Caprese Salad Sticks

I love appetizer potlucks. You can throw together something quickly and you don't have to commit to a big cooking expedition (or cooking at all!) That is exactly how I discovered this amazing flavor combination. My friend brought a version of this cherry tomato appetizer, with a tangy balsamic glaze, to my house and I seriously fell in love with it. These 4 Ingredient Caprese Salad Sticks are by far, my latest and greatest favorite potluck appetizer! If you've ever had a delicious Caprese salad, that's what inspired these.

It's quick, easy, vegetarian, and gluten-free and you can make it ahead or right before your event if you only have a short time to spare. This Caprese Salad Skewer with balsamic drizzle is 1 WW point. These tasty caprese salad skewers are very popular during the summer months, but are great for any time of year (I make it all year round!)

We often have an appetizer extravaganza on New Year's Eve and we try to keep it healthy. This delicious appetizer will definitely be joining the ranks this year. So, if you are looking for a New Year's Eve party appetizer, especially if you are following Weight Watchers, this one is perfect (see WW points below). You don't have to wait until New Year's Day to enact your healthy eating resolution -this appetizer will help you start the New Year right!

🥘 Ingredients

These Caprese salad skewers have only 4 simple ingredients: grape tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella and are drizzled with a balsamic vinegar reduction (or balsamic glaze- they are the same thing) They are healthy, low calorie, WW friendly, and won't leave you overdrawn at the calorie bank.

*See recipe card for quantities

📖Variations & Substitutions

• Mozzarella Cheese- fresh mozzarella balls can be used in place of regular mozzarella cut into squares
• Fresh Tomatoes - you can use cherry tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes
• Balsamic Glaze - you can make a homemade balsamic glaze instead of buying it but I do not recommend it. I did this once, it takes forever and it made my whole house smell like vinegar for days (which the family did not appreciate) and clogged up my stove hood fan filter!
• Basil - FRESH BASIL is critical! You can use store-bought or use your own (I used my own in this recipe).
• Black pepper - you can add a little black pepper if you like

🔢WW Points

These cherry tomato appetizers are 1 Weight Watchers point per skewer!

🔪 Instructions

I make my Caprese salad on a skewer, which is a little different from how my friend made it when she introduced it into my life. My Mini Caprese Skewers are on toothpicks or little skewers (made of wood or plastic) and use grape tomatoes, cut in half (or cherry tomatoes).

I also slice the mozzarella any old way - I don't do it in circles or perfect symmetrical squares - it's completely fuss-free, although you could use mini mozzarella balls if you wish.

I made these this summer for an appetizer at a small family get-together and they were a big hit! They are a fun appetizer that's so easy to make and tasty.

Slice grape tomatoes in half.

*If you are using cherry tomatoes, don't slice in half - use cherry tomatoes on each end

Poke toothpick/skewer through tomato half (flat side down)

Fold a piece of basil and add to the skewer.

*If your basil is small, use 2 leaves, but be careful because if you use too much, it will over power this appetizer

Slice mozzarella into squares.

* Add a square of mozzarella to skewer.

Add the second half of the tomato to skewer, flat side down.

Drizzle with balsamic vinegar reduction /glaze (but don't do this until just prior to serving). And see TOP TIP!

🍽Equipment

You can use a bigger toothpick/mini skewer , a plastic skewer, a mini cocktail fork. (affiliate links) or some kind of wooden skewers or even bamboo skewers. Either way, it should be about 3.5 inches long. You'll also need a sharp knife and a cutting board.

I had a tough time finding this type of skewer at my local grocery store but ended up finding them at my neighborhood dollar store. I prefer these because they stand up more easily and are colorful, but I've used wooden skewers or toothpicks in the past.

👪 Serving Size

This Mini Caprese Salad Bites recipe makes about 20 Caprese salad skewers. If you want to cut the recipe in half, double or triple it, simply click on the blue servings in the recipe card, select the number of servings you'd like and the ingredient amounts will adjust accordingly.

🌡️Storage

You can make these Caprese salad skewers a day in advance, but for best results, drizzle the balsamic vinegar glaze on as close to serving as possible. If you are just storing them for a short while (8 hours or less) you can cover them in plastic wrap, but otherwise, keep them in a sealed container.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container. They do not stand up to freezing.

So, if you are looking for a fantastic quick, healthy, gluten-free, and easy appetizer, made with fresh ingredients, that's perfect for a potluck, try these caprese bites!

This is the best flavor combination, so if you love it as much as I do, then give my 5 Ingredient Caprese Sheet Pan Chicken Breast a try. This delicious and healthy appetizer was the inspiration behind this tasty Sheet Pan chicken breast recipe.

📋 Caprese Salad Sticks Recipe

This healthy, simple, delicious and gluten-free 4 Ingredient Caprese Salad Sticks appetizer is make-ahead or perfect for a last minute gathering or potluck, especially if you are trying to stay on track with your health goals. These Mini Caprese Skewers are Weight Watchers friendly and will help you keep on track!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Snack, starter

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: caprese, salad, skewers

Special Diet: Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Weight Watchers

Servings: 20 skewers

Calories: 40kcal

Author: Terri Gilson

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

sharp knife

cutting board

skewers

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes 16 oz
• ▢ ½ pound fresh mozzarella cheese cut into cubes
• ▢ 2 -28 g pkg fresh basil leaves
• ▢ 1 tablespoon reduced balsamic vinegar (approximately) drizzled - also called balsamic vinegar glaze

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Slice grape tomatoes in half.
  
• Poke toothpick/skewer through tomato half (flat side down) * if you are using cherry tomatoes, don't slice in half - use cherry tomatoes on each end
  
• Fold piece of basil and add to skewer.
  
• Slice mozzarella into squares.
  
• Add small square of mozzarella to skewer.
  
• Add second ½ of tomato
  
• Then drizzle with balsamic vinegar reduction /glaze
  

Notes

*See post contents for important information, substitutions and tips!

🔢WW Points

They are 1 WW point

Nutrition Facts

📋 Caprese Salad Sticks Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 skewer)

Calories 40 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 8mg3%

Sodium 73mg3%

Potassium 60mg2%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 200IU4%

Vitamin C 5.4mg7%

Calcium 60mg6%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewer | Calories: 40kcal (2%) | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 2g (3%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Cholesterol: 8mg (3%) | Sodium: 73mg (3%) | Potassium: 60mg (2%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 200IU (4%) | Vitamin C: 5.4mg (7%) | Calcium: 60mg (6%) | Iron: 0.2mg (1%)

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