These Caprese Skewers layer juicy cherry tomatoes with marinated mozzarella balls and fresh basil. Top them off with balsamic reduction for a fresh, flavorful summer appetizer.
I have been making this Caprese Salad recipe all summer long – at least a couple of times a week. I don’t know about you all, but our kitchen is still overflowing with summer tomatoes and I am going to enjoy every last one while they’re here.
My favorite recipes are fresh, simple, and uncomplicated, so Caprese salad checks all the boxes for me. The ingredient list is short, but each ingredient perfectly complements the others.
Caprese Skewers have all of the same amazing flavors, just in bite-sized form! The finishing touch is a drizzle of balsamic reduction that brings everything together.
They’re a great appetizer for summer parties, for picnic and potluck and only take about 15 minutes to put together. Plus, assembling the skewers is a fun task for little helpers.
Ingredients Needed
- Mini and fresh mozzarella balls — For the best presentation, look for Ciliegine mozzarella balls. They’re a similar size as the cherry tomatoes, so they look nice on the skewer together.
- Extra virgin olive oil — Caprese skewers are the perfect recipe to use your best olive oil – the subtle flavors really come through here.
- Seasonings — A blend of Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Add some red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Cherry Tomatoes — Cherry tomatoes are best, but grape tomatoes will also work. I recommend going with whatever is the most ripe.
- 1 bunch of fresh basil leaves — If you like a strong basil flavor, use large leaves and fold them in half. Or, you can use small leaves for a lighter note.
- Balsamic reduction — Drizzle it on the caprese skewers just before serving to add a little bit of sweetness to it. You can make your own or buy one at your grocery store.
Homemade Balsamic Glaze
If you have an extra 15 minutes, you can whip up your own balsamic reduction! It’s incredibly easy to make and you can use any balsamic vinegar you have on hand.
- Add 1 cup of balsamic vinegar to a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Then, reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. It will thicken as it cools.
- When the vinegar is reduced by ½, remove it from the heat to cool.
How to Assemble Caprese Skewers
Marinate the mozzarella:
- Toss the cheese balls with olive oil and seasonings in a small bowl.
- Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Assemble the skewers:
- Start each skewer with a cherry tomato.
- Then add a basil leaf, mozzarella ball, and another basil leaf.
- Top it off with one more cherry tomato.
Drizzle with balsamic reduction:
- Arrange it on a serving platter.
- Drizzle the skewers generously with homemade balsamic reduction (or your store bought one). You can also sprinkle more kosher salt and pepper, if you prefer. Now it’s ready to serve your caprese salad skewers. Super easy!
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
- This recipe looks best when you use mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes that are similar in size. They’re easier to plate this way, too.
- If you don’t have wooden skewers on hand, a toothpick will work in a pinch. Just be sure to snip off one of the sharp ends first.
- I like to serve it with a balsamic drizzle at room temperature, so the flavors really come through.
- You can keep any leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.
What to Pair with
This appetizer is a 10/10 as-is, but depending on the crowd, I like to pair it with other appetizers or even serve it as a side dish.
Appetizers: They’re perfect with cocktail meatballs and fresh garlic bread – almost like a deconstructed Italian dinner. They also look great on any cheese board.
Side dish: Keep the “food-on-a-stick” theme going with these grilled shrimp skewers or chicken kabobs. Or, use the leftovers to make my baked chicken caprese.
Frequently Asked Questions
They’re best when they’re as fresh as possible. But, if you need to prep them in advance, you can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few hours. Then bring them to room temperature, drizzle with balsamic reduction, and serve. Just note that if you make them too far ahead of time, the basil can start to brown.
I recommend at least 15 minutes, but you can marinate them overnight, too. This is a good step to prep in advance and save yourself some time on the day of assembly.
You can buy fresh mozzarella in many different sizes. The best size for caprese skewers will be the ciliegine or “cherry size” mozzarella balls since they’re close in size to the cherry tomatoes. If you can’t find this variety, you can cut a large mozzarella ball into cubes. Mozzarella pears tend to be too small and fall apart on the skewers.
If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. And be sure to check out the full collection of Appetizers here at Primavera Kitchen!
More Easy Appetizers
Caprese Skewers Recipe
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Ingredients
- 14 mini mozzarella balls
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 26 cherry tomatoes
- 24 basil leaves
- Balsamic reduction for drizzling
Equipment
Instructions
- Place mozzarella balls in a bowl and toss with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let them marinate for 15 minutes*.
- Skewer each cherry tomato, basil leaf, mozzarella ball, another basil leaf, and another tomato onto skewers.
- Arrange the skewers on a plate and generously drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Tips
- Caprese skewers are best served immediately.
- Use a mix of red and yellow tomatoes for a pop of color.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Olivia Ribas says
Priscila says
This looks really good! Thank you for sharing!
Olivia Ribas says
You’re very welcome!