17 Best Pesto Appetizers (+ Easy Recipes)

If you’re looking for a way to spice up your next gathering, pesto appetizers are the perfect solution! 

From cheese straws to bruschetta and beyond, this rich and flavorful condiment is sure to be a hit. 

Watch as pesto transforms an ordinary appetizer into something extraordinary! 

Your friends will be impressed by how easy it was for you to take their dining experience up a notch with this delicious Italian classic.

1. Pesto Appetizer with Burrata and Roasted Tomatoes

This pesto appetizer is the perfect way to start any gathering. 

It has a delicious combination of creamy burrata, roasted tomatoes, and fragrant basil pesto.

It ensures a tantalizing taste explosion that’s sure to make your mouth water! 

The roasted tomatoes provide a hint of sweetness that harmoniously blends with the earthy saltiness of the pesto.

The burrata melds everything together into an indescribably delicious dish.

2. Caprese Pesto Crostini

This is the perfect appetizer for any occasion, especially when guests arrive unexpectedly. 

Using just a handful of ingredients, you can impress the crowd with flavors of Italy in minutes. 

The creamy mozzarella slices combine with pesto sauce and crostini rounds to create an unmistakable flavor combination.

Serve this as an appetizer with a simple tomato salad, or use it as part of your main course meal.

3. Pesto Bruschetta

Pesto bruschetta is a tasty little appetizer that packs an explosion of flavor.

Bread gets perfectly toasted and generously spread with a homemade pesto made with basil and pine nuts.

The whole thing gets topped off with parmesan, which is just to die for.

4. Pesto Pinwheels

Pesto pinwheels are the perfect bite for any special occasion. 

Filled with robust flavors from basil pesto, melted cheese, and smoky prosciutto, it’s a classic combination of salty, savory, and tangy. 

It’s sure to please both picky eaters and those looking for something more adventurous at the snack table.

And the best part? They don’t require an entire day in the kitchen to make!

5. Pesto Parmesan Cheese Straws

Each bite of this appetizer is a marriage of robust pesto and nutty parmesan cheese bound together by light, crispy straws. 

A little tangy and a tad cheesy, the flavors combine perfectly to create a delectable snack or side dish.

Oh, don’t forget to sprinkle a pinch of fresh basil for garnish.

Serve them as appetizers with beer at your next backyard BBQ bash or as finger snacks on movie nights. 

6. Potato Rounds Appetizer with Pesto Cheese

Everyone loves a good snack, but who has the time to make one from scratch? 

Break up the monotony of after-work snacking by trying out this yummy appetizer! 

It’s so flavorful and juicy, no one will ever suspect you made it in under 30 minutes. 

The creamy pesto cheese layered over the bubbly potato rounds carries a very nuanced and subtle flavor.

7. 3-Ingredient Pesto Star Bread

This slightly creative yet oh-so-easy recipe will have you rethinking everything you thought about breads and pesto in general. 

Think garlic and cheese go together naturally? Wait until you try it combined with the nutty flavor of the bread. 

Plus, a generous helping of herb-filled pesto will create a mix of flavors that is delightful to the palate!

8. Caprese Bites with Pesto

If you’re looking for a unique appetizer that’s sure to wow your guests, why not try these delectable bites? 

Fresh mozzarella and tomato slices are enhanced by homemade pesto, adding juicy flavor.

The pesto’s warmth and spiciness blend together with the cheese to create an unforgettable taste. 

Plus, they look great and are way less messy than traditional Caprese salad.

9. Christmas Appetizer Bites

Who says the holidays can’t be delicious and healthy at the same time? 

These bites with pesto are a delightful mixture of flavors everyone will love.

Summer pesto combines nicely with salty parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, while fresh basil on top provides an aromatic finish. 

It’s such a combination that could certainly bring cheer to any holiday gathering or just a casual weeknight dinner.

10. Crescent Roll Pesto Appetizers

If you’re in search of an appetizer that’s simple, yet sophisticated, look no further than crescent roll pesto appetizers. 

These bite-sized snacks are made with crescent rolls and topped with a creamy blend of normal pesto, and sundried tomato pesto. 

The freshness of the pesto melds with the sweetness from the tomatoes to create a flavor explosion.

They’re sure to be a hit at any gathering. 

11. Creamy Pesto Dip

If there’s one thing better than fresh pesto, it’s creamy pesto dip! 

This delicious recipe combines mayonnaise, sour cream, basil pesto, and just the right amount of seasonings.

It’s an unforgettable flavor experience. 

Imagine, for a moment, all the flavors coming together.

A little tang from the sour cream, a mild pungency from the pesto, plus some garlicky undertones perfectly balance out each bite.

12. Pesto Hummus with Homemade Pita Chips

Pesto hummus and homemade pita chips make a delicious combination of flavor and crunch! 

Just imagine the warm and flavorful pita chips combined with the pesto hummus. I’m already hungry.

And let’s not forget about the nutritional benefits.

The protein-packed hummus along with the whole wheat of the pita chips create a healthful snack. 

13. Pesto and Beef Mini Pizzas

Pesto and beef mini pizzas are the perfect combination of traditional Italian flavors that will excite your tastebuds!

Each bite is sure to be an explosion of deliciousness thanks to the in-sync harmony between these perfect pairings.

There’s acidity and saltiness from the pesto, heartiness from the beef, and creaminess from the mozzarella.

14. Tomato, Pesto, and Mozzarella Skewers

Are you looking for a delicious, yet quick and easy meal?

This delectable recipe takes almost no time to prepare.

It has the freshness of tomatoes coupled with the taste of pesto and mozzarella. 

Trust me, it’s a flavor combination made in heaven!

Just roll the mozzarella in pesto, put it on skewers with tomatoes, and voila!

15. Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Goat Cheese Bites

You can rest assured that each bite has an amazing combination of flavors that complement each other perfectly. 

If you’re craving something savory and tasty, this simple yet intricate recipe should definitely be on your list. 

It’s the ideal balance of tanginess, creaminess, and herb flavor that make these treats so irresistible. 

16. Bacon Pesto Cheese Ball

Combining the goodness of cream cheese, nostalgic bacon, and fragrant basil pesto will make any party guest drool. 

This recipe lets you unleash the master chef in you with its exquisite harmony of flavors. 

One luscious bite and your tastebuds will welcome an exciting sensation that’ll leave you wanting more! 

17. Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms

This tasty Italian recipe is sure to please anyone’s palate. 

The succulent white mushrooms are stuffed with a creamy and tangy homemade pesto sauce and topped with some grated parmesan cheese.

These are so easy to make, yet they pack a really nice and flavorful punch.