Fried Gnocchi Appetizers with Prosciutto and Pecorino
Updated Nov 05, 2025, Published Dec 20, 2016
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These crispy fried gnocchi appetizers with Pecorino and Prosciutto are simple, elegant and full of flavour. They’re ready in under 20 minutes and make perfect Italian finger food for any occasion.
Quick recipe overview
- Flavour – Salty prosciutto with creamy pecorino cheese and briny olives.
- Perfect for – parties and entertaining
- Serve with – your favourite Italian cocktail, such as a Negroni or Limoncello Martini and other delicious nibbles.
If you’re looking for something fun and a bit different to serve at your next party or get-together, then this is it.
The gnocchi are fried until golden and crispy, cooled, then popped on a skewer with salty prosciutto, creamy pecorino and briny olives. They’re pretty effortless to make and are always a crowd pleaser.
Serve them with a glass of fizz and other delicious finger food (see our suggestions below) and enjoy!
Ingredient notes
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It- Pecorino – we used a Tuscan Pecorino, which is a semi-hard cheese with incredible flavour. If you can’t get Pecorino, you can use another Italian cheese such as Scamorza, Fontina, Caciocavallo or Provolone.
- Prosciutto – try to use a good-quality prosciutto if you can.
- Olives – I prefer to use pitted olives so they are easy to skewer, but use whatever olives you like.
Serving suggestions
Drinks – Serve with a glass of Prosecco or an Italian cocktail such as our Sbagliato Rosso or Pomegranate Spritz.
Other appetizers – These would go beautifully with our Burrata with Crispy ‘Nduja & Gremolata, Italian Tuna Stuffed Cherry Peppers, Grissini – Italian Breadsticks or Smoked Salmon Crostini.
I would prep the gnocchi no more than a couple of hours before serving, and they are best not placed in the fridge once fried (or they’ll lose their crispy texture). The other components (prosciutto, cheese and olives) can all be prepped and refrigerated.
If you’ve tried these Fried Gnocchi Appetizers or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest or sign up to our Newsletter to see more of our delicious food.
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Fried Gnocchi Appetizers with Prosciutto, Pecorino and Olives
Equipment
- 20 cocktail sticks/toothpicks
Ingredients
- 1- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 20 potato gnocchi
- 8 – 10 slices Prosciutto
- 20 small slices Pecorino cheese, (or cheese of choice)
- 20 olives
- salt
Instructions
- To make the fried gnocchi, add the olive oil to a large pan under a medium heat. Fry the gnocchi with a little salt until golden and crispy all over (around 10-15 minutes). Let them cool slightly.
- Add one gnocchi to a cocktail stick, followed by a piece of prosciutto, cheese and finally an olive. Continue with the rest of the ingredients then arrange on a serving platter.
- Serve with other nibbles and drinks.
Helpful Info for All Recipes
- I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
- When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
- All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
- All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
- Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
- Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
- You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Oh what a delicious mouthful this would be! A must at my next dinner party! Thanks!
Let me know how you get on!
oh MY gosh, this sounds so good. I love gnocchi and finally perfected a gluten free version. Gonna have to make this. Perfect little bite of heat, texture and flavor. YUMMMM.
Thanks so much Andrea, hope you enjoy!
The fried gnocchi sounds amazing! And I love all the different flavors and textures you’ve got going on, all in one little bite. Yum yum yum!
Thanks Willow…I love fried gnocchi!
Instead of doing a buffet for NYE, I always do one on Christmas Eve and these babies are definitely going to be a part of it! I’ve never, ever heard of this flavour combo before. But now you’ve introduced me to it, I can’t wait to give it a try!
That sounds amazing having a Christmas Eve buffet. I hope you enjoy it and have a lovely Christmas! ☺️
I am definitely in search of new appetizers this time of year! I am actually on app duty for Christmas dinner this year haha so these cute little toothpick bites would be the perfect addition to the dinner table. I especially love that they only have 5 ingredients!
Thanks so much, they’d be perfect for that!
What a delicious appetizer! I’ve never thought to fry gnocchi but it sounds delicious! I’ll have to try this!
You really need to try it they are AMAZING fried! Thank you ☺️
This would make a delicious appetizer.
Thanks Kristina ☺️
These bites are perfect for NYE!
Thank you ?