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Appetizers 30 Minutes or Less Italian
4.7 from 25 votes

Mini Caprese Salad Bites

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By: Joanna Cismaru •12/9/22 22 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These Mini Caprese Salad Bites take the classic and delicious caprese salad and transform it into a miniature, elegant appetizer – perfect for any party or gathering!

and hand holding a caprese salad bite on a pick over a plate full of them
Table of Contents Open
  • Mini Caprese Salad Bites Recipe
  • What is Caprese salad?
    • Balsamic reduction
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How To Make Mini Caprese Salad Bites
  • Make Them In Advance!
  • Serving
  • Leftovers
  • Storing your balsamic reduction
  • Check out more of my miniature recipes!
  • Mini Caprese Salad Bites
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Mini Caprese Salad Bites Recipe

These Mini Caprese Salad Bites could NOT get any easier. With some minor assembly required, you can have this delicious and aromatic appetizer ready in mere minutes! Tiny, elegant and certainly impressive.

I love Caprese salad, we make it almost every night of the week at home because of how simple it is! Fresh tomatoes and basil, bocconcini cheese, balsamic vinegar and salt & pepper are all you need for this recipe! Plus, aren’t they just the cutest little things you’ve ever seen?

caprese salad bites on a serving platter drizzled with balsamic reduction

What is Caprese salad?

Caprese Salad or Insalata Caprese is a very simple salad originating in Italy! It consists of fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, all seasoned with salt and pepper. I think the beauty of this salad is its simplicity and the fact that it’s quite literally made up of the Italian flag colors! Different versions may include using balsamic vinegar, which is why I chose to make mine with a homemade balsamic reduction!

Balsamic reduction

A balsamic reduction or “glaze” is a term for cooking the balsamic vinegar until it reduces down to less than half. It will thicken in the process, making the flavor more concentrated.

Ingredients You’ll Need

overhead shot of all ingredients needed to make mini caprese salad bites
  • Balsamic Vinegar – use your preference (see instructions below on how to make a reduction).
  • Cheese – I used mini bocconcini. If you’ve never had bocconcini – it’s just small pieces of fresh mozzarella cheese!
  • Tomatoes – cherry tomatoes.
  • Basil – fresh
  • Salt & Pepper – to taste

How To Make Mini Caprese Salad Bites

detailed process shots showing how to make caprese salad bites
  1. Make Balsamic Glaze: In a small skillet add the balsamic vinegar and cook over medium heat until it has reduced down to half. Should take 15 to 20 minutes.
  2. Assemble: Take a toothpick and stick a bocconcini, a basil leaf and a cherry tomato onto it. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
  3. Season: Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Finish & Serve: Using a teaspoon drizzle some of the balsamic reduction onto each appetizer.
caprese salad bites on a serving platter drizzled with balsamic reduction

Make Them In Advance!

If you want to make these little bites ahead of time, simply assemble and keep them in the fridge overnight! That way, when you’re ready to serve your appy, all you have to do is whip up your balsamic reduction and you’re done!

Serving

I mean how adorable and perfect are these for an appetizer at a party? It’s brilliant, you’ll impress everyone! They can even be served as a starter or side to a classic Italian meal, spaghetti and meatballs anyone?

caprese salad bites on a serving platter

Leftovers

These mini caprese salad bites are so good, you shouldn’t have any leftovers! If you ended up going a little crazy and making more than you needed (a struggle I still have every time I make pasta) no worries! Store the leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days!

Storing your balsamic reduction

Transfer your balsamic glaze to a jar or sealable bottle and store it in the fridge. It’ll last you 3-4 weeks, meaning you can make a ton of these bites over the next month.

caprese salad bites on a serving platter

Check out more of my miniature recipes!

  • Tiramisu Cheesecakes
  • Blueberry Galettes
  • Apple Pie Bites
  • Salted Caramel Cheesecakes
  • Corn Dogs
  • Hawaiian Cheesecake Bites
  • Ambrosia Salad
  • Matcha Mini Cheesecakes

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

and hand holding a caprese salad bite on a pick over a plate full of them
Print
4.72 from 25 votes

Mini Caprese Salad Bites

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 15 minutes
Total 25 minutes
Rate Recipe
These Mini Caprese Salad Bites take the classic and delicious caprese salad and transform it into a miniature, elegant appetizer – perfect for any party or gathering!
12

Ingredients

  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cups bocconcini cheese (I used mini bocconcini)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 1 bunch basil (fresh)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Make Balsamic Glaze: In a small skillet add the balsamic vinegar and cook over medium heat until it has reduced down to half. Should take 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Assemble: Take a toothpick and stick a bocconcini, a basil leaf and a cherry tomato onto it. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
  • Season: Season with salt and pepper.
  • Finish & Serve: Using a teaspoon drizzle some of the balsamic reduction onto each appetizer.

Notes

  1. Store the leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days.
  2. Transfer your balsamic glaze to a jar or sealable bottle and store it in the fridge. It’ll last you 3-4 weeks.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 65kcal (3%)Carbohydrates: 4g (1%)Protein: 3g (6%)Fat: 3g (5%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Cholesterol: 6mg (2%)Sodium: 116mg (5%)Potassium: 77mg (2%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 155IU (3%)Vitamin C: 5.8mg (7%)Calcium: 69mg (7%)Iron: 0.3mg (2%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

and hand holding a caprese salad bite on a pick over a plate full of them

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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22 Comments
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Janice schwartz
Janice schwartz
Posted: 4 years ago

Why do you reduce the balsamic vinegar ???
What is the difference between the two?

