63 Italian Appetizer Recipes

Learn to make calamari fritti (Italian fried squid) at home! Don’t miss this family recipe from Naples that uses flour instead of bread crumbs!

Our family’s Christmas Eve feast wouldn’t be the same without this fried shrimp! Serve with lemon wedges or cocktail sauce.

You can make these mussels in 10 minutes! They’re cooked in a white wine sauce with beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil.

My family’s favorite appetizer includes the flavors of Clams Casino! With buttery onions, Italian bread crumbs, Parmesan and mozzarella, it's always a hit!

These traditional Italian cherry peppers are stuffed with a paste of tuna, anchovies, capers, parsley and olives. Use jarred, pickled cherry peppers for convenience.

Studded with rosemary and garlic, this Parmesan Focaccia is a beauty! It tastes delicious too and will be ready in two hours.

You just need four ingredients to make this restaurant-style bread dip! Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and salt come together to create magic.

Nothing compares to Homemade Italian Bread! Cut it into crusty chunks and dip it in olive oil for a delicious appetizer that’s easier than you think!  

Use this pizza dough recipe to make any size pizza you need! One batch makes enough for two sheet-pan pizzas you can cut into squares for parties.

Make these cute little pizzas for an addictive appetizer on game day or any day! Use my homemade marinara to make them extra delicious.

Use homemade pizza dough or store-bought to make these fun pizza rolls! Once assembled, they’ll be ready in less than 15 minutes in the air fryer.

If you love sweet-and-salty food, you’re in for a treat! This flatbread pizza features mascarpone, prosciutto, dates, mozzarella and arugula. Oh my!

The best Italian parties from my childhood included this Pizza di Scarola baked in sheet pans and cut into squares. Don’t miss this epic family recipe from Naples!

You just need 25 minutes to make this cold tortellini appetizer! Consider making them the night before for convenience.

Enjoy all the flavors of antipasto in these loaded Italian skewers! Featuring tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, salami, artichokes, prosciutto, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes…oh my!

These bite-sized skewers build on the delicious combination of prosciutto and melon by including pesto, mozzarella and balsamic glaze. They’re bursting with flavor!

You'll love this bruschetta appetizer featuring broiled crostini topped with a delicious tomato salad and basil. Garlic powder provides subtle flavor, so there's no aftertaste! My family devours these!

That picture says a thousand words! Whip ricotta cheese with cream and olive oil to make this delectable spread for toast.

Top your crostini with a vibrantly green purée of fava beans, olive oil, Parmesan, lemon and seasonings!

You just need ricotta, marinated artichoke hearts and a drizzle of balsamic glaze to top these crostini. What a great idea!

Italians love figs! Sweet figs and salty prosciutto come together to make appetizer magic for these crostini with goat cheese.

Did somebody say “roasted raspberries?!!” Yes, with creamy mascarpone and balsamic glaze. Count me in!

If you need a summer appetizer, try this bruschetta with grilled peaches, burrata and prosciutto! What’s not to love?

We’ve got all the colors from the Italian flag here! Try Mom’s Pesto with Pecorino Romano on this crostini featuring ricotta and roasted cherry tomatoes.

Top grilled bread or crackers with this lemon-infused ricotta! You can even use it as a dip for vegetables.

These delicious Zucchini Fritters feature a simple batter of flour, eggs and seasonings. Don't miss this family favorite from Naples handed down from my Nonna!

Do you know what’s better than fried zucchini blossoms? Stuffed fried zucchini blossoms! These include a delicious filling of ricotta and other
Italian cheeses.

Known as frico in Italian, these low-carb Parmesan crisps work well as a stand-alone appetizer, or you can use them to scoop up dips. You just need 10 minutes to make them!

Did you know you can bake a pan of polenta, freeze it when
it cools, then cut it into fries to cook in the air fryer? Brilliant!

Stuff large green olives with meat, coat the olives with bread crumbs, then deep fry them for this authentic Italian appetizer from the town of Ascoli Piceno. Include them on a fritto misto platter of fried finger food.

If you love ravioli, you have to try fried ravioli! I bet you can’t eat just one. Dip them in my marinara sauce!

If you’ve never had taralli, you’re in for a treat! They’re like crunchy bread sticks shaped into a ring and feature a nice black pepper accent.

This fried custard hails from the town of Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region of Italy. They have a bread crumb coating and can be served as a savory appetizer or a dessert.

