Caprese Skewers
Caprese skewers are the kind of thing you whip up in ten minutes, but people act like you just rolled up with a tray of gourmet appetizers from a fancy Italian bistro. I’ve brought these to everything from school potlucks to backyard BBQs, and they never last longer than a few minutes.
They’re fresh, pretty and simple to make as well as being delicious and healthy.
Easy Caprese Skewers
Prep time: 10 minutes | Servings: 12
First: Why Caprese?
Caprese is one of those magical combinations that just works. Tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. It’s like summer in a bite. You get the sweet juiciness from the cherry tomatoes, the soft creaminess from the mozzarella, and that bright pop of flavor from fresh basil. Drizzle a little balsamic glaze on top, and honestly, it tastes like something way fancier than it is.
I love it because it feels light and fresh, especially during warm weather. But also? It feels kinda special. Maybe it’s the skewers. Maybe it’s the colors. Either way, it feels like something you put thought into. (Even if your “thought process” was more like: what can I throw together in ten minutes that won’t embarrass me?)
Here’s What You’ll Need to make 12 Caprese Skewers
How to Make Caprese Skewers (step-by-step)
- Start with 2 small mozzarella pearls.
Slide them onto your skewer first. They make a nice base and keep things balanced. - Add a basil leaf.
If it’s on the larger side, just fold it in half. It’ll look cute and stay on the skewer better. - Now add a cherry tomato.
I like to mix red and yellow ones if I have both, extra pretty! - Another basil leaf.
Because you can never have too much basil. It’s basically nature’s breath mint. - Top it off with 2 more mozzarella pearls.
And boom, you’ve got yourself a beautiful little skewer. - Repeat until you run out of ingredients.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Just a little zigzag across the top. It looks fancy, tastes delicious, and gives it that restaurant vibe. - Finish with black pepper.
A little sprinkle goes a long way. Adds just the tiniest kick of flavor.
When to Serve Caprese Skewers
These work for so many occasions. Here are a few ideas:
- Picnics – No forks, no mess, just grab and go.
- Family BBQs – A nice little upgrade from chips and dip.
- Potlucks – You’ll be the one who brought those amazing little skewer things.
- Holiday parties – Red, white, and green = Christmas vibes!
- Birthday brunches – Because you’re a mom, and brunch is basically a reward for surviving life.
Honestly, you don’t even need a reason. Sometimes I make these for lunch when I want something that feels a little bit fancy without a lot of effort.
Make-Ahead Tips
Busy day ahead? You can totally prep these a few hours early.
Here’s what I do:
- Assemble the skewers and pop them in a container.
- Cover them with a damp paper towel (this keeps the basil fresh and happy).
- Store them in the fridge.
- Drizzle the balsamic and add pepper just before serving so they don’t get soggy.
They travel well too, so toss them in a cooler and head out the door!
Optional Add-Ons
If you’re feeling a little extra, here are a few fun things you can try:
- Prosciutto – Add a small ribbon of prosciutto for a salty-sweet combo.
- Mini mozzarella balls marinated in herbs – Adds a little flavor twist.
- Flavored balsamic glaze – Some stores sell fig or pomegranate versions. So good!
- A tiny piece of crusty bread at the bottom – Makes it heartier, almost like a mini sandwich.
But honestly? These skewers are perfect just the way they are. No need to overthink it.
Caprese skewers are my kind of recipe. They’re quick, pretty, and full of flavor. You don’t need to be a chef or even a “good cook.” If you can poke things onto a stick and drizzle something over the top, you’re golden.
So the next time you’re invited to a party or just want to level up your snack game, give these a try.
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Caprese Skewers
Ingredients
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup mozzarella pearls – These are the tiny balls of fresh mozzarella. You can usually find them near the fancy cheeses.
- 24 fresh basil leaves Try to pick smaller ones or just fold the big ones like a little green taco shell.
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze Don’t skip this. It adds a slightly sweet tangy finish that ties everything together.
- ½ tsp black pepper or to taste – Freshly ground if possible, but regular pepper works too.
- Skewers or cocktail sticks You can go full-length if you want to make a statement or use shorter toothpicks for a bite-sized version.
Instructions
- Start with 2 small mozzarella pearls. Slide them onto your skewer first. They make a nice base and keep things balanced.
- Add a basil leaf. If it’s on the larger side, just fold it in half. It’ll look cute and stay on the skewer better.
- Now add a cherry tomato. I like to mix red and yellow ones if I have both, extra pretty!
- Another basil leaf. Because you can never have too much basil. It’s basically nature’s breath mint.
- Top it off with 2 more mozzarella pearls. And boom, you’ve got yourself a beautiful little skewer.
- Repeat until you run out of ingredients.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Just a little zigzag across the top. It looks fancy, tastes delicious, and gives it that restaurant vibe.
- Finish with black pepper. A little sprinkle goes a long way. Adds just the tiniest kick of flavor.
