Easy Fresh Caprese Skewers Recipe with Homemade Balsamic Reduction Tutorial
A quick and easy appetizer featuring cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves drizzled with a homemade balsamic reduction. Perfect for any occasion, these bite-sized skewers are fresh, vibrant, and crowd-pleasing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 skewers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 cherry tomatoes, washed and dried
- 20 small mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), drained
- 20 large fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of flaky sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- About 20 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Pour ½ cup (120 ml) of balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Let it simmer until reduced by about half and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, roughly 10-15 minutes. Watch closely near the end to avoid burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
- While the balsamic is reducing, soak 20 wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning if you plan to grill or broil briefly.
- On each skewer, thread one cherry tomato, one fresh basil leaf (folded if large), and one mozzarella ball. Repeat until all skewers are assembled. This usually takes about 10 minutes.
- Place assembled skewers in a mixing bowl or on a platter. Drizzle 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of extra virgin olive oil over them. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Gently toss or turn each skewer to coat evenly.
- Arrange the skewers neatly on your serving platter. Drizzle the cooled balsamic reduction over the top just before serving.
Notes
Soak wooden skewers in water before use to prevent burning if grilling. Drizzle balsamic reduction just before serving to avoid sogginess. Balsamic reduction can be made ahead and stored refrigerated. For vegan option, use plant-based mozzarella and maple syrup in balsamic reduction.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 7080
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 0.1
- Fat: 56
- Saturated Fat: 0.2
- Carbohydrates: 23
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 45
Keywords: Caprese skewers, balsamic reduction, appetizer, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, easy recipe, summer snack