Looking for some great appetizers for your next Italian night? You’ve come to the right place!
All of these great Italian Appetizers are sure to wow the crowd, and are perfect for get togethers.
You’ll find a huge variety of recipes like pasta salads, meatballs, dips, fun handheld bites, and so much more.
Cook your way through these amazing Italian appetizers, your guests will keep coming back for more!
The Best Italian Appetizers:
1. Caponata
You all will love this traditional and famous Sicilian Caponata!
This simple but very flavorful recipe is made with eggplant and other fresh vegetables cooked with capers, olives, raisins, honey, and vinegar.
Serve this super tasty Caponata with crostini, pita bread, or crackers and make family and friends happy…
2. Rainbow Pasta Salad
Rainbow Pasta Salad, where the magic happens in just 30 minutes. This easy recipe looks pretty and tastes super delicious.
Loaded with your favorite ingredients and homemade dressing, it is just too good, perfect to take to your next potluck or summer party.
3. Garlic Parmesan Wings
Are you bored of eating the same old flavored wings every time? Then make a delicious change with Garlic Parmesan Wings, and experience different flavors that you will love.
This easy wings recipe is just finger-licking tasty, as it is tossed in cheese, garlic, and buttery homemade sauce. So good!
4. Antipasto Salad
The next time you are throwing a party, serve this delicious Italian Antipasto Salad. It will definitely be a show-stopper appetizer.
It’s very easy to make, just assemble your favorite food together like Italian meats, cheeses, vegetables, and breads, all together to make one tasty appetizer that everyone will love.
5. Tortellini Pasta Salad with Prosciutto
Give your pasta salad a stunning makeover by making this Tortellini Pasta Salad with Prosciutto!
This colorful and incredibly delicious dish has everything you love, it’s just happiness on your plate. Try this easy and addictive pasta salad and impress everyone…
6. Bruschetta
This classy Italian dish is just too good with fresh and simple ingredients.
A great appetizer to serve at summer parties or get-togethers, everyone will surely love it.
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
7. Meatball Marinara Poppers Appetizer
Meatball Marinara Poppers are going to be a centerpiece at your next party! These adorable bite-size meatballs are too delicious to pop in just one.
The dish is made with meatballs covered in an easy and very flavorful homemade marinara sauce and cheese. That’s it, your irresistible appetizer is ready to devour in just 20 minutes. So just enjoy…
Get the Recipe @ yellowblissroad
8. Crostini
Make your own Crostini in the comfort of your home, with this amazingly easy Crostini recipe!
Learn the tips and tricks to make this perfect crispy thin sliced bread that is brushed with oil and seasoned with herbs. It’s one f the classic Italian appetizers.
Get the Recipe @ valentinascorner
9. Breadsticks Recipe (Olive Garden Copycat)
Make this famous Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks recipe at home. They are soft, fluffy, and super flavorful with garlic butter topping.
These breadsticks have amazing textures that are perfect to serve with comfy soups, or with your favorite dip. Just follow this recipe and you can make some awesome breadsticks.
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
10. Italian Pinwheels
Pinwheels are a great party appetizer, and these Italian Pinwheels are just excellent!
These super easy pinwheels are fun to make and fun to eat, and make an amazing crowd-pleaser appetizer.
Get the Recipe @ tornadoughalli
11. Caprese Skewers
Have you tried your favorite Caprese on skewers? If not, these Caprese Skewers are a must-try!
This bright and vibrant appetizer is very easy to make, with fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil, and flavorful balsamic reduction.
Give your family and friends a delicious surprise by serving this Italian delight.
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
12. Fried Ravioli
Give your ravioli a unique twist by frying them. Try this amazing Fried Ravioli and see, it will become your new family’s favorite appetizer.
This easy recipe is super flavorful, as cheese ravioli are dusted in breadcrumbs and then fried to golden perfection.
Serve this delicious handheld snack with a marinara sauce for extra deliciousness…
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
13. Garlic Knots
Add to your appetizer spread with these incredible Garlic Knots!
This no-fail recipe is super easy to make, and in less than 20 minutes you can have delicious and flavorful Garlic Knots ready on your table.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
14. Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Craving some cheesy gooey goodness? Then make these Homemade Mozzarella Sticks at home, and you will wonder why you never did before!
