Caprese Skewers

Here’s a fun summer appetizer that pleases nearly everyone: Caprese Skewers! This easy recipe is visually stunning and irresistibly tasty, spearing all the components of a Caprese salad onto a skewer. There’s nothing better than basil and tomatoes in summer, and combined with seasoned mozzarella and a balsamic glaze: you won’t be able to eat just one!

Elements in caprese skewers

Caprese skewers are so simple, you barely need a recipe. What’s more fun than caprese salad on a skewer? We’ve got a few tips for maximum flavor in this pared back combination. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make caprese skewers:

Ripe cherry tomatoesFresh basil leavesSmall fresh mozzarella balls (aka ciliegine) or marinated mozzarellaItalian seasoning, garlic powder and saltOlive oilBalsamic glazeShort skewers

Love the tomato basil theme? Try Caprese Flatbread, Caprese Pasta Salad, Caprese Sandwich and more.

For the mozzarella

Often, fresh mozzarella balls can be deliciously chewy but rather bland tasting. For this caprese skewers recipe, we wanted to punch up the flavors of the mozzarella! All you have to do is mix the balls with a hint of olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt: and it adds a big boost of flavor. When you’re shopping for mozzarella, also look for ciliegine, the Italian word for this product. If you can find them, you can also use marinated mozzarella balls to add a tangy, herby undertone.

Use homemade or purchased balsamic glaze

Balsamic reduction is balsamic vinegar that has been heated and reduced until it thickens into a syrupy glaze. Caprese salad is often served with a flourish of this drizzle (especially in American restaurants). For these caprese skewers, it adds a nice visual interest as well as tangy pop to the flavor. You can make an easy homemade balsamic glaze with balsamic vinegar, which takes about 10 minutes to reduce on the stovetop. It’s also very easy to find bottled balsamic glaze at the grocery store these days: and the flavor isn’t drastically different than homemade. Do what works for you!

Serving caprese skewers

These caprese skewers are great for parties and hold up well when sitting at a buffet table. You can leave out caprese skewers for up to 2 hours at room temperature, then make sure to refrigerate due to the cheese. You can refrigerate leftover skewers for a few days, but keep in mind: the basil can turn dark over time. If you’re making these ahead, make them no more than 3 hours in advance.

More summer appetizers

Summer is great for entertaining with parties, picnics, and cookouts! Here are some more fun summer appetizer ideas:

Try Pan con Tomate (tomato bread), a tasty Spanish tapaOpt for Watermelon Tequila SkewersMix up Mexican Inspired Corn DipGrab Eggplant CaponataGo for Peach Salsa or Pineapple Salsa