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These fresh caprese skewers will become your favorite throw-together appetizer! Made with juicy cherry tomatoes, aromatic basil, and creamy mozzarella balls on a stick! These caprese bites are drizzled with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze that ties it all together. Take your entertaining to a new level by serving up these caprese salad skewers.
Table of Contents
- Why you’ll love these caprese kabobs
- Ingredients to make Caprese skewers
- How to make caprese skewers
- Tips for making the best Caprese salad skewers
- Popular substitutions & additions
- What to serve with caprese bites
- How to store caprese skewers
- Frequently asked questions
- More appetizer recipes:
- Caprese Skewers Recipe
If you love caprese salad, try it on a stick! These caprese kabobs are refreshing and light yet pack in so much flavor. It’s a great appetizer, snack, or part of a larger meal. And summertime is the best time to enjoy these fresh flavors. So gather your ingredients, and let’s get started!
Why you’ll love these caprese kabobs
- Easy to make. With just a few ingredients and a short prep time, you can create an impressive and visually appealing appetizer or snack that will impress your guests. Better yet, get your kids involved – they’ll have a blast skewering the ingredients and feel a sense of accomplishment.
- Customize to your preference. These tasty bites are so versatile. You can add your own twist by incorporating additional ingredients like olives, artichoke hearts, or a drizzle of your favorite dressing or glaze.
- Crowd-pleasing appetizer. These are a hit at parties, potlucks, and BBQs. The familiar flavors and attractive presentation make them an irresistible snack throughout your event.
- Bursting with seasonal freshness. With fresh ingredients that peak during summer, caprese kabobs are a must-have snack or appetizer. As the warm weather rolls in and farmer’s markets overflow with vibrant tomatoes and fragrant basil, these kabobs will quickly become a regular on your menu.
Ingredients to make Caprese skewers
- Cherry tomatoes: Use small fresh tomatoes such as cherry or grape tomatoes. The size needs to be similar to the mozzarella balls.
- Mozzarella balls: Fresh mozzarella ciliegine are small balls of fresh mozzarella cheese and are the perfect size for skewering on a toothpick or cocktail pick. The term “ciliegine” comes from the Italian word for “cherries” (ciliege) since the size of these mozzarella balls is similar to that of cherries.
- Basil: Fresh basil leaves add a pop of color and wonderful freshness to each bite that complements the creamy mozzarella and sweet tomatoes.
- Balsamic glaze: This thick, syrupy balsamic vinegar reduction offers a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with the fresh ingredients. It also adds a nice visual contrast in both texture and color.
- Salt and pepper: A light seasoning of salt and freshly ground black pepper completes this appetizer and balances all the flavors together.
How to make caprese skewers
- Start by threading a cherry or grape tomato onto a skewer or toothpick, followed by a basil leaf, then a mozzarella ciliegene ball.
- Repeat this process until you have the desired number of skewers or until you have used up all the ingredients.
Drizzle balsamic glaze over the skewers, sprinkle salt and pepper, and serve immediately.
Tips for making the best Caprese salad skewers
- Use small basil leaves. They are more intense in flavor. However, if you only have large basil leaves, gently fold them in half or roll them so all ingredients are similarly sized. But be careful with basil as it bruises easily.
- Party appetizer. These Caprese sticks will be the highlight of your dinner party. Double the recipe and arrange the assembled skewers on a serving platter or plate for an elegant presentation.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature. You can serve your Caprese Kabobs directly from the fridge or at room temperature. To serve at room temp, take them out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving. You can also chill an empty plate or platter in the freezer. Then transfer the skewers to the frozen plate for serving.
Popular substitutions & additions
- Swap balsamic glaze with pesto. Drizzle pesto sauce on top of the skewers instead of the balsamic glaze or serve both options for large parties!
- Go simple. Feel free to skip the balsamic and pesto entirely and do a simple drizzle of your favorite extra virgin olive oil and season generously with salt and black pepper for a nice finishing touch.
- Try herbed mozzarella balls. You can buy them marinated with garlic, herbs, and oil or make your own. Herbed mozzarella adds a depth of flavor and richness and takes these caprese skewers to the next level.
- Add olives or artichoke hearts. Thread pitted olives like Kalamata or Castelvetrano olives onto the skewers for a briny taste and contrasting texture. You can also add marinated artichoke hearts for variety. Cut them into bite-sized pieces first so all ingredients are sized equally.
What to serve with caprese bites
Kick off your meal with these tasty caprese salad skewers, perfect alongside other appetizers and light pasta salads, before diving into your main course.
How to store caprese skewers
Store the skewers in an airtight container or cover them tightly with plastic wrap. This helps prevent the ingredients from drying out and maintains freshness. To avoid the ingredients from becoming soggy, it’s best to store the skewers and balsamic glaze separately. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
How long will caprese skewers last in the fridge?
Caprese skewers can last up to 24 hours in the fridge when stored properly. It’s best to consume them within a day for the best flavor and texture. Any longer than that, tomatoes will begin to soften, and basil leaves will wilt.
Frequently asked questions
Fresh mozzarella balls, are typically found in small tubs submerged in brine. You can usually find them displayed alongside other varieties of mozzarella cheese or in the specialty cheese section in your local grocery store.
Yes, you can assemble the skewers ahead of time for up to 24 hours and store them in the refrigerator covered until ready to serve. Wait to add the balsamic glaze, vinegar, or other garnish before serving to prevent the skewers from getting soggy.
Yes, you can create a deconstructed version of caprese skewers by adding all ingredients to a bowl instead of threading them on a skewer. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and add a serving spoon.
Get ready to enjoy Caprese salad in a whole new way with caprese skewers topped with a balsamic drizzle. These delightful bites have a perfect combination of flavors that will leave you craving more. But not only are they incredibly delicious, but they also provide a feast for the eyes. Impress your guests and make these today!
More appetizer recipes:
- Tomato Bruschetta
- Avocado Shrimp Salsa
- Mezze Board
- Kibbeh Nayyeh
- Crispy Tofu Bites
- Classic Wedge Salad
- 7 Layer Dip
- Baked Feta Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Salad Cups
- Crostini with Roasted Tomatoes
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Caprese Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella Ciliegine small mozzarella balls
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- Sea salt to taste
- freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by threading a cherry or grape tomato onto a skewer or toothpick, followed by a mozzarella Ciliegine ball, and then a fresh basil leaf. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of skewers or until you have used up all the ingredients.
- Arrange the assembled Caprese skewers on a serving platter or plate.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over the skewers, sprinkle salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
