Enjoy the perfect bite with these Caprese Skewers, a delightful blend of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil.
What’s better than fresh tomatoes from the garden? Adding some creamy mozzarella for a Caprese Salad. And what’s better than that? Transforming them into the perfect bite with easy-to-eat and perfect-to-serve Caprese Skewers.
When we were developing the recipe, we had to have some friends over for taste tasting. (This was a hardship for all of us, of course). The toughest part was keeping enough ingredients on hand to try different variations; everyone wanted to pop these skewers into their mouths before we could experiment. A bonus: these good-to-grab skewers are colorful and fun, making them super Instagrammable.
While you’re at the store (and garden), grab some extra ingredients so you can whip up this delicious Arugula Caprese Salad or for a heartier meal, Risotto and Caprese Chicken.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
They’re bright, colorful, and quick to make, and their grab-and-go vibe makes them perfect for picnics, house parties, or potlucks.
Ingredients
Only three main ingredients — this recipe is a breeze to make!
- 12 cherry tomatoes (various colors)
- 6 mini mozzarella balls
- Basil leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Balsamic reduction for drizzling
- Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
How to Make – The Steps
Step 1: Thread the tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves onto mini skewers.
Step 2: Place the caprese skewers on a plate and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks to Make Perfect Caprese Skewers
- The simplicity of Caprese Skewers means each ingredient stands out. You need to go for ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy mini mozzarella balls, and fresh basil for the best flavor.
- Let the olive oil shine: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for its rich, fruity flavor. I usually go for Greek extra virgin olive oil (sorry to my Italian friends!). I love its strong fruity, grassy flavor, with a peppery kick at the end.
- You can buy mini skewers at your grocery store or online — or in a pinch, you can use toothpicks.
- Don’t forget to add little salt and freshly ground black pepper.
FAQs
Absolutely. Cherry tomatoes are good choices because they’re sweet and small, but feel free to experiment. Try grape tomatoes or even those fancy heirloom cherry tomatoes.
No problem. Just grab a larger ball of mozzarella and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
You’re the captain of this recipe, so you can add (or subtract) to your heart’s desire. Add a chunk of grilled chicken or shrimp if you want proteins, or a melon or peach cube for a refresghing summer twist.
You can make your own by simmering some balsamic vinegar until it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Otherwise, drizzle some traditional pesto or a raspberry vinaigrette for a different flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Caprese Skewers are a versatile appetizer that makes the perfect addition to a tapas-style meal or an antipasto platter. For a more substantial meal, pair them with a classic Italian pasta dish like this Easy Baked Pasta or Bruschetta Salad.
Make Ahead and How to Store
While it’s best to put your skewers together right before your guests arrive, there’s no rule saying you can’t wash your tomatoes, drain and dry your mozzarella or lay out your skewers ahead of time. If there’s any left after the party, toss them in a container with a tight lid and pop them in the fridge. They’ll be good for a day, but the basil might start to wilt after that. If you don’t like them cold, just take them out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before you dig in.
Caprese Skewers
Ingredients
- 12 cherry tomatoes colorful
- 6 mini mozzarella balls
- Basil leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Balsamic reduction for drizzling
- Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Thread the tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves onto the mini skewers.
- Place the capers skewers on a plate and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic reduction. Enjoy!
