Easy 15-Minute Christmas Tree Caprese Skewers
These Christmas tree caprese skewers are a festive, no-cook appetizer made with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil, arranged in a tree shape. Ready in 15 minutes, they’re perfect for holiday parties and picky eaters alike.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 skewers (serves 8-12 people) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
- 24 small fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or bocconcini), drained and patted dry
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved crosswise
- 24 medium-sized fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
- 24 large green olives, pitted (optional)
- 24 toothpicks or short skewers (about 4 inches long)
- Star-shaped food picks or yellow bell pepper, cut into small stars (for tree toppers)
- Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Flaky sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep your ingredients (5 minutes): Drain the mozzarella balls and pat them dry with paper towels. Halve all the cherry tomatoes crosswise (cut through the equator, not through the stem end). Wash and dry the basil leaves completely.
- Layer the first skewer (practice one first): Take a toothpick and thread on one basil leaf (fold in half if large), then one mozzarella ball, then one tomato half cut-side up. This is the bottom row of your tree. Push everything down gently but not too tight.
- Build the tree shape (3 minutes per skewer): For the middle row, add basil, mozzarella, tomato, then another tomato (two tomato halves here—this row is wider). For the top row, add basil, mozzarella, and one tomato half. The tree should taper naturally from wide at the bottom to narrow at the top.
- Add the tree topper (30 seconds): Place a star-shaped pick or a small yellow pepper star on the very top of each skewer.
- Arrange on the platter (2 minutes): Place the skewers on your serving board in rows, angled so they look like a forest of tiny Christmas trees. Leave a little space between each one.
- Drizzle and season (1 minute): Lightly drizzle balsamic glaze over the skewers (just a light zigzag). Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a few cracks of black pepper.
- Serve immediately or chill (up to 2 hours): These are best fresh, but you can make them up to 2 hours ahead. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Dry all ingredients thoroughly to prevent slipping. Use room temperature cheese for easier threading. Don’t stack ingredients too tightly—leave tiny gaps for a tree-like appearance. Drizzle balsamic glaze just before serving to keep skewers from getting slippery. For a dairy-free version, use vegan mozzarella. For a lower-sodium version, omit olives and use fresh mozzarella packed in water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 1.5
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 3.5
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 2.5
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 3.5
Keywords: Christmas tree caprese skewers, holiday appetizer, easy appetizer, no-cook appetizer, caprese skewers, Christmas appetizer, 15-minute appetizer, vegetarian appetizer, gluten-free appetizer