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Caprese Bites

Appetizers & Snacks

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!

Three caprese bites on a wood charcuterie board.

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!

Three caprese bites on a wood charcuterie board.

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. 

  1. I chose to first toast the bread with a touch of olive oil before I layered the ingredients.
  2. I then added a slice of fresh mozzarella, diced tomatoes, and chopped basil leaves.
  3. Pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes and voila! Caprese heaven!
  4. Feel free to drizzle with some balsamic glaze for a bruschetta taste.

Three caprese bites on a wood charcuterie board.

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!

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!
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5 from 1 vote

Caprese Bites

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.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword caprese appetizer, caprese recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 20
Calories 213kcal

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 434mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1025IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

By Gayle |

Comments

  1. 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. :(
    Reply

  2. 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!!
    Reply

    • 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!
      Reply

    • 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! :)
      Reply

  5. 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!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Definitely, Allison! Home-grown tomatoes are my ultimate favorite, so fresh and so many different ways to use them!
      Reply

  6. 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!
    Reply

    • 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!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks so much, Kelly! Caprese salads are my favorite too, and these bites definitely remind me of those dishes.
      Reply

    • 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! :)
      Reply

  10. 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! :)
    Reply

    • 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!
      Reply

  11. 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!
    Reply

    • 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.
      Reply

    • 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!
      Reply

  13. 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!
    Reply

    • 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!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      These would definitely be great for a summer party! So easy to throw together. Thanks so much for the pin, Lindsey!
      Reply

  15. 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! :)
    Reply

    • 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!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks, Danielle! I think I ate most of these and then had to pawn them off on my husband. Way too addicting!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      These are the perfect snack, Sarah! Especially when right out of the oven, when the cheese is all gooey! :)
      Reply

  23. 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!
    Reply

    • 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!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks so much, Samina! These little bites turned out delicious and fresh, I simply couldn't get enough of the flavor!
      Reply

  30. 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 :)
    Reply

    • 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!
      Reply

  32. 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
    Reply

    • 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!
      Reply

  35. 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)

    5 stars

    Reply

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