0
Reply
Nicole Beaulieu
Nicole Beaulieu
Reply to  Janice schwartz
Posted: 4 years ago

Reducing the balsamic vinegar gives it a thicker more glaze like consistency.

0
Reply
Lori Lewis
Lori Lewis
Posted: 5 years ago

I make these all the time. I use a strawberry balsamic reduction. Goes so well when having company. It’s quick, easy and fresh. I even make them for my lunch as a healthy lunch.

0
Reply
Patty Holland
Patty Holland
Posted: 5 years ago

I am trying to figure out how many this recipe makes? I am planning a party of appetizers. I appreciate your response.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Patty Holland
Posted: 5 years ago

Well it depends on the size of your tomatoes and bocconcini, but you should get about 15 to 20.

0
Reply
Sheral
Sheral
Reply to  Joanna Cismaru
Posted: 5 years ago

HI Jo, I am making these for a potluck. Would the balsamic reduction still be good the next day? Would I need to put it in the fridge until I use it?

0
Reply
Fenne Kieken
Fenne Kieken
Reply to  Sheral
Posted: 5 years ago

Sure you can make the reduction ahead and I would keep it in the fridge . These little bites are always a hit and taste so fresh..

0
Reply
Mea Foodie
Mea Foodie
Reply to  Sheral
Posted: 5 years ago

5 stars
Definitely put balsamic vinegar in fridge if using the next day. Do not put it on caprese salad bites until just before serving.

0
Reply
Jill Brown
Jill Brown
Posted: 8 years ago

5 stars
Ok, I want to do these for my daughter’s Bridal Shower coming up soon, 7-26-14. You say you used “brocconcini” but in the picture it looks like the cheese is in the shape of a ball. Did you use a small scoop on the mozzarella or can you buy cheese in the shape of a ball? Also, I am noticing that there are fewer and fewer stores that carry red cherry tomatoes and instead carry what they are calling “salad” tomatoes, which are an oval shape. I really like the round/cherry tomatoes and I have found only the yellow tomatoes, which would be nice to use both colors. Your thoughts? Thanks I can hardly wait to try this and the balsamic vinegar reduction sounds like a great idea. I’ll let you know. -Jill

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Jill Brown
Posted: 8 years ago

Hi Jill,
Bocconcini is small balls of fresh mozzarella cheese, you should be able to find this in your grocery store with all the cheeses. You can use the oval small tomatoes, or the cherry tomatoes. 🙂

0
Reply
Francesca
Francesca
Posted: 8 years ago

5 stars
I just made 10 just to get the visual for my dinner party tomorrow. I will make the rest tomorrow because they are very easy to assemble. They look adorable, I wish I could enclose the photo I just took.
I cut a little of the bottom of the tomatoes, and they are standing up like proud little soldiers!
Thank you for sharing this yummy idea for an appetizer !

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Francesca
Posted: 8 years ago

You probably could on facebook if you follow me. So glad you liked them. They are totally adorable!

0
Reply
NC Pat
NC Pat
Posted: 8 years ago

4 stars
I’ve been making these for years, only I call it “salad on a stick”. You can change out the mozzarella for a feta cube, add a small dice of cucumber, and a piece of kalamata olive. Use a Greek-style dressing and call it “Greek salad on a stick”.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  NC Pat
Posted: 8 years ago

What wonderful ideas!

0
Reply
Arantxa
Arantxa
Posted: 10 years ago

Could these been made the night before and refrigerated? I’m unsure of how well this would keep.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Arantxa
Posted: 10 years ago

I think they’d be ok, though I wouldn’t drizzle the balsamic on them until served.

0
Reply
Tara
Tara
Posted: 10 years ago

I have added these to my Mouth Watering Mondays post to bring in the New Year!! Come on over to have a look at http://www.noshingwiththenolands.com Happy New Year, Cheers Tara

0
Reply
JWF
JWF
Posted: 10 years ago

I love your presentation, but how do you get them to stand up right? Where did you buy your skewers? (perhaps that’s where I’m going wrong. ?)

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  JWF
Posted: 10 years ago

Haha, it’s not a trick I swear, all you have to do is cut the bottom of the tomato off so that it’s flat and can stand, it doesn’t matter what skewers you use, toothpicks would work just as well. Good luck. 🙂

0
Reply
Mama's Gotta Bake
Mama's Gotta Bake
Posted: 10 years ago

I’m always looking for a dish for parties that makes a nice presentation, and this one is perfect!

0
Reply
brighteyedbaker
brighteyedbaker
Posted: 10 years ago

I’m in love with the simple combination of mozzarella and tomato, and I love the way you presented it. This would be the perfect appetizer for a get-together!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  brighteyedbaker
Posted: 10 years ago

And impressive too, eh? Yeah mozzarella and tomatoes are one of my favorite snacks. 🙂

0
Reply

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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