25 Skewer Appetizers for Any Party

Food on a stick is the best food, and these skewer appetizers prove it.

Great for gatherings, skewers are ideal party food. They’re handheld, they’re portable, they’re quick to make, and they’re easy to clean up. 

But most importantly, they taste amazing – giving your guests a satisfying bite without the fuss of prepping a meal.

Delicious and fun, these recipes make you rethink your skewer starters forever.

Forget boring meats, these recipes are packed with unbelievable tastes and textures.

There’s pasta, chicken, salad, fish, and veggies – all served on a stick!

And it doesn’t end with apps. There are some dessert options here, too, in case you’re in the mood to host a sweet-tasting get-together.

From caramel apple skewers to fresh fruit kabobs, these insanely addictive treats tick all the boxes. 

Let’s get snacking!

1. Antipasto Skewers

Don’t be intimidated by the word antipasto. It’s just the Italian term for the first course of a meal.

And there’s no better way to kick off your dinner than with these make-ahead snacks. 

With no cooking involved, they’re a great idea for summertime BBQs.

Just thread cheese tortellini, tomatoes, olives, basil, and salami onto a skewer, repeat, and you’re done!

2. Caramel Apple Skewers

There’s a secret to these dessert skewers – they don’t actually contain any caramel.

But don’t worry, they’ll still have all the delicious caramelized tastes you’re looking for.

Gluten-free, paleo, and vegan, this is healthy candy at its finest. They’re made with apples drizzled with maple syrup, vanilla, and almond butter.

Finish these off with shredded coconut, almonds, pecans, and chocolate chips.

3. Mini-Caprese Skewers

Caprese is a classic Italian salad, made with mozzarella, fresh basil, and tomatoes.

But if you don’t have time to mix up a salad, these satisfying skewers are a great substitute.

Plus, they’re adorable, colorful, and look great on a plate!

4. Pesto Tortellini Skewers

Pasta isn’t usually served on a stick, but maybe it’s time to try something new.

Pasta-lovers will fall head over heels for these cute tortellini sticks. 

They’re made by spearing pre-cooked tortellini nuggets onto a skewer, along with pesto-coated mozzarella, pepperoni, and tomatoes. 

As the Italians would say – buon appetito!

5. Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Plump, seasoned shrimp marinated in lemon, garlic, and herbs – these seafood skewers aren’t just healthy, they’re irresistible.

Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re amazing fresh off the grill.

Serve with a green salad for a light dinner, or pass them around at your next summer cocktail party. These can’t fail to impress!

6. Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Asian-inspired and wonderfully flavorful, you can never eat just one of these chicken skewers.

Use a store-bought Teriyaki marinade to save yourself some time and get them on the grill!

7. Chorizo, Manchego, and Olive Skewers

Add a touch of class to your next get-together with these elegant apps.

They’re made with spicy chorizo, creamy manchego, and sharp briny olives for a taste combination that leaves you wanting more.

These Spanish-themed tapas are fun, fresh, and very enticing.

8. Caprese Skewers

Sometimes you feel like diving into a whole-day cooking project, and sometimes you want to be eating something delicious in the next 10 minutes.

For the latter moments, try this recipe. Made with just a few ingredients, you can get it from the kitchen to your plate in no time.

9. Coconut Pineapple Shrimp Skewers

Packed full of Caribbean-inspired ingredients, these summer skewers will have you dreaming of vacation.

They’re light, citrusy, and flavored with just a touch of spice. 

The secret’s in the shrimp marinade – made with coconut milk, fresh lime, soy sauce, and tabasco, it’s mouth-wateringly good.

10. Greek Salad Skewers

Greek salad is amazing, but it’s a little time-consuming to pull together.

So forget chopping lettuce, mixing dressings, and tossing salad leaves. Make these simple skewers instead!

These healthy skewers are made with cherry tomatoes, chunks of creamy feta, thick slices of juicy cucumber, and sharp kalamata olives.

They’re a fuss-free way to enjoy all the tastes of tangy Greek salad – on a stick!

11. Loaded Tater Tot Skewers

Tater Tots are amazing all by themselves, but put them on a skewer with all the trimmings, and you’ll have something special.

Drenched in melty cheese and packed with salty bacon, this treat is sinfully addictive.

Serve them up for game day, and everyone will be too busy snacking to cheer on their team.

12. Skewered Honey Balsamic Chicken

Sweet, sharp, and sticky, this tangy chicken hits the spot.

Serve it hot from the grill and sprinkle it with sesame seeds to really make an impression.

13. Chicken Satay With Peanut Dipping Sauce

Skip the satay chicken at your favorite takeout and make this easy DIY version.

