Christmas Caprese Appetizer
Every year amidst the holiday chaos — the overstuffed schedules, too many hours in the kitchen, and a table overflowing with heavy dishes — there’s one recipe my family always counts on: my mom’s Christmas Caprese appetizer.
Fresh, festive, and wonderfully simple, this appetizer has been part of our holiday spread for as long as I can remember. My mom made it because it required almost no prep, looked beautiful beside all the classics, and offered a much-needed healthy option among the casseroles, cookies, and rich comfort foods.
Now I make it every year, too — not just because it tastes amazing, but because it feels like home. And honestly? When you’re juggling gift wrapping, hosting, and a million other December to-dos, a recipe this easy is a lifesaver.
Fresh mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil… that’s it. Simple, colorful, and surprisingly refreshing — exactly what every holiday table needs.
Let’s dig in!
Total time: 5-10 Minutes | Prep Time: 5-10 Minutes | Cook Time: 0 Minutes
Servings: 40 | Category: Appetizer | Cuisine: Seasonal, Italian
Ingredients
16 oz container fresh mozzarella balls, halved
16 oz container cherry tomatoes, cut lengthwise
1 bunch fresh basil, leaves picked and left whole
Balsamic vinegar, drizzled across
Italian herbs, dusted on top
Toothpicks
Instructions:
Prep the tomatoes: Slice each cherry tomato in half long-wise so they resemble little red “caps.”
Drain the mozzarella: Pat the mozzarella balls dry with a paper towel so they hold together well and don’t water down the platter. Slice in half.
Assemble:
Layer mozzarella ball → basil leaf → cherry tomato half (cut side down) to create a festive “Santa hat” look, or thread them onto toothpicks for easy serving.
Finish:
Add a zigzag of balsamic glaze for sweetness and contrast.
Season and dust with Italian herbs.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours (cover lightly so basil stays fresh).
Nutrition Facts
Per 1 skewer
25 calories | 2 g protein | 1.5 g carbs | 1.7 g fat
GF, low carb, keto, vegetarian, whole foods, no bake
Tatum’s Recipe Hacks:
⬇️ Try it candy cane style ⬇️
❓Did you know? Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, is found in tomatoes and when you pair it with healthy fat like olive oil or in these mozzarella balls, it becomes more bioavailable (absorbable).
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Contact me at tatum@equilibriumnutrition.net for more questions.
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Cheers to thriving together!
