Strawberry Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze

Bright, beautiful, and full of fresh flavor, these strawberry caprese skewers are the perfect light appetizer for spring and summer gatherings.

These strawberry-mozzarella skewers are a fun, playful twist on the classic Italian Caprese salad. But we'll swap juicy strawberries for tomatoes. Then they get paired up with creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a sweet-tart balsamic glaze. Yum!

These skewers come together in minutes with very simple ingredients. It's an ideal recipe for potlucks, backyard barbecues, brunch buffets, or holiday spreads. It's super easy to prep, and always a crowd-pleaser that disappears fast.

This recipe has been in my party repertoire for many years, but I recently refreshed this post with new images. It's sure an upgrade from the prior ones below, huh? 😉

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Strawberries - Fresh, small strawberries will work best on the skewers!
• Fresh basil leaves - Dont skip this - there is no good substitute.
• Mini mozzarella balls - Also called ciliegine mozzarella or mozzarella pearls. If you can't find these, you can buy a block of mozzarella and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
• Balsamic vinegar - We will reduce this into a thick balsamic reduction. But if you want a quick cheat, you can substitute this with a store-bought balsamic glaze.
• Wooden skewers - The small wooden cocktail picks work well here, or you can use longer skewers and cut them to size.

How to Make It

1. Assemble the skewers: Thread half a strawberry onto a wooden skewer with the hull facing up. Add a folded basil leaf, one mini mozzarella ball, another folded basil leaf, and the bottom half of the strawberry. Repeat until all ingredients are used.
2. Arrange on a platter: Place the finished skewers on a serving tray or platter.
3. Make the glaze: In a small sauté pan over medium-high heat, reduce the balsamic vinegar until it thickens to about one-third of its original volume. Let it cool slightly.
4. Drizzle and serve: Drizzle the balsamic glaze lightly over the skewers and serve immediately.

Helpful Tips

Keep the basil dry. Wash and pat the basil leaves dry so they stay ooking very fresh and green on the skewers.

Make balsamic glaze ahead. You can reduce the balsamic earlier in the day and store it in the fridge for convenience - just drizzle on right before serving.

Serve right away. These skewers are best fresh, as they start to get soggy when they sit for a long time. However, you can assemble them in advance and add the balsamic glaze just before serving.

Serving Ideas: These little skewers are a perfect party appetizer. Served them alongside crackers, olives, and prosciutto for an antipasto spread. They also work great as a brunch-time offering, alongside a frittata or quiche.

Variations

• Combine strawberries and tomatoes: Alternate strawberries with cherry tomatoes on some skewers for a more unique spin.
• Make it colorful: Use multi-colored cherry tomatoes for a more fun party-perfect presentation.
• Citrus twist: Add a few drops of lemon or orange zest to the glaze for bright citrusy notes.
• Add honey to the balsamic: If you like extra sweetness, mix a spoonful of honey into the balsamic reduction.
• Fresh fruit combo: Swap half the strawberries for ripe peaches or melon cubes for a fun, fruity variation.
• Swap the basil: Use fresh mint or lemon basil leaves in place of traditional basil for a different flavor.

More Recipes to try

Love these Strawberry Caprese Skewers? Be sure to check out these other delicious recipes:

• Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
• Dessert on a Stick (Dessert Kabobs!)
• Mushroom & Onion Puff Pastry Bites
• Mini Apple Pie Bites

Recipe

Strawberry Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze

Bright, beautiful, and full of fresh flavor, these strawberry caprese skewers are the perfect light appetizer for spring and summer gatherings.

4.8 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Appetizers

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 16 skewers.

Calories 60 kcal

Equipment

• wooden cocktail skewers

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 16 strawberries washed and cut in half across the width
• 32 fresh basil leaves washed and patted dry
• 16 mini-Mozzarella balls
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil optional, to drizzle

Instructions

• Thread one strawberry pieces onto the wooden skewer.
• Next, fold one basil leaf in half, dark side facing out, and add it to the skewer.
• Add one mini-Mozzarella ball, followed by another folded basil leaf, and then the bottom half of the strawberry.
• Repeat with the remaining strawberries, basil, and Mozzarella until you have 16 completed skewers. Arrange skewers on a serving platter and set aside.
• Prepare the glaze by adding balsamic vinegar to a small sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vinegar is reduced to about ⅓ of its original volume.
• Remove glaze from heat and let cool slightly. Drizzle over the skewers, along with some extra virgin olive oil, if desired.

Notes

The quantity of mozzarella, basil, and strawberries are what worked for me, but you can vary as you wish. The size of your strawberries may change what fits on each skewer. Use common sense and adjust to your liking! 

Nutrition

Serving: 2gCalories: 60kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 59mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 104IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 0.2mg

Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.

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