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    Home » Recipes » Snacks and appetizers

    Easy Caprese Skewers with Basil Vinaigrette

    Published: Jun 15, 2015 · Modified: Jul 6, 2022 by Sally Cameron · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    140 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Like a little Caprese salad on a stick, these Caprese skewers are a hit appetizer and so easy to assemble. Featuring colorful summer cherry tomatoes, creamy mini mozzarella balls and fresh, bright green basil leaves. For a tasty finish drizzle with basil pesto vinaigrette or use Balsamic syrup.

    Caprese skewers on a serving platter drizzled with basil dressing.
    Caprese skewers on a platter dressed with basil vinaigrette.

    Whether you are gathering to celebrate the "big game", Father's Day, 4th of July or just casually gathering with friends, make some of these fresh and easy appetizers. no cooking involved!

    Jump to:
    • The Famous Salad
    • Ingredient Tips
    • Skewer Size
    • Cheese Please
    • Basil Vinaigrette
    • Serving
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    The Famous Salad

    You might be familiar with the famous Italian Caprese salad, created to resemble the colors of the Italian flag. In Italy, it is usually served as a starter or antipasto.

    Caprese salad is standard summer fare at our house when colorful heirloom tomatoes are at their peak. It's simply slices of fresh, ripe tomatoes and creamy mozzarella (or buratta) cheese with fresh basil leaves tucked between the slices, dressed with good olive oil. The simplicity is beautiful.

    Ingredient Tips

    For years I've made an appetizer version of this salad for catered parties and family events. Instead of full size tomatoes and large balls mozzarella, think smaller. Choose cherry or small grape tomatoes for their size. If available choose multi-colors for more visual appeal.

    While many recipes skewer the whole tomato, I like to get the cherry size and cut them in half crosswise. They look so nice on the skewers, and they don't explode quite as much in your mouth, so they are easier to eat.

    Skewer Size

    Use mini bamboo skewers to assemble the skewers. The 5"- 6" size work perfect. If all you have is larger ones, cut them down to size with scissors.

    Basil leaves and tomatoes for Caprese skewers.
    Garden fresh basil leaves and cherry tomatoes.

    Cheese Please

    For the mozzarella, I buy what is called Ciliegine, fresh, mini mozzarella balls. If all you are familiar with is the hard rubber balls of mozzarella for shredding pizza, you are in for a nice surprise. Fresh mozzarella is soft. It comes packaged in liquid to keep it soft and fresh. Don't dump out the liquid. Store any used mozzarella in the container with the brine.

    Assembling Caprese skewers with basil, mozzarella and tomatoes.
    Assembling Caprese skewers with basil, mozzarella and tomatoes.

    Basil Vinaigrette

    For basil leaves, buy a bunch, wash and dry the leaves, then choose the best leaves for the skewers. Use the rest to make the pesto. Choose smaller leaves, rather than the big giant ones. You can even use two small to medium leaves and fold them together.

    For produce wash I use Eat Cleaner, on my basil and the tomatoes as well.

    Making homemade pesto is quick and easy with a food processor. My recipe is here. Why bother making it? Homemade is always better, and you know exactly what goes into it, and no unwanted additives. You can also control the flavor for what you like. In a hurry? Buy a good store brand.

    Once the pesto is made, add a little more olive oil and lemon juice to thin for the vinaigrette to dress the skewers.

    Skewers on small serving plates with basil vinaigrette.
    Caprese skewers with basil vinaigrette on small plate.

    Serving

    To serve, layer the skewers on a platter and drizzle with the basil vinaigrette. A little quirt of Balsamic syrup or vinegar is good too. To make your own Balsamic glaze (syrup), here is my recipe.

    📖 Recipe

    Caprese Skewers with Basil Vinaigrette

    Sally Cameron
    An easy to make ahead appetizer that is always a hit, with sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and homemade basil pesto vinaigrette. You will need 6″ bamboo skewers or cut longer ones down to size. This recipe scales up easily to feed more friends and family. Start by making homemade pesto. Find the recipe here. This recipe doubles or triples easily for parties!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 to 6
    Calories 237 kcal

    Equipment

    • 12 Mini bamboo skewers

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 cherry tomatoes, halved multi-colored looks great
    • 12 mini mozzarella balls Ciliegine 3-per-ounce size
    • 1 bunch of basil so you can choose the best leaves
    • 3 tablespoons basil pesto homemade recipe link below
    • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

    Tools

      Instructions
       

      • Make the vinaigrette by whisking together the basil pesto, oil and lemon juice. Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise. Build skewers starting with a tomato half, then basil leaf, then a cheese ball, then leaf, the another tomato half. Lay skewers on a platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette and serve.

      Notes

      Link for homemade basil pesto
      For reference, I used the Traders Joes Ciliegine balls, which are 3 balls per serving/per ounce. 

      Nutrition

      Calories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 11gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 149mgPotassium: 80mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 399IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 222mgIron: 1mg
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Denise says

        June 29, 2015 at 3:33 pm

        It looks so good being so colorful. And it's so easy to make, washed, cut and skewed. Never thought of Italy when prepared this sort of salad.

        Reply
      2. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says

        June 16, 2015 at 8:41 pm

        These look just perfect! Love all the fresh ingredients and the basil vinaigrette!

        Reply

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      chef sally cameron | afoodcentriclifecom.bigscoots-staging.com

      Welcome! I'm Sally, a classically trained chef (but you don't have to be!). My passion is cooking fresh healthy food and sharing it with others.

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