This Antipasto Christmas Wreath Appetizer is an impressive holiday appetizer ready in just 10 minutes and perfect for a Christmas gathering, New Year’s Eve celebration, or any festive occasion where you want to impress guests with flavor and presentation.
It’s a no-cook charcuterie wreath that’s decorated with rosemary sprigs for a festive look. It’s as easy to assemble as it is beautiful, making it the perfect option for last-minute entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family get-together or a larger holiday party, this antipasto wreath will be the centerpiece of your appetizer table.
Having family and friends over is always a highlight of the holidays, and I love delighting them with a fun and easy appetizer. That’s where my trusty Antipasto Wreath comes in.
I simply thread an assortment of olives, cheeses, meats, and veggies onto each skewer and arrange them into a beautiful wreath. It’s quick, easy, and always gets compliments. The best part? I can prepare it in advance and enjoy the party right along with my guests, snacking and chatting without the stress.
What’s an Antipasto Wreath?
An Antipasto Wreath is a creative and festive take on the traditional Italian antipasto platter. It’s designed to look like a holiday wreath and is usually made with a variety of ingredients, such as cherry tomatoes, olives, mozzarella balls, and slices of salami, among others.
This holiday appetizer is not only a visual treat but also incredibly versatile. You can mix and match and add your favorite ingredients based on what’s available in your pantry.
How To Make a Christmas Antipasto Wreath?
Ingredients Needed
Vegetables
- Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, they add a burst of color and freshness.
- Olives: Use pitted green, black, kalamata, or stuffed olives to offer briny flavors and varied textures.
- Roasted Red Peppers: Sweet and smoky, they add a soft texture and vibrant color.
- Variations: Marinated artichokes, pickles, or cucumber slices also work well.
Cheese
- Mozzarella Balls: Fresh and soft, marinated mozzarella adds extra flavor.
- Gouda or Cheddar: Firm and flavorful, these can be cubed for easy skewering.
- Parmesan Or Pecorino Romano: I love shaving thin pieces of Parmesan or Pecorino Romano over the finished wreath for an elegant touch.
- Brie or Camembert: I slice them into small wedges or cubes and add them to the skewers.
- Variations: Include feta for tanginess, Swiss for a nutty flavor, or blue cheese for a bold taste.
Salami Slices
- Salami: A popular choice due to its rich flavor and firm texture. You might use thinly sliced or small salami sticks. You’ll need about 20 slices or more, depending on how many skewers you plan to make.
- Prosciutto: It can be a great adition to this Chistmas Charcuterie Board.
- Capicola: Spicy and slightly sweet, it adds a nice heat to the mix.
- Variations: Consider other cured meats like pepperoni, bresaola, or Spanish chorizo.
Garnishes and Extras
- Rosemary Sprigs: Freshly cut rosemary mimics the look of pine needles and adds a festive aroma.
- Basil Leaves: Fresh and aromatic, basil adds a nice green touch and herbal flavor.
- Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or pecans are good for a crunchy element.
- Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle over the top for a sweet and tangy finish.
Instructions to Make A Charcuterie Christmas Wreath
My Antipasto Wreath has around 20 skewers, perfect for gathering friends and family. Enjoy the process of assembling and the joy of sharing this easy appetizer!
- Prep Ingredients: Prepare all ingredients by slicing, cutting, or folding them into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble Skewers: Carefully thread the ingredients onto each skewer, alternating between meats, cheeses, olives, and vegetables.
- Arrange the Wreath: Lay the skewers in a circular pattern on a large platter over a bed of rosemary or basil leaves. Place a salami rose in the middle, and add plenty of nuts for extra crunch. I chose pistachios because they bring a nice contrast.
- Garnish: Add extra rosemary sprigs, basil leaves, and perhaps nuts or a drizzle of balsamic glaze to enhance the flavor.
Making My Salami Rose
When it’s time to make the wreath truly special, I take about 15-20 thin slices of salami.
I start by folding each slice in half and rolling one tightly to form the center of what will become a beautiful rose. I continue to wrap and fold the slices around this center piece, letting each “petal” fan out a bit more than the last.
Once I’ve added enough slices to make a full, blooming rose, I gently flip it over and place it right in the center of my antipasto wreath.
How Many Servings?
I love whipping up my Antipasto Wreath for gatherings; it’s got around 20 skewers, plus some bread and crackers on the side, perfect for 10-12 of my friends to nibble on. But what I adore most about this recipe is its flexibility. Whether I’m hosting a small get-together or a big party, I can easily adjust the quantities to make sure there’s plenty of this fabulous appetizer to go around!
Can I Make It Ahead?
Yes, definitely! Preparing your Antipasto Wreath ahead of time is a great way to relieve the stress, ensuring you have a beautiful and delicious appetizer ready for your guests. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Start by preparing all your ingredients the night before. Slice the cured meats, cube or slice the cheeses, and prepare vegetables like olives or artichoke hearts.
Skewer the ingredients, keeping in mind to leave out any items that might wilt or soften too much over time, such as fresh basil or delicate cheeses.
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
The next day, arrange the skewers on a platter in a circular wreath shape, and place the salami rose in the center for that wow factor. If you’re not serving the wreath immediately, cover it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until it’s time to eat.
Right before serving, add any last-minute additions to your wreath. This might include fresh herbs, soft cheeses, or a final drizzle of balsamic glaze or olive oil for added flavor and presentation.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer with Dill Cream Cheese
- Festive Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball
- Viral Christmas Cheese Trees
- Tomato & Mozzarella Pesto Caprese Skewers – 4 ingredients
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Christmas Wreath Appetizer
Description
Ingredients
- 20 Mixed Olives pitted such as green, kalamata, or stuffed
- 20 slices Salami folded into quarters
- 20 Mozzarella Balls
- 20 Cherry Tomatoes
- 5 oz Cheddar Cheese cut into 20 cubes
- 20 sprigs of Rosemary for decorating the serving platter
- 20 skewers or toothpicks
Optional Additions:
- A handful of shelled pistachios
- Artichoke hearts quartered
- Roasted red peppers cut into small pieces
- A variety of hard cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino shaved or cubed
- Fresh fruits like grapes or berries
- Balsamic glaze for drizzling
Instructions
- Begin assembling the skewers. Start with a cube of cheddar cheese, add a folded piece of salami, an olive, a cherry tomato, a mozzarella ball. You can finish off with another piece of cheese or a fresh basil leaf for a pop of color.
- On a large round platter, arrange the rosemary sprigs in a circular shape to mimic the look of a wreath. Then, lay the skewers around the edge of the platter on top of the rosemary, creating a wreath effect. Adjust the skewers so they are evenly spaced and the platter looks full and abundant.
- Add any additional garnishes like shelled pistachios or drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired.
- Once your Antipasto Wreath is fully assembled, it's ready to be served! Place it on the table along with small plates and napkins for your guests.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
