Italians are more than just their pizzas and pasta. Classic Italian appetizers are perfect for any season throughout the year. For summer, you may go for a refreshing caprese salad. If you want to welcome fall, try serving some tasty crispy frico cups. Another good thing about Italian appetizers is that they are fairly easy to create! And no, you do not need to stay in the kitchen for hours.
With that said, here are 26 traditional appetizers everyone will love!
Contents
26. Pizza Sticks
Who wouldn’t appreciate an alternative method of serving pizza? Rather than traditional slices, prepare this pizza in a rectangular form and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
This is an excellent method of presenting pizza to younger guests who may not require a whole slice, or to incorporate the essence of pizza into a larger feast.
25. Arancini Balls
Arancini are cheese-filled rice orbs that melt on your tongue. With sweet peas and ham, this might become your new comfort food favorite.
Sample these warm, cheesy delights straight from the pan and get smitten by their savoury, creamy cores. This recipe yields plenty, but feel free to keep them all to yourself.
24. Italian Pizza Bites (Homemade and Cheesy!)
If you’re a fan of pizza rolls, prepare to create your own with these pizza nibbles! The fun and convenience of a pizza slice are compactly baked into a bite.
These nibbles are packed with your preferred pizza toppings and dusted with a pinch of cheese. It’s a challenge to stop at just one!
23. Margherita Flatbread – Classic Italian Cheese Recipe with Fresh Basil
The freshness of the ingredients elevates this delectable flatbread pizza. Slices of homegrown (or store-purchased) tomatoes generously cover a homemade flatbread.
Combine them with fresh basil, olive oil, and cheese, and you’ve got yourself the freshest pizza imaginable.
Relish this as a starter, main dish, or even both!
22. Antipasto Platter
Fancy some charcuterie? This antipasto display showcases all your favorite preserved delicacies.
Salami, olives, and cheese beautify a plate, creating a buffet of harmonious flavors.
Savor this display as an appetizer, side dish, or light lunch. It’s perfect for a light snack or a hearty indulgence.
With all these scrumptious ingredients, everyone is bound to find a combo they adore.
21. Italian Green Beans
Parmesan cheese enhances everything, green beans included! Try these fresh green beans sautéed with breadcrumbs and parmesan as your new preferred recipe.
I appreciate recipes that are not only tasty but also straightforward to make. This one fits the bill!
Give your conventional green bean recipe a rest and try these Italian-inspired green beans instead.
20. Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Upscale salad stations often showcase gleaming spheres of fresh mozzarella, and now your dining table can as well!
This recipe guides you to achieve that deluxe taste at home.
Infused with fresh olive oil and abundant seasonings, these marinated mozzarella pearls provide a fiesta with each morsel!
Pair with a crisp salad or cherry tomatoes for a comprehensive Italian gastronomic journey.
19. Italian Meatballs – Make This Dish for Italian Dinner
Meatballs are terrific with spaghetti, but they can also shine independently! These ideally seasoned meatballs make an excellent starter for any event.
Bake these savory morsels for an experience that’s unmissable. With these meatballs gracing your plate, the main course might go unnoticed.
18. Focaccia – Crunchy Italian Recipe
Focaccia flatbread is an excellent gateway to home bread baking! This recipe allows for a variety of herbs and spices customization to truly personalize this dish.
With a crunchy exterior and soft interior, this bread might soon be your new favored recipe.
Nothing beats the aroma of fresh bread wafting through your home.
17. Tomato Bruschetta – Easy Bruschetta Italian Tomato Salad Recipe
Bruschetta is a traditional tomato salad that makes the perfect Italian dinner appetizer.
Fresh basil and tomato contribute to an utterly irresistible flavor you’re sure to enjoy.
Savor this dish solo, or use it as a topping for petite bread slices.
16. Crispy Crostini – Savory Italian Meal Prep Recipe
Crostini is a timeless finger food that pairs well with any meal, Italian or otherwise! Enjoy toasted bread brushed with olive oil at any hour of the day.
It’s incredibly easy to prepare and also quite rewarding. There’s a reason why bread is deemed better than cake. It complements a meal or is sufficient on its own.
15. Caponata from Crusty Italian Bread
Caponata is a savory spread that fits perfectly on crusty bread and crisp crackers.
With olives, eggplant, tomato, and more, a multitude of flavors await to tantalize your taste buds.
