Antipasto Skewers

If there is one appetizer I make more than any other it is these antipasto skewers. No cooking, no special skills, just gorgeous Italian ingredients threaded onto skewers and arranged on a platter. They look like you spent hours on them and take about 20 minutes. This is the kind of appetizer that makes you look like you really have your hosting life together even when you absolutely threw it together at the last minute.

I started making these for wine nights and they became such a staple that now I feel like every party spread needs them. The combination of salty salami, creamy fresh mozzarella, briny olives, tangy artichoke hearts, and sweet cherry tomatoes with a little fresh basil is just so good. The olive oil drizzle and flaky salt at the end pull everything together. It is the kind of bite that has everything — salty, tangy, creamy, fresh.

Choosing Your Ingredients

This is one of those recipes where quality really shines through since nothing gets cooked or transformed. Go for good salami from the deli counter rather than packaged if you can. Fresh mozzarella balls (the little ones called ciliegine) are key — they have so much more flavor and creaminess than block mozzarella. Marinated artichoke hearts from a jar are fine and actually add great flavor from the marinade. Kalamata olives over canned black olives every time.

Antipasto Skewers

Gorgeous no-cook antipasto skewers loaded with salami, fresh mozzarella, olives, artichokes, and cherry tomatoes — the easiest elegant appetizer you will ever make.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 24 skewers

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 6 oz salami, folded into quarters or pepperoni
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine) the small ones
• 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
• 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained 12 oz
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 4 oz fresh basil leaves
• 3 tbsp olive oil for drizzling
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• flaky salt and red pepper flakes for finishing
• 24 6-inch appetizer skewers or toothpicks

Method

 

1. Thread each skewer with: a folded salami slice, a fresh mozzarella ball, a basil leaf (folded), a cherry tomato, an olive, and a piece of artichoke heart.
2. Arrange on a platter. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, flaky salt, and red pepper flakes.
3. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours before serving.

Notes

Make these up to 4 hours ahead and keep refrigerated. The quality of your ingredients really shows here — good salami and fresh mozzarella make all the difference.

How to Build the Perfect Skewer

I like to layer the ingredients so you get a variety of flavors and textures in every bite. I always put the salami (folded into a little ruffle) first, then mozzarella, then a folded basil leaf, a cherry tomato, an olive, and finish with artichoke. It looks beautiful and also makes them easy to eat in one or two bites without anything sliding around. Use 6-inch appetizer skewers for the perfect party size.

Make Ahead and Serving Tips

These are perfect for making ahead — assemble them up to 4 hours before your party and keep them covered in the fridge. Pull them out about 15 minutes before serving so the mozzarella softens slightly and the flavors come to life. Arrange on a long board or platter and drizzle with good olive oil right before serving. A little sprinkle of red pepper flakes and flaky sea salt makes them look and taste even better.

More No-Cook Party Favorites

If you love easy, no-cook appetizers that look impressive, browse our full recipe and entertaining collection on the blog. So many good ideas for your next gathering!

xo, Pam