Got a party, potluck, holiday, or book club meeting on the calendar? Trust me when I tell you that Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle are going to be the hit of your get together!
Mini mozzarella cheese balls are skewered with fragrant basil leaves and juicy cherry tomatoes then drizzled with tangy-sweet balsamic reduction to create this perfectly poppable appetizer. They will FLY off the platter.
You know I am a dip girl through and through, but it’s sometimes nice to have a light and healthy option when you’re entertaining, or have been asked to bring a dish to share. These one-bite skewers definitely check the box!
Watch How to Make Them!
Easy, Healthy Appetizer Recipe
If you’re a long time IGE reader you may recognize these babies. I first created this healthy appetizer “recipe” (if you can call it that with a straight face – they really are so easy!) in 2012 and they’ve been a smash hit ever since. We needed a photo upgrade though, which is why I’m re-sharing today.
Over the years you’ve loved making platters of Caprese salad on a stick as a gorgeous addition to a holiday food table, while others (hi, me, I’m others) make them over, and over, and over again in the summertime. Especially as cherry tomato plants take off. I am not exaggerating when I tell you my Mom recently dropped a 5lb bag of cherry tomatoes on my porch and ran. I will be eating them until Halloween!
These fresh, healthy, easy, and elegant bites also pair extremely well with a cold glass of vino and a great friend or two. Just saying. ;)
Caprese Skewer Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes: I very much prefer cherry over grape tomatoes for these skewers, especially in the summertime, because they’re so so sweet. That said, if you’re assembling them in the dead of winter, and grape tomatoes look best at that time, then go for grape.
- Ciliegine Mozzarella Cheese: These are the “cherry” size mozzarella cheese balls, and I like the BelGioso brand. If you can’t find them, buy a ball of fresh mozzarella and chop it into pieces that are the same size as the cherry tomatoes. Look for either option at the specialty cheese counter in your grocery store.
- Fresh Basil: Snag a handful off your plant, or buy a clamshell from the store. If the leaves are large, simply fold them in half or into quarters before skewering.
- Salt and Pepper: I sprinkle the skewers with salt and pepper just before serving to make the flavor of each ingredient pop.
- Balsamic Vinegar: My favorite part of the Caprese Skewers is the luscious, sweet and sticky balsamic reduction that’s drizzled on top. Balsamic reduction is just boiled vinegar. It’s super easy to make, though I will say using store bought balsamic reduction is very easy and convenient too! I’ll share a couple options below.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
This is the most common question I get about Caprese Skewers! Feel free to assemble the skewers up to 12 hours ahead of time then store in an airtight container in the fridge. Save the salt, pepper, and balsamic reduction drizzle for just before serving.
If you make/refrigerate the skewers too far ahead of time the basil can wilt.
Either way, these Caprese Skewers take minutes to put together, and if you’ve got kids, they’re fun and easy for them to assemble too. Now let’s get to work!
How to Make Caprese Skewers
Step 1: Make the balsamic reduction. Again, you can buy pre-made balsamic reduction at the store (Trader Joe’s has one, and I also really like Alessi brand balsamic reduction) but it’s a cinch to make at home.
Pour balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan over high heat then bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium then simmer until the vinegar has reached a thin maple syrup consistency. It will continue to thicken as it cools, FYI.
The best way to tell if it’s done is to scrape a spatula down the center of the pan. If you can see the bottom for a second or two, you’re set! Pour the balsamic reduction into a small serving bowl then set aside.
Step 2: Assemble the Caprese Skewers. Start by threading a mini mozzarella cheese ball onto a toothpick. If it’s for a group of friends or the holidays, I’ll pick up some pretty, specialty toothpicks, but regular ol’ toothpicks are just fine too.
Next add a fresh basil leaf, folded in half or into quarters if large, followed by a cherry tomato.
So cute, right?!
Continue to build your skewers using the rest of the ingredients.
Step 3: Season the skewers. When you’re ready to serve, sprinkle the skewers with salt and pepper. If you’ve got fancy maldon finishing salt flakes – totally go with that.
Step 4: Drizzle with balsamic reduction. I usually go light handed with the balsamic reduction so it doesn’t look sloppy on the platter, but then always include a small bowl of it with a serving spoon on the side so people can add more because it REALLY makes the skewers!
That’s all she wrote! Whether you’re trying this recipe for the first time or the 10th, I hope you love each and every bite of these fresh and flavor-packed Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle! Enjoy!
More Quick & Easy Appetizers
- Herb and Garlic Marinated Olives
- Fig & Prosciutto Goat Cheese Dip
- Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Dip
- The Best Fruit Dip
- Marinated Vegetable Salad
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Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle
Description
Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle are a quick and healthy, fresh and fabulous appetizer recipe! Easy to assemble, and perfectly poppable.
