Antipasto Skewers

Looking for the ultimate no-fuss appetizer that still manages to impress everyone? These Antipasto Skewers are about to become your entertaining secret weapon! They’re colorful, customizable, and ridiculously simple to prepare—yet they look like you spent hours crafting them. The best part? You can make them ahead of time, so you’re not frantically assembling appetizers while your guests arrive.

What makes these skewers truly special is how they transform classic antipasto platter ingredients into portable, single-serving bites that burst with Mediterranean flavor in every bite. The combination of salty olives, savory salami, creamy mozzarella, and sweet tomatoes creates the perfect flavor balance. And that herb vinaigrette? It ties everything together with a bright, tangy finish that elevates these skewers from simple to spectacular.

Ingredients

For the Antipasto Skewers:

• 8 large green olives
• 8 Genoa salami slices – halved
• 8 mini Mozzarella cheese balls
• 8 large basil leaves
• 8 grape tomatoes
• 8 cheese tortellini pasta – cooked and cooled
• 8 large black olives

For the Herb Vinaigrette:

• ¼ cup good vinegar (Champagne, sherry, or balsamic)
• ⅔ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ clove garlic – finely minced or 2 teaspoons minced shallots
• 2 teaspoons honey
• ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• ½ teaspoon fresh chives – chopped
• ½ teaspoon fresh basil – chopped
• ½ teaspoon fresh parsley – chopped

Equipment:

• 8 wooden skewers (7-inch length)
• Wide mouth mason jars (for serving)

Steps

For the Antipasto Skewers:

1. Cook the tortellini according to package directions until al dente (typically 2-3 minutes for fresh, 7-9 minutes for dried). Drain immediately and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy on your skewers.
2. Arrange all ingredients in assembly-line fashion on your countertop. This organization makes the skewering process much faster and ensures consistent placement of ingredients across all skewers.
3. Take each 7-inch wooden skewer and thread ingredients in this order for visual appeal: green olive, folded salami half, mozzarella ball, basil leaf (fold in half if large), grape tomato, cooled tortellini, and black olive. The contrasting colors create a beautiful presentation.

For the Herb Vinaigrette:

4. In a small jar with a lid, combine the vinegar, ⅔ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, minced garlic or shallots, and 2 teaspoons honey.
5. Add the ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and all the fresh herbs (chives, basil, and parsley).
6. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 30 seconds until the dressing is well-emulsified. You’ll know it’s ready when it appears creamy and uniform in color with no separation.
7. When ready to serve, either drizzle the dressing over the arranged skewers or serve it alongside in a small bowl for dipping. For the most flavorful experience, allow skewers to sit with dressing for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Cook’s Notes:

• Skewers can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. Wait to add the dressing until just before serving.
• For best presentation, stand skewers upright in wide-mouth mason jars – this creates an impressive “bouquet” effect on your table.
• If serving as a meal component rather than appetizer, consider doubling the recipe and serving over a bed of arugula with extra dressing.

Smart Swaps

• Replace mozzarella with cubed provolone for a sharper flavor
• Substitute prosciutto for salami (fold each slice into quarters)
• Use marinated artichoke hearts instead of black olives for a tangy variation
• Swap tortellini for cubed focaccia bread for a different texture

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace cheese tortellini with zucchini chunks to reduce carbs by approximately 15g per serving
• Use a sugar-free honey alternative like monk fruit sweetener (1½ teaspoons instead of 2) in the dressing
• Increase protein content by adding cubed chicken or turkey to help stabilize blood sugar
• Serve with extra vegetables like cucumber rounds or bell pepper chunks for additional fiber with minimal carb impact

Pro Tips

• Soak wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes before assembling to prevent any splitting
• If making for a crowd, prepare the vinaigrette up to 3 days ahead and store in the refrigerator
• For easy transport to parties, arrange skewers in a single layer in a shallow container with sides, cover tightly with plastic wrap
• Warm tortellini to room temperature about 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture