If you need a quick and crowd-pleasing appetizer, these easy charcuterie skewers check every box. They take all the best parts of a charcuterie board, cheese, olives, pickles, pepperoni, and more, and stack them into colorful, bite-sized snacks you can prep in minutes. No cooking, just grab some cocktail picks and start building. They're perfect for entertaining, holidays, or when you just want something a little extra without putting in much effort. They are sooo good!
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How to Make Easy Charcuterie Skewers
You don't need a fancy spread or a ton of ingredients to make these look good. Just grab 2 to 3 types of cheese, something creamy, something sharp, maybe even something smoky, and cut them into little cubes or triangles. That's your base. From there, pick a few extras with bold flavor and good color like olives, cherry tomatoes, mini pickles (cornichons), and roasted peppers. I like to fold the pepperoni slices if they're big, so they stack better on the skewer.
Then you just start assembling. Use small skewers, cocktail picks, or even toothpicks if that's what you've got. I like to mix it up: one skewer might have cheese, tomato, olive, pepperoni. Another might go pickled pepper, cheese, cornichon, olive. There's no wrong way to do it, and the variety makes your platter look even more fun and inviting. Bonus points if you arrange them in a rainbow-ish order.
Once they're all built, arrange them on a board or plate and serve right away. That's it. No cooking, no chilling, no trying to time anything just right. These are great for making ahead too, just cover and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. It's great for last-minute guests, lunch boxes, or even picky eaters who like to build their own combos.
Ingredients You'll Need For This Recipe
- 2-3 types of cheese (2-3 oz each)
- 4-8 slices of pepperoni
- 4-8 cornichons
- 4-8 pickled or roasted peppers
- 8 olives
- 4-8 cherry tomatoes
Step By Step Instructions
- Cut cheese into ½-inch cubes or small triangles, using a mix of textures and flavors.
- Grab small skewers, toothpicks, or cocktail picks and start layering: cheese, olives, pepperoni (folded), and cherry tomatoes work great.
- Mix things up with different combos like cheese, cornichons, olives, and roasted peppers for a fun, colorful variety.
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Tips and Tricks
Use what you have - No need to buy special skewers, any small pick, toothpick, or even cut-down bamboo skewer works.
Keep everything bite-sized - Cut ingredients small enough to eat in one or two bites. If something's too big, fold it (like pepperoni or pepper strips) to make it skewer-friendly.
Make ahead, but don't wait too long - These can be made a few hours in advance, just cover and refrigerate. For the best texture, serve within 24 hours so nothing gets soggy.
I hope you have as much fun making these easy charcuterie skewers as you will eating them. They're simple, tasty, and always a hit. If you try them, let me know how you mix yours up! Have fun!! xoxo Olivia
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Recipe
Easy Charcuterie Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 -3 types of cheese 2-3 oz each
- 4 -8 slices of pepperoni
- 4 -8 cornichons
- 4 -8 pickled or roasted peppers
- 8 olives
- 4 -8 cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Cut the cheese into even ½-inch cubes or small triangles. Choose a variety of cheeses-firm, soft, mild, or sharp-to create contrast in flavor and texture.
- Using whatever small skewers, cocktail picks, or toothpicks you have on hand, assemble a mix of mini skewers. For the first type, thread a combination of cheese cubes, olives, pepperoni (folded if large), and cherry tomatoes. Arrange them in different sequences to keep it visually interesting.
- For the second type of skewer, create a different mix: try threading a pepper strip, a cube of cheese, a cornichon, and an olive. Keep the combinations playful and colorful.
- Arrange both types of skewers on a plate or serving board. Serve immediately for a fresh, tasty appetizer or snack. These are perfect for entertaining or a quick no-cook treat.
Olivia Wyles says
These charcuterie skewers are so tasty! Brush with a little vinegar and olive oil before serving!