Every year, I like to include at least one simple yet festive snack for our St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and these Irish flag appetizer skewers have quickly become a favorite.
They’re ridiculously easy to put together, yet they never fail to grab attention on the table. Best of all, they’re made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your fridge.
While they’re perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, they’re also a fun choice for Irish-themed parties, tricolor appetizers or any gathering where you want to add a little festive flair.
Whether you're hosting a party or just want to celebrate the day with a fun snack, these little skewers are a must-try!
5 reasons to try these Irish-themed appetizers
- Easy to make: No cooking required, just simple stacking!
- Quick prep: Ready in minutes!
- Festive & fun: The green, white and orange layers represent the Irish flag.
- Perfect party food: Ideal for St. Patrick’s Day gatherings, buffets or casual get-togethers.
- Customizable: Substitute any of the ingredients to your liking.
How to make Irish flag appetizer skewers
You will need:
- Pickled pearl onions.
- Green olives.
- Orange cheddar.
- Cocktail sticks/wooden party skewers.
- Cutting board and knife – To dice the cheese.
- Paper kitchen towels – For the onions and green olives – you will need to pat them dry.
- Strainer – Not necessary but recommended.
- Serving plate, tray or chopping board – You can also serve them as part of a cheese board.
- Plastic container – When making them ahead.
Assembling them is pretty straight-forward. Either you start with cheese or olives. Cheddar will be at the bottom and olives at the top of the skewers.
Possible variations & substitutions
- For a spicy kick, swap cheddar for spicy pepper jack cheese or olives stuffed with jalapenos.
- Don’t like pearl onions? Use mozzarella cubes instead!
- If olives are not your thing, cocktail dill pickles are a great substitution!
FAQ's
Yes! I personally recommend assembling them up to 6 hours ahead, but it is possible to make them a day in advance. Make sure to store them in an airtight container in the fridge!
For the orange layer, try Colby cheese, diced orange bell peppers or smoked gouda for a flavorful twist.
Choose any white mild cheese instead of pearl onions and green grapes instead of olives.
These St. Patrick’s Day appetizers go well with pigs in a blanket, bacon puff pastry twists or an easy charcuterie board for a balanced spread.
Julia’s tips for success
Choose firm cheese: Cheddar works beautifully because it holds its shape well. Avoid cheese that crumbles easily.
Dry the ingredients well: Patting the pearl onions and olives dry prevents them from making the cheese soggy.
Add extra flavor: Use stuffed green olives (with lemon, roasted pepper or jalapeno) instead of the plain ones.
Skewer size matters: Make sure to use longer skewers to make them easier to grab from a party platter. Regular toothpicks are too small to hold the three ingredients, so opt for cocktail sticks that are about 4-inch (10-centimeter) long!
Irish Flag Appetizer Skewers
Ingredients
- 24 pickled pearl onions (80 grams)
- 24 green olives (90 grams, see note 1)
- 6 ounce block orange cheddar (170 grams, see note 2)
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Pat dry the pearl onions and olives. Cut the cheese into about ½-inch (1.5-centimeter) cubes.
- Assemble the skewers by threading the olive, pearl onion and finally the cheese cube onto a skewer.
- Serve on a plate, cutting board or part of a charcuterie board.
Notes
- You can use plain green olives or add an extra flavor using stuffed olives. Mini pickles are a great substitution.
- Cheddar can be substituted with other orange colored cheese that does not crumble. Try Colby Jack or smoked Gouda.
- It is possible to make them a day in advance, but you must drain and pat dry the wet ingredients well. Otherwise, they can turn the cheese cubes soggy. Or, you can also prep all of them ahead, keep in separate containers and assemble on the day of serving. Assembling 24 pieces takes about 10 minutes.
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