Spare Spoons Kitchen
The Weeknight Kitchen · appetizer · no-cook

Caprese Skewers

Fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and basil threaded onto small skewers, drizzled with olive oil and a balsamic glaze. No cooking, 15 minutes of threading, and they disappear at any gathering. Hand food — no plates needed.

15 min total
Spoon cost
Effort ●○○○○ Time ●○○○○ Anytime
VegetarianGluten-Free
Servingsas an appetizer
6
Units

Ingredients

Use ciliegine — the cherry-sized fresh mozzarella balls. They're perfectly portioned for a skewer, no knife needed, and they come packed in brine so they stay moist on the platter.

Easier, if you like

  • Ciliegine already in brine (dairy case near the specialty cheeses) — already the right size, no cutting. BelGioioso and Galbani are widely stocked brands.
  • Trader Joe's Balsamic Glaze (condiment aisle, small bottle) — squeeze-bottle balsamic reduction. No simmering a pot of vinegar. Widely available and very good.

Method

    Cook's notes

    Mozzarella tastes better at cool room temp, not fridge-cold. Pull it from the fridge 15 minutes before serving. The flavor opens up and the texture softens slightly.

    Hand food — no plates needed. That's the practical value at a picnic or party. People pick one up and eat it in two bites.

    Soak wooden skewers first. A 10-minute soak in cold water prevents splintering and makes them easier to thread. Toothpicks skip this step entirely.

    Timing. Assemble up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerate covered. Pull out 15 minutes before serving. Don't dress with salt until just before serving — it draws moisture from the tomatoes.

    Vegetarian and gluten-free as written; vegan option available

    Vegan: Violife makes a mozzarella-style block that can be cubed into small pieces. Not quite the same texture as fresh mozzarella, but it works and holds on a skewer.

    Dairy-free: Same as vegan above. You can also skip the cheese and thread marinated artichoke hearts or roasted red pepper pieces instead — different dish, still good.