Intro
Last year, while planning our Christmas Eve menu, I realized something was missing. Between the cookies, cocoa, and candy cane everything, we didn’t have a single savory bite on the table. I needed something simple, festive, and fresh. That’s when the idea of a Christmas Antipasto Wreath came to mind.
The best part? I didn’t need to turn on the oven. Within 20 minutes, I had skewers of mozzarella, salami, and olives shaped into a wreath and garnished with fresh rosemary. It looked like it came out of a magazine, but took less time than wrapping a single present. Everyone loved it, and it’s now become our go-to appetizer for every December gathering.
This wreath is more than just pretty. It’s a smart way to bring color, protein, and bold flavor to the holiday table without adding any stress. If you can thread a skewer, you can make this appetizer.
Ingredients, Tools, and Substitutions
What You’ll Need for a Christmas Antipasto Wreath
This recipe is flexible, but here’s the simple base that creates a colorful and crowd-pleasing platter:
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 4 ounces sliced salami
- 8 ounces mini mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
- 1 cup pitted black and/or green olives
- 6-inch wooden skewers
- Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
These ingredients offer a great mix of color, texture, and flavor. Grape tomatoes add a juicy bite. Salami gives it that salty, meaty balance. Mozzarella brings softness and creaminess, while the olives lend brine and depth.
Helpful Tips and Smart Ingredient Swaps
To get a balanced skewer, use ingredients that are all relatively the same size. It keeps the skewers looking neat and helps the wreath hold its shape on the platter.
Fold the salami slices in half, then fold them again to create a ruffled effect. This adds volume and texture to each skewer. If you want something a little different, try swapping grape tomatoes with cherry peppers or roasted red peppers for a mild kick and deeper red color.
Mozzarella balls are perfect, but marinated ones add extra flavor with herbs or spices. You can also mix in firm cheese cubes like provolone or even sharp cheddar for variation.
Christmas Antipasto Wreath
Ingredients
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 4 ounces sliced salami
- 8 ounces mini mozzarella balls ciliegine
- 1 cup pitted black and/or green olives
- 6- inch skewers
- fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Thread the small skewers with a mix of grape tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, pitted olives, and folded salami slices.
- Arrange the skewers in a circle around a large plate, creating the wreath shape. Play with the placement to make it visually appealing.
- Slide a couple sprigs of fresh rosemary between the skewers for extra garnish.
- If making ahead of time, cover antipasto wreath tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 4 hours before serving.
Notes
Calories: 300kcal
Assembly and Presentation
Step-by-Step Skewering Made Simple
Start by prepping all your ingredients. Wash the grape tomatoes, drain the mozzarella balls, and pat dry any olives if they were packed in brine. Lay everything out on a cutting board or tray so it’s easy to access.
Take one 6-inch skewer and begin threading the items in a balanced pattern. A good combination might be: olive, folded salami slice, mozzarella ball, then a tomato. Mix it up on each skewer so the wreath looks more natural and full when finished. You can use three to five pieces per stick depending on the size of your ingredients.
When adding salami, fold it once in half, then again to create a quarter-folded slice. This makes the meat fan out visually, giving your wreath texture and fullness. It’s the little things that make the final result pop.
Make about 12 to 16 skewers for a standard-sized wreath. If your platter is larger, you can easily scale up. For a smaller group, use fewer skewers and tighten the circle.
Build the Wreath Shape Like a Pro
Choose a large round plate or serving tray with a slight rim. Start placing the skewers in a circle, slightly overlapping each one at an angle so they mimic evergreen branches. Keep the rounded ingredients like mozzarella and tomatoes facing outward for a full, festive look.
Once the circle is complete, take your fresh rosemary sprigs and gently slide them between the skewers. Space them evenly so the green peeks out, just like pine needles in a holiday wreath.
To dress it up even more, place a small bowl of olive oil or balsamic glaze in the center of the wreath for dipping. You can also scatter edible gold stars or a few cherry peppers to mimic holiday berries.
Storage, Serving, and Customizations
How to Store It Without Losing Freshness
One of the best parts of this recipe is that it can be made ahead, which is ideal during the holiday rush. To keep everything looking and tasting fresh, follow a few simple steps.
After assembling the skewers, lay them flat on a tray lined with parchment paper. Cover the tray tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. The skewers can be made up to four hours ahead without any major loss in texture or color. If your mozzarella is packed in water, make sure to dry it well so the wreath doesn’t look soggy later.
Avoid freezing the wreath. Freezing will ruin the texture of the tomatoes and cheese, and the olives may become rubbery. If you have leftovers, remove the rosemary sprigs and store the remaining skewers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll be fine to eat the next day, though they’re best served the same day for peak flavor and presentation.
Add the rosemary sprigs and any decorative touches like basil leaves or cherry pepper accents just before serving. This ensures they stay bright and crisp, not wilted from fridge moisture.
Creative Twists to Try This Holiday
While the classic combination of tomatoes, salami, mozzarella, and olives is crowd-pleasing and festive, there’s plenty of room to personalize your wreath.
For a vegetarian version, skip the salami and use roasted red pepper strips, marinated artichoke hearts, or grilled zucchini ribbons. Want a bolder flavor profile? Swap in cubes of aged provolone, marinated feta, or sharp cheddar.
For a Mediterranean version, use kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and crumbled feta on small skewers. If serving kids, use toothpicks and cut everything smaller so it’s easy to eat in one bite. The smaller format is also perfect for buffet-style grazing tables.
FAQ + Common Questions About Christmas Antipasto Wreaths
What is a Christmas Antipasto Wreath?
A Christmas Antipasto Wreath is a festive appetizer made by arranging skewers of Mediterranean ingredients like salami, mozzarella balls, olives, and tomatoes in a circular, wreath-like shape. It’s garnished with fresh rosemary to look like evergreen branches and served cold at holiday gatherings.
Can I make an antipasto wreath the day before?
You can make the skewers a few hours ahead and store them in the refrigerator. It’s best to wait until just before serving to add the rosemary garnish so it stays crisp and fragrant. For maximum freshness, serve the wreath within four hours of assembling.
What cheese works best in an antipasto wreath?
Mini mozzarella balls, also called ciliegine, are a great choice because of their size and mild flavor. You can also use provolone cubes, marinated feta, or small chunks of aged cheddar. Use a mix if you want more variety in taste and texture.
How many skewers do I need to make a wreath?
You’ll need around 12 to 16 skewers to form a full, even circle on a standard platter. If your plate is larger or you’re serving a crowd, increase the number to fill out the shape. Using shorter skewers for individual portions is another easy option.
Conclusion: A Wreath That’s as Tasty as It Is Beautiful
The Christmas Antipasto Wreath checks all the boxes. It’s colorful, flavorful, easy to assemble, and makes a big impact on any holiday table. Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner or putting out snacks for a casual get-together, this savory wreath will stand out among all the sweets and baked goods.
Try it once, and it might just become your new holiday tradition. It’s elegant without the effort and always disappears before the night is over.
