Caprese Skewers Appetizer

These caprese skewers are super easy and perfect for entertaining. Made with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, this appetizer is crowd pleasing and tasty. 

Caprese is a classic flavor combination that can be incorporated into many recipes. As a quick lunch, you can make an avocado caprese sandwich or caprese pasta salad and if you’re looking for a nice but quick dinner, try caprese pizza and caprese chicken. These mini caprese skewers are always a showstopper at any party and so simple to make! And it gets better: they’re naturally gluten free and vegetarian. 

Caprese appetizer skewers 

If you are a fan of caprese salad, you’re going to love these little skewers. They are so easy to make and serve, which makes them ideal for entertaining. Because of the beautiful red, white and green colors, these skewers add a touch of color to any table.

I’ve written at length about caprese before, but just to catch up, here is a brief introduction: caprese refers to the combination of mozzarella, tomato and basil. It’s an Italian classic that also represents the colors of the Italian flag.

This is a no-cook appetizer that’s so simple to make (literally 3 ingredients!). It has a great flavor thanks to sweet cherry tomatoes and is easy to cook and eat. Caprese skewers are light and nicely balance other party appetizers. 

Ingredients to make caprese salad skewers

Traditional caprese salad is made with slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and large slices of tomatoes. In this recipe, we use chunks of mozzarella and cherry tomatoes to match the small size of the skewers, resulting in a festive appetizer.

To make these little caprese salad skewers, you need the following ingredients:

• Mozzarella cheese: You can either cut a large ball of mozzarella into chunks or use mozzarella balls called Bocconcini.
• Tomatoes: I love using cherry or grape tomatoes for this recipe. I don’t recommend using sliced tomatoes because they release too much liquid. 
• Basil: Fresh basil leaves are perfect for these skewers. In summer, you can easily use basil grown in your garden if available. 

How to make caprese skewers 

Sometimes, it’s best to choose an easy appetizer to make when you have company to save time and avoid having a long shopping list. Here are the basic steps:

• Prepare the ingredients: Wash and dry the basil leaves and the tomatoes, then cut the mozzarella slices into quarters. 
• Thread on skewers: Thread the ingredients on the skewers. I used 4″ wooden skewers to make this appetizer. You can also use cocktail picks which have a great appearance for entertaining. 
• Serve: Place the skewers on a wooden board or a plate and serve cold. 

Different kinds of mozzarella

In an ideal world, you would want to use small mozzarella balls that are fresh from a deli or even homemade. However, you can also use a log of mozzarella that you get at the cheese section of a supermarket and that would work just fine. 

Now, if you’re feeling fancy or want to go that extra mile, use marinated mozzarella balls. You can find them in some supermarkets, or use this homemade marinated mozzarella recipe that’s easy and really delicious! 

Serving suggestions

To make these skewers even more delicious, you can drizzle some balsamic glaze (balsamic reduction) or basil oil on them, or serve them on the side so everyone can use their preferred condiment. You can also simply drizzle them with some extra virgin olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. 

Can I make these ahead of time?

You can make these caprese salad skewers 12 hours before serving. Once you prepare them, place them on a plate and cover with a plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Additions to mini caprese skewers

These skewers taste great on their own, but if you’re looking to add something extra, here are a few suggestions:

• Olives
• Peach
• Watermelon cubes
• Sun dried tomatoes
• Salami or prosciutto
• Cooked shrimp 
• Grilled chicken
• Cubes bread

More no-bake appetizers:

• Muhammara 
• Spinach yogurt dip
• Mediterranean mezze platter
• Marinated olives with walnuts