Crafted with the simple ingredients you'd find in a caprese salad, these Caprese Skewers are a total winner. The juicy cherry tomatoes are nicely balanced with the cheesy mozzarella balls and the balsamic glaze. The best part, is putting these caprese salad skewers together. It's super easy and only takes a few minutes!
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Why This Recipe Works
- I love caprese salad, and if you're like me and love the simple flavors of the sweet tomatoes with the cheese balls and the fresh basil, you've got to try making these!
- Caprese skewers can be the perfect appetizer to serve at your summer parties and get-togethers, or just to put together and enjoy when you want to try something different and delicious.
- You don't even need to put in too much kitchen time and effort for this finger food.
🥘 Ingredients
You'll need just 5 simple ingredients to make these caprese skewers.
- Cherry tomatoes: Add a juicy, sweet-tart flavor to the skewers.
- Fresh mozzarella balls: Provide a creamy, rich contrast to the tomatoes.
- Basil leaves: Fresh basil introduces a fragrant, herbal note.
- Balsamic glaze: Drizzled on top for a sweet and tangy finish.
- Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and enhances the overall flavors.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- While this balsamic glaze already lends the caprese skewers a nice tangy flavor, you can also sprinkle some freshly ground black pepper or Italian seasoning over the skewers for some extra flavor.
- Also remember to season the caprese salad skewers well with salt and pepper to get them to have the best flavor.
- You can also choose to drizzle some olive oil over the skewers if you want to.
🔪 How To Make Caprese Skewers
Once you have all your ingredients ready, here's what you'll need to do to make caprese skewers.
Step One: On a skewer place 2 small pearls of mozzarella. Then add a basil leaf. You can fold them in half if they're too big. Then add a cherry tomato or use two cherry tomatoes if they're smaller in size.
Step Two: Then add another basil leaf. And add 2 small mozzarella pearls again. Repeat until you run out of ingredients. Drizzle balsamic glaze and season with black pepper to taste.
💡 Hint: You can also choose to marinate the creamy mozzarella balls overnight in some olive oil to get some extra flavor to them. Then, all you need to do is add them into the little skewers.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Think you're ready to give the recipe a try? Here are some more tips and tricks you might want to keep in mind.
- You can also add some garlic powder to the balsamic reduction if you want some extra flavor.
- Based on what you can find, you can use either cherry or grape tomatoes to make these mini caprese skewers.
- Check your local grocery store for the best, fresh mozzarella balls, grape or cherry tomatoes and basil leaves.
- To make sure the caprese skewers look nice and balanced, try to get your hands on grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes that are roughly the same size as the mozzarella balls.
- If you don't have the balsamic glaze that the recipe calls for, you can simply make it yourself by reducing balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan on low heat until it gets a nice, thicker consistency.
💭 FAQs
You’ll need cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls (or a similar soft cheese), and basil leaves. A drizzle of olive oil and a touch of balsamic vinegar round out the flavor, with salt and pepper to taste.
Yes, you can prepare them ahead of time. However, it’s best to add the olive oil and vinegar just before serving so the ingredients remain fresh and the basil doesn’t wilt.
You can swap mozzarella with bocconcini or another mild, soft cheese. The key is to choose a cheese that pairs well with the sweetness of the tomatoes and the aroma of basil.
A simple technique works well: thread a tomato, then a basil leaf, and finish with a mozzarella ball. This order ensures each bite captures all the distinct flavors, making the skewer both appealing and tasty.
You can store any leftover caprese skewers that you may have in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Remember that the fresh basil leaves that are a part of the skewers can start to wilt, so you may want to remove them.Then, when you want to serve these caprese skewers, you can add some fresh basil leaves and some extra olive oil and balsamic drizzle as a final finishing touch.
You sure can! You can assemble the caprese skewers a day in advance and refrigerate them in a serving platter covered with some plastic wrap. Then, when you want to serve them, just sprinkle some salt and pepper and drizzle some olive oil and tangy balsamic glaze over the skewers.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Caprese skewers are a greatl appetizer bursting with fresh flavors, so it's great to pair them with complementary dishes. Here are a few suggestions:
- Crusty Bread: Serve alongside some crusty Italian bread or baguette slices. Guests can use the bread to soak up any leftover balsamic glaze or olive oil from the skewers.
- Antipasto Platter: Create a colorful antipasto platter featuring cured meats like prosciutto or salami, marinated olives, roasted peppers, and marinated artichoke hearts. The variety of flavors and textures will complement the freshness of the caprese skewers.
- Bruschetta: Whip up some classic tomato bruschetta or a variation with toppings like roasted garlic, white beans, or basil pesto. The tomato-based topping will harmonize with the flavors of the caprese skewers.
- Grilled Vegetables: Offer a platter of grilled vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and asparagus. The smoky char of the vegetables adds depth to the meal and provides a nice contrast to the freshness of the caprese skewers.
- Mixed Green Salad: Serve a simple mixed green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette. The crispness of the greens will provide a refreshing palate cleanser between bites of the caprese skewers.
- Chicken Stuffed With Spinach And Dates: Serve with a protein such as stuffed chicken for an added burst of flavor.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Caprese Skewers
Ingredients
- 12 Cherry Tomatoes
- ½ cup Mozzarella Pearls
- 24 Fresh Basil Leaves
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic Glaze
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Once you have all your ingredients ready, here's what you'll need to do to make caprese skewers.
- On a skewer place 2 small pearls of mozzarella. Then add a basil leaf. You can fold them in half if they're too big.
- Then add a cherry tomato or use two cherry tomatoes if they're smaller in size. Then add another basil leaf.
- And add 2 small mozzarella pearls again. Repeat until you run out of ingredients.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze and season with black pepper to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
More Appetizer Recipes
If you enjoyed trying out this caprese skewer recipe, and inspired to try your hands at more appetizer recipes, here are a few good ideas.