With such a variety of vegetables present in a single dish, you know it’s going to be delightful.
14. Caponata: A Delicious Appetizer You Can Make Of Eggplant In Advance
Caponata is a traditional Italian appetizer you can make in advance of any event you’re having. It is made of eggplant and lots of other summer vegetables, simmered and served over crostini. Absolutely delicious!!!
Check it here.
13. Socca Pizza with Parma Ham
Craving pizza but in a hurry? Quick and easy socca pizza with Parma Ham is the answer! Whenever I’m craving pizza, but I don’t feel like spending too much time in the kitchen to make my homemade Italian pizza dough, socca comes to the rescue.
Check it here.
12. How to Make Irresistible Italian White Bean Dip
This Italian White Bean Dip is just as delicious as the version from Supper NYC that inspired it! Super simple ingredients make this an easy appetizer!
Check it here.
11. Sicilian Caponata – Aubergine Stew
Sicilian Caponata (Caponata Siciliana di melanzane) is a traditional aubergine dish perfect to share as a side or appetizer.
Check it here.
10. Gluten-Free Fried Ravioli with Pesto Alfredo
What, a gluten-free fried ravioli? Yes and it’s everything you could dream of! This gluten-free fried ravioli is going to be your new favorite appetizer to serve to family and friends.
Check it here.
9. Air Fryer Arancini | Italian Rice Balls – Favorite Appetizer!
Arancini or Italian Rice Balls, is a very popular street food in Sicily. The classic traditional deep fried recipe gets a makeover by being air fried to make it a healthier and guilt free snack / appetizer.
Check it here.
8.
Enjoy a simple and beautiful Italian antipasto platter this summer! With fresh garden fruit, cured meat, cheeses, and bread, this Charcuterie Board is so delicious, easy to put together, and fun to eat!
Check it here.
7. Panelle (Sicilian Chickpea Fritters)
Popular Sicilian street food that you can easily prepare at home. Panelle (or Sicilian Chickpea Fritters) is excellent as an appetizer, a snack, or for making your own panelle sandwich!
Check it here.
6. Bocconcini Caprese with Caramelized Onions
Are you looking for a light meal for those hot summer nights? When the weather warms, the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven or prepare a hot, heavy meal. This Bocconcini Caprese is the perfect balance of refreshing fresh veggies, delicious cheese, and zesty balsamic vinegar.
Check it here.
5. Roman Style Fried Artichokes In Olive Oil
Roman style fried artichokes recipe inspired by the infamous fried artichokes in the Jewish Ghetto in Rome. Baby artichokes are gently fried in olive oil and seasoned simply with sea salt and lemon juice.
Check it here.
4. The Best Sicilian Arancini
Sicilian Arancini, or rice balls, are one of the most recognized Sicilian foods throughout the world. These crisp, golden little nuggets are a popular street food all over Sicily.
Check it here.
3. Crostini with Cherry Tomatoes And Mozzarella
Crostini are small bite size toasted piece of bread that is crusty and can be topped with several different toppings. This Crostini with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella is our summertime favorite to make with fresh homegrown tomatoes.
Check it here.
2. Classic Basil Pesto Crostini – Easy Italian Appetizer Recipe
Classic Basil Pesto Crostini recipe features zesty pesto sauce spread over crispy toasted baguette slices. An easy and festive appetizer!
Check it here.
1. Italian Lupini Beans [A Step by Step Tutorial]
Italian Lupini Beans are truly a unique, healthy and delicious snack that can be eaten throughout the year. Lupini are also great for your appetizer or cheese boards. Whether you refer to them as lupini or lupins, come and see for yourself how easily they can be prepared at home.
Check it here.
26 Best Classic Italian Appetizers
Italians are more than just their pizzas and pasta. Classic Italian appetizers are perfect for any season throughout the year. For summer, you may go for a refreshing caprese salad. If you want to welcome fall, try serving some tasty crispy frico cups. Another good thing about Italian appetizers is that they are fairly easy to create! And no, you do not need to stay in the kitchen for hours.
Ingredients
- Caponata: A Delicious Appetizer You Can Make in Advance
- Socca Pizza with Parma Ham
- Irresistible Italian White Bean Dip
- Sicilian Caponata - Aubergine Stew
Instructions
- Choose any Traditional Italian Appetizers from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Traditional Italian Appetizers and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.