Easy Salami Caprese Skewers
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Just 4 ingredients and no cooking—these Salami Caprese Skewers are the ultimate summer appetizer. Quick to make, easy to customize, and perfect for everything from backyard gatherings to picnics and potlucks!
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Why I Love These Skewers
I love these skewers for many reasons, but mainly, they are delicious and easy! With only 4 ingredients and zero cooking required, they are everything a summer appetizer should be—quick, flavorful, and beautifully simple.
Made with cherry tomatoes, baby bocconcini, fresh basil, and savory Genoa salami, these bite-sized Caprese salads are a crowd-pleasing twist on a classic Caprese salad or Caprese pasta salad. Perfect for backyard gatherings, picnics, or casual patio dinners, they’re easy to prep ahead and serve straight from the fridge.
Ingredients
These four ingredients are all you need to make these quick and easy appetizers.
- Cherry Tomatoes: I look for round red cherry tomatoes, or sometimes I’ll pick up a pint of “Rainbow Cherries,” depending on the occasion or which look fresh and sweet. If you have garden cherry tomatoes, all the better!
- Mozzarella Balls: Otherwise known as baby bocconcini or mini bocconcini. These are small, bite-sized balls of fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Salami: Genoa Salami is a favorite for these skewers.
- Fresh Basil: Look for vibrant green leaves that aren’t droopy. Trim the ends and place in a water-filled jar, loosely covered, in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
How to Make Caprese Skewers
- Wash the basil and cherry tomatoes and set them aside. Then, drain the baby bocconcini on a paper towel and set them aside.
- Thread the baby bocconcini, salami, basil leaves, and cherry tomatoes onto the skewers or toothpicks. Arrange on a platter, grind over some cracked black pepper, and serve drizzled with olive oil, balsamic glaze, or a small bowl of basil pesto (store-bought or homemade). Serve immediately.
Which Salami is Best for Skewers?
For Caprese skewers, you can use various types of salami. Here are some good options for these caprese skewers:
- Genoa Salami: This is a classic choice because its savory and slightly tangy flavor pairs well with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes.
- Spicy Salami: A spicy salami can add an interesting and delicious kick to the skewers.
- Mild Salami: For a more subtle flavor, mild salami complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.
Pro tip: When threading salami onto skewers, you can fold slices in half or quarters to make them easy to thread and eat.
How to Serve
These salami caprese skewers are party-ready straight from the fridge, but serving them with a flavorful dip takes them to the next level. Arrange them around a small bowl of basil pesto—homemade or store-bought—nestled in the center of a platter. For an extra touch, try drizzling with olive oil or a sweet balsamic glaze just before serving.
Can you make the skewers ahead?
While these caprese skewers are best when served fresh, you can assemble them a few hours ahead. If made too far in advance, the fresh basil may wilt slightly.
Plan to assemble the skewers on the day you serve them and avoid drizzling with olive oil or balsamic glaze until just before serving. You can store assembled skewers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but they may begin to wilt.
What to remember:
- Assembly: You can assemble the skewers up to 4 hours in advance.
- Storage: Store the assembled skewers, covered, in the refrigerator.
- Drizzling: Avoid drizzling with olive oil or balsamic glaze until just before serving.
- Serving: Remove the skewers from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving. This allows them to come to room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Genoa salami is a classic choice for its rich flavor and soft texture, which folds beautifully onto skewers. However, any thinly sliced, cured salami will work—try soppressata or peppered salami for variation.
To get that nice ruffled look and even bites, fold each round slice in half, then in half again to form a wedge or “ribbon.” Thread through the folded edge so it holds together on the skewer.
Absolutely! Try swapping basil for arugula, adding marinated artichoke hearts, or using mozzarella pearls or ciliegine cheese balls. A drizzle of pesto or balsamic glaze adds extra flavor too.
These skewers are best when made up to 4 hours in advance of serving as the fresh basil can wilt. For storing, cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water first to prevent them from drying out. For optimal texture, add a light drizzle of olive oil or balsamic glaze just before serving.
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Easy Salami Caprese Skewers Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 cherry tomatoes (2 per skewer)
- 12 small fresh mozzarella balls (Baby Boconcini)
- 12 salami slices
- 24 fresh basil leaves
- salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
Instructions
- Wash the basil and cherry tomatoes well and set aside. Drain the baby bocconcini on a paper towel and set aside.
- Thread the baby bocconcini, salami, basil leaves, and cherry tomatoes onto the skewers or toothpicks. Arrange on a platter, grind over some cracked black pepper, and serve drizzled with olive oil, balsamic glaze, or a small bowl of basil pesto (store-bought or homemade). Serve immediately.
Notes
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these skewers on a large platter with a small bowl of basil pesto in the center for dipping—either homemade or store-bought works well. You can also drizzle the skewers with extra-virgin olive oil or a balsamic glaze just before serving for added flavor and presentation.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
So easy, was perfect for our lunch!
These are my favorite easy appetizers, starters, or summer tea time savory offerings. They’re easy to make in minutes, always a favorite, and taste so fresh and summery!