This remarkably easy recipe is too good to be true. So dazzle yourself and your family with these wonderfully crispy, gooey, extra cheesy sticks.
Get the Recipe @ themodernproper
15. Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Pepperoni Pizza Dip is just an exceptional appetizer for your future parties or events!
This flavorful recipe is loaded with pizza sauce, cream cheese, Italian seasonings, Italian cheese, and pepperoni. Bake it to cheesy perfection and it’s ready to rock the party.
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
16. Antipasto Skewers
You are just going to love these Antipasto Skewers! This wonderful recipe looks absolutely appetizing and is just too easy to make.
Perfect appetizer for your parties or some special occasions, your family and guests are sure to get amazed.
Get the Recipe @ Bakerbynature
17. Zucchini Pizza Bites
Looking for some healthy appetizers that are tasty also? Then look no more, and make these Zucchini Pizza Bites!
These outstanding zucchini bites are just delicious, and are loaded with all your favorite pizza toppings, minus the bread. So relish these zucchini bites without any guilt…
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
18. Mini Italian Meatball Subs
Try this Mini Italian Meatball Subs and WOW everyone! This super delish dish makes an amazing appetizer for any special event or party.
This recipe is shockingly easy to make, so give them a try.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
19. Caprese Salad
Make authentic Italian salad at home, with this colorful and delicious Caprese Salad! This fresh salad is so easy to make with ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil.
Perfectly seasoned and a drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze, it’s the most scrumptious salad you will ever have.
Get the Recipe @ natashaskitchen
20. Prosciutto and Melon
One more classic Italian appetizer which you will love. Prosciutto and melon sound weird, but they taste out-of-this-world delicious together.
This amazing recipe is packed full of addictive flavors and textures. It’s sweet, savory, and cheesy deliciousness, so just make it…
Get the Recipe @ willcookforsmiles
21. Cheesy Garlic Bread
Cheesy Garlic Bread will make your taste buds super happy! This amazingly easy recipe is just perfect, with all the well-balanced ingredients that make this garlic bread the best.
Enjoy this cheesy, crispy, and soft bread as it is as a quick appetizer, or as a side to your favorite pasta…
22. Baked Fontina Cheese Dip
Cheese dips make a great appetizer for any event, but this Baked Frontline Cheese Dip is just mind-blowing!
This dip is ultra easy to make with Italian fontina chees, olive oil, and fresh herbs baked to cheesy perfection, and there you go! Your super delicious cheese dip is ready to roll.
Serve hot with French bread.
Get the Recipe @ tastesbetterfromscratch
23. Whipped Ricotta Toast with Roasted Tomatoes
Make this classy Whipped Ricotta Toast and Roasted tomatoes! This super fresh and super tasty toast is very easy to make, just whipped up your favorite ricotta with roasted garlic, salt, and pepper.
Spread it over a fresh French baguette topped with roasted tomatoes, shallots, and basil. You can relish this awesome toast as an appetizer or as a light lunch.
24. Arancini
Arancini is a classic Italian appetizer that you are going to fall in love with! These delicious balls are made with risotto that is loaded with cheese and then deep fried with breadcrumbs coating.
They are super crispy, cheesy, and melt-in-your-mouth. Perfect to use your leftover risotto and create this amazing Italian snack.
Get the Recipe @ juliascuisine
25. Italian Cheese Log
Introduce this Italian Cheese log, it is perfect for Christmas eve’s appetizer spread! It looks super fancy and the taste is just phenomenal.
It’s like a deconstructed antipasto platter in the form of a dip. It’s loaded with minced salami, olives, peppers, green onions, Italian seasonings, and sun-dried tomato. YUM!
Get the Recipe @ recipetineats
26. Italian Sandwich Sliders
Sliders make a great appetizer for gamedays or get-togethers, but these Italian Sandwich Sliders are extra delicious.
Made with Hawaiian rolls stuffed with 3 different types of salami, provolone cheese, and banana peppers, that are baked to crispy, toasty perfection.
Enjoy this Italian meaty cheesy goodness with your loved ones…
Get the Recipe @ girlgonegourmet
27. Rosemary Focaccia Bread
Are you a rosemary fan? If yes, then you must try this Rosemary Focaccia Bread at home!
