12 appetizer skewer ideas for your next party
Appetizer skewers solve the two problems every party has: guests need one hand free for a drink, and the host needs something that can be made ahead. Here are twelve we make on repeat, grouped by how much effort they take, with notes on which pick to use so the platter looks as good as it tastes.
No cooking
Caprese skewers. Mozzarella ball, cherry tomato, basil leaf, a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The one everyone knows, and still the first to go. A tomato pick is the obvious choice. Plan on two per guest.
Antipasto skewers. Tortellini, folded salami, mozzarella, tomato, olive. A whole charcuterie board on a stick. We wrote a full guide to antipasto skewers with the recipe and the make-ahead notes, and they're the reason we keep olive picks in the pantry.
Prosciutto and melon. A cube of cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto with a mint leaf on top. Sweet, salty, and it takes thirty seconds each.
Greek skewers. Feta cube, cucumber chunk, cherry tomato, kalamata olive, a pinch of oregano and a squeeze of lemon. Bright and light, good before a heavy dinner.
Fruit skewers. Strawberry, pineapple, grape, kiwi in a repeating pattern. Kids and adults both grab these. For a shower or a garden party, a daisy pick or butterfly pick makes the fruit tray look styled instead of thrown together.
A little cooking
Shrimp cocktail skewers. One or two poached shrimp on a pick with a lemon wedge, served over a bowl of cocktail sauce. Our lobster picks or fish picks make the seafood theme obvious from across the room.
Chicken satay bites. Grilled chicken thigh cut into cubes, two per pick, with peanut sauce for dipping. Make the chicken the day before and serve at room temperature.
Mini hot dogs. Cocktail sausages, a pickle chip and a cube of cheddar, or a bite of pretzel bun. Diner brunch, tailgate, kids' birthday, Fourth of July. The hot dog picks are 6 inches, so they can hold a real bite.
Meatball skewers. A warm meatball, a basil leaf and a mozzarella ball, with marinara on the side. Keep the meatballs in a slow cooker and assemble as the platter empties.
Sweet
Brownie and strawberry. A cube of brownie, a strawberry, a marshmallow, drizzled with chocolate. This is the dessert table in one bite.
Cheesecake bites. Cubes of cheesecake with a raspberry on top. Freeze the cheesecake for twenty minutes first so it cubes cleanly.
Donut hole skewers. Three glazed donut holes on a pick for a brunch, or alternate with strawberries for something that looks fancier than it is.
Picking the pick
Standard toothpicks are too short for most of these and too plain for a party. A 4.7-inch bamboo cocktail pick holds three to five pieces, gives guests a handle, and comes with a topper that matches the occasion. The topper is the difference between a platter of food and a styled table. For a coastal party or a beach house weekend, a real shell pick in a shrimp or caprese skewer does more for the table than a centerpiece. For a tropical or summer party, the monstera leaf picks do the same.
For things that don't skewer well, like cheese cubes, dips and cut fruit on a board, set out a small dish of mini bamboo appetizer forks. They're 3.5 inches, two-pronged, and they keep fingers out of the food.
How many to make
Two to three skewers per guest per hour for a cocktail party, more if there's no dinner. For twenty guests over two hours, plan on 100 skewers across three or four types, and a set of 100 picks. Assemble in a line, cover and chill, and add anything leafy at the last minute. When the platter's empty, the bamboo picks go in the compost and you're done.
Keep reading: how many appetizers to make per person, Bloody Mary garnish ideas, and our martini garnish guide. Or browse every design in the cocktail picks collection.
