These caprese skewers are the ultimate no-fuss party appetiser. Just five fresh ingredients, five minutes, and you’ve got a platter that looks like it came straight from an Italian deli. Juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, and fragrant basil leaves threaded onto skewers and finished with a drizzle of rich balsamic glaze. Simple, stunning, and absolutely delicious.
The Best Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
If you’re looking for a party appetiser that looks impressive, tastes incredible, and takes absolutely zero effort these caprese skewers are your answer.
Sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, all threaded onto a little skewer and ready in under five minutes. No cooking, no stress, just a beautiful platter of Italian-inspired bites that disappear the moment you serve them.
Whether you’re hosting a summer garden party, putting together a Christmas buffet, or just want something gorgeous to bring to a potluck, this is the recipe you’ll come back to every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 5 minutes, no cooking needed
- Only 5 core ingredients
- Endlessly adaptable
- Make-ahead friendly: perfect for stress-free entertaining
- Naturally gluten-free
Other Party Foods Ideas
What Is a Caprese Skewer?
This Caprese skewer recipe is inspired by the classic Italian insalata caprese, believed to have originated from the island of Capri. The salad features layered sliced mozarella and tomatoes, topped with basil, extra-virgin oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper. The ingredients reflect the colours of the Italian flag similar to my heirloom tomato and mozzarella salad.
It is one of the easiest and most satisfying summer salad. You can mop up the juices with slices of fresh bread.
This version is a deconstructed form of the classic salad turned into finger food. The traditional trio of tomato, mozzarella and basil, are threaded onto skewers for the ultimate easy no-cook canapé. Perfect for parties, BBQs or sharing boards and platters.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- cherry tomatoes
- mozzarella pearls
- basil leaves
- balsamic glaze
- extra-virgin olive oil
- salt & pepper
Optional additions or substitutions:
- Pesto drizzle instead of (or alongside) the balsamic glaze
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Rocket (arugula) as a basil alternative
How to Make Caprese Skewers — Step by Step
- Prepare your ingredients: wash and dry tomatoes; drain mozzarella
- Assemble the skewers: thread in order: tomato, mozarella, folded basil, tomato, mozzarella
- Arrange on a serving platter
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze just before serving
- Optional finish: season with salt and pepper
TOP TIP: Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze just before serving, not ahead of time, to keep the skewers looking fresh.
Expert Tips for the Best Caprese Skewers
- Choose the ripest tomatoes you can find: flavour is everything in a dish this simple
- Use good quality mozzarella: buffalo mozzarella is always best but good quality melt in the mouth cow’s milk mozzarella works here too
- Don’t skip the olive oil it binds the flavours and adds richness
- Skewer size matters: cocktail sticks for nibbles, longer bamboo skewers for a platter centrepiece
- Fold the basil: it threads more neatly
- Make the balsamic glaze from scratch if you have time, it takes 10 minutes and often tastes better than storebought glaze
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- Assemble the skewers up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate, covered
- Add the balsamic glaze and olive oil only when ready to serve
- Best eaten the same day
- Leftovers: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours
- Not suitable for freezing
Serving Suggestions
- As part of an antipasti board or grazing board with my whipped ricotta dip
- Alongside bruschetta and green salad
- For a summer BBQ with grilled vegetables and flatbreads
- As a canapé at a Christmas party or wedding buffet
Variations to Try
- Pesto caprese skewers: swap balsamic for a good basil pesto drizzle
- Melon and mozzarella skewers: add a cube of cantaloupe for a summery twist
- Mini caprese skewers: use cocktail sticks and halved cherry tomatoes for canapé-sized bites
- Caprese skewers without balsamic: drizzle with a simple lemon and olive oil vinaigrette instead
Frequently Asked Questions
Mini mozzarella balls (called pearls, bocconcini or ciliegine). These work best as they match the size of cherry tomatoes and stay neat on a skewer. Avoid large fresh mozzarella as it’s too soft to thread cleanly.
Yes, you can assemble them a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge, but overnight isn’t ideal as the basil can blacken. Always add the olive oil and balsamic glaze just before serving.
Keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve, and don’t drizzle them with olive oil or balsamic until the last moment.
Yes, the classic version is entirely vegetarian. However, some traditional mozzarella is made using animal rennet, so double check the packaging to make sure the one you are using is suitable for vegetarians.
Rocket (arugula) works great as a slightly peppery alternative, or fresh mint for a more unusual twist.
As a canapé or starter, allow 3–4 skewers per person. As part of a larger buffet spread, 2–3 is plenty.
I hope you enjoy this caprese skewers with balsamic glaze recipe as much as I do. If you do make it, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Make sure to save this recipe for later and share it with friends and family looking for fresh, healthy meal ideas!
Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
Thread juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and fragrant basil onto skewers, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and serve. This classic Italian appetiser is ready in just 5 minutes with zero cooking required.
Disclaimer: the equipment list above includes affiliate links to products I use and like.
Watch How To Make This Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 cherry tomatoes
- 20 mozzarella pearls
- 10 basil leaves
- balsamic glaze
- extra-virgin olive oil
- sakt & pepper optional
(Switch on to prevent your screen from going dark)
Instructions
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Prepare your ingredients: wash and dry tomatoes; drain mozzarella
20 cherry tomatoes, 20 mozzarella pearls
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Alternating them, skewer 2 cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls on each mini skewer with a scrunched up basil leaf in the middle.
10 basil leaves
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Place on a serving platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and olive oil.
balsamic glaze, extra-virgin olive oil
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Season with salt and pepper if desired and serve.
sakt & pepper
Nutritional Information
Nutrition Facts
Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
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