This splendid bread is very easy to make and is loaded with amazing flavors. It’s soft, fluffy, and chewy all at the same time.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
28. Bruschetta Baked Brie
Here is another sophisticated Italian appetizer that is super delicious, Bruschetta Baked Brie!
This easy appetizer is loaded with fresh tomatoes and basil over baked melty gooey brie. It tastes just yummy. Perfect to serve at parties, summer BBQs, or special date nights.
Get the Recipe @ domesticsuperhero
29. 7 Layer Italian Dip
Make this 7-layer Italian Dip and get completely addicted to this appetizer!
You will love this dip because it’s loaded with all your delicious ingredients like marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, sausage, pepperoni, olives, parmesan cheese, and parsley.
It’s an irresistible appetizer, just try it…
Get the Recipe @ chefintraining
30. Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad
This summer, give your salad an Italian flair by making this Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad! This fantastic salad has excellent flavors and textures.
It’s loaded with cherry tomatoes, peaches, and burrata cheese, and drizzled with delicious herb vinaigrette and garnished with roasted pumpkin seeds. Just perfect…
Get the Recipe @ halfbakedharvest
31. Cheese Ball Antipasto
One more cracking twist on your favorite antipasto is this Cheese Ball Antipasto recipe! Serve this top-notch Italian appetizer for your special occasions or parties.
Cream cheese is mixed completely with sun-dried tomatoes, salamis, chives, and red bell peppers ,and covered it with olives. Just superb. Serve this elegant ball with crackers and a glass of wine. Cheers…
32. Pepperoni Pizza Bites
Enjoy these miniature Pepperoni Pizza Bites when you crave something easy and delicious!
These pizza bites are made from scratch and use bagel dough for the base, add your favorite pizza toppings and you are good to go.
Perfect to have as an afternoon snack or as an appetizer for kids and adults alike.
33. Pesto Pinwheels
Pesto Pinwheels are insanely delicious! This easy recipe is made using puff pastry that makes these Pinwheels just wonderful and packed full of delicious flavors and textures.
It’s loaded with green and red pesto, prosciutto, and mozzarella cheese. It looks good and tastes just divine. So make sure you make these Pesto Pinwheels for your next party.
34. Pizzadillas
Pizzadillas are an awesome combination of two of your favorite dishes, pizza and quesadillas. It is like an Italian and Mexican match made in heaven dish.
This terrific recipe is super simple to make and gets ready in just 30 minutes. So what are you waiting for? Make these Pizzadillas now…
35. Pesto Parmesan Cheese Straws
We are wrapping up this Italian Appetizers list with a very simple and amazing recipe, Pesto Parmesan Cheese Straws!
This hassle-free recipe is just brilliant, and made using only 4 flavorful ingredients that take this tasty twisted puff pasty to another level.
Serve this flaky, crisply straws with soups, salads, or as an appetizer, and make everyone go yum…
Get the Recipe @ twopeasandtheirpod
So there you go, thirty five great Italian appetizers for your next get together. They’re all sure to be loved by the crowd.
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Chicken Appetizers
Meatball Appetizers
Mexican Appetizers
Shrimp Appetizers
Cold Appetizers
Summer Appetizers
Italian Recipes
35 BEST Italian Appetizers
These easy Italian Appetizers are going to be the star of the spread the next time you're at a potluck or get together! We love this Sicilian eggplant dip:
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1 large eggplant, cubed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped or sliced
- 1 15oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 1/2 cup pitted green olives
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 Tbsp capers
- 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté eggplant cubes till soft and brown, about 10 minutes. Plate them out on a paper towel lined plate.
- In the same pan, discard excess oil leaving behind 2-3 Tbsp. Add onions and sauté till light brown in color. Add in garlic and sauté for a couple of minutes.
- Add in chopped bell peppers along with celery and cook for a couple of minutes. Add in salt and pepper. Add in tomatoes and mix everything well.
- Mix in olives, capers, raisins, red chili flakes, red wine vinegar and honey. Simmer for 10 minutes
- Add in chopped parsley along with fried eggplant cubes. Mix well and let everything cook for 5-6 minutes.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings. Garnish with parsley.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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