Italian Caprese Skewers: A Fresh and Flavorful Appetizer

These Caprese Skewers are vibrant, sweet, tangy, and absolutely delightful. This stunning appetizer is a breeze to prepare—ideal for a warm day.

Recipe Details

I’m a fan of these Caprese Skewers because they are refreshingly tasty. While they are enjoyable year-round, I particularly savor them in summer when the tomatoes are at their sweetest and cold dishes are most appealing. You’ll appreciate this easy recipe.

• TASTE: Sweet, cheesy, and tangy, these skewers offer a delightful blend of flavors, enhanced by a touch of salty, peppery seasoning.
• TEXTURE: Featuring juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and crisp basil leaves, these skewers are topped with a syrupy glaze that makes them hard to resist.
• TIME: This recipe requires just 5 minutes to prepare.
• EASE: With minimal ingredients and no cooking required, this dish is quick, straightforward, and convenient.

What You’ll Need

Ingredient Notes

• Mozzarella- Fresh mozzarella boasts a rich and creamy texture. Opt for ciliegine-sized pieces, which are similar to cherry size and perfect for skewers.
• Cherry tomatoes- Their size and flavor make these tomatoes ideal for the recipe, as their sweetness complements the other ingredients beautifully.
• Basil- Fresh basil adds aromatic and herbaceous notes.
• Balsamic glaze- This rich, sweet, and tangy glaze pairs perfectly with the tomatoes and cheese.
• Salt and black pepper-

Add-ins and Substitutions

• Make your own balsamic glaze- Create a balsamic reduction by simmering balsamic vinegar until thickened, then allowing it to cool before drizzling over the skewers.
• Use different tomatoes- Mix yellow and red cherry tomatoes for added color, or opt for grape tomatoes.
• Substitute another cheese- While Caprese traditionally includes mozzarella, consider cubed cheddar, pepper jack, or Monterey jack for a twist.
• Add olive oil- Drizzling extra virgin olive oil over the skewers enhances the richness of this fresh appetizer.

How to Make Caprese Skewers

• Skewer the cheese, tomatoes, and basil. Start by draining the mozzarella balls, then assemble the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on the skewers.
• Season and glaze. After preparing the skewers, season with salt and pepper, then drizzle with balsamic glaze right before serving.

Pro Tip: For every skewer, I used 2 tomatoes, 2 basil leaves, and 1 mozzarella ball to maintain a balanced flavor that doesn’t overwhelm the cheese.

Recipe Tips

• Pick tomatoes at the right ripeness – Choose cherry tomatoes that are ripe but not overly soft. Overripe tomatoes can be mushy, making them difficult to skewer without breaking.
• Opt for kosher salt – This type of salt enhances flavors better than iodized salt and adds a delightful crunch when it coats the other ingredients.
• Drizzle the glaze just before serving – Adding the balsamic glaze too early can cause the mozzarella to absorb it, resulting in a discolored appearance.

FAQs

How far in advance can caprese skewers be made?

You can prepare caprese skewers up to 24 hours ahead of time. However, it is best not to add any balsamic glaze or seasonings until you are ready to serve them, as doing so might cause the tomatoes to release their moisture. Preparing them any earlier may result in mushy tomatoes and wilted basil.

Serving Suggestions

These Caprese Skewers are not only easy to prepare but also incredibly delicious, making them ideal for entertaining guests. They complement various dishes, including salads, dips, grilled meats, and other appetizers.

• Grilled meats: Pair these skewers with Grilled Chicken Kabobs, Flank Steak Tacos, Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs, or Grilled Teriyaki Salmon.
• Salads: Complement them with Antipasto Salad, Greek Chicken Pasta Salad, Salmon Potato Salad, or Tri-Color Pasta Salad (VIDEO).
• Dips: Serve alongside a 7 Layer Taco Dip, Hot Artichoke Dip, Easy BLT Dip, or Garlic Cream Cheese Dip.

Additional Appetizers: Complement this dish with Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower, Baked Brie in Puff Pastry, Easy Piroshki, or Crab Stuffed Mushrooms.

Preparation in Advance

Prep Ahead: You can assemble the skewers one day in advance and store them in the refrigerator within an airtight container. When it’s time to serve, simply drizzle with balsamic glaze and season with salt and pepper.

Storage: Keep any leftovers of these homemade Caprese Skewers in an airtight container for a maximum of 2 days in the refrigerator.

Freezing: It’s not recommended to freeze these skewers. While the mozzarella and basil will defrost adequately, the tomatoes may become grainy and excess water may form.

Delicious Appetizer Options!

• 
  Smoked Salmon Appetizer Cups
• 
  Chicken Croquettes Recipe
• 
  Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
• 
  Easy BLT Dip

Complete Recipe Instructions

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• 
  
  
  ▢
  
  
  1
  bunch Basil
• 
  
  
  ▢
  
  
  8
  oz
  Mozzarella balls
  ciliengine
• 
  
  
  ▢
  
  
  Salt & pepper to taste
• 
  
  
  ▢
  
  
  Balsamic glaze
  for garnish

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Start by draining the liquid from the mozzarella balls. Next, thread the tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella onto the mini skewers.
• For each skewer, I used 2 tomatoes, 2 basil leaves, and 1 mozzarella ball. Once assembled, season with salt and pepper, then drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.
  

Nutrition

Calories:
31
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
1
g

|

Protein:
2
g

|

Fat:
2
g

|

Here is a revised version of the nutritional information while maintaining its integrity and structure:

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**Saturated Fat:** 1 g | **Polyunsaturated Fat:** 0.01 g | **Monounsaturated Fat:** 0.003 g | **Cholesterol:** 4 mg | **Sodium:** 10 mg | **Potassium:** 32 mg | **Fiber:** 0.1 g | **Sugar:** 0.4 g | **Vitamin A:** 73 IU | **Vitamin C:** 3 mg | **Calcium:** 42 mg | **Iron:** 0.1 mg

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This format presents the same nutritional data succinctly and clearly.