Why I love this watermelon caprese skewers recipe
Sweet, salty and fresh is one of my favorite flavor combinations for summer, and these watermelon caprese skewers have all three.
Juicy watermelon, creamy mozzarella, salty prosciutto and fresh basil come together in an easy appetizer that looks elegant but only takes a few minutes to assemble.
They’re perfect for everything from backyard barbecues to brunches and cocktail parties.
And since there’s no cooking involved, you can make them ahead of time, and keep them chilled in the refrigerator.
Then bring them out just before serving for a colorful addition to your summer spread that’s always a hit.
More summer appetizers
Ingredients
Here is your shopping list (for 12 skewers):
- Fresh produce – ¼ small watermelon, 12 fresh basil leaves.
- Dairy – 12 mini mozzarella balls
- Sliced meat – 6 thin slices of prosciutto
Substitutions & Additions
- You can replace the mozzarella with feta cheese for a saltier flavor.
- For a fun twist, try drizzling a little balsamic glaze over the finished skewers for extra tang.
- You could also swap the basil for fresh mint for a brighter, cooler flavor, or add a pitted kalamata olive to the skewer for a salty, savory kick.
How to make watermelon caprese skewers
1 | Prep work
Wash the basil leaves and dry thoroughly.
Use a melon baller to scoop out 12 round balls from your watermelon.
If you do not have a melon baller, you can simply cut the watermelon into small, bite-sized cubes instead.
Gently peel the slices of prosciutto apart.
Then cut each strip in half lengthwise so you have two long, thin ribbons.
Prosciutto is very thin and delicate, so try to peel it slowly to prevent it from tearing into small pieces.
2 | Assemble the skewers
Slide a watermelon ball onto your skewer.
Then fold a piece of prosciutto until it is a bite-sized square and slide it onto the skewer.
Add a mozzarella ball.
Finally, fold a fresh basil leaf in half and thread it onto the skewer.
3 | Serve
You can serve these delicious skewers immediately.
Or keep them covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to share them. Refrigerating them helps to keep the ingredients from wilting or getting soggy.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.
Just a heads up, the watermelon can get a little watery as it sits, so try to enjoy them sooner rather than later!
Watermelon Caprese Skewers
Ingredients
- ¼ of a small watermelon
- 6 thin slices prosciutto
- 12 mini mozzarella balls
- 12 fresh basil leaves
Equipment
- melon baller
- cutting board
- knife
- 12 small skewers
Instructions
- Use a melon baller to make 12 balls of watermelon.¼ of a small watermelon
- Peel the slices of prosciutto apart, then slice in half lengthwise.6 thin slices prosciutto
- Thread the ingredients onto the skewer starting with the watermelon, then a folded slice of prosciutto, a mozzarella ball, and a folded basil leaf.12 mini mozzarella balls, 12 fresh basil leaves
- Serve right away, or cover and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- Replace the mozzarella with feta cheese for a saltier flavor.
- Drizzle with a little balsamic vinegar for a tangy twist that’s similar to a traditional caprese skewer.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
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