Caprese Bites make an easy appetizer that’s ready in minutes. Fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, ripe tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic glaze top toasted bread slices for the perfect bite. If you love caprese flavors, then this simple snack was made for you!
I’m mildly obsessed with anything involving caprese ingredients. Mozzarella, basil, tomatoes….that’s just about the perfect combination in my book. Whether it’s in the form of a salad, sandwich, or bruschetta, it reminds me of summer.
Panera Bread used to make a delicious caprese salad. It was only available in the summer, and whenever it came out, I promptly went there to devour the salad.
I haven’t seen it at Panera for the past few years, but I always think about the delicious ingredients during the summer. Of course, other places offer caprese dishes, too. And when I’m in the mood, those dishes often appear on my plate, and are gone in a flash.
So it was no surprise that I was thinking of creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and juicy tomatoes last weekend. Summer staples, right? But instead of putting those ingredients into a salad, I went with a different option. Caprese Bites!
Caprese Bites Ingredients
The ingredients for this caprese appetizer are fairly simple:
- French bread
- Mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
- Tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Balsamic glaze (optional)
How to Make Caprese Bites
One bite of this easy tomato, mozzarella, and basil appetizer and I was sold. The fresh basil, combined with the mozzarella and tomatoes reminded me of eating my favorite salad at Panera.
- I chose to first toast the bread with a touch of olive oil before I layered the ingredients.
- I then added a slice of fresh mozzarella, diced tomatoes, and chopped basil leaves.
- Pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes and voila! Caprese heaven!
- Feel free to drizzle with some balsamic glaze for a bruschetta taste.
Can I Prep This Appetizer in Advance?
Once assembled, I recommend baking and eating the tomato mozzarella caprese bites immediately. However, you can slice the bread, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil ahead of time and store them separately until you’re ready to assemble everything.
Tips for Making This Caprese Appetizer
- I used campari tomatoes, but Roma or plum tomatoes will also work.
- Note that this recipe calls for fresh mozzarella, which comes packed in water.
- The balsamic glaze on top is optional, but highly recommended. I found a pre-made glaze in the vinegar aisle of my local grocery store.
Looking for more caprese recipes? I’ve got you covered!
- Chicken Caprese Quesadillas
- Baked Caprese Chicken
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Toasted Caprese Garlic Bread
- Caprese Grilled Cheese
- Caprese Cups
Caprese Bites
Ingredients
- 1 French baguette , cut into 20-25 slices, 1/2 inch thick
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 campari tomatoes , sliced and then each slice cut in half
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves , chopped or cut in half (depending on the size)
- 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese , sliced into 20-25 thin discs
- Salt and pepper , to taste
- Balsamic glaze , for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to medium broil and position oven rack near top.
- Brush olive oil over tops of bread slices and place onto a large baking pan.
- Place in the oven and broil 2-3 minutes, until the tops of the bread are just starting to turn golden. Remove from oven. Set oven to 400°F.
- Place one mozzarella slice, basil leave, and two tomato slices onto top of bread. (See note below). Repeat with remaining ingredients until bread slices are prepared.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper over each baguette slice. Place into oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, if desired.
Notes
- For the tomatoes, you may substitute Roma, plum, etc.
- I found a prepared balsamic glaze near the cooking vinegar section of my grocery store.
- Alternatively, you can toast bread and then top with mozzarella cheese and bake until melted. Then, top with basil and tomatoes with cooking, if desired.
- Bites are best served immediately.
- Caprese bites will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Bri | Bites of Bri says
I’m surviving solely off caprese everything over here. No joke. Lunch yesterday? Caprese. Dinner? Caprese as a side. YUM! Summer does not get better than caprese and I’m eating it as much as possible before it’s gone. 🙁
Gayle says
Caprese is definitely the best in the summer, Bri! I think I could eat it all day, everyday, too!
Laura says
Gayle, I would eat this whole tray right now for breakfast too if it were sitting in front on me! Yum.
Basil, growing that. Tomatoes. growing that. Mozzarella…? Now why can’t I grow mozzarella plants?
These look perfect, the cheese is just perfectly melted. Love the bread you used too. Agreed on Panera! Their mozz/basil paninis are my ultimate weakness!!
