These caprese skewers thread sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and fresh basil onto sticks, then finish with olive oil, pesto, or balsamic glaze. Best of all, they take 15 minutes, need no cooking, and look gorgeous on any party table. In particular, they are inspired by the classic caprese salad, which is believed to come from the island of Capri. Moreover, its red, white, and green colors are often said to honor the Italian flag (Wikipedia).
Key Takeaways
- Bite-size mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine) make assembly fast.
- Add the glaze or pesto just before serving so the skewers stay fresh.
- No cooking needed, so they are perfect for summer parties.
What Are Caprese Skewers?
Caprese skewers are a bite-size version of caprese salad. Instead of slicing everything onto a plate, you thread each ingredient onto a small stick. As a result, guests can grab one with no plates or forks.
Moreover, they are naturally gluten-free and vegetarian. Therefore, they suit almost every guest.
Caprese Skewers Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes: Ideally, choose ripe, firm tomatoes of similar size.
- Mozzarella balls: First, drain small fresh mozzarella balls and pat them dry.
- Fresh basil: Then fold large leaves in half.
- To finish: Olive oil, pesto, or balsamic glaze, plus flaky salt and pepper.
- Skewers: Generally, short 6-inch sticks work best for appetizers.
How to Make Caprese Skewers
The full recipe card is at the end of this post. Meanwhile, here is how they come together.
1. Prep. First, rinse and dry the tomatoes and basil. Then drain the mozzarella and pat it dry.
2. Marinate (optional). Next, toss the mozzarella with olive oil, salt, and pepper for extra flavor.
3. Thread. After that, thread a tomato, a basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball onto each skewer. Repeat once more.
4. Finish. Finally, arrange on a platter, drizzle with pesto or balsamic glaze, and sprinkle with flaky salt.
Tips for the Best Caprese Skewers
- Dry everything well. Otherwise, the oil and glaze slide off.
- Season the cheese. In fact, plain mozzarella is mild, so salt makes a big difference.
- Keep basil fresh. Add it last so that it does not wilt.
- Serve at room temperature. Similarly, tomatoes taste sweeter when not ice-cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make caprese skewers ahead?
Yes. Assemble them up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate. However, add the glaze just before serving.
What can I add?
For example, add folded salami, cucumber chunks, or olives for an antipasto twist.
How many should I make?
Generally, plan on 2 to 3 skewers per guest when serving several appetizers.
Final Thoughts
In the end, caprese skewers prove that simple ingredients can make a stunning appetizer. Moreover, they are fresh, colorful, and ready in minutes.
For more Italian bites, try our tomato bruschetta or our homemade mozzarella sticks.
AuthorEmma food bloggerDifficultyBeginnerCherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil threaded on skewers and finished with olive oil, pesto, or balsamic glaze. Makes 12.
Skewers
To Finish
Prep. Rinse and dry the tomatoes and basil. Drain the mozzarella and pat dry.
Season. Toss the mozzarella with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Thread. Thread a tomato, a folded basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball onto each skewer. Repeat once.
Finish. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with pesto or balsamic glaze. Sprinkle with flaky salt and serve.
6 servings
2 skewers
- Amount per serving
- Calories175
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 13g17%
- Saturated Fat 6g30%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 30mg10%
- Sodium 167mg8%
- Total Carbohydrate 5g2%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Total Sugars 4g
- Protein 9g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredients
Skewers
To Finish
Sources
- Wikipedia, Insalata Caprese: origin on Capri
