Italian Tramezzini Recipes: Delicious Finger Sandwiches

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Try my delightful Italian tramezzini – small, delicious finger sandwiches perfect for any occasion. Soft triangles of white bread filled with mouthwatering ingredients, they're versatile and easy to make. Enjoy them with a coffee or glass of wine for the ultimate Italian experience.

While tramezzini sandwiches were invented in Turin [northwest Italy], and are extremely famous in Venice, this delicious treat can be found in any bar.

Now, don't picture a bar as a dark place, as it's just your regular cafe' where there's also alcohol... because on the boot, you can drink a coffee while your friend has a glass of wine, and you both enjoy a tramezzino, it's all good!

Depending on where you are or who owns the establishment, you will find different fillings, but you will always, and I mean - ALWAYS -, find the softest milk bread without crusts.

These are the softest sandwiches, and with their triangular shape [and many other shapes] and various fillings, they make for a perfect mid-morning meal or a party, and anything in between!

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💎 Why This Recipe Works
🛒 Ingredients
📜 Ingredients For Different Fillings
🎯 Tramezzini Fillings Variations
👩🏻‍🍳 How to Make Finger Sandwiches
🙋 People Also Ask [FAQs]
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
❄️ Storing & Reheating
🍽️ Recipe

💎 Why This Recipe Works

Variety of Fillings: The recipe provides a diverse range of filling options, including Mediterranean vegetables, prosciutto and Parmesan, and tuna with capers. There's something for everyone - make your own perfect tramezzino!
Traditional Italian Touch: Tramezzini, originating in Italy, are made with soft white bread and classic Italian ingredients, capturing the essence of Italian cuisine.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Tramezzini are versatile and can be served at parties, picnics, potlucks, as an antipasto, aperitivo, or starters, making them suitable for a wide range of gatherings.
Make-Ahead Option: Tramezzini can be prepared in advance and stored, making them a convenient choice for busy hosts.

🛒 Ingredients

White Bread: You can either opt to buy crustless bread, or you can cut the crust off yourself, as preferred. Should you find an Italian grocery shop or deli, they may sell the 'real' one, which sees the loaf cut horizontally in massive slices, rather than vertically.
Mayonnaise: Many people say that homemade mayonnaise is the way to go, however, if you are preparing multiple trays for a large party, just ensure you buy a good quality mayonnaise, like the Italian Calve' Classica or Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise.

🔔 Be sure to check out the recipe card for all the ingredients and instructions you'll need to make this dish. Don't miss out on any of the details!

📜 Ingredients For Different Fillings

Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables, Sundried Tomatoes, Garlic, Cream Cheese, Basil, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil on a wooden chopping board.

Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables, Sundried Tomatoes, Garlic, Cream Cheese, Basil, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil: These ingredients make a delicious vegetarian option - the full recipe for the tramezzini is below, while for the Mediterranean Vegetables find it here.

Prosciutto [Parma or San Daniele Ham], Parmesan Cheese, Arugula [Rocket] on a wooden chopping board.

Prosciutto [Parma or San Daniele Ham], Parmesan Cheese, Arugula [Rocket]: Simple ingredients that together with the mayonnaise and white bread make for a delicious taste of Italy and a great meat option! This full recipe can be found below as well, and if you have leftover prosciutto, I'd recommend trying these baked and stuffed chicken breasts.

Canned Tuna, Fresh Tomatoes, Red Onions, Capers on a wooden chopping board.

Canned Tuna, Fresh Tomatoes, Red Onions, Capers: At last, a great fish option that is easy to make and is so colorful and tasty. The recipe is just below, while another great tuna recipe, is this pasta with tomato and tuna.