Creamy, nutty, and oh-so-good, grilled skewers are served alongside a fragrant dipping sauce.

You’ll want to dip everything into this sauce – skewers, spoons, fingers – it’s that good.

Made with peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, and sriracha, I like to make extra and freeze the leftovers for quick midweek stir-fries.

14. Grilled Buffalo Chicken Skewers

Fiery and finger-licking-good, buffalo chicken is the MVP at my BBQs.

Grilled with onions and peppers, this delicious appetizer could also double as a grab n’ go side if you’re planning a big bash.

15. Vietnamese Style Sticky Chicken Skewers

Salty, sweet, savory, and tangy – these skewers aren’t just a snack, they’re an eating experience.

Juicy chunks of chicken are soaked in an aromatic sauce made from chilis, ginger, garlic, and rice wine vinegar.

The marinade permeates the meat, giving it a gorgeous flavor as it’s grilled to perfection. 

Sprinkle it with cilantro and serve it over noodles for a deliciously different dinner.

16. Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers

If you like your steak perfectly marinated and grilled until it’s fall-off-the-fork tender, this is the recipe for you!

Flavored with a tangy marinade of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger, this skirt steak goes from tough to melt-in-the-mouth meat.

And don’t worry if you’re not used to dealing with this less common cut.

This super-simple recipe shows you exactly how to slice, prepare, and cook it.

17. Asian Flank Steak Skewers

Flank steak is another cut that can turn to gristle if cooked incorrectly.

Luckily, this steak recipe has the answer – slice the meat into thin strips and marinate it in lime juice, sesame oil, and soy sauce!

This gives the steak a chance to soak up all those incredible, aromatic Asian flavors while tenderizing the meat.

Load them onto the grill for a few minutes and you’ll be rewarded with delicately tangy steak that tastes like restaurant-quality.

18. Beef Tenderloin Crostini Skewers

Cute crostinis are always a hit at parties. But if you really want to leave your guests satisfied, serve them these meaty snacks.

Made with chunks of tender beef, toasted bread, cherry tomatoes, and cheese, they’re the perfect blend of savory tastes and textures.

The secret is grilling them long enough to scorch the meat, but not so long that the cheese melts off the stick.

Serve them with a creamy-yet-spicy horseradish dipping sauce and enjoy!

19. Grilled Pork Belly Skewers

Pork belly is a succulent treat that’s denser and more satisfying than chops or tenderloin.

This boneless, fatty cut needs strong flavors to counter its rich taste. 

In this recipe, the pork is marinated first in a fragrant dressing made from soy sauce, brown sugar, dark ale, and garlic.

With its Asian-inspired ingredients, these skewers would work well served with fluffy rice as a main dish.

They can also be sprinkled with green onions and sesame seeds for a quick and easy appetizer.

20. Grilled Tuscan Pork Skewers

Straight from the sunny Mediterranean, these bright skewers are beautifully seasoned with fresh vegetables and Italian herbs.

Chunks of tender pork tenderloin are tossed in a Tuscan seasoning blend then grilled with zucchini, squash, red pepper, and onion.

21. Rainbow Veggie Kabobs

Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free, these kabobs are a delicious, diet-friendly option for healthy eaters.

They’re also adorably colorful! 

Packed with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and olives, they’re a refreshing and light snack.

You could eat an entire platter of these and feel great. Happy belly, happy cook!

22. Fruit Kabobs

The problem with summer BBQs or game day parties is it’s so easy to over-indulge.

Have a lighter option on hand and your guests can munch away without falling into a belly-bloating binge. 

These fruit kabobs are ideal for big parties. They’re a fresh and tempting snack made with healthy ingredients like bananas, apples, berries, and oranges.

23. Grilled Bruschetta Skewers

Easy and breezy, these herby bruschetta skewers taste like summer.

They’re made by brushing crusty bread with thick ricotta pesto and threading them onto skewers with cherry tomatoes.

24. Grilled Pizza Kabobs

Skip the takeout pizza and choose these kabobs – your stomach will thank you.

With soft pizza dough, melty mozzarella, and tangy tomato sauce, these taste exactly like pizza on a stick.

And if that’s not peak culinary genius I don’t know what is.

25. Sweet and Sour Meatball Skewers

Full of Chinese-inspired flavors, these skewers are a healthy alternative to takeout.

Juicy meatballs are basted in a tangy sauce made from apricot jam and BBQ sauce, then skewered with red bell peppers.

This recipe is a timesaving cook’s dream. You can use frozen meatballs and store-bought ingredients, and it’ll still turn out great!