Appetizer skewers are perfect for parties – no matter the occasion. They’re quick and easy and, most of the time, very budget-friendly. If you’re fresh out of ideas for skewers to serve, I have 25+ recipes that your guests will love.
25+ Quick & Tasty Appetizer Skewers Perfect for Parties
1. Smoked Rosemary Grilled Grape Skewers with Burrata
Looking for something different to serve? This is one of my favorite appetizers for parties. Grilled marinated grapes served on smoked rosemary skewers and with burrata on the side. If you don’t like or can’t find burrata, you can use ricotta or goat cheese instead.
While the grapes have to be marinated overnight, assembling these skewers is so quick and easy. You’ll need some fennel seeds and balsamic vinegar, but you should have most of the other ingredients on hand.
2. Zucchini Halloumi Skewers with Lemon Parsley Dressing
Halloumi is a protein-rich cheese that’s perfect for grilling, thanks to its high melting point. Sandwiched between ribbons of zucchini, this appetizer is sure to impress everyone. The ingredients for these skewers are simple, and you’ll love the lemon parsley dressing. You’ll need fresh parsley and basil, along with honey, spices, lemon and some olive oil.
Related: 25 Summer Appetizer Ideas Perfect for Kicking Off Parties, BBQs, & More
3. Beet Salad on a Stick
These little salad sticks are so simple but absolutely delicious. And they pair really well with just about anything else you’ll serve.
I recommend using the pre-cooked or steamed beets you find in grocery stores if you’re short on time. Along with your beet halves, you’ll need arugula, goat cheese, walnuts and a tangy homemade vinaigrette for dipping.
Use thicker cocktail picks for this recipe. They’ll be able to handle the weight of the beets and other ingredients.
4. Caprese Skewers
Simple, easy and delicious. Caprese skewers are always my go-to option when I’m in a hurry and need a tasty appetizer to serve guests.
All you need are four simple ingredients: cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella (bocconcini), balsamic glaze and fresh basil.
Bamboo skewers are a great choice for this recipe. They’re a little longer, so you can really pile on the tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.
5. Asian Garlic Steak Skewers
Tasty garlic steak appetizer skewers marinated in an Asian-inspired sauce. The garlic, ginger, brown sugar and soy sauce will add so much flavor to your steak bites.
The great news is that the flank steak doesn’t have to marinate for long (30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on how much time you have). Once marinated, just grill your skewers of steak bites, sprinkle with sesame seeds and enjoy.
6. Charcuterie Skewers
It’s everything you love about charcuterie on a skewer! This recipe calls for marinated olives, mozzarella balls, cubed cheese, salami, prosciutto, melon balls, grape tomatoes, grapes and bread.
Mix and match these ingredients to create delicious skewers your guests will love.
7. Loaded Tater Tots on Skewers
These tater-tot skewers may not be the healthiest option, but they taste amazing. You can prepare these in the oven or the air fryer.
Using frozen tots will save you time. You’ll need plenty of cheese and bacon to make these tator tots “loaded,” and I recommend serving them with sour cream on the side.
I like using paddle picks for this kind of recipe because they can handle the heavier weight of the potatoes.
8. Blackberry-Cucumber Caprese Bites
Fresh blackberries and mozzarella paired with slices of cucumber and served on a skewer. The ingredients don’t get much simpler than this, and you’ll love the interesting flavor combination. Before serving, each skewer is drizzled with a delicious sherry vinaigrette and garnished with oregano.
If you’re not a fan of blackberries, you could use blueberries or raspberries instead.
9. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Zesty teriyaki chicken served on a bamboo skewer. This is one of my favorite easy skewer recipes, and I still consider it an appetizer because it’s just a few small bites of chicken.
The garlic ginger marinade is absolutely delicious. The honey adds a hint of sweetness and pairs so well with the rest of the marinade ingredients.
I usually marinate the chicken for 4 hours, but you could get away with 30 minutes if you’re pressed for time. Once marinated, all you have to do is thread the chicken pieces onto skewers, grill or bake and devour.
10. Grilled Shrimp and Sausage Skewers
Shrimp and sausage are a star combination in this recipe, and the Mediterranean lemon marinade adds so much fresh, zesty flavor.
If you don’t like sausage, you can always use kielbasa or bratwurst. Veggie sausages are a great option for pescatarians.
Preparing these skewers is easy. Just thread the shrimp and sausage onto skewers, marinate, grill and serve. I like to add an extra squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end of cooking.
11. Wedge Salad Skewers
If you’re looking for a slightly healthier option for your appetizer skewers, here’s a recipe that you’ll love. Slices of iceberg lettuce paired with savory bacon, grape tomatoes and delicious blue cheese – all topped with a drizzle of blue cheese dressing.
