Appetizers/Snacks

September 2, 2021

Caprese Bites

Caprese Bites are an easy, last-minute appetizer for end-of-summer snacking or entertaining. Cherry tomatoes are abundant in the late summer, and it’s nearing the end of season for fresh basil, too. Enjoy the classic caprese combination of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella in this easy appetizer! 

This is hardly even a recipe, ya’ll. There’s zero cooking involved. All it takes is some assembly time, and the result is an impressive and fancy-looking appetizer that couldn’t be more simple. I’ve been taking these to parties for years, and they always impress. They are super festive for the holidays also with their red, white, and green colors, but these Caprese Bites are best when cherry tomatoes are actually in season, which is now. 

Take up the fancy factor by serving Caprese Bites with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, either drizzled over all of them or on the side for dipping. These bites are an easy, quick appetizer - perfect for a Labor Day barbecue, or late summer picnic!

Ingredients assembled for Caprese Bites
Assemble your ingredients.

One Caprese Bite assembled and held by a hand
Build the Caprese Bites by placing a tomato, then a basil leaf, then a mozzarella ball on a toothpick, leaving some toothpick exposed as a handle.

Caprese Bites arranged on a white platter
Serve Caprese Bites arranged on a platter, with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Overhead view of Caprese Bites in a circle on a large white platter
Caprese Bites are a fast and easy appetizer for parties and snacking!

Caprese Bites

Caprese Bites are an easy, last-minute appetizer for end-of-summer snacking or entertaining.

Author:

Kira Freed - The Joyful Plateful

Prep:

20

min

cook:

0

min

total:

20

min

Ingredients

1 pound cherry tomatoes

8 oz. fresh mozzarella balls, “ciliegine” or “bocancini” size

1 large bunch fresh basil

Toothpicks

Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

Balsamic vinegar or glaze, for serving

Instructions

  1. Start by preparing your ingredients and setting up an assembly line. Wash and dry cherry tomatoes. Remove leaves from the basil stems, and tear large leaves in half. 
  2. Build the “bites” by placing one cherry tomato, followed by one basil leaf, then one mozzarella ball on each toothpick. Leave a little toothpick exposed at one end for use as a handle. Repeat until you run out of an ingredient. Refrigerate prepared bites until ready to serve.
  3. Serve assembled Caprese Bites on a large platter, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (or with olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl for dipping). 
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