Fresh Mini Caprese Skewers Recipe with Easy Zesty Homemade Pesto
These Fresh Mini Caprese Skewers with Zesty Homemade Pesto offer a perfect bite-sized appetizer combining juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and bright basil with a lively homemade pesto twist. Quick and easy to prepare, they are ideal for gatherings and casual parties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 20 skewers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pint (300g) cherry tomatoes, ripe and firm
- 8 oz (225g) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained
- 1 cup packed (about 25g) fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
- 1/3 cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup (30g) pine nuts, toasted lightly (walnuts can be substituted)
- 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- Zest of 1 medium lemon
- 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- About 20 wooden skewers or toothpicks
Instructions
- Toast the pine nuts in a small dry frying pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a food processor, combine toasted pine nuts, fresh basil leaves, minced garlic, lemon zest, and grated Parmesan. Pulse a few times to chop.
- While the processor runs, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the mixture is smooth but still a bit textured. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a teaspoon of water if pesto is too thick.
- Drain mozzarella balls and pat dry with paper towels. Rinse cherry tomatoes and basil leaves, drying gently to prevent watery skewers.
- Assemble each skewer by threading one cherry tomato, one mozzarella ball, and one folded basil leaf. Repeat until all ingredients are used.
- Arrange skewers on a serving platter and spoon or brush the zesty pesto over them. Serve extra pesto on the side for dipping.
Notes
Toast pine nuts to enhance flavor. Use fresh garlic and lemon zest for brightness. Dry tomatoes and mozzarella well to avoid soggy skewers. Add pesto just before serving to keep skewers fresh. Skewers can be served at room temperature or slightly chilled. For vegan version, substitute mozzarella with marinated tofu or vegan cheese and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 1.5
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 3
Keywords: Caprese skewers, mini appetizers, homemade pesto, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, easy party food, gluten-free, vegetarian