Fresh Caprese Skewers Recipe Easy Perfect Tomato Mozzarella Appetizer
A quick and easy appetizer featuring juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil leaves, drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Perfect for any occasion and ready in under 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 skewers (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 20–25 cherry tomatoes, ripe and firm
- 20–25 mozzarella pearls (bocconcini), fresh and small-curd
- 20–25 fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 10–12 wooden or bamboo skewers, about 6 inches long
Instructions
- Rinse the cherry tomatoes and basil leaves gently under cold water. Pat dry thoroughly to avoid sogginess. Halve the cherry tomatoes if they are large.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly without crushing.
- Take a bamboo skewer and assemble by threading first a cherry tomato, then a folded basil leaf, followed by a mozzarella pearl. Repeat until the skewer has 3-4 sets. Leave space at the ends for handling.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar with 1 teaspoon olive oil for a smoother drizzle. Optionally, simmer balsamic vinegar over medium heat for 3-4 minutes to reduce and thicken, then cool.
- Arrange the skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle the balsamic mixture over the skewers just before serving. Optionally, sprinkle extra sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
Soak wooden or bamboo skewers in water for 15 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. Assemble skewers as close to serving time as possible to keep basil fresh and mozzarella from getting soggy. For a thicker balsamic drizzle, reduce balsamic vinegar by simmering. Store skewers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 24 hours without balsamic drizzle. Add balsamic just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 3 skewers per
- Calories: 150180
- Sugar: 34
- Fat: 1113
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 46
- Fiber: 12
- Protein: 911
Keywords: Caprese skewers, tomato mozzarella appetizer, easy appetizer, fresh basil, balsamic drizzle, summer recipe, party food