An antipasto wreath is the perfect way to impress your guests at your next party. It's a unique and tasty appetizer that is sure to be a hit. Plus, it's not as hard to make as you might think! I'm breaking down absolutely everything you need to know about taking antipasto skewers and making an antipasto wreath with them. This is the perfect Christmas appetizer that everyone will adore. This post may contain affiliate links.

angled down photo of an antipasto wreath with grape tomatoes, olives, meats and fresh mozzarella balls

MAKE AN ANTIPASTO SKEWERS WREATH

Making an antipasto wreath platter is easier than you might think! If you're looking for antipasto ideas for hosting at home, you've come to the right place. Follow my simple steps below and you'll have a beautiful and tasty appetizer in no time. You can scroll to the recipe card to save or print the recipe as well.

side view of an antipasto wreath for holiday hosting

This holiday season, ditch the boring veggie tray and serve up something with a little more pizazz! An antipasto wreath is not only beautiful to look at, but it's also delicious and easy to make.

Before we get started, let's chat about what this recipe IS.

WHAT IS AN ANTIPASTO WREATH?

An antipasto wreath is a type of charcuterie board that is shaped like a wreath. It's made with cured meats, cheeses, olives, and pickled vegetables. This twist on a hearty appetizer dish originated in Italy although it's transformed tremendously and is a popular appetizer in the United States.

over the top photo of an antipasto wreath, perfect for holiday hosting

The word antipasto loosely translates to "appetizer" in modern times.

ANTIPASTO WREATH INGREDIENTS

Cured meats, cheeses, olives, and pickled vegetables are all classic antipasto ingredients.

And the best part? You can easily customize your wreath to suit your guests' tastes. Hate black olives? Leave them off! Love rosemary? Add a sprig or two!

Don't be afraid to get creative and mix and match your own favorite flavors.

Small Mozzarella Balls
Sliced Salami
Cherry Tomatoes
Pitted Olives
Sweet Cherry Peppers
Mini Pepperoncinis
Wooden Skewers
Fresh Rosemary Sprigs

Some other great additions include roasted red peppers, marinated mushrooms, artichoke hearts, or even if you're feeling bold add some fruit for a sweet contrast.

We're throwing in some fresh springs of rosemary to give it a fun holiday vibe after all, this is a wreath.

ASSEMBLE AN ANTIPASTO WREATH

Once you've gathered all of your ingredients, it's time to start assembling your wreath.

up close angled photo of a antipasto wreath with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and cherry peppers

Start off by draining the mozz balls and placing on paper towel to drain as you assemble your antipasto skewers.

Next, halve your sweet cherry peppers to make them about the same size as your mozz balls.

Time to fold salami slices. Make a rectangular shape by folding each piece in half and then in thirds the other way.

slightly angled photo of an antipasto skewer appetizer

Put together your skewers. Add 4-5 of the ingredients to each skewer. You want to mix and match them so that they're not all the same. However adding a mozzarella ball and the salami to each is a good idea.

After you have make all of your skewers, it's time to set up your appetizer wreath.

stack of antipasto skewers set up on a platter

Take a round platter of serving board and arrange your skewers around by placing them in a circle shape. You might need to stack a couple of layers of skewers to make it feel full.

Here are some round serving boards to consider:

Once that is done, it's time to add our rosemary springs as a decorative garnish. This will make for the perfect final touch!

Once you're happy with the way your wreath looks, it's time to enjoy!

close up antipasto wreath over the top made with antipasto skewers

Serve immediately or wrap securely and store in your refrigerator.

I usually say voila after I share a tutorial or recipe, but it feels like Mangia is more appropriate today, so...

MANGIA, friends!

CAN I MAKE ANTIPASTO SKEWERS IN ADVANCE?

The skewers can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I recommend assembling the same day you plan to serve the platter so avoid excess moisture from the mozzarella pooling on the board.

small antipasto skewers stacked on a small serving dish

WHAT ARE THE BEST OLIVES FOR ANTIPASTO SKEWERS?

I like to use a mixture of black and green olives. I don't recommend canned olives for a fancier appetizer, but jarred or freshly made from the deli section are perfect. For these skewers I used Kalamata and Manzanella.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH ANTIPASTO SKEWERS?

Serve the wreath with a side of balsamic glaze or Italian dressing and your favorite crackers.

WHAT ELSE CAN I ADD TO ANTIPASTO SKEWERS?

Try adding artichoke hearts, prosciutto, cubed cheese or fresh basil leaves as alternative options for the skewers.

An antipasto wreath is the perfect way to show off your culinary skills at your next party or gathering. It's easy to make and can be customized to fit any flavor palate.

Antipasto Skewer Wreath

Name: Antipasto Skewer Wreath
Prep time: 15 min
Cuisine: appetizer
Ingredients: 1 (8 ounce) tub mozzarella balls (ciliegine “cherry” size); 6 ounces sliced salami; 1 pint cherry tomatoes; 5 ounces pitted olives; 8 ounces sweet cherry peppers; 8 ounces mini pepperoncinis; 30 (4 inch) wooden skewers; Fresh rosemary sprigs for decoration

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Turn Antipasto Skewers into a Christmas Appetizer Wreath using fresh mozzarella, salami, cherry tomatoes, cherry peppers, pepperoncini. Decorate with fresh sprigs of rosemary for an extra holiday touch.

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) tub mozzarella balls (ciliegine “cherry” size)
6 ounces sliced salami
1 pint cherry tomatoes
5 ounces pitted olives
8 ounces sweet cherry peppers
8 ounces mini pepperoncinis
30 (4 inch) wooden skewers
Fresh rosemary sprigs for decoration

Instructions

Remove the mozzarella balls from their liquid and drain on a paper towel while you assemble your skewers. This will help absorb some of the extra moisture to reduce puddling on your board once the wreath is assembled.
Cut your sweet cherry peppers in half so that they're about the same size as your mozzarella balls.
Fold each salami piece in half one way, then in thirds the other way to create a rectangular shape.
Add 4-5 different ingredients to each skewer. Mix and match the various ingredients so that the skewers are all different. Most of the skewers should contain a mozzarella ball and piece of salami for the best outcome. An 8 ounce tub of mozzarella balls typically yields between 22 and 26 balls.
Once your skewers are assembled, arrange the skewers on a round platter or board in the shape of a wreath. You may need to do 2 or 3 layers depending on the size of your board. Place small sprigs of rosemary in and around the skewers to decorate.
Enjoy immediately, or you can refrigerate until you're ready to serve.

Notes

These antipasto skewers can be made up to 24 hours in advance and then stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I recommend assembling the same day you plan to serve the platter to avoid excess moisture from the mozzarella.

I like to use a mixture of black and green olives. I used Kalamata and Manzanella.

Serve the wreath with a side of balsamic glaze or Italian dressing and your favorite crackers.

You can also add artichoke hearts, prosciutto, cubed cheese or fresh basil leaves as alternative options for the skewers.

Nutrition Information

Yield 5 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 211Total Fat 15gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 41mgSodium 1371mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 3gSugar 5gProtein 10g

This nutritional information is for reference only. We are not responsible for these calculations.