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An Italian-Inspired Grazing Board With 7 Antipasto Ideas

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This Italian Mediterranean platter is chock-full of healthy dips, spreads, and small bites.

From sweet to spicy, hearty to umami-flavored, I share 7 amazing recipes you can easily make in advance to build a fun and stress-free party platter or enjoy this fun Italian grazing board as an entire meal. 

It also includes various suggestions for filling this colorful Italian board with store-bought items and more protein-centric recipe ideas.

An assortment of Mezze plates on a grazing board.

These fun Mediterranean grazing board ideas are all about sharing and will transport you, at least for one evening, to the South of Italy.  

A lovely assortment of unique dips, spreads, colorful vegetables, fresh fruit, crunchy crostini, a cheese selection, and other delicious finger foods are served on one large grazing board.

It can be the ultimate snack board or the perfect way to serve appetizers or small plates at a dinner party. But, in my house, it is often served as a meal.

There are so many ways to make a beautiful Mediterranean appetizer platter, but here, I share a variety of appetizers, different dips, and the Mediterranean favorites I grew up with.

Let's make this amazing Italian Grazing Board!

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Appetizer Ideas For An Amazing Italian Grazing Board

Homemade dips & spreads take center stage when assembling this Italian antipasto platter.

When served together, these Italian appetizers give you a beautiful selection of diverse flavors—sweet, spicy, hearty, and umami—that pair well with certain cheeses, veggies, and fruits.

These small appetizers can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until ready to assemble the board. Make them all, or choose your favorites. Let's have a look.

Creamy Parsley And Anchovy Spread
This umami-flavored dip or anchovy spread is my favorite and one of my grandmother's old recipes. The salty anchovies melt away when combined with fresh parsley and a touch of sour cream and leave a subtle, hearty flavor that tastes delicious on a variety of bread, hard cheeses, and crunchy vegetables. It comes together in 5 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Anchovy starters served on a wooden board.
Spicy Italian Red Bell Pepper Spread
More on the spicy side, this spread or dip combines sautéed and deliciously seasoned red bell pepper strips with fresh parsley leaves and balsamic vinegar to add fruity notes. This Italian Red Bell Pepper Spread is mildly sweet, pleasingly spicy, and ready in 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
An Italian red pepper spread in a ramekin next to cucumber slices and toast.
Olive Fig Tapenade
This Olive Fig Tapenade blend combines dried figs, pitted Kalamata olives, a touch of rosemary, and the essential ingredient...shallots. It's simultaneously sweet and hearty—perfect to pair with hard or semi-hard cheese, crostini, or your favorite hearty crackers.
Check out this recipe
A spoon resting in a Kalamata olive and fig tapenade in a ramekin served with pieces of toast.
Quick Spiced Apricot Jam
A sugar-free store-bought fruit spread blends with fresh rosemary, crushed chilly peppers, lemon juice, and a tad of (coconut or brown) sugar or Monk fruit sweetener. It's just as delicious as a spicy apricot jam made from scratch, but this one is ready in 5 minutes. It's a sweet and spicy delight to add to your Mediterranean platter! You can also use fig jam or spread instead of apricot.
Check out this recipe
A spoon resting in a ramekin filled with spiced apricot jam.
Mozzarella And Sun-Dried Tomato Appetizer
Soft, fresh mozzarella slices are beautifully arranged on a plate and lightly seasoned with dried oregano, dried or fresh basil, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and then garnished with chopped walnuts, fresh parsley, and extra virgin olive oil. It's a simple, quick, wholesome small plate that Italian cheese lovers appreciate and a nice change from a Caprese salad. You can also use fresh mozzarella balls sliced in half.
Check out this recipe
A large mozzarella and dried tomatoes appetizer plate on a table.
Seasoned Whipped Ricotta And Honey Spread
The sweetness of this ricotta spread is a welcoming contrast to the other hearty dip recipes and another quick, small cheese platter idea. Whole milk ricotta cheese is whipped until deliciously creamy and seasoned with aromatic herbs, lemon zest, salt, and crushed red peppers. It is then garnished with a drizzle of olive oil, honey, and pistachio for a lovely crunch. The flavors and different textures of this small plate are amazing and always a winner.
Check out this recipe
Whipped ricotta with honey in a bowl, topped with pistachios and served with crostini.
Garlic Crostini With Olive Oil
It's a simple thing to make, but garlic crostini belongs on an Italian grazing board. I would make them on the same day you plan to assemble your Mediterranean platter. They are simply irresistible when served warm, fresh out of the oven. Cut one large fresh French baguette into ½-inch slices, brush each piece with olive oil, and sprinkle finely chopped garlic evenly on top. They go in the oven until crusty and deliciously browned. Garnish with fresh herbs such as thyme, basil, or rosemary.
Check out this recipe
Oven-roasted garlic crostini toasts topped with garlic and fresh herbs.

