Caprese Skewers

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Caprese skewers are a tasty and easy appetizer you can make in no time. These bite-sized treats combine fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil for a perfect blend of flavors. You’ll love how simple they are to put together.

With just a few ingredients, you can create a crowd-pleasing snack for any party or gathering. The homemade balsamic glaze adds a sweet and tangy finish that takes these skewers to the next level. Get ready to impress your guests with this classic Italian-inspired appetizer!

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these tasty Caprese skewers:

Main Ingredients:

• 24 cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
• 12 fresh mozzarella balls, drained
• 24 fresh basil leaves
• 12 4-inch wooden skewers

For the Seasoned Olive Oil:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Homemade Balsamic Glaze:

• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar

These ingredients will make 12 servings, perfect for a party appetizer or a light snack. You can easily double the recipe if you’re feeding a larger crowd.

Remember to drain your mozzarella balls well. This helps prevent excess moisture on your skewers. If you can’t find small mozzarella balls, you can cut a larger ball into bite-sized pieces.

For the best flavor, use fresh basil leaves. If they’re large, you can tear them in half before adding to the skewers. Your guests will love the burst of fresh flavor!

Instructions

Start by making the balsamic glaze. Mix balsamic vinegar and honey in a small pot. Cook on medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring now and then. The mix will get thicker and reduce by half. Take it off the heat and let it cool.

Next, make the seasoned oil. Put olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk it all together. Let it sit for 10 minutes so the flavors mix well.

Now, it’s time to build your skewers. Take a wooden skewer and thread on a cherry tomato. Fold a basil leaf and add it next. Then add a mozzarella ball. Add another folded basil leaf, and finish with another cherry tomato.

Repeat this process until you have 12 skewers. Place them on a serving plate.

Drizzle your seasoned oil over the skewers. Make sure each piece gets some flavor. Then, add a drizzle of your cooled balsamic glaze.

If you want, sprinkle some extra Italian seasoning or fresh basil on top. Your Caprese skewers are ready to serve and enjoy!

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily swap out ingredients in these Caprese skewers to match your tastes or what you have on hand. Here are some tasty options:

Tomatoes:

• Grape tomatoes
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Yellow cherry tomatoes

Cheese:

• Bocconcini (mini mozzarella balls)
• Cubed cheddar
• Feta cheese crumbles

Herbs:

• Fresh oregano
• Cilantro
• Mint leaves

For a different flavor, try these swaps:

• Use pesto instead of olive oil
• Drizzle with honey instead of balsamic glaze
• Add a slice of prosciutto to each skewer

Don’t have wooden skewers? Try these:

• Toothpicks
• Rosemary sprigs
• Bamboo cocktail picks

You can also make these into a pasta salad. Just chop the ingredients and toss with cooked pasta and the seasoned olive oil. It’s an easy way to turn this appetizer into a meal.

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make these Caprese skewers diabetes-friendly, you can make a few simple changes. Use smaller mozzarella balls to reduce the cheese portion. This helps control calories and fat intake.

Replace the honey or brown sugar in the balsamic glaze with a sugar-free sweetener. This lowers the carb count. You can use stevia or monk fruit for a natural option.

Drizzle less olive oil and balsamic glaze on the skewers. This cuts down on added fats and sugars. Instead, serve extra glaze on the side for dipping.

Add more veggies to boost fiber. Try threading cucumber slices or bell pepper chunks onto the skewers. This adds volume without many carbs.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the changes:

• Smaller mozzarella balls
• Sugar-free sweetener in glaze
• Less oil and glaze drizzled on
• Extra veggies added

These tweaks make the skewers more diabetes-friendly while keeping the tasty Caprese flavors you love. Remember to watch your portion size and enjoy as part of a balanced meal.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the best Caprese skewers, pick ripe but firm tomatoes. This keeps them from falling off the skewer. Try to find mozzarella balls that are similar in size to your tomatoes.

When threading ingredients, start and end with tomatoes. This helps hold everything in place. Fold basil leaves in half before adding them to the skewer for a neater look.

Make your balsamic glaze ahead of time. It keeps well in the fridge for up to two weeks. Just warm it up a bit before using.

You can prep your skewers a few hours before serving. Keep them covered in the fridge, but wait to add the oil and glaze until right before serving.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’re best eaten within 1-2 days. The basil may wilt a bit, but they’ll still taste great.

For easy serving at parties, stick the ends of the skewers into a halved melon or a block of floral foam covered with lettuce leaves. This creates a fun, eye-catching display.