
But that’s a matter of calzone vs. stromboli, which is a whole other post.
And luckily, no matter what you call these, you’ll love them.
Feel free to customize them or use the recipe as is. It’s pretty darn delish!
21. Focaccia
Focaccia flatbread is such a great way to start baking bread at home! This recipe is fully customizable with various herbs and spices, so you can truly make this dish your own.
With a crispy outside and soft center, this bread may become your new favorite recipe.
There just isn’t anything better than the smell of freshly baked bread in your home.
22. Italian Pizza Bites
If you love pizza rolls, then make your own with these pizza bites! It’s all the fun and convenience of a slice of pizza, conveniently baked into a bite.
These bites are stuffed with your favorite pizza toppings and topped with a sprinkle of cheese. I bet you can’t eat just one!
23. Ravioli Nachos
This twist on classic ravioli is such an easy way to get a lot of great color and flavor onto any plate. It’s a beautiful merging of two favorite dishes. Ravioli and nachos! YES.
Top baked ravioli with all of your favorite nacho toppings. From green onions and tomatoes to the mandatory cheddar cheese, this dish is truly the best of both worlds!
24. Marinated Mozzarella
You know how high-end salad bars always feature those glistening pearls of fresh mozzarella? Now your kitchen table can, too!
This recipe teaches you how to get that five-star flavor right at home.
With fresh olive oil and plenty of seasoning, these marinated mozzarella balls are a party in every bite! I love to pair them with a fresh salad or grape tomatoes for the full Italian experience.
25. Italian Tomato Salad
Is there a better time of year than when the tomatoes start to ripen? I don’t think so.
Use up your garden supply with this Italian tomato salad and just enjoy the fresh flavor of this fruit.
Take this salad on your next picnic and cool off with its refreshing flavor. Fresh onion, basil, and parsley season these tomato slices to perfection!
26. Whipped Ricotta Crostini
This is a fancy name for a fancy dish, but here’s the secret: you can make it in 5 minutes. Top warm, crusty pieces of bread with this deliciously light and flavorful whipped ricotta cheese.
Serve the bread with a variety of different toppings so each person can customize their slice. What better starter for your Italian dinner?
27. Antipasto Platter
Charcuterie, anyone? This antipasto platter has all of your favorite cured delicacies.
Salami, olives, and cheese adorn a plate for a total smorgasbord of complementary flavors.
Enjoy this platter as an appetizer, a side, or even a light lunch. It is perfect for grazing lightly or really indulging.
With all of those yummy ingredients, everyone will find a combination to love.
28. Cheese Twists
Everyone loves a cheese cracker, right? These cheese twists are a homemade version that will put those store-bought brands to shame.
Kick Goldfish and Cheez-Its to the curb when you try this warm and fresh version of a cheese cracker, shaped in a whimsical twist! So good.
29. Chicken Florentine Flatbread
Take all the amazing flavors of chicken florentine and pile it high on a delicious flatbread. Juicy chicken on a soft and buttery crust? What more could you possibly ask for?
Cut this flatbread into generous pieces. Everyone will be begging for more! Your favorite dish just got a lot better with this chicken florentine flatbread.
30. Tomato Panzanella Salad
Panzanella salad is such a sophisticated dish. It’s perfect for your next brunch or dinner party.
With its simple flavor and beautiful display, tomato panzanella salad is perfect for every occasion.
I like to make a big batch and keep it in my refrigerator. You’ll have this great dish ready to go at a moment’s notice to enjoy throughout the week.
31. Antipasto Skewers
From platters to salads and now to skewers, antipasto is such a popular combination in Italian cuisine.
With all of those classic, fresh ingredients, how could it not be?
Take this dish on the go with these antipasto skewers.
They’re the perfect way to serve antipasto as an appetizer at a party where people will want to snack as they move around.
32. Pizza Sticks
Who doesn’t need another way to serve pizza? I mean, really. Instead of entire slices, you make this pizza dish in a rectangle and cut it into small slices.
This is the perfect way to serve pizza to your younger guests who may not need as much, or to incorporate all that pizza goodness into a larger meal.