Crackers, Chips, And Other Breads For Dipping

There are no fast rules here. For those with a certain dietary lifestyle, you can even consider gluten-free or low-carb options.

  • Trader Joe's has tasty gluten-free crackers.
  • Or go for almond flour-based or low-carb crackers that already have aromatic herbs.
  • Otherwise, in addition to garlic crostini, you can use extra crusty fresh bread, pitta bread, and pitta chips, which are all great options. 
A hand holding crostini topped with whipped ricotta and honey.

Additional Selection Of Cheeses To Explore

You don't have to go overboard with your cheese selection. I usually add two more kinds of cheese (soft or hard) to the fresh Mozzarella and ricotta plates.

Here are some great choices, and I usually go for the ones on sale:

  • Creamy cheese like Brie (or Camembert)—yes, it's not Italian, but it's still a great choice to consider.
  • Asiago cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan cheese), Manchego, or aged Gouda are great pairing options for the dip and spread recipes. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, or let your guests do the work at the grazing table. 
  • Goat cheese is another great option.
  • Note: Trader Joe's has a great Italian and French cheese selection, often at affordable prices.
An assortment of cheeses, bruschetta, veggies, dried and fresh fruits, and toppings displayed on a board.

Add Fresh Veggies, Nuts, And Seasonal Fruits

Here are a few vegetables, nuts, and fruit options I suggest adding to your Italian grazing board:

Crunchy and great for dipping: 

  • Sliced raw fennel has a subtle anise flavor that pairs well with these Mediterranean dips and spreads.
  • Persian mini cucumbers or English cucumbers are slightly sweet.
  • Carrots or red bell pepper strips are great for dipping and delightfully crunchy.

Refreshing and hearty:

  • Red mini tomatoes: Choose any kind you love most.
  • Italian olives: Black or green.
  • Microgreens or Arugula leaves taste great as a peppery and nutty topping or a beautiful garnish.

Naturally sweet, beautiful, and rewarding

  • All kinds of berries
  • Kiwis
  • Red grapes or pomegranates
  • Oranges

Perfect for snacking and extra garnish

  • Dried figs or dried apricots
  • Brazil nuts, walnuts, pistachios, toasted and salted almonds
An assortment of Mediterranean plates on a grazing board.

Make It a Full Dinner-Worthy Charcuterie Board

Nothing is to stop you from making this the ultimate Mediterranean appetizer platter for dinner and filling up your table with other healthy homemade dishes that are more protein-centric or can be made ahead.

They can even be from leftovers that you can now use in a new way! Most options will also appeal to those who enjoy a more low-carb lifestyle!

Here are a few suggestions: 

How To Serve An Italian Mediterranean Platter

With the exception of some of the protein-centric or larger dishes above that you might prefer to serve warm, everything is meant to be served at room temperature or even straight out of the refrigerator. Most of it can be made in advance for easy and stress-free assembling.

This also means this Mediterranean platter is perfect for those nights when you don't want to cook. 

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Whether you want to entertain guests or make an Italian grazing board for dinner on Friday nights or weekends, these platter ideas will give you an assortment of unique flavors to please everyone, and most suggestions are even great for those with dietary restrictions (gluten-free, vegetarian, low-carb). Enjoy!

📖 Recipe

An assortment of Mediterranean plates on a grazing board.

