Fresh Stars and Stripes Caprese Skewers Easy 4th of July Appetizer with Balsamic Glaze
Festive and fresh caprese skewers featuring cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with a homemade balsamic glaze, perfect for summer gatherings and 4th of July celebrations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Fresh cherry tomatoes (firm, ripe, organic preferred)
- Fresh mozzarella balls (Bocconcini or Ciliegine)
- Fresh basil leaves (bright green, not bruised)
- Wooden skewers (thin, 4-6 inches)
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
- Sea salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the balsamic glaze: Pour 1 cup balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar and a pinch of salt. Simmer gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened to a syrupy consistency (about 15-20 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prep the tomatoes and basil: Rinse cherry tomatoes and basil leaves under cool water and pat dry. Tear large basil leaves into smaller pieces if needed. Toss tomatoes and basil lightly with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.
- Assemble the skewers: Thread one cherry tomato, a folded basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball onto each wooden skewer. Repeat to fill the skewer with about 3-4 sets. Arrange skewers alternating red tomatoes and white mozzarella with basil leaves as green accents.
- Season and glaze: Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and a little extra olive oil. Finish with freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 4 hours. Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
Notes
Soak wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. For a vegan version, substitute mozzarella with vegan cheese balls or marinated tofu and use maple syrup or agave instead of honey in the glaze. Avoid overloading skewers to keep them neat and easy to eat. Dry basil leaves thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Homemade balsamic glaze offers richer flavor than store-bought. Store glaze separately if prepping ahead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 3
Keywords: caprese skewers, 4th of July appetizer, balsamic glaze, summer appetizer, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, patriotic recipe