Antipasto Skewers are the perfect snack or appetizer for a summer get together, backyard BBQ or holiday. All of your favorite Italian style ingredients are served on a colorful, delicious skewer. These skewers use cherry tomatoes, olive, tortellini, salami, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, basil and are finished off with a sweet honey balsamic drizzle.
Today’s recipe is for those that love antipasto style recipes. These delicious antipasto skewers are loaded with your favorite ingredients like olives, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella, salami, tortellini, cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs.
One thing I love about these appetizer skewers is that they are a great party food and a great way to use up leftover ingredients you might have in your fridge.
You can make these ahead of time and put plastic wrap over them and store in the fridge until your guests arrive. They hold up great a day or two ahead of time.
If you do make these ahead of time I would wait to add the honey balsamic drizzle until you are ready to serve them.
I recently shared a few antipasto recipes for an Italian Tortellini Salad, Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers and an Italian Pasta Salad that you all have loved and make a lot.
Why You Will Love These Antipasto Skewers
- Easy to Make: You are going to love how easy this appetizer is to put together. I lay all of my ingredients out and can have these skewers done in under 20 minutes.
- Perfect for a Crowd: When I have a large crowd that I am feeding I love adding these antipasto skewers to the menu. It is basically a meal on a skewer and they are always a hit.
- Protein Packed: The cheese and salami add protein to these skewers along with other heathy ingredients like roasted red peppers, olives and tomatoes.
- Beautiful Addition to Your Table: When I am hosting a holiday meal or having people over for a backyard BBQ I love to serve bright, colorful food. These skewers are just that! You will love the rainbow of colors alongside your meal.
Recipe Ingredients
- Cheese Tortellini: I used cheese tortellini but you can use your favorite tortellini. I like to buy the tortellini that is often found in the deli section because I find it to be fresher than frozen tortellini.
- Fresh Mozzarella Balls: I love fresh mozzarella and these work great on the skewers. Sometimes if I can find the marinated mozzarella in oil I will use that.
- Olives: I added green olives and kalamata olives on these skewers. You can get creative with the type of olive you use and try a cheese stuffed olive or a pimento stuffed olive.
- Salami: Salami slices is a nice addition. I find thin sliced salami works best and is easier to add to the skewer. If you want vegetarian skewers you can leave this out.
- Roasted Red Peppers: The roasted red peppers are a nice addition and add color. You could try fire roasted red peppers too.
- Cherry Tomatoes: You can use whole cherry tomatoes or cut them in half and thread them. You also can use regular tomatoes and just cut them into big chunks.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil is a great summer herb to add to your skewers. I also like to add fresh parsley and basil to the finished skewers.
Please see the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and instructions.
Ways to Modify These Antipasto Kabobs
- Olives: You can leave the olives off of these easy antipasto skewers or use any variety you like. Sometimes I like using cheese or pimento stuffed olives or black olives.
- Cheese: If you don’t want to use fresh mozzarella try cubed cheese like pepper jack, cheddar or mozzarella.
- Meat: I added salami but you could use pepperoni, turkey, ham or prosciutto.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs that work great with these are basil, parsley, mint, oregano or thyme. I like to add the basil to the skewers and then I chop the remaining herbs and sprinkle them on the finished skewers.
- Vegetables: You can add other vegetables to these like artichoke hearts, pepperoncini peppers, chunks of bell peppers, cucumbers or zucchini.
- Dressing: Use your favorite dressing as a finished touch to drizzle over these. I like Italian dressing, balsamic vinegar or a lemon dressing. These also taste great without any dressing. I perfect balsamic glaze the most!
How to Assemble the Skewers
Step 1: Cook Tortellini: Cook the tortellini according to the package. While the tortellini cooks lay out your ingredients and get the skewers and a large cutting board ready. Once the tortellini is done cooking let cool.
Step 2: Prepare Skewers: To prepare the skewers start with a cherry tomato, followed by the green and kalamata olives, tortellini, roasted red peppers, basil, mozzarella, tortellini, two more olives and another tomato. Repeat this for each skewer.
Step 3: Create Dressing: In a mason jar combine the honey, olive oil, balsamic, fresh herbs, salt and pepper and mix well.
Step 4: Drizzle Dressing over Skewers: Drizzle the dressing over the skewers and sprinkle more fresh herbs. Serve or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Recipe FAQ
You can make these up to a day in advance. Cover the container with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge. If you are using fresh herbs add them when you are ready to serve.
You can use either metal or bamboo skewers. Make sure the skewers are long enough to hold enough ingredients.
More Appetizer Recipes
Mediterranean
Layered Greek Dip
Vegetarian
Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Mediterranean
Honey Goat Cheese Balls
Vegetarian
Goat Cheese and Roasted Tomato Dip
Antipasto Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 – 9 ounce package of cheese tortellini
- 1 – 12 ounce fresh mozzarella cheese balls
- 1 – 16 ounce jar of olives {I like the pimento stuffed}
- 1 – 16 ounce jar of kalamata olives
- 4 ounce of salami
- 3 ounce of roasted red peppers
- 2 cups of cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup of fresh basil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh green onions, chopped
- 8-10 wooden skewers
FOR THE DRESSING
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tsps balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, oregano, basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to the package.
- While the tortellini cooks lay out your ingredients and get the skewers and a large cutting board ready.
- Once the tortellini is done cooking let cool.
- To prepare the skewers start with a cherry tomato, followed by the green and kalamata olives, tortellini, roasted red peppers, basil, mozzarella, tortellini, two more olives and another tomato. Repeat this for each skewer.
- In a mason jar combine the honey, olive oil, balsamic, fresh herbs, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Drizzle the dressing over the skewers and sprinkle more fresh herbs.
- Serve or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
- You can use any of your favorite ingredients like artichokes, banana peppers, pepperoncinis, pepperoni, prosciutto and any type of olives.
- I like the dressing drizzled over the skewers but they also taste great without that or you could use a balsamic glaze and drizzle that over the skewers.
