17 BEST Mediterranean Appetizers To Add To Your Must-Eat List!

There’s nothing quite like a good appetizer to get your taste buds tingling. So, we’ve gathered 17 of the most delicious Mediterranean appetizers, and they’re waiting for you to try! 

Whether you’re having a dinner party or just want to whip up something fancy for the weekend, these recipes will be sure to impress.

When you picture the Mediterranean, you probably imagine a beautiful sea filled with clear blue water and white sandy beaches.

The sun is shining right, the wind is blowing, and palm trees are all around.

But did you know that the Mediterranean region is also filled with delicious food?

We’re talking about 17 appetizers that would make any mouth water—and we’ll show you how to make them right at home!

Besides, Mediterranean appetizers are the perfect way to start your meal.

And they will have you begging for more.

Why?

That’s because they are light, fresh, and flavorful.

Plus, Mediterranean cuisine is known for its nourishing benefits, which is why these appetizers are so popular.

That also makes it the perfect excuse to get your family to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle (even just for a day).

From the Mediterranean Crostini to Seared Tuna With Spanish Manzanilla & Olives Tapenade to Greek Chicken Kebabs there’s something for everyone to try.

Be sure to save #15 on your notes—you’ll definitely want to serve it every day!

And now, without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Warm Hummus With Ground Lamb & Pomegranate

This Mediterranean appetizer will make you feel like you’re on vacation.

It’s mild, tasty, and invigorating all at once; just what you need to kick off a party or add some flair to your next dinner party!

It’s also the right blend of flavors: creamy hummus mixed with ground lamb and pomegranate seeds.

Plus, everything is so balanced that they complement each other perfectly.

The tanginess of the pomegranate seeds goes well with the lamb’s juiciness, and the hummus’s nuttiness brings out the sweetness of both ingredients.

2. Skillet Spanakopita

You’ll find it hard to resist the tastes of Skillet Spanakopita.

It’s like a little slice of heaven on a plate.

The phyllo dough is so flaky; it’s like eating a buttery cloud.

Then you also have the creamy spinach and ricotta filling, salty feta topping, and fresh dill flavor.

It’s a great dish for any occasion, whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or just want to treat yourself to something mouthwatering and comforting at home!

3. Crab Artichoke Toasts

The flavor of the Crab Artichoke Toasts is so rich and creamy that it’ll feel like you’re eating a crab dip straight from the can.

The freshness of the artichoke pairs perfectly with the canned crab meat, and we really can’t get enough of that Greek yogurt dressing.

It’s not too heavy, but it’s also not too light—it’s just right!

The cheese also adds a nice kick to the whole thing, and we love how it melts into all those other flavors to create a perfect balance between salty and sweet.

Plus, they’re packed onto a crispy baguette and broiled until they’re golden brown—so if you’ve never tried them before, get ready for something beyond tasty!

4. Mediterranean Crostini

This recipe is a true delight for the senses.

The smell of the fresh baguette, the rich and thick hummus, the sweet tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers, the tangy and peppery feta cheese…everything about it just screams, “We’re so happy we made this!”

It’s like putting your feet up on a beach in the Mediterranean sea and sipping on some amazing red wine while you watch the sunset over the water.

5. Easy Breezy Caprese Skewers

If you’ve ever felt like the Caprese salad could use a little something extra, we have the recipe for you.

Caprese Skewers are exactly what they sound like: tortellini, tomatoes, and cheese wrapped around skewers and drizzled with a succulent dressing, then chilled until nice and soft.

The result is a deliciously filling dish that’s perfect for summer barbecues and potlucks alike.

The tortellini gives the skewers a rich flavor without overpowering them with heaviness.

The tomatoes help bring out their sweetest qualities while also adding more depth to their flavor profile.

And the cheese? 

Well, that’s just because we love cheese.

But really, it brings everything together perfectly.

6. Greek Bruschetta

Greek Bruschetta is a twist on the classic Italian bruschetta.

And instead of using tomato sauce as a base, it uses hummus and tzatziki. 

In this recipe, you will experience the cucumber as it cools you down, and the red onion gives the whole dish a bit of bite.

The grape tomatoes also add a nice pop of color, while feta cheese adds a salty kick. 

You can enjoy this as a starter or a main course for lunch or dinner!

7. Mediterranean Veggie Fritters

When you think of fritters, you might not picture the Mediterranean.

But we’re here to tell you there’s much more to this region than just olives and olive oil.

Take these Mediterranean Veggie Fritters, for example.

They’re crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, just like any good fritter should be.

But what makes them unique is their unique blend of herbs and spices: cumin, turmeric, coriander, and parsley.

It’s a flavor combination you don’t see every day, but once you taste it in these little reddish nuggets, we promise it will be hard to return to ordinary fritters again!

8. Butternut Squash & Caramelized Onion Flatbread

Flatbread is the best kind of pizza.

And in this recipe, the butternut squash gives this flatbread a sweet, nutty flavor that goes perfectly with the caramelized onions and sage leaves.

Then, the toasted walnuts give it a crunchy texture, while Italian blend cheese adds an interesting briny bite.

Try this one out tonight! 

You won’t be disappointed.

9. Seared Tuna With Spanish Manzanilla & Olives Tapenade

For a fancy and sophisticated nibble, try Seared Tuna With Spanish Manzanilla & Olives Tapenade.

The taste starts off with a slightly bitter flavor from the manzanilla olives and capers.

