Cherry Tomato and Bocconcini Skewers

Why You'll Love This Recipe:

• This recipe is so quick to make and requires no cooking.
• It can be put together several hours in advance.
• These caprese skewers are a light and healthy gluten-free alternative to other appetizers that can be heavy and oily. 

Ingredients In This Recipe

The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.

Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes - try and get them about the same size as the cherry bocconcini. If you can only get large ones, you can always cut them in half.

Cherry bocconcini - these fresh mozzarella balls are also called ciliegine mozzarella. 

Fresh basil leaves - always go so well with tomatoes.

Step By Step Instructions

Like our bruschetta with mozzarella or our Italian bread dipping oil, these are so easy to make - all you need to do is thread a tomato, basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball onto a wooden skewer.

We have used one cherry tomato and one mozzarella ball per skewer with a young basil leaf in between because we wanted to keep them small. But you can make them larger if you wish.

Variations

• Replace the plain bocconcini with marinated mozzarella balls.
• Thread on strips of meat like ham or prosciutto.

Recipe Tips

Choose even-sized tomatoes

To make the skewers look nice and presentable, make sure that the cherry tomatoes and bocconcini are about the same size. Because big cherry tomatoes can make the skewers look unbalanced and odd.

If all you can get are large cherry tomatoes, cut them in half and put them on last with the cut side facing down, so the skewers can stand upright.

Tips for using basil leaves

As you can see in the pictures, we used young basil leaves that were not too large. We skewered them at the base of each leaf so that they curved and hugged the tomato. 

If all you can get are large basil leaves, fold them in half as you skewer them.

If the basil leaves are small, thread on two or three at a time to make the skewers look good.

Serving Size

One cherry tomato and bocconcini skewer is a serving size.

Calories Per Serve

Each of these skewer appetizers is about 73 calories.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve these cherry tomato and bocconcini skewers as is or drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, or balsamic reduction.

To make a balsamic glaze - mix 2 cups balsamic vinegar and ½ cup brown sugar in a small saucepan. Put over medium heat stir constantly until the sugar has dissolved. 

Bring to a boil, turn the heat down to low, and simmer until the liquid has reduced to half. 

The finished glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Allow it to cool, transfer to a clean, dry jar, and store sealed in the fridge.

To make a balsamic reduction - place 1 cup of balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the vinegar has reduced and is syrup-like. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool before using

Storage

Because of the delicate basil leaves, these cherry tomatoes and bocconcini skewers should be made on the day.

You can make them several hours in advance and store them covered in the fridge until ready. Allow them to come to room temperature about 30 - 60 minutes before serving.

These are not suitable to freeze.

More Snack Ideas

• Caprese Crostini
• Baked ham and cheese pinwheels
• Mini bacon cheese quiche
• Crescent roll recipes
• Cornish pasties
• Sweet corn fritters
• Chicken meatballs with sweet chilli sauce
• Manchego cheese tapas