1. Prepare the Ingredients

Before assembling your skewers, take some time to prepare your ingredients.

• If you’re using fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), drain any excess liquid and set them aside.
• Pit and drain the olives, ensuring they’re ready for skewering. You can choose Kalamata olives for a deep, tangy flavor, and green olives for a milder taste.
• Cut the artichoke hearts into quarters if they’re whole or simply use pre-quartered artichokes.
• Slice the salami or pepperoni into bite-sized pieces.
• If you’re using roasted red pepper strips, make sure they are cut into manageable pieces that will fit easily on the skewers.

Once everything is prepped, gather all the ingredients in bowls for easy access while assembling the skewers.

2. Assemble the Skewers

Now it’s time to start assembling! Grab your wooden skewers or cocktail picks, and begin layering your ingredients in a visually appealing and balanced way.

Start by adding a cherry tomato at the bottom of each skewer. Follow it with a piece of mozzarella, a slice of salami or pepperoni, an olive (either Kalamata or green), a piece of roasted red pepper, and a quartered artichoke heart.

Feel free to mix up the order and arrange the ingredients in any combination you like! The beauty of antipasto skewers is that you can create your own combinations of flavors and textures. You could also add some fresh basil leaves in between layers for an extra pop of freshness.

Repeat this process until all the ingredients are used up. Depending on the size of your skewers, you should be able to make about 12-15 skewers.

3. Drizzle with Dressing (Optional)

While the skewers are delicious on their own, you can elevate the flavors by adding a simple dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Once your skewers are assembled, drizzle the dressing over the top for a burst of added flavor. If you don’t have time to make the dressing, you can skip this step, but it does add a nice tangy richness to the skewers. You can also serve the dressing on the side for dipping.

4. Garnish and Serve

Finally, garnish your antipasto skewers with fresh basil leaves to add a vibrant touch. The basil also brings a fragrant aroma to the dish that perfectly complements the savory ingredients.

Arrange the skewers on a serving platter, and they’re ready to serve! These skewers are best enjoyed immediately, but you can also prepare them ahead of time and refrigerate them for a few hours before serving.