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Caprese Bites

These are the most amazing Caprese Bites! All the flavors you know and love from traditional caprese salad. But skewers. And small. And delicious. The perfect party food!

 

 

Juicy cherry tomatoes, rich mozzarella cheese, and delicious spinach or basil. Not to mention that balsamic reduction! Oh. My. Word!

These bites are the perfect mix of tangy, creamy, and fresh, And they are totally irresistible!

They have all the traditional caprese salad flavor but the smaller size makes them the easiest appetizer!

These little caprese skewers are incredibly simple to put together!

Plus it doesn’t matter when or where you serve them! These bites are always a hit.

Loaded with fresh ingredients, they’re a healthy option that’s also super delicious!

And lined up on a serving platter? These mini Caprese bites are so pretty! Just look at those pictures!

 

All ingredients laid out on counter and ready to assemble

 

What Ingredients Are in Caprese Bites?

I love it when simple ingredients give you the best results! Makes my life so much easier!

Head on down to your local grocery store and grab these:

  • Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy tomatoes are ideal for skewers.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Go for fresh mozzarella balls for the best texture and taste.
  • Spinach or Basil: Use large leaves of spinach or basil leaves.
  • Balsamic Vinegar: A high-quality vinegar makes the reduction so much better.

Pro Tip: 

  • If using basil, opt for fresh basil leaves over dried. Much better flavor.

 

Mozzarella cheese cut up into bites

 

How to Make Caprese Bites?

These delicious caprese salad bites are the perfect little skewers to serve during the summer months!

Here’s how to toss them together:

  1. Skewer the mozzarella, spinach or basil, and cherry tomatoes.
  2. Keep them chilled until it’s time to serve.
  3. Reduce your balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan to create a thick glaze.
  4. Drizzle the glaze over the caprese salad skewers before serving.

Pro Tip: 

  • Add a sprinkle of black pepper or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an extra flavor boost.

 

tomato, basil and mozzarella on a toothpick

 

Can You Make Caprese Bites Ahead of Time?

Yes you can totally make this tasty appetizer before you need them! 

Assemble them a few hours ahead and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

I don’t recommend making them super early though. The fresh veggies tend to go bad pretty quickly once skewered.

Actually, even with more traditional caprese salad that you don’t skewer, it goes bad quickly.

Once you add on that balsamic drizzle, you’ll notice that everything will begin to wilt!

How to Store Leftover Caprese Bites?

Keep any leftover bites in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. 

Enjoy them within 24 hours for the best taste.

They’ll still be safe to eat for probably another day or so, but really that flavor is best within the first day.

 

Caprese bites laid out on serving board with slices of mozzarella cheese

 

Can You Freeze Caprese Bites?

Sorry but I don’t recommend freezing these bites.

I love when I can tell you go ahead and freeze it, but in this case I think you’d be sorry if I did.

The tomatoes, spinach, and basil would not be great after frozen and then thawed. All of them.

Actually, even the texture of the cheese tends to change once frozen and thawed!

Really, it’s best to enjoy these fresh.

 

Balsamic Vinegar reduction in a pot

 

When to Serve Caprese Bites?

Caprese appetizer skewers are ideal for pretty much any party you can think of! 

Because they’re so easy to prepare, they’re great for throwing together at the last minute! 

And I totally have before! Turned out great!

Since they’re the perfect size for people to grab and go with, they’re always a big hit!

Here’s when I recommend them:

  • Summer Barbecue Appetizer
  • Baby Shower Appetizer
  • Festive Party Appetizer
  • Game Day Appetizer
  • Holiday Party Appetizer
  • New Years Eve Party Appetizer
  • Any time you’re in the mood!

Have I made them for myself? In the middle of the night? You bet I have! And I don’t feel even a tiny bit guilty over it either!

 

Balsamic reduction drizzled over serving platter

 

What to Serve with Caprese Bites?

Pair this fantastic appetizer with appetizers like bruschetta or a bunch of olives and cheeses for something really easy!

Here are some recipes to get you started:

And try any of these delicious bruschettas:

 

side view of caprese skewers on balsamic reduction drizzled platter

 

How Long Can Caprese Bites Sit Out?

It’s best not to leave this elegant appetizer sitting out for too long.

If they’re at room temperature, usually you should eat them within a couple of hours.

If they’re out in the heat, they’ll go bad even faster.

So keep them in a cooler or the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

Are Caprese Bites Healthy?

Caprese bites are a very healthy appetizer! 

They’ve got a very healthy balance going with the fresh tomatoes, cheese, and greens.

They’re a super nutritious choice for an appetizer!

And since you make them on the cutest little mini skewers too, you take your time eating them!

That means your body has longer to process that you’re actually full and you’ll stop eating them before your stuffed.

It’s really a win-win all around with these babies!

 

zoomed in image of mini caprese bites on top of balsamic glaze

 

Are Caprese Bites Gluten-Free?

Caprese bites are totally gluten free appetizer recipe! Yay! They are perfect for guests with any dietary restrictions.

I really like that because often you don’t know what restrictions people are going to have! 

And those with gluten intolerances really appreciate having something on the table they can eat.

These Caprese Bites are absolutely delicious! 

Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a tasty snack, these easy Caprese Bites are a great appetizer, full of health benefits and delicious flavors too!

 

Yield: 20+ Servings

Caprese Bites

zoomed in image of mini caprese bites on top of balsamic glaze

Get ready to try Caprese Bites, a delicious and easy appetizer perfect for any occasion! They’re full of fresh flavors with the perfect balsamic drizzle!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Instructions

  1. Slice mozzarella into 1/2 inch cubes.
  2. Using a toothpick, layer the mozzarella, basil and tomato.
  3. Refrigerate until time to serve.
  4. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring Balsamic Vinegar to a boil.
  5. Allow to cook until vinegar thickens and reduces, about 5 - 10 minutes depending on your stove. You should be left with a few tablespoons of the reduction.
  6. When ready to serve, drizzle platters with balsamic reduction. Place Caprese bites on top of reduction and serve.

Notes

If basil is too hard to find, you can use baby spinach leaves. However Basil is the traditional flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 74Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 144mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 5g

Originally Posted: June 12, 2014

Photos & Text Updated: December 25, 2023

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Dottie Turrittin

Tuesday 14th of December 2021

can the balsamic reduction be made ahead of time or does it need to be made just before serving?

Janelle

Tuesday 21st of December 2021

It can be made ahead of time. Check the bottles best by date. And it will last that long boiled down. Just keep it in the fridge after you boil it down. Great question.

Emily

Thursday 12th of June 2014

yum!! this is a favorite combo of mine... I need to make soon. Pinned!

Janelle

Thursday 26th of June 2014

I don't care for tomatoes, but drizzled in the balsamic reduction, they tasted great!

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