Description
These vibrant Caprese skewers feature juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and fresh basil, all drizzled with a sweet-tangy balsamic glaze. They’re a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties, potlucks, or healthy snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pint (about 2 cups) cherry tomatoes, rinsed and dried
- 8 oz (about 1 cup) fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine), drained and dried
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
- 16 wooden skewers or toothpicks
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional, for glaze)
- Flaky sea salt, to taste (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse cherry tomatoes and pat dry. Drain mozzarella balls and pat dry. Wash and dry basil leaves.
- Pour balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan. Add honey or brown sugar. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half and syrupy (about 8-10 minutes). If too thick, whisk in a splash of water.
- Lay out 16 skewers. Slide a cherry tomato onto each, followed by a folded basil leaf, a mozzarella ball, and another tomato. Repeat until all ingredients are used.
- Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and black pepper if desired. Add a light drizzle of olive oil for extra richness.
- Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. Add glaze just before serving for best appearance.
Notes
For best results, use fresh basil and mozzarella at room temperature. Make the glaze ahead and refrigerate for up to a week. Add glaze just before serving to keep basil vibrant. Substitute vegan mozzarella for dairy-free, or use heirloom tomatoes for extra color. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 80
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: caprese skewers, party appetizer, balsamic glaze, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, gluten-free, vegetarian, easy recipe, summer snack