by Holly
Caprese Skewers are a fabulous mini appetizer that’s quick, easy and popular. Just like our favorite Caprese Salad, this recipe has creamy mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves flavored with olive oil and seasonings!
This is a favorite flavor combination stacked on wooden skewers as a snack or even as a caprese bruschetta or a caprese pasta salad.
How to Make Caprese Salad Skewers
Caprese skewers are a twist on a classic caprese salad. The salad is made by overlapping slices of tomatoes and fresh mozzarella on a plate, sprinkling with a chiffonade of basil leaves. Then the plate is seasoned with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil, and sometimes with balsamic vinegar.
The recipe is just as pretty but easier to serve at a party. While many recipes call for a drizzle of olive oil at the end, I find marinating the cheese adds the most amazing flavor!
As Easy as 1,2,3!
- Marinate mozzarella (per recipe below).
- Thread ingredients on small skewers (I used these 4″ bamboo skewers).
- Season and serve.
As an alternative, you could use pretty toothpicks threaded with smaller bite-size ingredients. Cut the tomatoes in half, or use grape tomatoes, a quarter of a fresh basil leaf and a half or third of a mozzarella ball.
Marinate for Flavor
The mozzarella used for caprese skewers or salad is typically fresh, deli or homemade version, which has a sweetness and velvety softness that a block of grocery store pizza mozzarella can’t match.
It’s creamy and delicious and made even better by marinating in seasonings and olive oil.
Other Cheeses
If you don’t have access to fresh mozzarella balls, you can still enjoy caprese skewers made from cubed mozzarella from a package (or check your deli area for marinated cheeses).
To Make Caprese Skewers Ahead
Make ahead by no more than half a day. Prepare the caprese skewers, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours.
What Appies Go Best with Caprese Skewers?
A variety of appetizers go well with caprese skewers. Serve them with prosciutto ham rolls, bruschetta, garlic toast rounds, or a crudité dish containing a variety of olives.
Consider setting out some small dipping dishes featuring an array of gourmet balsamic vinegars that have been naturally infused with flavors such as fig, raspberry or cherry. Balsamic vinaigrette makes a lovely dip or drizzle for your caprese skewer appetizers.
More Delicious No Bake Appies
- Easy Spinach Dip – only 6 simple ingredients!
- Fresh Mango Salsa – delicious combo of juicy & tart
- 5 Minute Taco Dip – quick party dip!
- Garden Fresh Bruschetta – ready in under 15 mins!
- Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Crisps – fresh fruity appies
Caprese Skewers
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 12
Course Appetizer
Cuisine ItalianEquipment
Ingredients
- 24 cherry tomatoes about 1 pint
- 12 mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
- 24 small basil leaves or 12 large
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic sliced, optional
- salt & black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze optional
Instructions
- Combine olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic if using and mozzarella. Marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Wash tomatoes and wash basil leaves and gently pat dry. If basil leaves are large, rip in half.
- Thread a cherry tomato on each skewer followed by a basil leaf, a mozzarella ball, another basil leave and finally another tomato.
- Discard garlic slices (or reserve for cooking) and drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil marinade and balsamic glaze over skewers. Season with salt & pepper.
