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Fresh Mini Caprese Skewers with Easy Pesto Dipping Sauce

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These fresh mini Caprese skewers combine cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil with a vibrant pesto dipping sauce for a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes (firm, vibrant red)
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
  • ½ cup pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 20–25 wooden or bamboo toothpicks/skewers (about 3 inches long)

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry the cherry tomatoes and basil leaves.
  2. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half using a sharp knife.
  3. Drain the mozzarella balls and pat dry with paper towels if packed in liquid.
  4. Assemble the skewers by threading one half of a cherry tomato, a folded basil leaf, a mozzarella ball, and the other tomato half onto each skewer.
  5. Arrange the skewers on a serving platter with enough space to avoid squishing.
  6. Prepare the pesto dipping sauce: if store-bought, stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil to loosen; if homemade, blend fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  7. Serve immediately or chill for up to one hour before serving.

Notes

Assemble skewers no more than a couple of hours before serving to keep basil fresh and mozzarella from getting soggy. Store pesto separately until ready to serve. For grilling, brush skewers lightly with olive oil and grill 1-2 minutes per side. Tear large basil leaves slightly to wrap around mozzarella and prevent slipping. Add a pinch of flaky sea salt before serving for enhanced flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese skewers, mini Caprese, pesto dipping sauce, appetizer, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, easy snack, party food, gluten-free

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/fresh-mini-caprese-skewers-with-easy-pesto-dipping-sauce-recipe/