Gayle says
Wouldn’t that be amazing if mozzarella just grew on trees? I’m sure your basil and tomatoes are delicious, Laura! I plan on starting a garden next summer and those are the first two items on my list to plant. Thanks so much for the compliments! And I do like Panera’s caprese panini too, I actually forgot about that!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Caperese is honestly suh a genius flavor combination. These bites look amazing!
Gayle says
The flavors just blend so well together, Medha! And so many different ways to incorporate caprese, too!
Meg says
Oooh, these look so good — definitely a taste of summer!
Gayle says
Thanks, Meg! The fresh flavors always take me back to warm and sunny days. Maybe if I eat this more in the winter, I will feel like it’s summer! 🙂
Allison says
When the tomatoes are this fresh, I too love the simplicity of the caprese salad ingredients! Somehow they all work magically together to make some of the BEST tastes of summer!
Gayle says
Definitely, Allison! Home-grown tomatoes are my ultimate favorite, so fresh and so many different ways to use them!
katie says
what a great combo-you had me at basil and mozzarella, an awesome combo. I can imagine they would taste amazing on french bread. Great summer snack!
Gayle says
Definitely an amazing combination! There’s just something about the fresh ingredients that taste amazing on bread or in salads. I simply can’t get enough of these bites this summer!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Yum, love caprese salad, and these little guys look wonderful, Gayle 🙂
Gayle says
Thanks, Denise! Besides being tasty, they’re super easy to make, too.
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
Nothing says summer like caprese salad! These bites look amazing!
Gayle says
Thanks so much, Kelly! Caprese salads are my favorite too, and these bites definitely remind me of those dishes.
Kelly @ Trial and Eater says
I love all things Caprese! The hardest part would be to stop popping these bites in my mouth!
Gayle says
I agree, Kelly! These bites were so easy to just grab anytime I walked into the kitchen, so I had to really restrain myself. Next time, I’ll just give most of these away! 🙂
marcie says
Caprese anything is a huge weakness for me, so I love these little bites! I have some mozzarella balls in my fridge, now I just need some great tomatoes and basil and I’ll be in business! Happy Wednesday, Gayle! 🙂
Gayle says
I absolutely love fresh mozzarella! I don’t buy it too often, but when I do, it never lasts long in my house! So combine it with some tomatoes and basil, and I’m all set! 🙂 Happy Wednesday to you, too!
Annie @Maebells says
I lived off caprese everything last summer but I really haven’t thought of it much this year. How TERRIBLE is that?! Obviously I need to get it together. These bites are so cute. I just picked up some gf french bread, this is the perfect way to use it!
Gayle says
I actually haven’t had too many caprese dishes until about month ago, and then I was hooked for the summer! And since these bites are so easy to whip up, I know I’ll be making them a few more times while the farmer’s markets are still going on.
Anne says
I want to eat all of those little bites right now… 😀
Gayle says
They look addicting, right? I had so much trouble not eating about 10 caprese bites in one sitting, they’re just that fresh and tasty. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Mir says
This looks so good and fresh!
Man, I hate it when restaurants discontinue good dishes. It’s the worst! And they replace them with stuff that’s not as good.
I’m glad you can recreate the flavors here!
Gayle says
Thanks, Mir! These bites definitely remind me of Panera’s delicious salad, and even better that I can make them all on my own!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
I am definitely obsessed with caprese anything too! These look addicting! And super easy to pull together for an impromptu summer party! Pinned!
Gayle says
These would definitely be great for a summer party! So easy to throw together. Thanks so much for the pin, Lindsey!
Ashley says
haha yup, I’m with you – caprese anything and I am allll over it!
These little bites look delicious – I could eat quite a number of these so easily! 🙂
Gayle says
I’m with you, Ashley! These bites are so addicting and easy to grab ‘n go!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Agreed… I love caprese. Have you tried burrata cheese? I bought it one time by accident thinking it was a mozzarella ball, and it pretty much changed my life. So amazing!
Gayle says
I’ve never actually heard of burrata cheese, but now I’m going to be on the lookout for it! Sounds like it’s delicious!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
Those big chunks of mozzarella are making my mouth water seriously!!
Gayle says
You and me both, Ami! I could eat hunks of mozzarella cheese all day, every day!
Danielle says
How cute are these?! I love mozzarella and these look so delicious. I could probably just eat the whole batch 😉
Gayle says
Thanks, Danielle! I think I ate most of these and then had to pawn them off on my husband. Way too addicting!
