Wedding appetizers are known for their versatility and fun, and they are crucial in setting the tone of your celebration since they offer a glimpse of the delicious culinary experience to come. With such a huge diversity of wedding appetizers, from elegant canapés and gourmet cheeses to vibrant vegetable platters and inventive hors d'oeuvres, it's hard to decide which to include in your wedding menu.
We asked Arnon Oren, founder of our California-based catering company Anaviv, for his expert advice on choosing must-have wedding appetizers to make your special day even more memorable. These recommendations are based on Arnon's decades of experience in the events catering space, and they can all be customized according to dietary preferences and wedding theme, so get creative with your catering!
Arancini: cheesy and crunchy wedding appetizers
The first wedding appetizer Arnon suggested is one of Anaviv's most popular: arancini. Meaning "little oranges" in Italian because of their golden and round appearance, arancini are delicious treats that originate from Sicily. Traditionally, arancini are made by forming small balls out of risotto, coating them in breadcrumbs, then frying until they're perfectly crispy. They're usually filled with a savory center, such as mozzarella, which can create a delightful combination of textures and flavors.
"They're warm, cheesy, and it's a bite-sized hors d'oeuvre that is packed with flavor," Arnon says. Arancini are endlessly versatile, which means you can use seasonal ingredients to create something unique to your wedding. For summer weddings, Arnon suggests adding fresh corn for a bright and sweet taste and for fall weddings, mushrooms can add an extra umami zing. Arancini can also match wedding themes: add truffles to arancini for a sophisticated start to an elegant, modern wedding or Italian sausage for a hearty, comforting prelude to a more casual, boho wedding.
For a cheese-packed version of the savory, delicious arancini that we serve at our events, here's an easy recipe that you can use to impress your guests at any gathering.
Panisse: gluten-free wedding appetizers
Hailing from Provence in France, panisse are made from chickpea flour, which makes it naturally gluten-free. Usually cut into sticks or slices, panisse is famous for its crispy exterior hiding an irresistibly rich, creamy interior. With its subtle, nutty flavor that accommodates Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Indian flavors and spices, panisse is a perfect choice for wedding hors d'oeuvres if your wedding menu has dishes from those regions. Arnon likes to serve panisse for special events with harissa sauce, a North African chili paste made with various spices like coriander and cumin. Bold and spicy, harissa complements panisse's deep flavors and adds zing to its warmth.
Lettuce cups: fun summer wedding appetizers
Lettuce cups set an easygoing, fresh tone to any wedding menu. Made using whole lettuce leaves as cups to hold all types of savory fillings, lettuce cups are one of the most customizable and visually appealing wedding appetizers you can choose. The crunchy texture of the leaves goes with almost any other texture, whether it's soft and velvety or extra crunchy.
For summer weddings, Arnon likes to offer a ceviche lettuce cup to bring out the best seasonal ingredients and focus on essential flavors without too much fancy dressing. "Lettuce cups are all about fresh and healthy ingredients, that's why they make a great summer appetizer," Arnon explains. Apart from ceviche, he also likes using beef tartare for a casual wedding appetizer, or else a cocktail of avocado and spicy peanut sauce for a vegan option.
Crostini: sophisticated wedding appetizers
Another delicious appetizer from Italy, crostini is made by toasting small slices of bread until they're golden and crisp, making them the perfect base for any variety of delicious toppings. For vegetarian crostini, Arnon suggests a rich basil aioli with heirloom tomatoes--a sophisticated and modern take on traditional tomato crostini. In fact, for something that's so easy to prepare and serve, crostini can be a chic way to showcase creative ingredients. Some combinations that Arnon also loves include crusted Ahi tuna, brioche toast crostini topped with crab or smoked trout salad, with a dash of crème fraîche and Meyer lemon.
Grilled figs: unique and creative wedding appetizers
Another sophisticated wedding appetizer that adds glamor to your special occasion, grilled figs are lightly charred on the grill to enhance their natural sugars and add a smoky depth. As the figs caramelize, they form a subtly crisp exterior that contrasts beautifully with their juicy flesh. They're often served with a drizzle of honey or balsamic reduction, or with a tangy blue cheese, but Arnon suggests picking more creative combinations, like walnut with a zingy mint pesto.
Ultimately, crafting the perfect wedding menu is all about finding those special touches that reflect your personal style and set the tone for your celebration. Each of the wedding appetizers and hors d'oeuvres we recommend here bring their own unique charm and flavor, and as Arnon advises, get creative with seasonal ingredients to start your wedding celebration on a high note.