Fresh Star-Spangled Caprese Skewers
A fresh, easy, and undeniably charming appetizer featuring cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, perfect for patriotic celebrations and summer gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 20 skewers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 cherry tomatoes, washed and dried
- 20 small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained
- 20 fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 20 star-shaped blueberries (optional)
- 20 wooden skewers or toothpicks
Instructions
- Rinse and dry the cherry tomatoes thoroughly. If desired, slice them in half to reduce bulk on the skewers.
- In a small bowl, toss the tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Let them sit for about 5 minutes.
- Gently wash and dry the basil leaves. Remove any thick stems, choosing only fresh, tender leaves.
- Remove the mozzarella balls from their liquid and pat dry with paper towels.
- On each skewer, thread one cherry tomato (or half), followed by a folded basil leaf, then a mozzarella ball. Add a blueberry at the end for the star-spangled effect if desired. Repeat until all ingredients are used.
- Arrange the skewers neatly on a serving platter.
- Lightly drizzle the skewers with balsamic glaze using a drizzle bottle or spoon, aiming for a thin, glossy finish.
- Optionally, add a very light drizzle of olive oil over the skewers and sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt.
Notes
Assemble skewers just before serving to keep basil fresh and prevent sogginess. If balsamic glaze is too thick, warm gently for 10-15 seconds to loosen. Pat mozzarella dry to avoid watery skewers. Use star-shaped blueberries for a patriotic theme or substitute with star-shaped cucumbers or bell peppers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 2.5
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 4.5
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 3.5
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 3.5
Keywords: Caprese skewers, party appetizer, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic glaze, easy recipe, patriotic appetizer, summer snack