Bow-Tie Antipasto Bites

From my Brilliant Bites Cookbook, farfalle pasta, olives, salami and cheese in their party best make my Bow-Tie Antipasto Bites a fabulous addition to any special occasion.

Quite the Charmer!

These charming bites are dressed to impress! A bow tie, even in pasta form, is quite elegant. And, when topping olives, salami, and cheese, quite delicious. Not only for New Year’s Eve, these bites are a fabulous addition to any special occasion.

Adorable, Delicious and Easy

I’ve always been a big fan of bow-tie pasta, whether it’s for my Bow-Tie Pasta and Cocktail Meatball Skewers or to add a little whimsy to my Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. They’re just so cute and festive.

I created this appetizer recipe for my Brilliant Bites cookbook because it’s not only so adorable, but delicious and so darn easy to put together! They’re great for parties, baby showers, or even cozy cocktails with girlfriends. Truly, everyone loves them and they’re always a hit. You just can’t go wrong.

Be sure to get a copy of my Brilliant Bites cookbook! It includes 75 charming and delicious small bites for all occasions. Along with 11 Savvy Sips—creative cocktails to pair with your finger foods—this cookbook is a must have for easily hosting and enjoying delicious moments with your family and friends.

Ingredients and Supplies

(see recipe card at the bottom of this post for measurements and details)

Ingredients:

• Farfalle “bow-tie” pasta: cook the pasta al dente so it holds its shape and has the best texture. Tossing it with the seasoned oil adds flavor and prevents sticking. You could use tortellini for a stuffed pasta bite, or substitute with a rigatoni or rotini (for a twisty look).
• Olive oil: use a quality olive oil because the flavor comes through in these bites. You can substitute with avocado oil or grapeseed oil for a neutral flavor.
• Garlic salt: if you don’t have garlic salt on hand, you can make your own with 3 parts sea salt + 1 part garlic powder.
• Dried Italian seasoning: you can make your own Italian Seasoning with a combo of dried oregano + basil + thyme. Add red pepper flakes if you a mild kick.
• Aged white Cheddar: chill before slicing for cleaner cuts and choose a firm block so it doesn’t crumble during assembly. You can swap the aged white cheddar for aged gouda or manchego to make them even fancier. Or substitute with monterey Jack, Colby jack, or mozzarella for a milder flavor (and more kid-friendly). Cubed pepper jack could be used for a spicy kick. And if you’re tight on time, feel free to use pre-cubed cheese from the store.
• Large pimiento-stuffed green olives: drain well so the bites don’t get soggy. You could use Castelvetrano olives for a buttery, mild taste. Or you could use cherry tomatoes for the olive-averse guests. Pickled peppers would be a great tangy swap.
• Large pitted whole black olives: choose large, whole olives to balance the textures. You could even buy marinated olives or marinate these in herbs ahead of time. Feel free to use Kalamata olives for more brine and depth. Cornichons or cocktail onions would be a great crunchier option. And roasted red peppers would pair nicely for a sweeter vibe.
• Peppered salami slices: make sure the slices are thin enough and large enough to easily fold. Folding or rolling each slice so it fans out visually makes the bites look super impressive. You could use a non-pepper salami for a milder option or even prosciutto for a lighter option.

Supplies:

• Decorative food picks
• Serving tray

How to Make Bow-Tie Antipasto Bites

• Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and let dry, then toss with the olive oil, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning.
• Slice the cheese into forty 3/4-inch blocks that are 1/2-inch thick.
• To assemble, on a food pick, place a piece of bow-tie pasta, an olive (either green or black), a folded slice of salami, and a small block of cheese. Repeat with the remaining ingredients

Make Ahead and Storage

These bites can be assembled up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

If you want to prep ahead, you can pre-cook and season the pasta up to 3 days ahead and then store it separately in a sealed bag in the fridge. Cube the cheese ahead of time and keep in a container in the fridge until ready to assemble.

If serving at a party, arrange bites on a tray and cover tightly with plastic wrap until guests arrive. They’re best served within 2 hours at room temperature.

If you make my Bow-Tie Antipasto Bites, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me  @thebakermama on Instagram so I can see. If you’re on Facebook, be sure to join my Friends of The BakerMama group to connect and share all the fun and yummy recipes of mine that you make! 😍 I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share. Enjoy!

xoxo,

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