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These Caprese Skewers are the easiest, most elegant appetizer you’ll ever make – fresh mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil drizzled with balsamic glaze and olive oil. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, these colorful Italian bites are perfect for parties, brunches, or any time you want to impress with minimal effort.

Caprese Skewers

Fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze on wooden skewers. This elegant Italian appetizer is colorful, fresh, and ready in just 15 minutes.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Appetizers, Italian

Servings 12 skewers

Calories 85 kcal

Equipment

Wooden skewers

Cutting board

Sharp knife

Ingredients

  

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Skewers

• 24 cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
• 24 fresh mozzarella balls ciliegine or bocconcini
• 24 fresh basil leaves medium to large size
• 12 wooden skewers 6-inch length

Dressing

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic glaze or balsamic reduction
• flaky sea salt for finishing
• black pepper freshly cracked, for finishing

Instructions

 

• On cutting board, assemble skewers: Thread one cherry tomato onto a wooden skewer, followed by a folded basil leaf, then a mozzarella ball, another folded basil leaf, and finish with another cherry tomato.
• Repeat with remaining skewers until all ingredients are used. You should have 12 skewers total.
• Arrange skewers on a serving platter in a single layer or standing upright in a serving glass.
• Just before serving, drizzle extra virgin olive oil over all the skewers using a spoon.
• Drizzle balsamic glaze in a decorative pattern over the skewers.
• Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately at room temperature.

Notes

Use the freshest ingredients possible – quality matters with simple recipes like this. Fresh mozzarella should be soft and creamy, not the hard shredded kind. If using larger mozzarella balls (bocconcini), cut them in half. Cherry tomatoes are sweeter and more flavorful than grape tomatoes. Fresh basil is essential – don’t substitute dried. Make balsamic glaze by simmering 1 cup balsamic vinegar until reduced by half and syrupy, or buy pre-made glaze. Assemble skewers up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerate, but bring to room temperature and add dressing just before serving. For extra flavor, let tomatoes and mozzarella marinate in olive oil, garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes before assembling. These are naturally gluten-free and vegetarian. Perfect for summer parties, brunches, or as an elegant appetizer. Double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.

ALLERGEN INFORMATION: Contains dairy (mozzarella cheese). This recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian. Always check ingredient labels if you have food allergies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 85kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 120mgSugar: 2g

Keyword Appetizers, Italian, No-Cook

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