Fresh Italian Insalata Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
These fresh Italian Insalata Caprese Skewers combine ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil on skewers, drizzled with a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze for a quick, easy, and impressive appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15-20 minutes
- Yield: 20 skewers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pint (about 300 g) cherry or grape tomatoes, washed and dried
- 8 oz (225 g) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), drained and patted dry
- 20–25 fresh basil leaves, vibrant green and unwilted
- 3–4 tablespoons balsamic glaze (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of sea salt, to taste
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper, to taste (optional)
- About 20 wooden or bamboo skewers (6-inch size)
Instructions
- Rinse the cherry tomatoes and pat them dry. Drain the mozzarella balls and gently press with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Pick fresh basil leaves, discarding any bruised bits.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes and basil leaves. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Toss gently to coat all pieces evenly.
- Thread onto each skewer one cherry tomato, followed by a folded basil leaf, then a mozzarella ball, and finish with another tomato. Repeat the pattern if longer skewers are desired or keep it to three pieces for bite-sized servings.
- Lay the assembled skewers on a serving platter in a single layer.
- Drizzle the balsamic glaze generously but evenly over the skewers using a spoon or squeeze bottle.
- Optionally, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the skewers just before serving.
Notes
Drain and pat dry mozzarella to prevent sogginess and help glaze stick. Fold basil leaves in half to keep neat. Assemble just before serving for best freshness. Store-bought balsamic glaze saves time. Skewers can be prepped up to 1 hour ahead and refrigerated without glaze. Add glaze just before serving. For homemade glaze, simmer balsamic vinegar until reduced by half (10-15 minutes).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Caprese skewers, Italian appetizer, balsamic glaze, fresh mozzarella, basil, cherry tomatoes, easy appetizer, party food, finger food