These skewers are so quick, easy and tasty. The longest step is cooking the bacon. I recommend using thicker slices of bacon and don’t cut them too small. You need a piece that’s big and thick enough to stay on the skewer.
12. Super Easy Prosciutto Melon Skewers
Prosciutto melon skewers are such an elegant appetizer, and the flavors work so well together. You’ll need a melon baller to get perfectly shaped melon bites. I like using marinated mozzarella pearls whenever I make these, but you can use plain, fresh mozzarella if you prefer.
13. Cocktail Meatball Skewers
Who thought of these cute skewers? They’re adorable and tasty. You’ll skewer bowtie paste on top of a fresh basil leaf and add a meatball on the bottom. It’s such a simple recipe to follow, and it tastes best with a saucy meatball and the pasta a bit al dente.
14. Pinchos Morunos
Pinchos Morunos is something I had never heard of before, but they’re really just spicy pork skewers that have a ton of ingredients in the marinade (which you’ll let sit for an hour or so). The taste comes from this marinade, which has cumin, black pepper, garlic, thyme, pimento, oregano and a few additional ingredients.
15. Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Are you looking for seafood-related appetizer skewers? Fresh shrimp tastes best, but you can always swap in frozen shrimp if you prefer. The author teaches you how to make a marinade from olive oil, lemon juice and spices.
If you want to add veggies, zucchini and bell peppers go well with this appetizer.
And the author even recommends soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning. You can also just use these metal skewers.
16. Watermelon and Feta Skewers
It’s amazing what a cube of watermelon and feta can do with a mint leaf on top and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. If you want a truly “fresh” appetizer, this recipe is a must-try.
17. Goat Cheese & Bacon Balls
Even if you’re not a fan of bacon, you have to admit that these cheese and bacon balls look amazing. And you’ll need crispy bacon, cream and goat cheese, walnuts and parsley for the base recipe.
If you want to add more flavor, you can skewer dried cranberries and dried apple slices, too.
Related: 25 Easy Party Appetizers You Can Whip Up in No Time
18. Strawberry Basil Brie Bites
Perfect as an appetizer or snack, this time, you’ll pull out your toothpicks and load them with:
- Hulled strawberries
- Basil leaves
- Brie chunks
- Balsamic glaze
19. Marinated Steak and Potato Skewers
If you want a more substantial skewer, this marinated steak and potato skewer is the perfect choice. You’ll cook bite-sized chunks of your favorite lean beef and red potatoes and use a ton of spices, soy sauce and sugar to marinate the meat.
Baste the skewers with unsalted butter, Italian parsley, salt and pepper.
20. Easy Greek Salad
One of the easiest options on this list is this Greek salad skewer that combines English cucumbers, feta cheese, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes and green bell peppers together.
21. Chicken and Waffles
Chicken. Waffles. What’s not to love? For this skewer, you’ll use mini pieces of chicken nuggets and a single piece of waffle on each skewer. Drizzle some maple syrup on top and enjoy. Kids love this recipe.
22. Meat Candy
Meat Candy appetizer skewers are great for meat lovers – not so much for non-meat lovers. They add bacon and Lit’l Smokies with some brown sugar onto a skewer. You’ll also make a delectable dipping sauce made from mayo, ketchup, maple syrup and Sriracha.
You will need to bake the bacon for this one, which is the longest part, at 35 – 40 minutes.
Related: 21+ Bacon Wrapped Appetizers To Elevate Your Next Gathering
23. Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cheese
Twenty-eight bites in just 35 minutes? Yup. That’s what this skewer recipe has to offer. But you have to really like Brussels sprouts because you’ll need half a pound of them, along with avocado oil, blue cheese crumbles, bacon and a few spices that I’m sure you already have in your pantry.
24. Smoked Salmon Wrapped Melon Skewers
Healthy and protein-rich, these smoked salmon skewers are the epitome of delicious and take just 25 minutes to make. You’ll need to combine mascarpone with lemon juice, dill, salt and black pepper.
Wrap the cubed melon with a slice of salmon and add a touch of mascarpone on top.
Use your medium skewers to hold it all together and roll up your arugula leaves to the bottom of the skewer before serving.
25. Andouille Sausage Appetizer Bites With Cranberry Cheddar
Andouille sausage is always a great treat and one that I’m sure you’re going to appreciate when paired with cranberry cheddar. You’ll need simple ingredients for this appetizer, such as sausage, cheddar cheese (or Jack Cheese if you want to add a bit of spice) and a cranberry.
For the skewers, the author recommends a simple wooden skewer like this one.
26. Grilled Peaches with Prosciutto and Feta
Grilled peaches and feta wrapped in delicious prosciutto is the perfect skewer idea that’s light and tasty. And all that you need to do is grill the peaches until they’re golden brown, cut the prosciutto in half and wrap while sneaking a delicious piece of feta cheese inside.
Use a toothpick to pin the loose ends together and service.
