Mozzarella is a popular, tasty cheese that can be used in many different ways. It’s perfect for appetizer platters and it pairs well with other foods such as tomatoes, olives, peppers, mushrooms, artichokes, etc.
This is also one of the most versatile cheeses, and this means that it is perfect for making delicious appetizers- and we have put together our top ten appetizer recipes to help you make the most of every mouthful!
1. Mozzarella Sticks
Perhaps the most famous option for a delicious mozzarella appetizer, mozzarella sticks are also very simple to make. You will need
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella balls (about 20 ounces)
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup flour
- Salt & pepper
- Olive oil
To prepare your mozzarella sticks, mix the eggs and flour together until smooth. Then dip each ball into the egg mixture and roll them around in the flour so they get coated on all sides.
Heat up some olive oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the mozzarella balls until golden brown. Serve immediately while hot.
2. Caprese Salad
This classic Italian salad has been enjoyed by people throughout history; and the combination of ripe tomato, basil leaves, and creamy mozzarella makes this an irresistible appetizer. You will need:
- 3 large ripe tomatoes
- 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Handful of torn basil leaves
To assemble your Caprese salad, slice the tomatoes lengthwise. Slice the mozzarella cheese thinly and then layer the slices on top of the sliced tomatoes. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar evenly over the top.
Season with freshly ground black pepper and garnish with the torn basil leaves. Serve immediately.
3. Marinated Mozzarella Balls
These marinated mozzarella balls are great served as an appetizer or even as part of the main course. They are easy to make and taste absolutely delicious. You will need:
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh basil
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
Combine olive oil, herbs, garlic, red pepper flakes and salt in a bowl, and then add the mozzarella balls, stirring until these are fully coated. Marinate for an hour at minimum, and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
4. Baked Mozzarella Cheese Straws
Baked mozzarella cheese straws are another fun way to serve mozzarella and create appealing, delicious appetizers.
These are a little bit more involved than the previous recipe but they are worth making because they look really impressive when served. You will need :
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1 package active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm water
- ½ stick butter
- ½ tsp sugar
- ½ tbsp salt
- 1 egg
- ½ cup bread flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- Oil for frying
Combine the warm water, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl, and let stand for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and add the melted butter. Mix the flours together and stir into the wet ingredients.
Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes and place in a greased bowl, covered with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm area for about 45 minutes.
Punch down the dough and divide it into 16 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a long rope shape that is about 1/8 inch thick.
Cut the ropes into 1/2-inch wide strips, and then lay the strips flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the strips in a preheated oven set at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown.
Remove from the oven and cool completely. Once cooled, brush the strips with beaten egg and sprinkle with salt, before returning the strips to the oven for 2-3 minutes or until the egg has dried.
Remove from the oven and let it cool completely. Repeat this process with the rest of the dough.
Roll the strips tightly, twist them into spiral shapes and refrigerate overnight.. The next day, fry the spiraled strips in batches until golden brown, turning once, about 3-5 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
Serve immediately.
5. Bruschetta With Mozzarella
Bruschetta is one of those classic Italian dishes that everyone loves. It’s simple to make and tastes amazing! This version uses mozzarella instead of tomatoes.
You can use any type of bread you like, such as baguette, focaccia, sourdough, etc. You will need:
- 1 loaf French bread (or other favorite bread)
- ½ cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt & pepper
- 1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Slice the bread into 1/2-1 inch slices. Brush both sides of the bread slices with olive oil. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
Arrange the bread slices on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Turn over and bake for another 5 minutes or until lightly toasted.
Meanwhile, saute the garlic in a skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add the mozzarella and cook until the cheese begins to melt. Season with salt and pepper.
Top the toast with the mozzarella mixture and return to the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese starts to bubble.
6. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Rich, creamy and cheesy, this is a dip that is loaded with flavor – perfect for enjoying with a host of veggies and breadsticks!
- 10 oz spinach
- 14 oz artichoke hearts, chopped
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 16 oz garlic alfredo sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese
- Pepper
Create your dip by adding the ingredients to a bowl and mixing. Add to a pot, cover the lid and cook, stirring to combine the ingredients. Cook for 2 hours until the cheese is melted.
7. Grilled Mozzarella
It might seem simple, but grilled mozzarella can be a fast, tasty appetizer that your guests will love.
When grilling, we would recommend using a grill pan so you can control exactly how hot your grill gets – this will give you greater control over the end result, and how “done” your mozzarella is.
Take 1 lb fresh full-fat mozzarella cheese, remove the rind, and place in a towel to squeeze out excess moisture. Place the cheese on a plate and cover it with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Heat a grill pan over high heat. Grill the mozzarella cheese for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the cheese is melted and slightly charred. Cut the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and serve warm.
8. Olive And Pesto Flatbread With Fresh Mozzarella
Flatbread is a traditional dish from Italy and makes a perfect appetizer when combined with mozzarella. As an added bonus, this is a dish that is quick and easy to make and looks beautiful served on a platter. You will need;
- 1 pizza dough kit
- 2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp garlic
- 3 tbsp pesto
- Thin sliced red onion
- ¼ cup olives
- 8 oz mozzarella
To create your flatbread, start by preparing the pizza dough kit according to the instructions on the packet, and then preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Add the oil, garlic and pesto to a bowl and whisk, before shaping the pizza dough into a thin crust. Add to a baking sheet and brush with the garlic and pesto.
Bake for 5 minutes, remove from the oven and top with the olives, mozzarella and onion. Bake for 15 minutes and serve.
9. Tiny Pesto Pizzas
This pizza is a classic Italian combination of flavors: mozzarella, pesto, and tomato sauce. It’s a simple yet elegant way to start off any meal. You will need;
- 1 premade pizza dough
- ½ cup pesto
- ½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ lb fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto and enough milk to form a paste. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured work surface, stretch the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured cutting board and trim the edges. Scrape the pesto mixture across the entire surface of the dough, leaving about a 1/2 inch border around the perimeter.
Arrange the tomatoes on top of the pesto and sprinkle with salt and pepper.,and top with mozzarella cheese.
Slide the pizza onto the baking sheet and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the crust is crisp and the cheese has begun to melt. Serve immediately.
10. Tomato And Mozzarella Bites
These little bites are great as finger food for parties, or as a snack after dinner. They’re also delicious with cocktails. You will need:
- ½ loaf French bread, cubed
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
- ½ lb fresh mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Combine all ingredients except the bread cubes in a large bowl. Add the bread cubes and toss gently to coat. Let stand for 5 minutes, then drain on paper towels.
Place the bread cubes in an airtight container and refrigerate overnight. To serve, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Spoon the tomato mixture into a 9×13-inch glass dish. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on
top. Bake for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it – all that you need for the perfect mozzarella appetizers to get your party off to the perfect start!
10 Quick Mozzarella Appetizers
Ingredients
Directions
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- Collect the ingredients and cook the food
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