🎯 Tramezzini Fillings Variations

Arugula and Bresaola: With a little mayonnaise on the bread, this makes for a quick snack.
Asparagus, Flake Salt, and egg: Lightly poach or grill the asparagus and pair it with a soft-boiled egg and mayo.
Tuna and Olives: A classic that can be amended as preferred.
Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil: Choose fresh mozzarella and serve it cold or lightly toasted [even if tramezzini are normally served cold, this option wants to break the rules].
Salami, Arugula [Rocket], and Asiago Cheese: Full of flavor, bold, and satisfying.
Grilled Eggplant [Aubergine] or Artichokes, Mozzarella or Stracchino, and Basil: Sophisticated.
Grated Boiled Eggs, and Watercress: Mixed with mayonnaise.
Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, and Fresh Dill: Elegant and simple.
Cucumber, Lightly Salted Butter, Mixed Fresh Herbs: This is a simple and light summer option!
Bacon, Eggs, Lettuce: With a little bit of mayonnaise these are the perfect starter for a barbecue party.
Ham, Mozzarella, Mustard: Mix the mustard with the mayonnaise, and enjoy this classic untoasted.
Speck, Mild Cheddar, Sauteed Mushrooms: Delicious and unexpected.
Humus, Cucumber Slices, Tomato Slices, and Spinach Leaves: Tasty vegan.
Nutella, Strawberries or Bananas, Whipped Cream or Clotted Cream: The quickest dessert!
Peanut Butter, and Jam: A twist on your classic PBJ.
Pineapple Jam, and Coconut Flakes: Pina Colada sandwiches.

👩🏻‍🍳 How to Make Finger Sandwiches

Mediterranean Vegetables and Cream Cheese

In a bowl, mix the extra virgin olive oil, soft cream cheese, thinly chopped sundried tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh basil leaves, and salt until you obtain a uniform cream.
On a slice of bread, spread some of the flavored cream cheese and top with plenty of roasted Mediterranean vegetables.
Top the sandwich with the second slice of bread and cut it into the desired shape using a sharp knife.

Prosciutto, Arugula [Rocket], and Parmesan Cheese

Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise across a slice of bread and top with two slices of prosciutto, some arugula, and Parmesan flakes.
Sprinkle some black pepper or olive oil if desired.
Starting from one side, roll the bread to create a roll and safely hold it in place using toothpicks. You can decorate the top of the rolls with an olive, a sundried tomato, or a mini pickle.
Slice the roll into inch-thick portions and serve.

Tuna, Capers, and Tomato

Peel and thinly chop the fresh onion.
In a bowl, add the drained tuna, mayonnaise, capers, onions, and a sprinkle of salt. Should you wish, you can add some red pepper flakes or cracked black pepper too.
Mix well until you reach the desired consistency.
Spread some of the tuna filling onto a slice of bread and top with thin slices of tomato.
Close the sandwich using another slice of bread, then cut it into two triangles if using square bread, or four, if using Italian tramezzini bread.

🙋 People Also Ask [FAQs]

How to make Italian homemade mayonnaise?

In a bowl, add two room-temperature yolks and a few drops of lemon juice; start whisking using an electric whisk. Start adding extra virgin olive oil a bit at a time [half cup]; once this has been added and the consistency is thick and creamy, add a tablespoon of lemon juice and another half cup of olive oil [you can substitute some of the oil with a few tablespoon avocado oil for a different flavor] always a little at a time, allowing them to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper, give it a last mix and serve.

What is the difference between tramezzini and panini?

Panini is a sandwich that typically has an elongated shape and is toasted; it is mostly made using a whole small loaf of bread. Tramezzino [plural: tramezzini] is a cold crustless sandwich, similar to tea sandwiches.

What is tramezzini bread made of?

Tramezzini bread is a moist bread made of white flour, yeast, water, sugar, milk, and often butter; once baked, its crusts are removed and the remaining loaf is sliced into long horizontal slices.

💡 Expert Tips and Tricks

Fresh: While tramezzini will keep well for a couple of days, it is very important that they are very well sealed when stored. The closer you can prepare them to the event, the better.
Bread: If you can't find tramezzini or crustless bread, you can buy regular sliced bread and remove the crust from it using a sharp knife.
Use your imagination: If a combination could work well, go for it - these easy finger sandwiches are so versatile!

❄️ Storing & Reheating

In the fridge: You can store tramezzini on a platter, tightly sealed with cling film; you can also store them in an airtight container for up to two days in the fridge. Before serving, allow them to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
In the freezer: Stuffed tramezzini are not suitable for freezing.