Mini Caprese Bites Recipe

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Yield:

32 bites

Caprese salad is an iconic Italian dish, made by layering ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil onto a plate to mimic the colors of the Italian flag. Bright, creamy, and perfectly balanced, these mini Caprese bites turn this year-round classic into a bite-size appetizer everyone will love.

Serve these mini tomato-and-mozzarella skewers in individual glasses as an appetizer at a seated dinner party, or arrange on a platter for your next buffet. Kids and adults will both love the presentation, and the skewers allow for easy, mess-free eating.

Learn how to make Caprese bites. The brightly colored, adorable appetizer will have your guests grabbing bite after bite.

The History of Caprese Salad

The exact origin of Insalata Caprese, or "salad of Capri," is up for debate, but one story claims the first Caprese was served in the 1930s in a hotel in Capri, where the Italian flag-inspired, pasta-less dish was a revelation. Others talk of a patriotic stone worker who created the salad at the close of World War I in the 1920s as a tribute to his country.

No matter when it was invented, this dish has certainly stood the test of time, remaining an international favorite to this day. From pasta to salad or sheet pan dinners, we count Caprese-inspired dishes as some of our favorite weeknight meals.

Ingredients for Mini Caprese Bites

Just a handful of ingredients are needed to make this quick appetizer, along with wooden skewers for easy grabbing. To make these mini Caprese bites, you'll need:

Grape tomatoes: Halved for a bite-size presentation. Feel free to substitute grape tomatoes with other varieties of small tomatoes, including cherry or baby heirloom tomatoes for a colorful twist.
Small mozzarella cheese balls: Cut into thirds, or substitute with 1 (8-oz.) package fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Mozzarella pearls would also be a good option.
Wooden skewers: Can substitute with wooden picks, mini bamboo forks, or other disposable serving utensils.
Extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar: A quick vinaigrette drizzled over the skewers.
Kosher salt and pepper: To season the vinaigrette.
Fresh basil leaves: Adds a classic Caprese flavor and color.

Southern Living Mini Caprese Bites ingredients — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser

How To Make Mini Caprese Bites

These Caprese bites couldn't be easier to put together. Layer halved tomatoes and pieces of mozzarella cheese onto skewers, then drizzle with a combination of oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with basil and additional salt and pepper to taste, and you're ready to serve.

Variations for Mini Caprese Bites

When an appetizer is this simple, there's always room to get creative. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Grape tomatoes: The tomatoes you choose for these skewers can include cherry tomatoes, baby heirloom tomatoes in a variety of colors, or larger tomatoes cut into small chunks.
Mozzarella: Small balls of mozzarella can be substituted with 1/2-inch chunks of mozzarella, as well as marinated mozzarella balls, either store-bought or homemade, for a punch of even more flavor.
Basil: Love basil? Thread larger leaves onto the skewers between the tomato and mozzarella instead of sprinkling it on before serving.
Balsamic drizzle: The oil and vinegar mixture drizzled over these skewers can be amped up with red pepper flakes or other seasonings. You can also substitute with a syrupy, reduced balsamic vinegar for drizzling, or serve the skewers with pesto on the side for dipping.
Mix it up: While tomato, mozzarella, and basil are the star ingredients of a classic Caprese, there's no reason to stop there. Add prosciutto, tortellini, or fresh fruits or vegetables, such as ripe peaches or avocados, for a seasonal twist.
Skewer-less: Can't find skewers? Spoon the ingredients onto small crostini for equally easy-to-grab bites.

Can I Prepare Mini Caprese Bites Ahead?

For the freshest presentation, assemble the skewers no more than eight hours in advance. Wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve, and drizzle with the vinaigrette fresh before serving. If you'd like to prepare them further in advance, consider using whole grape tomatoes instead of halves. The uncut tomatoes will be able to sit in the refrigerator longer while still retaining their freshness.

More Bite-Size Appetizer Recipes You'll Love

These delectable bites are guaranteed to keep everyone happy until the main course is ready to be served. The beauty of these individual, bite-size appetizers is that they shouldn't ruin their appetites in the process:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

1 pt. grape tomatoes, halved
10 to 14 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, cut into thirds
32 (4-in.) wooden skewers
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
6 thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Assemble skewers:

Thread 1 tomato half, 1 piece of cheese, and another tomato half onto each skewer. Place skewers in a shallow serving dish.

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
Add oil mixture:

Whisk together oil and next 3 ingredients.

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser

Drizzle oil mixture over skewers; sprinkle with basil and salt and pepper to taste.

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines a Caprese?

A classic Caprese salad is made up of sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves, often sprinkled with salt and pepper, and drizzled with olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar.
What can I use instead of mozzarella for these Caprese bites?

If you aren't a fan of mozzarella, swap with other types of cheeses, including goat cheese. For a vegan option, you can use chunks of ripe avocado, but note that it won't be a traditional Caprese-inspired bite.
How long can Caprese bites sit at room temperature?

These skewers can sit at room temperature for up to two hours while serving. If leaving out for an extended period of time, consider placing the platter over a bed of ice to keep them chilled.