A quick and easy vegetarian appetizer perfect for any get together, these delicious Caprese Salad Bites are sure to impress. With only four basic ingredients, you can make a batch in 15 minutes flat!
This recipe was originally published on February 26th, 2015. Tweaked to be even easier & tastier, it has been re-tested and rephotographed.

Caprese salad is one of my favorite things ever; fresh basil and huge chunks of mozzarella cheese? What's not to love? Any excuse to eat large amounts of cheese and I'm there. My favorite caprese salads always have a little balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze drizzled on them 👌🏻.
Now, let's make them appetizer friendly. Caprese salad bites for the win!

Why You'll Love Them
Who doesn't love a quick and easy, yet totally irresistible appetizer? These Caprese Salad Bites (also known as caprese salad skewers) are a great choice for anyone looking for a fresh and simple finger food style dish that’s easy to make.
The best part? They need just 4 ingredients and only 15 minutes of your time! Plus, the juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil make for the perfect trio of flavors.

Ingredients
To make these delicious caprese salad bites, you’ll legit just need the following ingredients:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella balls
- Fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze
That's IT!

Tips and Tricks
- Instead of just using red tomatoes, I like to use the heirloom cherry or grape options to give these caprese salad skewers a colorful twist.
- If you want to use balsamic glaze but can't find it at the store, you can make your own! Reduce down some balsamic vinegar in a saucepan until it thickens and becomes syrupy. That's it! Check out the notes section of the recipe below for more info.
- Drizzle them with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of black pepper for extra flavor!

Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can assemble these bites a couple hours in advance. Just cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.You can also make them the night before but I wouldn't add the basil until a few hours before serving (once poked it might turn black after a few hours).
Absolutely! While fresh mozzarella is the traditional choice for Caprese , you could also try using feta, goat cheese, or even a vegan cheese alternative.
These → metal reusable toothpicks. They're traditionally for cocktails but I love using them for appetizers. Multiple color options too!
Looking for more finger food options? Head on over to my appetizer recipes category for more inspiration!


Caprese Salad Bites
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4 to 6 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy vegetarian appetizer perfect for any get together, these delicious Caprese Salad Bites are sure to impress. With only four basic ingredients, you can whip up a batch in 15 minutes flat!
Ingredients
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces mozzarella balls
- Handful fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic vinegar or Balsamic Glaze*
- Optional: Olive oil, for drizzling
- Ground black pepper, for garnish
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Stick a cherry tomato, a basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball on a toothpick. Follow with another basil leaf and one more cherry tomato.
- Repeat until you've used all the mozzarella balls.
- Drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze and olive oil if using. Garnish with fresh ground black pepper if desired. Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
To make your own balsamic glaze: In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of balsamic vinegar to boil. Continue to boil until it is reduced to about ¼ cup and is a thicker, syrupy consistency. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Dan says
For those of you who also enjoy Caprese style dishes, I ate most of the 6 servings in 20 minutes. This may make me a fatty, but I would recommend doubling the recipe.