Fresh Mini Caprese Skewers with Pesto Dipping Sauce
These fresh mini Caprese skewers combine cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and basil leaves with a flavorful pesto dipping sauce for a quick and easy appetizer perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 20 skewers (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 small cherry tomatoes, washed and dried
- 20 fresh mozzarella pearls (bocconcini), drained well
- 20 fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry
- ½ cup pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 20 wooden toothpicks or mini skewers
Instructions
- Rinse and dry the cherry tomatoes. If large, halve or quarter them to fit on skewers.
- Toss tomatoes gently in a mixing bowl with olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Drain mozzarella pearls and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Rinse basil leaves gently and pat dry, using whole small leaves for presentation.
- Assemble each skewer by threading one mozzarella pearl, one basil leaf (folded if large), and one cherry tomato.
- If using store-bought pesto, stir well. For homemade pesto, blend fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour pesto into a small serving bowl for dipping.
- Arrange skewers on a platter, place pesto bowl in the center, optionally drizzle skewers with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper.
Notes
Pat mozzarella and basil dry to prevent sogginess and help pesto stick. Assemble skewers last minute for freshest basil. Store skewers and pesto separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Let skewers come to room temperature before serving. Thin pesto with olive oil if too thick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 skewers
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 8
Keywords: Caprese skewers, appetizer, pesto dip, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, easy snack, Italian appetizer