Mini Caprese skewers make a quick and healthy appetizer in less than 15 minutes. Keep all the Caprese salad flavors in this easy 5 ingredient Italian appetizer on a stick you can make-ahead!
You'll love Caprese salad on skewers!
Caprese salad on skewers are a great way for us to serve our Caprese salad but as a bite sized elegant appetizer. We've been making these as one of our go to appetizers for years and people always devour them!
Our easy Caprese skewers are low carb and gluten free, they have just 1 net carb per serving.
We're going to teach you how to make fun variations and show you how to make these a make ahead appetizer you can prep in advance.
Love Italian Caprese flavors? 🇮🇹 So do we. ❤️ Add our tomato Caprese with burrata as a low carb side salad, add variety with a peach salad variation, or make our Caprese chicken bake in the oven.
Ingredient Notes
You can find the full ingredient quantities and recipe instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
- cherry tomatoes - use can also use grape tomatoes but we don't recommend using tomato slices
- balsamic glaze - also called a balsamic reduction sauce (see in the post on how to make your own). Balsamic vinegar works well or any flavored vinegar you love.
- mini mozzarella balls (or pearls) - plain or herb flavored will both work well, these are called either bocconcini or ciliegine mozzarella at the grocery store. Buy the cheese that's similar in size to the tomatoes you're buying (or vice versa).
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh basil leaves, cut into slivers or chop them
Variations & Substitutions
- Add protein by making them with proscuitto or salami
- Or if you're eating some carbs or gluten, making them with one piece of tortellini is like a pasta salad on a stick.
- Make these vegan by swapping the mozzarella buys with avocado cubes
- Make these larger by using grilling skewers and doubling the ingredients like we did with our antipasto skewers.
Make ahead Caprese skewers tips
Our top tips for make-ahead Caprese on a stick!
- Don't put the cheese and basil next to each other on the sticks, the moisture from the cheese will cause the basil to wilt.
- You can assemble the skewers up to 24 hours in advance. Store them in an air-tight container until you're ready to put on the finishing touches.
- Wait to add the balsamic glaze or balsamic syrup until just before serving. The vinegar absorbs into the cheese balls otherwise and turns them brown. Drizzle just before serving.
- Caprese skewers are best served chilled. Remove them from the fridge, drizzle on the balsamic, and serve right away. They won't last long and will get eaten quickly. It'll be a friends and family favorite for sure!
- Picked basil leaves start to wilt and turn brown after 1-2, they'll be fine for you to eat as leftovers but not ideal for serving to guests.
Are caprese skewers keto?
Yes, with just 1 net carb per skewer, your mini Caprese skewers are low-carb and keto-friendly. Be sure to check labels and buy ingredients without added sugar. And drizzle these with balsamic vinegar and not balsamic syrup if you're on a strict keto plan.
How can I make my own balsamic reduction sauce?
Many store bought balsamic glazes add sugar. You can easily make your own in 15-20 minutes with balsamic vinegar! You just need to add balsamic vinegar to a saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce it to a simmer and continue cooking until the vinegar reduces by half, stirring now and then. Once it's thickened to your liking, remove it from the heat, let it cool and then use it in your favorite Italian or Caprese recipes.
More finger food appetizers
- Baked parmesan cheese crisps
- Ham and Pickle Roll-ups
- Stuffed Mushrooms with Bacon and Cream Cheese
- Boursin Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers
Recipe
Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
- 8 oz fresh mini mozzarella balls Often called ciliegine or bocconcini
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes
- 24 + fresh basil leaves one package
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Thread a mozzarella ball, a small fresh basil leaf, and a cherry tomato on a toothpick. Keep threading the ingredients onto toothpicks until you have as many made as needed.
- Arrange on a platter or plate and drizzle with balsamic glaze right before serving. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste.
- The recipe makes 24 mini skewers but it's easy to make as many as you want.
Cathy says
Isn't balsamic glaze high in sugar/carbs, making it not keto?
WholeLottaYum says
Balsamic vinegar can be used instead of balsamic glaze to keep the carbs down. Strict keto wouldn't want to ingest any sugar.