Please hear me say this: I don’t love complicated starters but I REALLY love these recipes. These Italian appetizers are one long love letter to FLAVOR. ♡
So if you’re seeing this and you’re like, nah, no thanks, appetizers aren’t my thing… just give me a chance to serve you up some of this cheesy, saucy, garlicky goodness.
1. Italian Cheese Pull-Apart Bread
This Italian cheese pull-apart bread is just sinfully good. Think about that flaky, buttery bread base that’s completely smothered in stretchy, melty cheese.
This dish takes your average dinner roll to a whole new universe.
Not only is this pull-apart bread a total flavor bomb, but it’s also so simple to make with ingredients you probably already have. Nothing is stopping you from enjoying this tonight!
2. Focaccia
Focaccia flatbread is such a great way to start baking bread at home! This recipe is completely customizable with different herbs and spices to truly make it your own.
With a crispy outside and a soft center, this bread might just become your new favorite recipe. There is absolutely nothing better than the smell of fresh bread baking in your house.
3. Arancini Balls
Arancini are these amazing cheese-stuffed rice balls that just melt in your mouth. With sweet peas and ham, this could be your new go-to comfort food.
Try these warm, gooey treats straight from the stove and just fall in love with their savory, creamy centers. This recipe makes plenty to share, but you totally don’t have to.
4. Italian Pizza Bites
If you’re a fan of pizza rolls, get ready to make your own with these pizza bites! All the fun and convenience of a slice of pizza is baked right into a single bite.
These little guys are stuffed with your favorite pizza toppings and finished with a sprinkle of cheese. I bet you can’t eat just one!
5. Zucchini Garlic Bites
Say farewell to summer with this delicious twist on your garden’s zucchini harvest. From bread to bites, zucchini is such a versatile vegetable you can use in so many ways.
For this recipe, you combine shredded zucchini with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs for a crispy, savory bite that is a perfect vehicle for marinara sauce.
6. Tuscan Truffles
With three kinds of cheese, you just know these truffles have to be amazing! Goat cheese, mascarpone, and, of course, parmesan all come together to create these delicious bites.
If you thought truffles were only for dessert, think again! These savory truffles are so satisfying and completely irresistible.
7. Spiedini
Spiedinis are these incredible meat and onion kebabs. The beef is perfectly breaded and then put on a skewer with flavorful onion and currant.
This yummy dish is the perfect starter for any meal! It’s also the perfect on-the-go food.
8. Cheese Twists
Everyone loves a good cheese cracker, and these cheese twists are a homemade version that puts the store-bought ones to shame. Kick Goldfish and Cheez-Its to the curb when you try this warm and fresh version of a cheese cracker, shaped into a fun twist!
9. Antipasto Skewers
From platters to salads and now to skewers, antipasto is such a popular combination in Italian cooking. With all 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 while they move around.
10. Caprese Skewers
Everyone adores Caprese salad! Now, you can take your favorite dish anywhere with these Caprese skewers. It’s all of your favorite ingredients with the awesome convenience of a stick.
Combine the flavors of mozzarella, tomato, and basil in this unique recipe. You might never eat Caprese salad the regular way again.
11. Marinated Mozzarella
High-end salad bars always have those glistening pearls of fresh mozzarella, and 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 lots of seasoning, these marinated mozzarella balls are a party in every single bite! Pair them with a fresh salad or grape tomatoes for the full Italian experience.
12. 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 mashup of two favorite dishes, ravioli and nachos.
Top baked ravioli with all your favorite nacho toppings. From green onions and tomatoes to the essential cheddar cheese, this dish is the best of both worlds!
13. Caponata
Caponata is this savory dip that sits so beautifully on top of crusty bread and crispy crackers. With olives, eggplant, tomato, and more, there is a whole universe of flavors to delight your tastebuds.
With so many vegetables in one dish, you know it’s going to be good.
14. Spaghetti Fritters
If you have leftover spaghetti noodles, you have to try these pan-fried spaghetti fritters. The result is a finger food that saves you the mess of the real dish.
Just fry small portions of pasta together into finger-sized patties and serve the sauce on the side for dipping. This makes a great appetizer or an easy weeknight dinner!
