If you’re craving a vibrant snack that bursts with Mediterranean flavors, you are going to fall head over heels for this Antipasto Skewers Recipe. These colorful little bites combine creamy marinated mozzarella, tangy cherry peppers, savory salami, crispy pickled green beans, briny Kalamata olives, and tender artichokes all threaded together on a skewer. The best part is how every ingredient complements each other perfectly, making these skewers an irresistible appetizer or party finger food that everyone will rave about. Quick to assemble and delightfully fresh, these Antipasto Skewers Recipe will become your go-to for entertaining or snacking anytime.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Antipasto Skewers Recipe is simple yet essential, lending unique textures, colors, and flavors that make each bite exciting and balanced. You don’t need fancy or hard-to-find elements—just classic antipasto ingredients chosen with care to create a harmonious medley.
- Marinated mozzarella balls: Creamy and mild, they soak up the marinade for extra flavor and a luscious texture.
- Cherry peppers: These add a pop of vibrant red color and a sweet-heat bite to each skewer.
- Quartered marinated artichoke hearts: Tender and tangy, they contribute a satisfying earthiness.
- Pickled green beans: Crunchy with a bright vinegar tang, they add an unexpected twist and great texture contrast.
- Thinly sliced salami: Rich and savory, folding the slices adds a delicious meaty bite that ties everything together.
- Kalamata olives: Dark and briny, their depth of flavor is a must for authentic antipasto character.
- Wooden skewers: 5-inch skewers keep the bites perfectly compact and easy to handle.
How to Make Antipasto Skewers Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by removing the marinated mozzarella balls from their jar, making sure to reserve the marinade for a flavorful drizzle when serving. Drain the cherry peppers, artichoke hearts, and pickled green beans thoroughly to avoid excess moisture, which keeps the skewers fresh and neat.
Step 2: Assemble the Skewers
Take a wooden skewer and carefully thread a cherry pepper first, followed by a quartered artichoke heart. Then fold a thin slice of salami into quarters to create a nice fit and thread it next. Add a piece of pickled green bean, a mozzarella ball, and finish off with a Kalamata olive. Repeat this sequence with each skewer for consistent flavor and appearance.
Step 3: Chill and Serve
Cover your assembled skewers and refrigerate them until you’re ready to serve. Chilling allows all the flavors to meld a bit more and makes the skewers crisp and refreshing. When it’s party time, place them on a platter alongside the reserved mozzarella marinade to drizzle or dip.
How to Serve Antipasto Skewers Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Antipasto Skewers Recipe, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil leaves over the platter for a fresh herbal note and a beautiful green contrast. A light dusting of cracked black pepper or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can add another layer of flavor and shine.
Side Dishes
These skewers are excellent on their own as appetizers but pair wonderfully with crusty Italian bread, garlic crostini, or a crisp green salad to round out your snack or light meal. A glass of chilled white wine or sparkling water with lemon completes the experience perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive look, arrange the skewers standing upright in a tall glass or a decorative jar filled with dried beans or rice. You can also lay them flat on a platter interspersed with small bowls of dipping sauces like pesto, roasted red pepper dip, or balsamic glaze for guests to enjoy customization.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any skewers left after your gathering, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will continue to develop, but it’s best to enjoy them within 2 days to keep the vegetables crisp and the mozzarella fresh.
Freezing
Since these skewers contain fresh marinated ingredients and delicate textures, freezing is not recommended. Freezing can alter their consistency and compromise the delightful crunch and creaminess that make this recipe so enjoyable.
Reheating
Because the Antipasto Skewers Recipe is meant to be served cold or at room temperature, reheating is unnecessary. If you prefer to warm the salami, you can briefly heat it separately before assembling, but otherwise, enjoy them chilled for maximum freshness.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese instead of marinated mozzarella balls?
Absolutely! Fresh bocconcini or small mozzarella pearls work well too. If you want a firmer texture, cubes of provolone can be a tasty alternative. Just make sure the cheese complements the other bold flavors on the skewers.
What if I don’t like spicy cherry peppers?
No problem! You can substitute mild sweet cherry peppers or even grape tomatoes for a similar pop of color and juiciness without the heat.
How long can I prepare these skewers ahead of time?
Preparing the skewers up to 6 hours in advance is ideal for the best flavor and texture. Keep them covered and refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain freshness.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Simply omit the salami and add extra olives, roasted red peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes to keep the skewer vibrant and satisfying without the meat.
Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?
This Antipasto Skewers Recipe is naturally gluten-free, as it relies on fresh vegetables, cheese, and meats that don’t contain gluten. Just double-check the marinade and pickled items to be sure, especially if using store-bought products.
Final Thoughts
I can’t encourage you enough to try this Antipasto Skewers Recipe the next time you want a fuss-free snack or an impressive appetizer that everyone will adore. It’s quick, colorful, and full of bold flavors that come together in the most delightful way. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again for casual get-togethers, picnics, or even a simple family treat because it’s just that good.
Print
Antipasto Skewers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Delightful and easy-to-make Antipasto Skewers combining marinated mozzarella, cherry peppers, artichoke hearts, pickled green beans, salami, and Kalamata olives. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer for gatherings, these skewers require no cooking and can be prepared in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Antipasto Skewers Ingredients
- 12 ounces marinated mozzarella balls
- 16 ounces cherry peppers, drained
- 14 ounces quartered marinated artichoke hearts, drained
- 1 jar pickled green beans, drained and cut into thirds
- 1 package thinly sliced salami
- 16 Kalamata olives
- 16 5-inch wooden skewers
Instructions
- Remove mozzarella balls: Take the marinated mozzarella balls out of their marinade, reserving the marinade for serving later.
- Assemble skewers: Begin threading each skewer with one cherry pepper, followed by a quartered artichoke heart, then a slice of salami folded into quarters. Next, add a piece of pickled green bean, one mozzarella ball, and finish with a Kalamata olive. Repeat this process for all 16 skewers.
- Chill and serve: Cover the assembled skewers and refrigerate them until you are ready to serve. Offer the reserved oil marinade from the cheese as a dipping sauce alongside the skewers.
Notes
- Use the reserved marinade for added flavor dipping.
- Ensure all vegetables and meats are well-drained to prevent soggy skewers.
- Can be prepared a few hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the number of skewers by scaling ingredients proportionally.
- Substitute salami with other cured meats if preferred.
