Caprese Skewers are the perfect summer snack in our house. They’re also one of my go-to’s to bring along when someone’s having a party. I seriously can not get enough of these. Sweet cherry tomatoes, soft bocconcini cheese, fresh basil, all drizzled with a little bit of olive oil and balsamic glaze. I haven’t even told you the best part: they’re so easy you can get the kids to make them for you.
Seriously. For Sophie’s last birthday party I made a point of leaving the Caprese skewers to prep until the morning of. I got everything out onto the island, called Anna over, and set her to work while I jumped in the shower. So, these pictures that you see, a seven year old made that in about 15 minutes all by herself.
I’m a sucker for a Caprese salad. I can not say no to the combination of tomatoes and cheese. Ok, honestly I can’t say no to cheese in general, but I especially love it like this! Another one of my obsessions is anything on a stick. Food is just so damn easy to eat when it’s on a stick. Plus, no clean up! This is also why I love small town summer fairs. They put things on a stick that you would never think of, like pickles, corn, potato chips, corn dogs, hot dogs wrapped in a tornado of potato slices… I’ve got a serious problem.
What I’m trying to say is my Caprese Skewers are basically just me forcing two of my favourite things into a beautiful marriage, and we’re all the better for it. You’re welcome.
My Favourite Ingredients
You can absolutely just go to your local grocery store and grab whatever they have. Or, if you already have a favourite balsamic glaze or olive oil, use it. Also, if you do, tell me what it is in the comments because I love trying new things!
For me, I just use a basic balsamic glaze that I can get in the grocery store. The brand I buy seems to be Canada specific (Unico brand, and you can get it at Loblaws or Walmart), but basically, something like this Roland balsamic glaze is what you’re looking for. If you’ve got a bunch of money to burn, there are better balsamic glazes. If you can spare a few extra bucks though, I’d spend it on the olive oil you’re going to drizzle on top of the Caprese skewers instead.
I use a cheaper olive oil in my daily cooking, but I always keep a better bottle on hand too for drizzling over a finished dish, or using in a bread dip. My rule of thumb is that if you’re eating it without cooking it, use the better one. Something like this is Ozelia extra virgin olive oil is good without breaking the bank. I’m not married to an olive oil brand, and tend to experiment with different ones I find.
Make Sure Your Caprese Skewers Aren’t Too Long!
The one thing I am REALLY particular about though, is the skewers that I buy. You can absolutely just use the general little round wooden ones that you use on the bbq, but I LOVE these ones for my Caprese Skewers. They’re the perfect size (6 inches long, with a handle at the end) for the way I load up the skewer. 1/2 piece of bocconcini – basil – tomato – basil – 1/2 piece of bocconcini. It’s the perfect mouthful, and the skewers aren’t so long that you jab yourself in the back on the throat trying to get everything off in one bite.
If you’re wondering how many to make. For a party with 25 people I did about 75 skewers and they were all gone. The kids really love these too, so don’t count them out. The five kids probably knocked off at least 20 of them, and that doesn’t count all the ones Oliver and Sophie ate while Anna was making them!
Caprese Skewers Recipe
Alright, I think I’ve drilled it into your head enough now that these Caprese Skewers are SO EASY to make, and incredibly, addictively delicious. I’ve also forced you to endure my obsessive love of all things on a stick (I’m literally grilling bacon on a stick for us on Thursday to go with dinner, it’s a legit issue).
The next time you’re heading to someone’s house, or grilling in the backyard and just need something bright and fresh to throw on the table, these need to be it. I promise you will love them!
Caprese Skewers
Caprese Skewers are the perfect summer snack, and they're healthy! I mean who doesn't love fresh tomatoes, basil, and cheese drizzled with balsamic glaze!
Ingredients
- 25 sweet cherry tomatoes
- 25 bocconcini cheese (cocktail or mini sized)
- 5 large, fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze
- Extra virgin olive oil
- salt (I use Fleur de Sel, you can sub kosher or other large flake salt.)
- freshly ground pepper
- 6" wooden skewers
Instructions
- Prep your ingredients for assembly. Chop or tear your basil into small, bite size pieces, no larger then the tomatoes. Slice the bocconcini balls into half.
- Build your skewers. The order I do is: bocconcini half - basil - tomato - basil - bocconcini half. It's the perfect one-bite amount.
- Lay your skewers evenly out onto a serving dish. Try not to stack them. Just before serving, drizzle a small amount of extra virgin olive oil over the skewers, followed by a slightly larger drizzle of balsamic glaze. Season with fleur de sel and freshly ground pepper to taste.
Notes
You can make the skewers a day ahead of time. After assembling but before adding the oil and glaze, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic glaze, and season with salt and pepper, just before serving.
I like to use a chunky salt on this, and prefer Fleur de Sel. You could also use freshly ground sea salt, or kosher salt.
Recommended Products
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love, or think my readers will find useful.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love, or think my readers will find useful.
BrianMug
Jane Parcklow