This easy recipe for Caprese skewers features all of the flavor of Caprese salad - but on a stick!
Featuring juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and aromatic basil, this fun appetizer is both fancy and flavorful.
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Caprese salad (known as insalata Caprese in Italian) means "Salad of Capri", referring to the island of Capri. Traditionally it consists of sliced tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil, salt, and good-quality olive oil. Many modern renditions often feature a yummy balsamic glaze, and some people like to add a few cracks of black pepper.
These caprese skewers are like the classic salad on a stick! They feature all of the traditional ingredients speared onto mini skewers, and make a great appetizer for just about any event.
While they are perfect any time of year, they truly shine during the Summer months when all of the star ingredients are in season.
Why You'll Love It:
- Simple ingredients. Tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, salt, and olive oil - that's all you need! (Plus a little balsamic drizzle for bonus points).
- Amazing flavor. If there is one thing that's true about all caprese appetizers, is that they are absolutely delicious. That's because they celebrate the best flavors of the Summer season.
- Easiest appetizer ever. There is no cooking or even peeling required! Just assemble, drizzle, and serve.
- The perfect size. If you're looking for finger food that works for any event (casual or fancy), these mini Caprese skewers are perfect for the job!
Ingredients
- Tomatoes: I recommend using a small tomato like cherry tomatoes (AKA grape tomatoes). They are easy to skewer and contain very few seeds.
- Basil: Fresh basil is an absolute must! In the Summer months, you can find some at the farmer's market. In the off-season, you may be able to score a small plant from the grocery store if you're lucky. The plants last a lot longer than the pre-cut fresh basil leaves and can be left on a sunny windowsill.
- Mini mozzarella balls: Also known as bocconcini, these are small balls of fresh mozzarella (also known as mozzarella fresca) that are perfect for adding to Caprese salad skewers.
- Olive oil: Use your favorite extra-virgin olive oil.
- Balsamic glaze: I like to keep some balsamic glaze on hand for an easy boost of flavor, but you could use a homemade balsamic reduction (or leave it out altogether).
- Salt and pepper: Salt is always included, but pepper is not so common. Use whatever you like best! I recommend kosher salt, but regular sea salt is just fine too.
Equipment
- Appetizer skewers: These wooden skewers come in a variety of sizes; anywhere from 3-7" long. I like to use little skewers (about 3-4" long) for these caprese bites.
How to Make Caprese Skewers
Step one: Pierce the center of a cherry tomato with an appetizer skewer.
Step two: Spear a basil leaf next, folding it over if it is a very large leaf.
Step three: Finally, add a mini mozzarella ball (bocconcini). Wedge the tomato, basil, and mozzarella to the center of the skewer.
Step four: Repeat with the remaining tomatoes, basil, and bocconcini. Place them on a plate or serving platter.
Step five: Sprinkle on kosher salt (to your taste) and then drizzle a fine stream of olive oil over the skewers.
Step six: Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze (or balsamic reduction) over each caprese skewer.
Top tip: Black pepper isn't always added to Caprese salad, but you can sprinkle on some pepper if you like it that way.
Expert Tips
- Store basil at room temperature. Basil is one of the few herbs that does not do well under refrigeration. Always keep your basil at room temperature, and purchase it in season (or as a potted plant) for the best flavor.
- Make just before serving. Since basil does not refrigerate well, you should make this easy appetizer just before you're ready to serve it. If you want to make for an easy assembly, you can pre-wash your tomatoes, and drain the mozzarella balls. Wrap the bowls of ingredients in plastic wrap and place in the fridge until needed.
- Pick the freshest ingredients. Caprese salad is all about celebrating the simple flavors of the Summer harvest. Use good quality ingredients and you'll have delicious results!
Variations
Longer skewers: Repeat the pattern of cherry tomato, basil leaf, and mozzarella ball until you fill the skewers. Sprinkle with salt, then drizzle on the olive oil and balsamic glaze.
With Italian seasoning: Caprese is about celebrating the simplicity of fresh, seasonal ingredients, but if you want to add a little extra herby flavor you can use some dried Italian seasoning OR the fresh Italian-inspired herbs of your choice.
Marinated mozzarella balls: If you prefer, you can use marinated bocconcini in this recipe instead of the plain type.
Substitutions
- With regular tomatoes: You can use your favorite juicy tomatoes for this recipe, but take care to remove any excess seeds first. Cut them into bite-sized chunks before skewering (about 1 ½").
- Balsamic glaze: If you can't find balsamic glaze or would prefer to make something on your own, you can use a homemade balsamic reduction instead.
- Mozzarella: If you prefer, you can use small chunks (1 ½") of fresh mozzarella instead of mini mozzarella balls. I don't recommend block mozzarella, as the consistency is much different and not typically used in caprese salad recipes.
If you loved this recipe for Caprese Skewers, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card, OR tag me on Instagram @maritimecountrykitchen!
Caprese Skewers (Mini Caprese Salad on a Stick)
Equipment
- Small skewers or bamboo picks
Ingredients
- 18 cherry tomatoes
- 18 basil leaves fresh
- 18 mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
- Kosher salt
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic glaze*
Instructions
- Using the sharp end of a 3-5" skewer, pierce through the center of a cherry tomato, and thread it through, leaving 1-2" at the end of the skewer.
- Next, pierce a fresh basil leaf, folding it over if it is very large.
- Finally, spear the skewer through a mini mozzarella ball (sometimes called bocconcini).
- Center the tomato, basil, and mozzarella on the skewer and place it on a plate or serving platter.
- Repeat with the remaining tomatoes, basil, and bocconcini.
- Sprinkle kosher salt on top of the Caprese skewers, according to your taste.
- Drizzle a fine stream of extra virgin olive oil over the skewers.
- Finally, drizzle some balsamic glaze over the Caprese bites.
- Serve immediately, or transfer to a clean platter for serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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