15. Margherita Flatbread
The fresh ingredients are what make this flatbread pizza so delicious. Slices of homegrown (or store-bought!) tomatoes smother the top of a homemade flatbread.
Pair them with fresh basil, olive oil, and cheese, and you’ll have the freshest pizza pie known to man. Enjoy this as an appetizer, the main course, or even both!
16. Calzone Pinwheels
Since this recipe has fillings rolled up in dough, I think they should be called stromboli pinwheels. But that’s a whole other post. Luckily, no matter what you call these, you’re going to love them. Feel free to customize them or use the recipe just as it is. It’s pretty darn yummy!
17. Antipasto Salad
If you were into the antipasto platter, you’ll flip for this antipasto salad. Save some room on the table by mixing all the ingredients together!
This dish has all your favorite antipasto ingredients, but it combines them into forkable perfection in a tossed salad. This way, you get a little bit of each ingredient in every single bite.
18. Bruschetta
Bruschetta is that classic tomato-based salad that’s the perfect first course for your Italian dinner. Fresh basil and tomato bring a completely craveable flavor you are sure to love.
Try this dish all by itself, or use it as a topper for small slices of bread.
19. Italian Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted vegetables always make an amazing side, and cauliflower is no exception. With its firm texture and mild flavor, this veggie holds up so well in the oven and is 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.
20. Italian Tomato Salad
There just isn’t a better time of year than when the tomatoes start to ripen. Use up your garden supply with this Italian tomato salad and 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!
21. Caprese Flatbread
With basil, pesto, tomatoes, and mozzarella, this Caprese flatbread is loaded with fantastic ingredients. Make it in just 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 thing to slice up and share with friends!
22. Italian Green Beans
Parmesan cheese makes everything better, and that includes green beans! Try these fresh green beans sautéed with bread crumbs and parmesan for a new go-to recipe.
I love when recipes taste great and are easy to make. This is one of those! Give your traditional green bean recipe a break and try these Italian-style green beans instead.
23. Crostini
Crostini is a classic finger food that pairs well with any meal, Italian or not! Enjoy toasted bread brushed with olive oil any time of the day.
It’s incredibly simple to make and also so rewarding. There’s a reason they say bread is better than cake. It goes well with a meal or is enough all by itself.
24. Chicken Florentine Flatbread
Take all the flavors of chicken florentine and just pile it high on a delicious flatbread. Juicy chicken on a soft and buttery crust? What more could you even ask for?
Cut this flatbread into generous pieces. Everyone will be begging for more! Your favorite dish just got so much better with this chicken florentine flatbread.
25. Italian Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
These stuffed mushrooms are such an elegant dish that can be served on your fanciest 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!
26. 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 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!
27. 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.
Enjoy these flavorful, cheesy poppers any day of the week. Try them as an appetizer, but I won’t tell if you serve them as your meal.
28. Tomato Panzanella Salad
Panzanella salad is a sophisticated dish that’s perfect for your next brunch or dinner party. With its simple flavor and beautiful display, tomato panzanella salad is perfect for every occasion.
Make a big batch and keep it in your refrigerator. You’ll have this great dish ready to go at a moment’s notice to enjoy throughout the week.
29. Whipped Ricotta Crostini
This is a fancy name for a fancy dish that you can make in 5 minutes. Top warm, crusty pieces of bread with deliciously light and flavorful whipped ricotta cheese.
Serve the bread with a variety of different toppings each person can use to customize their slice. What better starter for your Italian dinner?
30. Italian Meatballs
Meatballs are great on spaghetti, but they also stand beautifully on their own! These perfectly spiced meatballs are a great appetizer for any occasion.
Bake these savory bites for an experience you won’t want to miss. With these meatballs on your plate, you might not even notice the main dish.
31. Antipasto Platter
Charcuterie, anyone? This antipasto platter has all of your favorite cured delicacies. Salami, olives, and cheese adorn a plate for a smorgasbord of complementary flavors.
Enjoy this platter as an appetizer, side, or light lunch. It is perfect for grazing lightly or indulging. With all those yummy ingredients, everyone will find a combination to love.
32. Pizza Sticks
Who doesn’t need another way to serve pizza? Instead of entire slices, 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 might not need as much, or to incorporate that pizza goodness into a larger meal.