Fresh Stars and Stripes Caprese Skewers
A quick and easy patriotic appetizer featuring cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze assembled on skewers for a festive summer snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 skewers (approximately 3-4 bites each) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pint (about 250 grams) cherry tomatoes, preferably vine-ripened
- 8 ounces (225 grams) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained and patted dry
- About 20 medium fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) balsamic glaze
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Star-shaped cutters (optional)
- 6-inch (15 cm) wooden skewers
Instructions
- Rinse cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves gently under cold water. Pat dry completely to avoid soggy skewers. Drain mozzarella balls well and pat dry with paper towels.
- Optional: Use small star-shaped cookie cutters to press shapes out of mozzarella slices or tomatoes for a patriotic look.
- Assemble the skewers by threading ingredients in this order: tomato, basil leaf (folded if large), mozzarella ball, and repeat until the skewer is full or has about 3-4 bites. Alternate star shapes with whole ingredients if made.
- Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Lightly sprinkle sea salt and freshly ground black pepper over the skewers.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and then balsamic glaze in a thin, even layer over the skewers. Avoid overdrizzling as the glaze is rich.
- Garnish the platter with extra basil leaves or a few loose star-shaped pieces for an inviting look.
Notes
Assemble skewers without olive oil and balsamic glaze if making ahead; add glaze just before serving to prevent sogginess. Use small mozzarella balls for neat bites. Thread basil gently to avoid bruising. Store skewers covered in refrigerator up to 24 hours. Can substitute grape tomatoes or strawberries for variation. For dairy-free, use marinated tofu or vegan cheese. Optional light grilling adds smoky flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer (3-4 bites)
- Calories: 7090
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Caprese skewers, patriotic appetizer, Fourth of July, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic glaze, easy appetizer, summer party food