An Italian-Inspired Grazing Board With 7 Antipasto Ideas

Mariska Ramondino
This Italian grazing platter contains simple dips and spreads from the South Italian home cuisine—from sweet to spicy to hearty to umami-flavored. Every small plate is kept simple, so this Italian platter comes together quickly whether you plan to entertain guests or make it a fun dinner. They are all easy to make yet big on flavors. Make the tapas ahead of time for stress-free entertaining.
5 from 5 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian

Equipment

Servings 12 Servings

Ingredients
 

Dips And Spreads

Crostini & Bread

Fresh vegetables (go for whatever is in season)

  • Sliced cucumbers or raw fennel thinly sliced lengthwise
  • Medium-sized peeled carrots or crunchy red bell peppers thinly sliced lengthwise
  • Small yellow mini or cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes
  • Microgreens or Arugula leaves taste great as a peppery and nutty topping and a beautiful garnish

Fruits (go for whatever is in season) and nuts

  • Oranges, quartered
  • Grapes on the vine or pomegranate
  • An assortment of dried fruits like figs and apricots or use fresh figs
  • A mixture of nuts like walnuts or pistachios or toasted and salted almonds optional, cashews and Brazil nuts can also work
  • A variety of berries like strawberries, goldenberries, raspberries, and blueberries in warmer seasons
  • Extra black or green olives

Cheeses

  • An assortment of soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert These are French cheeses but a great addition to the platter.
  • Or an assortment of charper Italian cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano Manchego, or an aged Gouda

Instructions
 

  • Arrange the small plates: On a large grazing board, arrange the small dips and spreads around the center but on different parts of the boards.
    1 ¾ cups Seasoned Whipped Ricotta With Honey, 1 Mozzarella And Sun-Dried Tomato Platter, 1 cup Spicy Italian Redd Belle Pepper Spread, ⅓ cup Creamy Parsley And Anchovy Spread, ⅓ cup Spiced Apricot Jam, ½ cup Kalamata Olive And Fig Tapenade
  • Arrange the cheeses: If using store-bought cheeses as well (optional), arrange them around the small plates on the board.
    An assortment of soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert, Or an assortment of charper Italian cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano
  • Arrange the garlic crostini and bread: Fill up some of the gaps on one side of the board by arranging the crostini, crackers, or pitta bread. You can leverage the table by placing extra artisan bread or crostini next to the board.
    24 Garlic Crostini made from 1 baguette, Crackers, Extra crusty fresh bread
  • Start filling the gaps: Arrange any vegetables, fruits, and nuts that you plan to use and offer to fill up any gaps or blank spaces on the board. Feel free to leverage the table as well and place some of the items next to the board if there is not enough space.
    Sliced cucumbers, Medium-sized peeled carrots or crunchy red bell peppers, Small yellow mini or cherry tomatoes, Extra black or green olives, Oranges, quartered, Grapes on the vine or pomegranate, An assortment of dried fruits like figs and apricots, A mixture of nuts like walnuts or pistachios or toasted and salted almonds, A variety of berries like strawberries, goldenberries, raspberries, and blueberries
  • Serve: Serve with small spoons, knives, and cutting knives next to the mezze board, as well as small serving plates.

Notes

Prep time: Make the dips and spreads in advance for easy entertaining. Then, the assembling time only takes 10 minutes. Allow the dips and spreads to come to room temperature. If you make everything on the same day, the whole mezze platter comes together in as little as 35 to 45 minutes.
If making everything on the same day: I often first prep the crostini bread, and while in the oven, I start making the dips and spreads—still keeping an eye on the crostini from time to time. I often leave the cutting and washing the veggies and fruits and assembling the cheeses for last.
Charcuterie: If preferred, add meats like prosciutto, mortadella, or other dry-cured meats.
Olive Oil: Feel free to add a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to the table to dip in the bread (optional).
For a smaller grazing board: Leave out a few plates and additions. You can easily adjust this Mediterranean platter to serve a small group of people (2-4).
Make it a larger grazing board: Add more protein-centric dishes from leftovers to make a large grazing board. Here are a few suggestions: umami-flavored Italian egg muffins, healthy homemade chicken salad, tiny cups of nourishing Stracciatella soup, tender Italian meatballs, prepared lupini beans, marinated chicken wings, small bowls of sweet potato, and spicy chorizo stew.

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Nutrition (% Daily value)

Calories: 249kcal (12%)Carbohydrates: 36g (12%)Protein: 12g (24%)Fat: 7g (11%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 22mg (7%)Sodium: 434mg (19%)Potassium: 173mg (5%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 554IU (11%)Vitamin C: 16mg (19%)Calcium: 154mg (15%)Iron: 3mg (17%)

Disclaimer: This nutritional data is calculated using third party tools and is only intended as a reference.

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5 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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