Name: Mezze Platter
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup unsweetened apricot jam (75 grams); 1 teaspoon crushed chili peppers (taste test and add more if you prefer it spicier); 4 teaspoons lemon juice; 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves; 2 teaspoons coconut or brown sugar (you can also use a Monk fruit sweetener); 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives (90 grams); 7 dried figs (coarsely chopped); 2 tablespoons chopped shallots (about 1/2 a shallot); 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1 1/2 cups parsley leaves, without stems (50 grams); 4 - 5 tablespoons sour cream (6 for a less sharp umami taste); 1 tin oil-packed anchovies (2 ounces/56 grams); 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 3 t-4 small sweet red bell peppers (or one large red bell pepper); white pulp and seeds removed, and cut into thin strips; 1 teaspoon dried crushed chili peppers; 1 1/2 cups parsley leaves, without stems (45 grams); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; Salt to taste; 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar (separated); 1 large baguette (cut into 1/2-inch slices); 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 finely chopped garlic cloves; 8 ounces fresh mozzarella slices (227 grams); 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon olive oil; 1/2 cup ricotta cheese; 1 - 2 teaspoons raw honey; 1/2 raw fennel thinly sliced lengthwise; 3 medium-sized carrots (peeled and thinly sliced lengthwise)

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

From sweet to spicy to hearty to umami-flavored, these 7 amazing recipes are from the South Italian home cuisine and kept simple, so this Italian platter comes together quickly whether you plan to entertain guests or make it a fun dinner.

Make them all at once to enjoy as one mezze platter, or choose a few to serve as an individual appetizer.

I'll also share more protein-centric recipe ideas you can include to make this a full-on grazing board.

A wooden board topped with Italian dips, freshly cut veggies, fruits, cheeses, crackers, and spreads.

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Recipe ideas to make a fun Mediterranean Platter
Parsley & Anchovies Dip
Red bell pepper Dip
Olive Fig Tapenade
Super Easy spicy jam (instant recipe)
Seasoned fresh Mozzarella slices
Ricotta cheese spread
Crostini recipe
Add veggies, nuts, and fruits
Cheese Platter Ideas
Make it an entire grazing board with other protein, or make-ahead sources
📖 Recipe

Recipe ideas to make a fun Mediterranean Platter

These recipes and grazing board ideas are all about sharing.

They are unique Italian dips, spreads, crostini toppings, and cheese ideas that are ideal for making a beautiful Mediterranean platter and transporting you, at least for one evening, to the South of Italy.

From start to finish, everything comes together in 35 to 45 minutes, including making crostini—but that's optional, and you can replace this with your favorite low-carb toast or gluten-free crackers.

Whether you want to entertain guests or make a grazing board for dinner on Friday nights or weekends, you'll have an assortment of unique flavors to please everyone.

An assortment of cheeses, bruschetta, veggies, dried and fresh fruits, and toppings displayed on a board.

Homemade dips & spreads take center stage when assembling this mezze board.

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.

Recipe Inspiration for your next Grazing Board.

Let's make it!

Parsley & Anchovies Dip

An opened can of anchovies, fresh parsley, and sour cream displayed on a table.

A close up of anchovies dip in a ramekin next to a crostini topped with the same dip.

This umami-flavored dip or spread is my favorite and one of my grandmother's old recipes.

The salty anchovies will melt away when combined with a touch of sour cream and leave a subtle hearty flavor that works so well with toast, crackers, hard cheeses, and crunchy vegetables like fennel or cucumbers.

Fresh parsley leaves add a peppery taste, and their aromatic oils create incredible flavors.

Red bell pepper Dip

Slices of red bell pepper, salt, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chili pepper flakes, and fresh parsley leaves displayed on a table.

A close up of a roasted crostini bread topped with a dark reddish spread.

A small pan filled with sauteed julienned red bell peppers.

This spread or dip is more on the spicy side.

Red bell pepper strips are first briefly sautéed in olive oil and properly seasoned with salt, onion powder, and chili peppers.

Then everything is blended with fresh parsley leaves, and some balsamic vinegar lifts the overall flavor.

It's the spiciest dip of them all.

Olive Fig Tapenade

Chopped figs, Kalamata olives, and chopped shallot in a blender.

Fig and olive tapenade displayed in a white ramekin and served with crackers.

This quick homemade tapenade is simultaneously sweet and hearty—perfect to pair with hard cheeses and crostini or your favorite hearty crackers.

It's a pulsing blend of figs, pitted Kalamata olives, and the essential ingredients...shallots.

