If you’re looking for an easy no-bake appetizer, you can’t go wrong with this Antipasto Kabobs! It's all the goodness of an antipasto platter with marinated mozzarella balls, cubed salami, olives, fresh basil and tomatoes stuck on to small wooden skewers.
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These easy antipasto skewers are so easy to make and great for any occasion! You can use them for appetizers at your next party, a romantic dish for your next picnic, or just as a fun snack to nibble on in between meals. You could even put these on a charcuterie board.
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- You can easily put these together in just fifteen minutes, and they can be made ahead of time.
- Antipasto Skewers are an easy appetizer for parties and potlucks and even game day!
- They're great for on-the-go snacking and are an awesome lunch box idea.
💭 Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions (and answers!) readers often ask about this antipasto recipe.
This delicious appetizer is a fabulous play on an antipasto salad with thinly sliced salami, mozzarella, olives, tomatoes and other items.
Antipasto originated in Italy and the word "antipasto" translated means 'before meal.' An antipasto salad is served before the meal.
For our antipasto skewers, we have used dry cured salami, which is less greasy and has a dry texture.
If you cannot find these in the deli section of your grocery store, you can make your own.
1. Place the fresh mozzarella balls into a small dish and drizzle with Italian dressing.
2. Stir to combine.
3. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
These are best made the day before you are going to serve them.
🧂 Ingredients
This is meant to be a brief overview of the antipasto skewers recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
- Small mozzarella balls, marinated
- Cheese Tortellini
- Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- Kalamata olives or green olives
- Salami
- Basil leaves
- Small Wooden Skewers
- Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil
🔪Instructions
This recipe will make 24 large skewers, or 48 small skewers.
- Cook the tortellini according to the instructions on the package, then set aside to cool.
- Toss the cooled tortellini in balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Toss to coat. Marinate 30 minutes, up to overnight.
- Cut the salami into cubes.
- When you are ready to assemble, remove the mozzarella balls and the tortellini from the refrigerator.
- Drain off and discard excess liquid from the mozzarella and tortellini.
- Starting with a cherry tomato, thread the antipasto kabobs.
- Next add a piece of tortellini.
- After that, add a mozzarella ball and piece of fresh basil.
- Then, add a piece of the cubed salami.
- Finally, finish off with a kalamata or green olive.
- If you are making large skewers, repeat the pattern a second time.
- Repeat the steps above with all of the skewers.
Equipment
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- Cutting Board
- Santoku Knife
- wooden skewers
- serving platter
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⏲️ Storage
These can be made a day or two ahead of time and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. (I really love these airtight containers.)
If you are entertaining, you can put them on trays or party platters and cover them with plastic wrap. Keep the refrigerated until just before the party begins.
⭐ Tips
I prefer to use fresh tortellini from the grocery store, but if you cannot find it, frozen will also work. You can also omit the pasta altogether for a gluten-free option.
Make your antipasto kabobs up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container, or on a tray covered with plastic wrap.
📖 Variations
- You can add all kinds of other ingredients to these antipasto skewers like artichoke hearts, red peppers, black olives, or pepperoncini peppers.
- If you prefer, replace the balsamic vinegar and olive oil with Italian dressing or a balsamic glaze.
- If you're super busy, you can make caprese skewers instead with just the fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaf and grape or cherry tomatoes.
- Give them a light sprinkle of my basil salt recipe or Italian seasoning.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
You can serve these Italian appetizers with an extra drizzle of olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar. The flavor combinations of the antipasto items, especially the fresh mozzarella balls and fresh basil leaves, are just out of this world!
It really is the perfect party appetizer for a buffet table. I especially love making these for the holiday season.
While these antipasto skewers recipe for parties and potlucks, they're also awesome for lunchboxes. My kids rarely eat a sandwich from their lunch box. Olivia especially likes to graze on all kinds of different little nibbles.
😋 Similar Recipes
I love quick and easy recipes that I can throw together. If I can skip the oven, it's even better! Here are some other savory no-bake recipes you might enjoy:
- Easy Greek Yogurt Dip - so easy, and so good with fruit dippers!
- Meat and Cheese Platter - easy entertaining on one platter.
- Cowboy Caviar Recipe - for when you want to serve a crowd - just add tortilla chips!
- Prosciutto Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles - so flavorful and super easy, too.
- Fruit and Cheese Platter - great for wine night with the girls!
- Olive Tapenade Crostini - an easy but elegant appetizer.
- Hummus Pinwheels - stuffed with fresh veggies.
You might also enjoy one of these tasty appetizers:
Not ready to make these tasty little kabobs yet?
Don’t forget to pin this appetizer recipe for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Antipasto Kabobs
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Ingredients
- 48 Small mozzarella balls marinated
- 1 9oz bag Cheese Tortellini
- 48 Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- 48 Kalamata olives or green olives
- 16 ounces Cured Dry Salami - OR 48 slices
- 40 Basil leaves
- ¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to the instructions on the package, then set aside to cool.1 9oz bag Cheese Tortellini
- Toss the cooled tortellini in balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Toss to coat. Marinate 30 minutes up to overnight.¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar, ¼ cup Olive Oil
- Cut the salami into cubes.16 ounces Cured Dry Salami - OR 48 slices
- When you are ready to assemble, remove the mozzarella balls and the tortellini from the refrigerator.
- Drain off and discard excess liquid from the mozzarella and tortellini.
- Starting with a cherry tomato, thread the antipasto kabobs.48 Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- Next add a piece of tortellini.
- After that, add a mozzarella ball and piece of fresh basil.48 Small mozzarella balls, 40 Basil leaves
- Then, add a piece of the cubed salami.
- Finally, finish off with a kalamata or green olive.48 Kalamata olives or green olives
Equipment
- Serving Tray
- Wooden Skewers
Video
Notes
- You can add all kinds of other ingredients to these antipasto skewers like artichoke hearts, red peppers, black olives, or pepperoncini peppers.
- If you prefer, replace the balsamic vinegar and olive oil with Italian dressing or a balsamic glaze.
- If you're super busy, you can make caprese skewers instead with just the fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaf and grape or cherry tomatoes.
Marie says
I love caprese salads! What a cute idea for an appetizer!
Karen Howard says
Love Caprice salad. Ever try reducing your balsamic vinegar ? Makes it thicker & yummier ! Worth the extra bit of time. Make a lg. batch & bottle it as gifts too ! Def going to make these bites& the pot stickers !
Kim says
Hi! I’m hoping I didn’t miss it, but what size skewers did you use for the short version (48 skewers)? I’m wanting enough room to hold the skewer, but not too much wasted space; so it still looks cute. Thanks in advance!
Ang Paris says
Hi Kim! 6" skewers are great for parties if you want to put 5-6 items on them. For just 3 items, I just use something more like 3". It also depends somewhat on the size of your ingredients so if you're looking to make something small, look for the smallest mozzarella balls, tomatoes, etc. Hope that helps!