Caprese Skewers Recipe

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Caprese skewers are great for many different occasions. Whether you want a healthy snack for movie night or you have guests coming over for appetizers, these are deliciously light and enjoyable snacks that are easy to make and even budget-friendly.

As I write this, it’s sweltering out there, and honestly, this was my “girl dinner.” While it’s a great dish for almost any occasion, this was so delicious as a stand-alone meal.

A front view of a row of Caprese Skewers laying on a wood surface.

What Are Caprese Skewers?

Caprese skewers are small, appetizer-style skewers that are quite literally bursting with Italian flavors (and I usually hate to use the word “bursting” with anything related to food.) It’s quite simply a skewer (or toothpick) that holds a layered stack of small tomatoes, small balls of mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze. You can’t get much more Italian-style flavor than that.

What Does Caprese Mean?

The word “Caprese” references the island of Capri. It’s a combination of ingredients that represent the Italian flag.

Caprese Skewers With Balsamic Glaze

Caprese skewers wouldn’t be the same without the balsamic glaze. But the stuff you buy in the store is often loaded with a list of unwanted ingredients. So if you are trying to eat clean as much as possible, here’s a recipe to easily make your own, homemade balsamic glaze with just two ingredients.

Caprese Skewers With Meat

Yes, you can add meat to Caprese skewers. While it’s a twist on a classic combination, it doesn’t stray too far from the original intent of the recipe. Some people are happy to add small, cut blocks of salami. But since I try to keep things a bit healthier around here, I highly recommend adding some small chunks of chicken. It goes well with the balsamic glaze.

What Kind Of Tomatoes Should I Use For Caprese Skewers?

Any small tomatoes will work. Grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes are usually the perfect size.

An overhead view of a row of Caprese Skewers drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Can I Use Different Types Of Cheese?

You can. Any type of cheese you like will work, but the best choices are bocconcini, burrata, or cow feta.

Can I Make Caprese Skewers Ahead?

Yes, you can. But it’s best to wait to drizzle the oil and vinegar over it until you are ready to serve them.

Can I Marinate The Mozzarella?

While it’s not necessary, you can absolutely do it to add even more flavor to this. You can marinate the mozzarella in a blend of olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs an hour or two before you put the skewers together.

What To Serve With Caprese Skewers?

Caprese skewers go well with other appetizers like bruschetta, antipasto platters, or light salads.

Can I Serve Caprese Skewers At Room Temperature?

Yes, you can. Just don’t leave them out for more than two hours for food safety reasons.

A side view of a row of Caprese Skewers on a wood cutting board.

About The Ingredients

Grape tomatoes – Or cherry tomatoes.

Fresh mozzarella cheese – Mini mozzarella balls or cut into small cubes.

Fresh basil leaves

Extra-virgin olive oil

Balsamic glaze – Your best option for a healthy glaze is to make your own.

Salt and pepper – Sprinkle on as much as you want.

Skewers – Or toothpicks

How To Make Caprese Skewers

Caprese Skewers Recipe ingredients on a wood cutting board in individual containers.

Wash the tomatoes and set them aside to dry. If you’re using a block of fresh mozzarella, cut it into small cubes. Wash and dry the fresh basil leaves.

An overhead view of a line of Caprese Skewers just assembled.

Take a wooden skewer or toothpick and thread on one tomato, followed by a folded basil leaf, and then a piece of mozzarella. Repeat this process for the remaining skewers.

A closeup of a row of Caprese Skewers drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil and then some balsamic glaze over the skewers and top with some salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. But note that these taste best when fresh. The basil can get old, so you may want to remove it and discard it before storage. Then add fresh leaves when you’re ready to eat the leftovers.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for this.

More Skewer Recipes

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A front view of a row of Caprese Skewers laying on a wood surface.

Caprese Skewers Recipe

A delicious appetizer or snack that's great for anything from movie nights to special occasions.
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Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 10 skewers
Calories: 92kcal

Equipment

  • Skewers or toothpicks

Ingredients

  • 10 oz. package of grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
  • 8 oz. fresh, small, mozzarella balls
  • 1 bunch fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. balsamic glaze
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Wash the tomatoes and set them aside to dry. If you're using a block of fresh mozzarella, cut it into small cubes. Wash and dry the fresh basil leaves.
    Caprese Skewers Recipe ingredients on a wood cutting board in individual containers.
  • Take a wooden skewer or toothpick and thread on one tomato, followed by a folded basil leaf, and then a piece of mozzarella. Repeat this process for the remaining skewers.
    An overhead view of a line of Caprese Skewers just assembled.
  • Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil and then some balsamic glaze over the skewers and top with some salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy.
    A closeup of a row of Caprese Skewers drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewer | Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 278IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Author: Tiffany McCauley

Title: Food and Travel Journalist

Expertise: Food, cooking, travel

Bio:

Tiffany McCauley is a nationally syndicated journalist and an award-winning cookbook author and food blogger. She has been featured on MSN, Huffington Post, Country Living Magazine, HealthLine, Redbook, and many more. Her food specialty is healthy comfort food recipes.

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