Ingredients
- 2 cups balsamic vinegar
- 10oz cherry tomatoes
- 8oz Ciliegine mozzarella cheese (also called "cherry" size), I like Belgioso
- .8oz clamshell fresh basil leaves
- salt and pepper
- toothpicks
Directions
- For the balsamic drizzle: Add balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan over high heat then bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium then simmer until vinegar is the consistency of thin maple syrup, 20 minutes. You'll know it's done when you can see the bottom of the pan for a second or two after scraping a spatula across. Pour balsamic reduction into a small bowl then set aside to cool. Alternatively you could use store bought balsamic reduction (see notes).
- Thread a cheese ball onto a toothpick, followed by a basil leaf - fold in half or into quarters if large. Finish with a cherry tomato then place onto a serving platter. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Just before serving, sprinkle skewers with salt and pepper then drizzle with cooled balsamic reduction. Serve immediately.
- Leave a comment and star rating if you loved the recipe! Thank you for considering!
Notes
- Feel free to use store bought balsamic reduction to save time! I like Alessi brand.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
Recipe photos by Ashley McLaughlin
I make this using small chunks of cucumber in addition to the recipe ingredients. I sometimes use the balsamic drizzle and sometimes no drizzle but a little Jane’s crazy mixed up salt and a sprinkle of true lemon. I am going to try subbing pretzel sticks for toothpicks. Love this recipe. Easy, healthy, yum.
Neat Italian snack from the Iowa girl. being of 3/4 Italian descent myself, it sounds real good…I’ll have to try some.
I hope you love them, Joe!
Thank you for this recipe. Made these today for a dinner party appy. They were delicious and a huge hit!! They were so easy to put together. In addition to the cherry tomato, basil, and cheese ball, I also added cooked cheese tortellini marinated for a few minutes in olive oil and Italian seasoning to each skewer and then topped the skewer with a large Queen sized stuffed olive (Costco). They were like a salad on a stick and very tasty and so colorful. Drizzled the cheese balls with De Nigris classic balsamic glaze which did not need to be cooked. It is thick as is and ready to use. I will definitely be making these again. Two thumbs up and many thanks for sharing this recipe!
I LOVE those additions to the skewers, Missy!! So glad you were able to make them your own. :) Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
These were a hit! I made them for a gathering of girlfriends and everyone swooned over them. Comments were how cute they were and a perfect delicious bite of flavor. I used whole cherry tomato’s and anchored the bottom with a slice of cucumber.
Ooo – love the cucumber idea!! So glad you all of you ladies enjoyed them!
Your photo is just divine! I decided to make this for some company. I just made the balsamic glaze and I think I let it cook a bit too long. It has many tiny lumps and possible is too thick. Do you think I should thin it out a bit before using and try to whisk out the lumps? Thanks for any tips!
You could try adding a little water or more balsamic vinegar and whisking well!
Hi! Love these! Made them a few times but always right before the event began. Do you have any experience assembling the day before then add the drizzle at party time? How much in advance will they work…. if any? Or best right before? someone asked already, but I am not seeing a response. Thank you!
I have found that assembling them the same day as service is best. If you assemble then refrigerate overnight, the basil can wilt/blacken, and the tomatoes become mushy!
awsome
Love these with fresh summer tomatoes and basil from the garden! You can make your own balsamic drizzle or buy it from the store to save a bit of time and mess. They are also pretty for party apps!
Can you prepare the drizzle ahead of time and does it have to be warm at the time you serve?
Absolutely! If it’s a little too thick when it comes time to drizzle you can just warm it in the microwave until it reaches a drizzly consistency.
Can u make these a day ahead
I would like to bring these to Thanksgiving dinner. We travel about an hour, should I drizzle before we go or wait and drizzle when we arrive? They’d be set out immediately as an appetizer. Thank you!
[…] Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle from Iowa Girl Eats. Show the gluten-free crowd some love with this easy and elegant appetizer. The combination of basil, tomato, and balsamic vinegar is richly satisfying. Because of this, you’ll only choose to eat a few (Rather than the whole plate…). And, they’re quick and easy to assemble! […]
[…] Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle – this eye catching appetizer is in minutes. […]
So easy and absolutely delicious! Definitely will make again. There wasn’t one left on the platter and received several compliments on how delicious they were. Thanks for sharing the idea and recipe!!
Such a great bite! What is the dusting on the actual picture? Garlic powder?
Freshly ground pepper! :)
Make this for my husband as an appetizer today, 7-3-2019, and he LOVE it. Definitely will be making it again and again and again and again….
Awww, love to hear that, Jeri! Thanks for your feedback and recipe review!