Mediterranean Appetizers are by far one of our favorite ways to kick off a special meal. Maybe it’s just because we’re two dumb landlocked Americans, but the Mediterranean has always seemed like an enchanting place where time moves more slowly and everybody is beautiful and always slightly buzzed with the backdrop of that inimitable sea. While that vision might just be goofy romanticism, the food from that region is certainly just as lovely as the landscape. That’s why we’ve decided to put together a list of our favorite Mediterranean Appetizers, so no matter where you are in the world, you can pretend you’re on vacation and, in between sips of wine, picking at this lighter fare throughout the day.
Mediterranean Appetizers with Crostini
This Tomato Garlic Confit might have a French word in it, but it’s all about Italian flavors. Grape tomatoes, LOTS of garlic, fresh herbs, and of course olive oil—it’s like a 101 of ingredients for Mediterannean Appetizers. We finish it off with a healthy dose of burrata cheese that makes this crostini topper even more irresistible. The serrano peppers are optional (and not necessarily Italian lol), but the little heat they provide is a nice balance.
Fried But Healthyish Mediterranean Appetizers
You can’t have a Mediterranean Appetizers list without some goat cheese, right? Well, this Fried Goat Cheese salad also brings in a mix of North African and Persian flavors with harissa oil and pomegranate seeds. This is the perfect appetizer or warm weather lunch to keep things light but super flavorful.
Classic Mediterranean Appetizers
While this species of clam might come from the Pacific, our Steamed Little Neck Clams recipe is done very much in the Mediterranean style. Garlic, shallots, wine, and fresh herbs carry this dish so beautifully you’ll want to drink the broth straight from the pot.
Mediterranean Appetizers You Can Dip
When you think about Mediterranean Appetizers, hummus is likely one of the first things to come to mind. Our Rosemary Garlic White Bean Hummus steers things in an Italian direction with cannellini beans and rosemary, but we stay true to the traditional component of tahini while adding a little razzle-dazzle with some harissa oil.
Fusion Mediterranean Appetizers
Pomegranates make another appearance on our list with our Pomegranate Persimmon Crostini. While the crostini vehicle here is very Mediterranean, the flavors are a fusion of Mediterranean and East and South Asian with a combo of whipped feta, cardamom, thyme, persimmon, and ginger. This appetizer will light up any winter holiday spread.
Air-Fried Mediterranean Appetizers
It’s not Mediterranea if it’s not healthy, right? So we air-fried these Zucchini Parmesan Fries to keep them legit. Italian herbs, parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs offer up a lighter alternative to potato fries while never sacrificing any of the flavors. This is a year-round snack indeed.
Traditional Italian Mediterranean Appetizers
This Sicilian appetizer might be a little more healthy-ish than healthy, but we HAD to include it on the list. Traditional risotto is already creamy and bright, but what if you balled it up with a cheesy center, breaded it, then fried it? You would say, “One-way ticket to Italy, please.” And never come back.
Mediterranean Appetizers with Smoked Veggies
While Baba Ganoush may be a cousin of hummus in terms of texture and function, its flavor profile is all its own. Smoky eggplant, paprika, cumin, tahini, and olive oil, all topped with pine nuts and fresh parsley. Much like hummus, not only can you dip it, but you can use it as a condiment!
Mediterranean Appetizers from the Tuscan Coast
This one might be a BIT of a cheat, but Tuscany touches the coast of Italy, so this traditional Panzanella counts! Roasted bell peppers, fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, Kalamata olives, and chunks of Italian bread all dressed in oil and vinegar then topped with Burrata cheese. It makes us tear up just thinking about it.
Classy Mediterranean Appetizers
These Italian Stuffed Mushrooms take the classic restaurant appetizer’s mozzarella and Italian herbs and dial them up with gorgonzola and bacon. This recipe makes a lot of mushrooms, so it’s perfect for any potluck or party.
Fusion Mediterranean Appetizers
These Crispy Risotto Cakes with Whipped Ricotta take the Crispy Rice Sushi fad and hijack it with some Dolce Vita. Don’t get us wrong—we love sushi and we love the original concept. Rich but bright, creamy, and spicy, this app takes a shrimp risotto entrée and shoves it all into a handheld.
Vegetarian Mediterranean Appetizers
This Mixed Mushroom Bruschetta brings all the fungi flavors and textures along with creamy fresh mozzarella and nutty gruyere. It’s great for holiday spreads, game day snacks, or if you’re just looking for something other than the classic tomato version.
Sweet & Savory Mediterranean Appetizers
This Whipped Feta with Honey Roasted Roots is your favorite snacky’s favorite snacky. It’s kinda wacky actually, that a snacky would actively choose a snacky that’s the snackiest snacky. You might think it’s tacky to be so distracting but we’re saying an abstract thing can be this exacting when it’s reacting to other snackies.
Easy Mediterranean Appetizers
Pass this Italian Charcuterie Board around at your next big gathering—gameday, girls’ night, birthday, holiday party, fallout shelter. Seriously though—it’s quick to make and hits every part of your palate.
Mediterranean Appetizers with a Twist
These Fried Green Tomatoes Caprese bring the Italiano boot to the Bible belt. They’re like a gateway drug to the Mediterranean diet. We see your carb-less salad and raise you some breading and a deep fry. Maybe someday we’ll give an eff about a beach body, sipping Campari Spritzes and watching il mare blu rise and fall along the coast. But in the meantime, bless our hearts.
Mediterranean Appetizers for a Party
These Fig and Steak Crostini are absolute flavor bombs, AND they’re quick and easy. Double or triple the recipe to make the whole party lose their mind over the texture and taste of these yummy appetizers.
Date Night Mediterranean Appetizers
Treat yourself to these Italian Mussels in Tomato Broth for your next summer date night. Just stay in. De-beard some mussels. Then throw ’em in a pot with some marinara-ish-ness. There’s nothing like having a couple bevvies with some conversation over mussels and bread.
Sweet & Spicy Mediterranean Appetizers
This Spicy Sweet Potato Hummus is smoother than James Brown on one leg gliding across the stage while the horns keep hitting. Brnt-brrrrrrrrrr . . . brnt-brrrrrrrrrr . . . BRNT! If you’ve never seen James Brown’s interview where he blasted out of his mind and talking to a local LA news show (Sonya Live in LA), do yourself a favor and google it.
Simple Mediterranean Appetizers
Our Hangry Tomato Bruschetta reminds you to never sleep on fresh and simple appetizers. Because you’ll probably stain your PJs. And what if you don’t have a backup pair of PJs? That’s like showing up to a party with some store-bought bruschetta in a Pyrex bowl like you made it yourself.
Indulgent Mediterranean Appetizers
This Italian Fried Meatballs recipe takes the traditional meatball and, well, fries it. Because everything is better fried, right? The meatball itself is made from 50/50 ground beef and Italian sausage and a whole lot of garlic, onion, Italian herbs, and gooey cheese. And don’t forget the milk—never forget the milk. That’s what keeps these meatballs so succulent.
Family-Friendly Mediterranean Appetizers
These Garlic Breadsticks with Loaded Dipping Oil are equally delicious and traumatic for us. We both used to serve tables in chain Italian restaurants, and 9/10 guests were willing to go to jail over not getting their garlic breadsticks fast enough.
Traditional Mediterranean Appetizers
We could eat these Italian Roasted Red Peppers by the handful, but really they’re intended as the perfect topping for salads, sandwiches, pizzas, flatbreads, really anything lol. Olive oil. Roasted garlic. Red wine vinegar. Italian herbs.