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
Caprese is one of my personal favs too, so I am ALL over these gorgeous bites! This looks like my dream lunch/midnight snack. 😉 Can’t wait to try these, Gayle!
Gayle says
These are the perfect snack, Sarah! Especially when right out of the oven, when the cheese is all gooey! 🙂
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
It doesn’t get much better than caprese anything in the summer. These little bites are no exception – they practically scream summer and look absolutely adorable. I would devour these in no time!
Gayle says
Thanks, Kathi! These are so perfect for the summer, especially with the fresh flavors!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
I love that you’ve turned caprese salad into a bread-y little appetizer! I could just keep popping bite after bite into my mouth!
Gayle says
These are definitely so easy to pop and go, Kristine! So tasty, too!
Kathy@Olives & Garlic says
I am mildly obsessed with all these ingredients too. Love that you turned them into smaller bites. Yummy.
Gayle says
Thanks, Kathy! These were so easy to prepare and even better to eat!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Oh, wow! I have a distinct feeling I could eat these every summer evening … downed with a nice crisp glass of white wine. They’re sort of like a very simple Italian mini pizza in a way, I suppose. In any case, they sound like a perfect little snack to me!
Gayle says
These would definitely go perfect with a glass of wine. And yes, it could be a mini pizza too, especially with a little tomato sauce added in. Thanks, Helen!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Oh WOW! These look delicious. I can see why you were obsessed with that salad!
Gayle says
Thanks for the kind words, Julie! These bites are even better than the salad!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
Okay, okay…. FEED ME. The combination of crunchy baguette+cheese overload+tomato and basil is making me drool right now. This would be perfect as a summer appetizer! Or, you know, perfect anytime hahah 😉
Gayle says
Definitely perfect anytime, Christine! And it’s drool-worthy, too! 🙂
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
mmmmmmm!!!!!! I can’t stress enough HOW INCREDIBLY APPETIZING they look!!!!! Mozzarella, tomatoes and basil???? YESSSSS PLEASE! <3
Gayle says
Thanks so much, Samina! These little bites turned out delicious and fresh, I simply couldn’t get enough of the flavor!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I am a sucker for anything caprese related – it is just one of the best flavour combinations and it totally reminds me of summer! Yum!
Gayle says
Isn’t it the best? So fresh and flavorful!
Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
Love that you made these into little bites! That just means I can stuff my face with even more of them and that’s totally fine, right?! 🙂
Gayle says
Definitely, Leah! That’s why I made them into bites! 🙂
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Well you can beat this little babies. Fun appetizer for anytime of the year. But since it’s summer I can see them on my patio table—-easily.
Gayle says
These bites are prefect for the summer and for entertaining. So fun and delicious to eat!
Isadora says
I want to be in caprese heaven!! I’m totally with you on this, there isn’t much that tastes better than mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil! Those chunks of french bread look so good too! This looks like one of those snacks that I could eat for dinner and be perfectly happy with 🙂
Gayle says
I could definitely eat these bites for dinner too, Izzy! Especially in the summer, there’s just something about this fresh combo that makes it extra delicious!
Kelsey Bang says
Wow! these are beautiful and look so delicious! love little appetizers!
kelseybang.com
Gayle says
Mini foods are so fun, Kelsey! Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words!
Tash says
AHHH! Insalata caprese is just about one of my fav things ever! Can you believe though that I actually went to Italy and didn’t even try it!? Crazy! I seriously regret that decision now…
This looks heavenly. I have to try this. Maybe for lunch today? – That’s the best thing about reading your posts first thing in the morning! 🙂
Tash x
Gayle says
Thanks so much for the kind words, Tash! If you try this for lunch, please let me know! I definitely agree that it would be amazing!
mira says
I know I’ve commented already, but these look so cute and super delicious! Perfect for a quick appetizer! Pinning 🙂
Gayle says
Thank you, friend!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
All you have to say is caprese and I’m down! These new pictures are GORGEOUS, Gayle and I’m totally trying these cute little bites for the next family hangout!
Gayle says
Thank you, Sarah! One of my favorite summer apps!
Ava says
If you ever end up visiting Downtown Tulsa, you should check out Lassalle’s. They have the best caprese sandwich! They use fresh bread, homegrown tomatoes, the best mozzarella, and they incorporated the balsamic and olive oil into a basil pesto. It is the best sandwich I have ever tasted. (this is not an ad)
Gayle says
Thanks, Ava! I love caprese sandwiches!