It's a welcoming spread next to the spicier dips.

Super Easy spicy jam (instant recipe)

A spoon taking a bit of spiced jam out of a ramekin bowl.

This spicy jam quickly comes together with sugar-free store-bought jam and is just as delicious as a jam made from scratch.

I highly recommend apricot jam (recommendation included in recipe), as this flavor pairs well with fresh rosemary, crushed chilly peppers, lemon juice, and a tad of (coconut or brown) sugar, or use Monk fruit sweetener.

It's a sweet and spicy delight to add to your Mediterranean platter!

Seasoned fresh Mozzarella slices

A small plate with fresh mozzarella slices, topped with oregano.

Soft, fresh mozzarella slices are beautifully arranged on a plate and lightly seasoned with dried oregano and extra virgin olive oil.

It's a simple, quick, wholesome small plate that cheese lovers appreciate.

Ricotta cheese spread

Instead of adding herbs, I add just a tad of raw honey to an already creamy cheese.

The sweetness is a welcoming contrast to the other hearty dip recipes and another quick small cheese platter idea.

Choose whole milk ricotta cheese and stir the ricotta well before adding the drizzle of raw honey.

Crostini recipe

Slices of baguette bread displayed on an oven pan and topped with olive oil and freshly chopped garlic.

A hand holding a bruschetta topped with a green topping over a mezzo board.

A wooden board topped with Italian dips, freshly cut veggies, fruits, cheeses, dried fruits, crostini bread, and spreads.

It's optional, but if you make them, make them garlicky.

Cut one large baguette into ½-inch slices, brush each piece with olive oil, sprinkle, and divide some finely chopped garlic evenly on top.

They go in the oven until crusty and deliciously browned.

I usually never do, but if preferred, you can sprinkle some salt on top before you pop them in the oven.

The dips and spreads already give them plenty of flavor, so I usually omit the salt.

Add veggies, nuts, and fruits

Here are a few vegetables, nuts, and fruits I suggest adding to your Mediterranean platter:

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 (slightly sweet)
Carrots (great for dipping and delightfully crunchy)

Refreshing and hearty

Red mini tomatoes (any kind you love most)
Microgreens or Arugula leaves (taste great as a peppery and nutty topping and a beautiful garnish)

Naturally sweet, beautiful, and rewarding

All kinds of berries
Kiwis
Red grapes

Perfect for snacking and extra garnish

Dried figs
Brazil nuts, walnuts

Cheese Platter Ideas

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:

Soft ripened Brie (or Camembert)
Asiago cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, Manchego, or an aged Gouda
Any of these are great pairing options for the dip and spread recipes.
Note: Trader Joe's has a great Italian and French cheese selection, often at affordable prices

Make it an entire grazing board with other protein, or make-ahead sources

Fresh cucumber and fennel slices topped with tuna salad and garnished with dark grapes neatly presented on a wooden board.

A close-up of a small bowl with prepared Lupini beans displayed on a charcuterie board.

Nothing will stop you from making this a LARGER grazing board 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!

Here are a few suggestions:

Umami-flavored Italian egg muffins: you can add them to the mezze platter or serve them on a separate plate. But these mini frittatas will complement the Italian dips and spreads.
Healthy homemade chicken salad: it's refreshing and delicious when topped on crostini bread.
Small cups of nourishing Stracciatella soup: reheat any leftovers and let your guests serve themselves a small cup at your grazing table.
Tender Italian meatballs: pick the meatballs out of the sauce and serve them in a large bowl for another worthy grazing board idea.
Prepared lupini beans: I often toss these randomly on the table to give them color and for snacking. They're an excellent plant-based protein source and go well with Italian flavors.
Marinated chicken wings are sweet, spicy, and a great addition to any mezze platter.
Small bowls of sweet potato and spicy chorizo stew: Have any leftovers? Do the same as the soup. Allow guests to serve in individual cups from a larger bowl.
Fennel-cucumber bites with creamy tuna—it's so easy to make and delicious!
This easiest-ever sausage broccoli rabe pasta with potatoes is a beautiful addition to this board. It's so easy to make and can be served with small bowls on the side—perfect for bigger parties.
Or warm up any leftover Sicilian-style pizza to serve on the side—again, great for bigger celebrations.
Add hard-boiled and peeled eggs to the table.
And, of course, don't forget something sweet. This easy & light mascarpone mousse recipe is a great make-ahead dessert and offers the perfect simple indulgence.

Most options will also appeal to those who enjoy a more low-carb lifestyle!

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Mediterranean Platter (with 7 easy recipes)