Easy Caprese Dip: Fresh Basil & Tomato Delight (Print Version)

Easy Caprese Dip: Fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil create your go-to snack or party appetizer. So simple, so delicious!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free (with appropriate dippers)

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
02 - 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved or quartered

→ Fresh Flavor Boosters

03 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (chiffonade)
04 - 1 clove garlic, minced (or more, if you love garlic!)

→ Seasonings & Drizzle

05 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (good quality, please!)
06 - 1-2 tbsp balsamic glaze
07 - 1/2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
08 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

→ Serving Suggestions

09 - Crusty baguette slices, pita chips, or sturdy crackers
10 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, let's get those tomatoes and basil ready. Grab your cherry tomatoes and slice them in half. If they're really tiny, you can leave them whole, but I find halving them helps release all that juicy goodness into the dip. Next, grab that beautiful bunch of fresh basil. Stack a few leaves, roll 'em up gently, and then slice them into thin ribbons. This is called a chiffonade, and it looks super professional, honestly. The smell when you cut the basil? Oh, it's just the best part of summer!
02 - Now for the cheese! If you're using those cute little bocconcini, you can just slice them into quarters or halves, depending on their size. The goal is bite-sized pieces that mix well with the tomatoes. If you've got a larger ball of fresh mozzarella, just chop it into roughly 1/2-inch cubes. Don't worry about perfection here; a little rustic charm is totally fine. I remember trying to make them all perfectly uniform once and ended up with tiny, sad squares. Just chop 'em up, it'll be delicious!
03 - Time for a little flavor punch! Take your garlic clove and mince it up super fine. If you're not a huge garlic fan, you can use just half a clove, or even skip it—but I wouldn't, it adds so much depth! I've definitely been known to accidentally leave a big chunk of garlic in there, and trust me, you don't want to bite into that. So, mince, mince, mince! The sharp, fresh smell of garlic is a promise of good things to come.
04 - Alright, in a medium-sized bowl, gently combine your halved cherry tomatoes, chopped mozzarella, and that gorgeous chiffonade of basil. This is where you really start to see the colors come together. I always get a little excited at this stage, it just looks so vibrant! Be gentle when mixing; we want intact pieces, not mush. This is where I almost always forget to season, so don't be like me!
05 - Now for the good stuff! Drizzle a generous amount of good quality extra virgin olive oil over the tomato and mozzarella mixture. Season with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of fresh black pepper. Give it another gentle toss to make sure everything is coated evenly. Smell that? The olive oil, basil, and garlic are all mingling, it's heavenly. I usually taste a tiny bit here to adjust the salt and pepper, which is a habit I picked up after over-salting a batch once. Oops.
06 - This is the grand finale! Just before serving, drizzle that lovely balsamic glaze all over the easy Caprese dip. You can be artistic here, or just go for it! The dark glaze against the red, white, and green is just stunning. Serve it immediately with your favorite crackers, crusty bread, or pita chips. It should look bright, fresh, and inviting, a true celebration of simple flavors. My kitchen always smells amazing at this point, like a little piece of Italy right here at home!

# Notes:

01 - Let the dip sit for 10-15 minutes before serving for the flavors to meld beautifully.
02 - Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days, but it's best fresh.
03 - If you're out of balsamic glaze, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can offer a different kind of brightness.
04 - Serve with warm, crusty bread to really soak up all those delicious juices!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Cutting board
02 - sharp knife
03 - medium mixing bowl

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 250
Total Fat: 20g
Total Carbohydrate: 10g
Protein: 8g

Back