Use green or yellow squash to make these baked veggie fries! Coat them with gluten-free bread crumbs or use my homemade bread crumbs.

Sweet, juicy cantaloupe and salty, savory prosciutto make the best combination! If you've never tried this simple Italian appetizer, you must make it, pronto!

Here’s an easy appetizer that delivers big flavor. Start with store-bought olives, then marinate them overnight in a mixture of citrus zest and juice, herbs and olive oil!

Some Italians eat lupini like candy, popping one after another into their mouths! Learn to prepare these beans, which make a great appetizer or snack.

Roasting tomatoes sweetens them and makes them extra delicious! Learn how to roast cherry tomatoes with garlic for your antipasto platter.

You just need olive oil, herbs, red pepper flakes and garlic to elevate fresh mozzarella balls to a delicious Italian appetizer! These marinated mozzarella balls will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.

These will be the most incredible peppers of your life! Learn to roast bell peppers, then sauté them with olive oil and garlic for additional depth of flavor. Enjoy this family recipe!

I'm not exaggerating when I say we have this Italian Carrot Salad at every family function. It's refreshing, delicious, and happens to be vegan! It's the perfect make-ahead Italian appetizer.

Cut this Spinach-Ricotta Pie into little squares for a fabulous appetizer! This is one of my favorite foods of all time.

This vegan recipe features sliced vegetables tossed in an oil-and-vinegar marinade, then baked!

This from-scratch Italian Zucchini Bake is one of my most popular recipes! It's based on my Mom's version and includes Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Cut it into dainty squares for a delicious Italian appetizer that's perfect for any holiday or gathering.

Stuff these crunchy, savory peppers with sausage, bread crumbs and cheese for an irresistble appetizer! You just need 30 minutes to make them.

This Sicilian sweet-and-sour eggplant salad is addictive! Serve it cold or at room temperature, by itself or with crostini.

This oven-fried, breaded eggplant features a nice kick of flavor from Romano cheese! Dip the slices in marinara sauce or spicy mayo, or serve them plain!

These eggplants may look unassuming, but I promise, this authentic dish from Naples will rock your world! Serve it chilled or at room temperature with crusty Italian bread.

Serve these warm and enjoy the flavors of balsamic grilled eggplant stuffed with prosciutto and fresh mozzarella!

The filling for these mushrooms includes Italian sausage, cream cheese, bread crumbs, Parmesan, onion and garlic! You can even freeze the filling for a make-ahead option.

Use mini portobello mushrooms for these appetizers stuffed with a mixture of clams, bread crumbs, garlic, sherry vinegar and Parmesan. The mushrooms turn out crispy on top and juicy inside!

These meatless stuffed mushrooms feature cheesy bread crumbs, olive oil and garlic! Use button or cremini mushrooms.

Don't let the name fool you! My stuffed mushroom recipe includes Parmesan, mozzarella, garlic, lemon and basil for the best Italian twist!

Enjoy these fork-tender meatballs and a delicious sauce without the hassle of browning the meatballs first! You can make them in a smaller size for an appetizer.

These sausage meatballs include a filling of three kinds of cheese and a tomato! They're breaded and fried for a crunchy exterior and a melty interior.

Rosemary and garlic make a delicious combo! These chicken wings also include lemon zest and red pepper flakes to make the flavors pop.

Enjoy this spicy appetizer of burrata topped with spreadable salami, Parmigiano Reggiano, parsley, lemon zest and garlic! Serve it with grilled ciabatta bread.

Top creamy burrata with roasted cherry tomatoes, pesto, basil and pine nuts, then drizzle it with olive oil and balsamic glaze! Serve it with crostini and dig in.

Sweet pears and salty cheese make a classicly Italian combination! Browned butter and Marcona almonds take this appetizer over the top.

These poppers have a crispy, buttery Parmesan crust made without bread crumbs. The cream cheese filling includes little cubes of salty prosciutto. No wonder they're my Mom's favorite appetizer!

I took spinach-artichoke dip to the next level by adding Asiago cheese, sautéed red onions and a kick of heat from red pepper flakes! It's always a hit!

Seasoned Parmesan cheese replaces bread crumbs in these to-die-for onion rings! A secret ingredient makes the coating crispy. Dip the rings in melted butter and prepare to swoon!

Did you know deviled eggs originated in ancient Rome?!! They didn't have mayo and mustard, of course. I've taken the liberty of using pesto, lemon zest and white balsamic vinegar (affiliate link) to return deviled eggs to their Italian glory!