These prosciutto caprese skewers are a simple, no-cook appetizer made with salty prosciutto, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil and juicy cherry tomatoes. Finish them with a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an easy appetizer that looks beautiful and comes together in minutes.
This recipe is basically a classic caprese salad served on a skewer—with prosciutto added because everything tastes better with prosciutto. The combination is fresh, savory and just a little sweet from the balsamic glaze.
Serve these mini skewers at a dinner party, during the holidays or whenever you need a quick appetizer that requires almost no preparation.
These prosciutto Caprese skewers are an easy, no-cook appetizer made with salty prosciutto, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil. Finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, they’re perfect for summer gatherings, holiday parties, or whenever you need an elegant appetizer in minutes. If you love fresh Italian flavors, try my Burrata Caprese or serve these skewers alongside my Prosciutto Crostini for a simple appetizer spread.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love These Prosciutto Caprese Skewers
- What Are Caprese Skewers?
- Ingredients
- How to Make Prosciutto Caprese Skewers
- Tips for the Best Caprese Appetizer Skewers
- Variations
- What to Serve with Caprese Skewers
- Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Prosciutto Caprese Skewers Recipe
- Food safety
Why You’ll Love These Prosciutto Caprese Skewers
- Quick and easy: These skewers take only a few minutes to assemble.
- No cooking required: They’re perfect when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
- Great for entertaining: The individual portions are easy for guests to pick up and enjoy.
- Full of flavor: Salty prosciutto, creamy mozzarella and sweet balsamic glaze make the perfect combination.
- Easy to customize: You can adjust the quantities to make as many skewers as you need.
What Are Caprese Skewers?
Traditional caprese salad is made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, often finished with olive oil or balsamic glaze. Caprese skewers take those same ingredients and serve them in individual, bite-sized portions.
These caprese skewers with prosciutto add a savory, salty element that pairs perfectly with the mozzarella and tomatoes. They are sometimes called Italian appetizer skewers or antipasto skewers, but this version stays simple and uses just five main ingredients.
Ingredients
You only need a few ingredients to make these prosciutto caprese skewers:
- Prosciutto: Fold each slice into a small square so it fits neatly on the skewer.
- Mozzarella pearls: Small mozzarella balls are the perfect size for bite-sized skewers. Drain and pat them dry before assembling.
- Fresh basil: Choose small, tender basil leaves whenever possible.
- Cherry tomatoes: Use ripe tomatoes that are firm enough to stay securely on the skewers.
- Balsamic glaze: A thick balsamic glaze adds sweetness and acidity without making the skewers watery.
- Skewers: Small appetizer skewers or cocktail picks work best.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
How to Make Prosciutto Caprese Skewers
Prepare the skewers. If you are using long wooden skewers, carefully cut them with kitchen shears so approximately 4 inches of the pointed end remains. You can skip this step if you are using short appetizer skewers.
Fold the prosciutto. Fold one slice of prosciutto into a small square or bundle. Thread it onto the skewer. Add the remaining ingredients. Thread on one basil leaf, one mozzarella pearl and one cherry tomato.Repeat.
Assemble the remaining skewers using the same order.
Finish and serve. Arrange the skewers on a serving platter and drizzle them with balsamic glaze immediately before serving.
Tips for the Best Caprese Appetizer Skewers
Pat the mozzarella dry. Excess liquid from the mozzarella can collect on the platter and make the skewers slippery.
Use a thick balsamic glaze. Regular balsamic vinegar is much thinner and can make the appetizer messy. A bottled balsamic glaze or homemade balsamic reduction works best.
Choose small basil leaves. Large leaves can be folded in half before threading them onto the skewers.
Don’t overfill the skewers. These are designed to be a one- or two-bite appetizer, so one piece of each ingredient is enough.
Drizzle just before serving. Adding the balsamic glaze at the last minute keeps the basil fresh and the presentation clean.
Variations
While I love the classic combination of prosciutto, tomato, mozzarella and basil, you can easily change these skewers depending on what you have available.
- Add a pitted olive for an antipasto-inspired version.
- Replace the cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes.
- Add a small piece of cantaloupe or peach for a sweet and savory summer appetizer.
- Drizzle the skewers with pesto instead of balsamic glaze.
- Add a little extra-virgin olive oil, flaky salt or freshly cracked black pepper.
- Leave out the prosciutto for traditional tomato mozzarella basil skewers.
What to Serve with Caprese Skewers
Caprese skewers make a fresh, savory appetizer that pairs beautifully with crusty bread, pasta salad, grilled vegetables, or an Italian-inspired charcuterie board. For a heartier meal, serve them alongside my Lemon Garlic Drumsticks. The bright lemon and savory garlic complement the tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, prosciutto, and balsamic glaze perfectly.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
You can assemble these skewers a few hours before serving. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container or arrange them on a platter and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
Wait to add the balsamic glaze until just before serving. This prevents the basil from wilting and keeps the platter from becoming messy.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. The basil may darken over time, so these skewers are best enjoyed the day they are assembled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make prosciutto caprese skewers ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the skewers a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Add the balsamic glaze immediately before serving.
Can I use regular mozzarella?
Yes. If you cannot find mozzarella pearls, cut fresh mozzarella into small, bite-sized cubes. Pat the pieces dry before adding them to the skewers.
Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of balsamic glaze?
Regular balsamic vinegar is thinner and may drip off the skewers. If that is all you have, simmer it until it reduces and becomes thick enough to drizzle.
How do I keep the basil from turning brown?
Use fresh, dry basil leaves and assemble the skewers shortly before serving. Keep them refrigerated and wait to add the balsamic glaze until serving time.
Are these served cold or at room temperature?
You can serve them chilled or allow them to sit at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving. The mozzarella will have more flavor when it is not refrigerator-cold.
How many skewers should I make per person?
Plan on approximately two to three mini skewers per person when serving them as an appetizer with other dishes. Make more if they are the main appetizer.
Prosciutto Caprese Skewers Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 5 skewers 1x
Description
These easy prosciutto caprese skewers combine creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes and savory prosciutto. A drizzle of balsamic glaze turns them into an irresistible no-cook Italian appetizer.
Ingredients
- 5 slices prosciutto
- 5 mozzarella pearls, drained and patted dry
- 5 fresh basil leaves
- 5 cherry tomatoes
- 5 small appetizer skewers
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Instructions
- If using long wooden skewers, carefully trim each one with kitchen shears, leaving approximately 4 inches on the pointed end. Skip this step if using short appetizer skewers.
- Fold one slice of prosciutto into a small square or bundle and thread it onto a skewer.
- Add one basil leaf, followed by one mozzarella pearl and one cherry tomato.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make five skewers.
- Arrange the prosciutto caprese skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.
Notes
- Pat the mozzarella pearls dry to prevent excess moisture from collecting on the platter.
- Fold large basil leaves in half before adding them to the skewers.
- Assemble the skewers a few hours ahead, but wait to add the balsamic glaze until serving.
- This recipe is easy to scale. Use one slice of prosciutto, one mozzarella pearl, one basil leaf and one cherry tomato for each skewer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
Anita Coolidge
These skewers were such a big hit. I brought them to a potluck and they were gone within 20 minutes.