17 Italian Appetizers to Add to Your Rotation

In a perfect world, we might all find ourselves on a hilltop in Italy, the breeze just so as we pop the cork on a bottle of prosecco (or Lambrusco—are we in the north in this fantasy?). But for the next best thing, look to Italy for inspiration when you want an easy and delicious app, for the appealing way that just a few ingredients can be assembled into something so wonderful and simple. It’s the food equivalent of, “oh, this old thing I found in the back of my closet?” when you know you’ve nailed your outfit just right. From antipasti and bruschetta to gorgeous seafood options, we’ve rounded up everything form classic Italian appetizers to inspired bites—that everyone will devour in about due minuti. When you’re talking about flavors like these, you kind of can’t go wrong.

For a beautiful summery treat, it’s hard to top delicate zucchini flowers stuffed with a creamy filling and then lightly fried until crisp and golden. Try to find a good-quality whole-milk ricotta from an Italian deli or specialty food store. The upgrade is worth it here.

It’s truly a labor of love to make arancini, Sicilian-style rice balls that require making risotto, then rolling into balls and stuffing with goodies like prosciutto or cheese, then deep-frying. Here, we remove one obstacle to making them—well, all the time. Instead of frying, fill an air-fryer basket with those golden balls and treat yourself to those irresistible bites whenever you have leftover risotto.

It’s not so much a recipe as a formula—and one that always works, at that. Some exquisite store-bought cured meats and excellent cheeses, rounded out with bread, crackers, nuts, and if you have the time, some fabulous homemade spreads and go-withs. It can start any kind of party, from a backyard barbecue or picnic to a fancy wedding shower or dinner party.