Italy bite-sized: 25 Italian appetizers to indulge in
Embark on a journey through Italy’s culinary treasures with these mouthwatering Italian appetizers. They’re a taste of Italy’s rich flavors, right at your fingertips!
Italian food. It’s both comforting and sophisticated at the same time. No wonder it’s beloved by so many.
Italian appetizers work for so many occasions. Bite-sized mouthfuls of goodness before a family dinner. The prelude to a romantic meal. The beginning of an Italian themed evening.
From the hills of Tuscany to the shores of Sicily, these Italian appetizers will capture your hearts and your stomachs.
They’re simple and delicious and special, all in a ball, much like those aracini that happen to be my stepmother’s favorite.
Each bite is an invitation to indulge in la dolce vita.
Once you’re done, continue the theme with these delicious Italian dinner recipes, to be followed with an Italian dessert or three.
Italian appetizers
Arancini are delicious Italian rice balls that are stuffed with mozzarella, covered with breadcrumbs, and then fried until golden and crispy.
These classic Italian meatballs are juicy, tender, meatballs made with a combination of ground pork and ground beef, parmesan cheese, garlic, herbs, and cooked in a delicious marinara sauce.
Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer usually consisting of toasted bread that has been rubbed with garlic and is topped with a combination of chopped tomatoes, diced onion, garlic and fresh basil. In this appetizer, the classic combination of Bruschetta is served as an easy and casual dip.
These chicken marsala meatballs combine the rich and earthy flavors of Marsala wine with ground chicken for a modern twist on a classic Italian dish.
Serve this classic appetizer of tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil, balsamic reduction, extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper on a crusty slice of ciabatta.
This is the best crispy baked eggplant parmesan and is super easy to make.
Fried polenta is a traditional side dish popular in Northern Italy made with leftover polenta. Crispy outside and creamy inside, it makes a deicious appetizer.
Crostini are perfect for serving with your favorite dips. They're a cornerstone of Italian cuisine and surprisingly easy to make.
Want a quick and easy appetizer? Pull together bagged frozen meatballs, jarred pasta sauce & sliced fresh mozzarella for these tasty Italian meatballs.
These delectable bite-sized treats are not only visually appealing but also bursting with the vibrant flavors of basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
Whip up this delicious focaccia bread with this step by step guide and then either top it with hummus, or dip it into olive oil and balsamic vinegar as a tasty appetizer.
These savory Italian fried dough balls called crispelle are a classic appetizer. Inside the fried dough, there are small pieces of anchovy, making it crunchy on the outside and soft inside.
Italian supplì offer a delightful combination of creamy risotto, cheesy filling, and a satisfyingly crunchy shell, making them a fantastic appetizer.
The tangy lemon adds a delightful twist to the classic pesto, making it an invigorating and versatile dip.
This copycat recipe for Little Caesars Italian cheese bread combines the warmth of freshly baked bread with a generous amount of melted cheese that oozes with every bite.
A fantastic vegan antipasti is bruschetta. The combination of flavorful toppings on crunchy bread is so simple yet so good, and high-quality porcini mushrooms on bread are hard-to-beat!
This extra pillowy and airy focaccia is studded with juicy red grapes, fresh rosemary and tangy goat’s cheese adding a mosaic of color, texture and flavor.
This simple tomato Bruschetta recipe captures the taste of Italian summers.
Artichokes are filled with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, parsley and then baked.
These easy-to-make stuffed portobello mushrooms are bursting with flavors.
Torta di ceci is a crispy chickpea flour pancake that comes from Italy. It only takes 5 simple ingredients to make this delicious gluten free flatbread, and there's a variety of creative ways you can serve it.
These easy-to-make and irresistibly delicious tortellini Caprese skewers are the perfect appetizer to share. Skewer tortellini, fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and basil to create a fun, creative kabob shape then drizzle them with a zesty balsamic glaze.
This healthy plant-based calamari is gluten-free, allergy-free, and oil-free! Made with hearts of palm and a light seasoned breading, this squid-free calamari recipe will blow your mind and become your go-to appetizer for impressing anyone.
These vegan, nut free and soy free mushroom arancini are equal amounts umami, crunchy, crispy and creamy – everything you could want in an appetizer.
This creamy whipped ricotta dip is an elevated, yet simple appetizer. This version features extra-virgin olive oil, lemon, fresh herbs, and a touch of honey for the perfect balance of flavors.
These Italian appetizers bring together fresh ingredients and rich flavors. They encourage you to savor every bite and every moment.
So, whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply indulging in your own private feast, these Italian appetizers will bring the spirit of Italy to your table.