Learn how to build the ULTIMATE Antipasto Platter. It is so simple to make, with a little something for everyone, and the perfect food to put out at a party. This antipasto appetiser platter is a huge crowd pleaser - cheese, meat, pickles, crackers, vegetables and fruit. This Antipasto board has everything!
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We love to host a dinner party, especially around Christmas time. Whilst this wouldn't be the main meal, we love putting something like this antipasto tray together to put out with drinks when guests arrive. Our kids also LOVE this way of eating too.
Antipasto translates to "before the meal" and it's the perfect dish to share. It is always made up of a selection of meats, cheeses, olives, pickles and various breads and crackers.
It's really easy to adapt and use your favourite ingredients, or things you know your guests will love. We are sharing lots of antipasto platter ideas.
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How to Make an Antipasto Platter
Cheese
Variety is the spice of life, especially when it comes to an antipasti party platter, so try to use as many different cheeses as you can fit on your board. We like a chunky hard cheese, like a Parmesan and a soft cream cheese for balance.
You can then add a soft creamy goat's cheese and a blue cheese for lots of added flavour.
Why not add your favourite mature cheddar and some fresh mozzarella balls too? Burrata is also a great addition to an Italian antipasto platter.
Cured Meat
Arrange some slices of cured meat around the antipasto board next to the cheese. This makes it easy for your guests to pick up and add to bread with the cheese.
Choose a few different meats, so you can arrange them in different ways - folded, swirled, roses etc. We added prosciutto and Genoa salami, but other hams and chorizo would work.
Fruit and Vegetables
The meat and the cheese can get a little heavy, so add some fresh fruit to the antipasto board to cut through it.
Figs go really well with cheese and they look beautiful too. Other fruit that works well is apple or pears and grapes. Dried fruit is a good addition too.
We also like adding marinated vegetables like mushrooms, asparagus and bell peppers. You can also add lots of fresh herbs around to add colour and freshness.
Although not a fruit or vegetable, nuts are really good to add and bulk out the platter too. Almonds, walnuts, cashews all work well.
Pickles and Preserves
Aren't cheese and pickles just the perfect combination? Anything goes here - homemade marinated olives, roasted red pepper, chillies, mushrooms, artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes - the key is lots of different textures.
You can put these kind of veggies in little bowls so they don't all roll around. Add cocktail sticks to make it easier to pick up too.
Chutney
Your guests will appreciate a chutney/jam to go with the meat and cheese. We usually make a batch of our Christmas Chutney that everyone loves (it's not just for Christmas), but you can use your favourite.
A spicy tomato or caramelised onion chutney goes down well too. We also like a little bowl of honey to drizzle over the meat and cheese, as the sweetness cuts through the creaminess and salitness.
Bread and Crackers
Now you have all those meats and cheeses on the antipasto platter, you need something to pile them on top of.
We add some slices of ciabatta, breadsticks and some Easy Homemade Crackers. You could also add our Cheese Biscuits, Melba Toast, Focaccia or Bagel Crisps.
Top Tips For Arranging an Antipasto Platter
- Make something the centrepiece. Maybe a large bit of cheese, like brie, or a salami rose and then build everything else around it.
- Fill in the gaps! Use smaller items like nuts to fill in all the little gaps and bulk out the more expensive items.
- Add bowls. Put things like olives, chutneys and honey in little bowls and dot them around the board.
- Add cocktail sticks, mini forks and spoons for serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don't want to make it too far in advance, because the cheese will start to sweat and then bread and crackers will dry out. But you can assemble the platter 30 minutes before your guests arrive so everything is nice and fresh. The cheese is best when it is at room temperature anyway. Or, you can assemble all the meat and cheese and dips and wrap it in cling film/plastic wrap and put it in the fridge and then add the crackers and bread just before serving.
You need to make sure it is big enough for the amount of guests you have. You could use a chopping board or pizza board if you only have a couple of guests. But you might want to invest in a large party sized serving platter. You could even use a baking tray and having the sides means that nothing would fall off the edges - that is handy if you are transporting it.
If there is anything leftover (not usually a problem that we have), then wrap up the cheeses individually and the meats and put them back in the fridge. Put all the pickles back in their jars and cover the chutney with some foil. The crackers will probably be a bit stale by that point. Leftovers are also delicious chopped up and put in an antipasto salad.
More Party Food Recipes
If you've tried this antipasto platter, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
How to Make an Antipasto Platter
Ingredients
- Selection of cured meats
- Cheese - (hard and soft options)
- Fruit and vegetables, such as: cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, figs, grapes
- Pickles and Preserves, such as: olives, roasted red pepper, chillies, mushrooms, artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes
- Different breads and crackers
- Chutney
Instructions
- Arrange all the items on a large serving board and enjoy.
- Make sure the dry ingredients (bread, crackers) aren't next to the wet ingredients (fruit, veg) or they might get soggy.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Scarlet says
What a gorgeous antipasto platter and as the wife of an Italian, I can say it is full of authentic fabulous antipasto!
Priya Shiva says
I'm in love with this Antipasto platter! Thank you sharing the steps to make it.
Kelly Anthony says
This antipasto platter is sure to be a big hit this holiday season for any upcoming party. I love how colorful it is with lots of yummy options.
Anita says
This is a nice tutorial to create a fabulous antipasto platter. This will come in handy when trying to create my own platter for Christmas. :)
kim says
What a fabulous spread! This is so perfect for the holidays and it's on my must make list!
Jo Allison says
Antipasto platter is always a hit with our guests too! Love your tips and suggestions, they will come super useful this coming weekend!
Whitney says
This is so helpful! I am making my first one this weekend! Looks very delicious too.
Irina says
Your antipasto platter looks amazing! Thank you for your great tips. It is a great idea for upcoming holidays. Pinning!
Toni says
This is such a great idea for holiday entertaining! Love everything in this platter!
Michelle says
Love it! I love cured meat and cheese (especially salami!), and the other fresh elements you added make it even more amazing!
Tara says
Very pretty! Thanks for all of the useful tips.
Sapana says
I love how easy it is to make this platter -- with so much variety and flavor. Thank you!
Veena Azmanov says
Delicious platter which brings me into a party or picnic mood. Everything on this platter is very special and I love all of it.
Beth says
I know this is meant to be shared as an appetizer but I think I could eat this all myself as a meal! So delicious!