Easy Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze & Fresh Basil
Caprese Skewers
Bright, bite-sized Caprese skewers drizzled with balsamic glaze—perfect for parties.
These Caprese Salad Skewers are my go-to appetizer when friends come over — easy to assemble, impossibly fresh, and always devoured. Small bites of juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy bocconcini, and fragrant basil are the perfect pop-on-a-stick for cocktails, picnic spreads, or last-minute hosting.
You can keep things ultra-simple with store-bought balsamic glaze or simmer down good-quality balsamic vinegar for a homemade reduction. Either way, a light drizzle of olive oil, a crack of pepper, and a pinch of flaky salt turn these into tiny, irresistible flavor bombs.
Nutrition (per serving)
Directions
-
1
If making a homemade glaze, pour 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat until reduced to about 3 tbsp and syrupy, 5–7 minutes; let cool. (Skip this step if using store-bought glaze.)
-
2
Rinse and dry the cherry tomatoes and basil leaves. Drain the mozzarella and pat dry so the skewers don't get soggy.
-
3
Thread on each skewer in this order: one cherry tomato, one basil leaf (folded if large), and one mozzarella ball. Repeat to make 16 skewers.
-
4
Arrange skewers on a platter. Drizzle evenly with 2 tbsp olive oil and 3 tbsp balsamic glaze (or the cooled homemade reduction).
-
5
Season lightly with flaky sea salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Serve immediately at room temperature for best flavor.
Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes:1 pint
- Fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini):8 oz
- Fresh basil leaves:16 pieces
- Extra-virgin olive oil:2 tbsp
- Balsamic glaze (store-bought):3 tbsp
- Balsamic vinegar (for homemade glaze, optional):1/2 cup
- Sea salt or flaky salt:1/4 tsp
- Freshly ground black pepper:1/4 tsp
- Wooden skewers (6-inch):16 pieces
Tips & Notes
- Make the skewers a few hours ahead and refrigerate; wait to add oil, glaze, salt, and pepper until serving to keep them fresh.
- If bocconcini are large, tear them into bite-sized pieces so each skewer has balanced bites of tomato, cheese, and basil.