Then, the tuna steaks are seared to perfection and give off a strong yet subtle fishy flavor.

The cucumber slices also add a nice crunchy texture to the meal while also providing a refreshing burst of freshness that cuts through all of the bold flavors in this dish.

And the acidity of the lemon juice goes well with the fishy taste of the tuna while balancing out some of the stronger flavors in the dish.

10. Grilled Shrimp Recipe With Roasted Garlic-Cilantro Sauce

Here’s a surefire way to get your friends and family to eat their seafood.

This dish combines three of our favorite things: shrimp, garlic, and cilantro!

It’s even simple enough for a weeknight dinner but fancy enough for weekend entertaining.

Plus, this dish is rich and satisfying.

The shrimp are grilled until they’re pink and tender on the inside. 

While the roasted garlic sauce adds a hint of chili with enough spice to make you feel like you’re eating something special without making your mouth go numb.

And the fresh cilantro packs a bright, crisp note that balances out the strong flavors of the shrimp and garlic.

In a way that makes us want to put it on everything we make in the future (and maybe even everything we eat).

11. Tuna Salad Stuffed Avocados

Tuna Salad Stuffed Avocados taste like everything you love about a tuna sandwich, but better.

That’s because avocado is a perfect vessel for all of the ingredients in this dish: it has a buttery, creamy texture that’s a natural complement to the tuna, and it’s soft enough to let all of the other flavors shine through.

You’ll notice that this recipe uses pesto instead of mayonnaise or sour cream to bind together our tuna salad—and we think it works out beautifully!

It also added sun-dried tomatoes, which bring a great tangy kick without overpowering any of the other ingredients.

12. Greek Meatballs

These Greek Meatballs are a little bit different than your average meatball, but they’re just as tasty in their own way!

The first thing that sets these meatballs apart is the ground turkey breast. 

It’s a leaner meat than most traditional meatballs, which makes them feel lighter on your stomach and easier to digest.

And the red onion adds a savory sweetness to the mix, while the feta cheese gives it a salty kick that pairs perfectly with the dill weed.

The outcome is a savory bite that will make your mouth water and your belly happy!

13. Mediterranean Stuffed Grape Leaves

This appetizer tastes like a combination of brown rice, fresh herbs, and spices.

It’s sweet and salty, which makes the flavor pop in your mouth.

Plus, the meat inside is juicy and savory enough to make you want more.

This recipe also calls for grape leaves and allspice, which are two ingredients that are usually used in Mediterranean cuisine.

And these ingredients work together to create an amazing taste.

What’s more, the lemon juice adds just the right amount of acidity to balance out the sweetness of the rice and herbs.

This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and can be served almost anywhere!

14. Vegetable Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms

You’re looking at a Vegetable Stuffed Portabella Mushroom.

Yes, you heard us right!

To explain how it tastes, well, the mushrooms have an earthy flavor that blends beautifully with the tangy and sweet juices of zucchini, red pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and red pepper flakes.

And the mozzarella cheese adds a little bit of creaminess that ties everything together perfectly.

If you want something light and hearty to eat during the warm months but don’t want to sacrifice flavor or presentation, then these Vegetable Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms are just what you need!

15. Quinoa Stuffed Endive With Roasted Grapes & Feta

You’re probably asking yourself, “what even is Quinoa Stuffed Endive With Roasted Grapes & Feta?”

And to that, we say: We don’t know either!

But we do know that it’s delightful.

It’s like a finger-licking good, savory-sweet treat begging you to take a bite.

The roasted grapes give the dish its tartness—they’re like little bursts of juicy goodness in every bite.

And then there’s the quinoa, which has a mild and slightly nutty flavor and will keep you going all day long.

This dish is also super versatile!

But even if you don’t love endives, feel free to try this recipe with other leaves like kale or collard greens instead!

So, what are you waiting for? 

Try this dish for yourself right now!

16. Greek Chicken Kebabs

Have you ever felt the impulse to cry while eating something so good and delicious?

Well, it’s a bit over the top, but that’s what happens when you take a bite of these Greek Chicken Kebabs.

They’re like a little bit of paradise on a skewer.

The chicken is tender and succulent yet has a mild flavor that allows you to taste the other ingredients.

Then the red onions bring a bit of sweetness and sourness to the dish, while the bell pepper adds texture and spice.

And the zucchini is a little crunchy, which gives these kebabs a nice contrast of textures.

However, the lemon-herb marinade is the highlight of this dish since it adds an incredible zesty taste to the vegetables and meat.

17. Red Pepper & Feta Quiche

The first bite of this quiche is like a warm, buttery hug.

The crust is soft, and a bit flaky, the cheese is salty, and the peppers are just the right amount of spicy—it’s enough to make your tongue tingle with joy.

But don’t let that trick you: this is not a quiche for wimps.

It’s a quiche for people who know what they want and aren’t afraid to get it, including more than just their daily dose of veggies.

This quiche has it all: creaminess, crunchy bits of nutmeg and pepper, and a hint of basil with every bite.

It’s everything you’ll ever want in a slice of pie.

The bottom line

These appetizers will surely take you to a different world.

And the great thing about Mediterranean food is that it’s warm and inviting.

Everything seems so simple but really is just bursting with flavor.

So, go ahead and try some of these appetizers the next time you have company over or are just hanging out at home.

You might even find yourself craving them more often!

Hopefully, these suggestions will help you in planning your next Mediterranean feast!