Caprese Kabobs with Pesto (Easy Appetizer or Light Meal for Kids)
Looking for a fresh, easy recipe that works for more than just one occasion? These no-cook Caprese Kabobs with Pesto are simple to make and incredibly versatile—perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or even a light meal for kids.
With just a few ingredients (including our homemade pesto sauce) and minimal prep, they come together quickly and are great for busy days. They also work well for picky eaters since kids can build their own skewers or enjoy the ingredients separately.
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Our caprese kabobs with pesto are so easy to put together and are sure to please a crowd at Sunday brunch, Christmas or any dinner party! If you love finger foods, be sure to also check our our delicious Mini Egg Bites, Crescent Roll Hot Dogs, and these amazing Sliders for Kids!
Why We Love this Recipe
- Quick and easy– There is no cooking involved when it comes to making this caprese kabob recipe, just assembling ingredients together on kabob sticks! These kabobs come together in just 15 minutes.
- The perfect no-cook party food- If your guests love caprese salad, they are sure to love these caprese skewers, which are the perfect tasty finger food for entertaining!
- Kid-friendly appetizer– The caprese kabobs recipe feature many kid-favorites, like tomatoes, mozzarella and our added unique twist, lit’l smokies sausages. Even cooler, kids can help assemble the kabobs and play around with the colors and patterns.
- Homemade pesto– These caprese kabobs are brushed with pesto, giving them an extra pop of flavor that can’t be beat. We highly recommend trying our homemade spinach pesto for this step!
🛒 Ingredients
Full list of ingredients and quantities available in recipe card:
- Cherry tomatoes– grape tomatoes will also work.
- Fresh basil leaves– which add a ton of flavor in between layers.
- Cucumber– peeled and cut into quarter rounds.
- Ciliegine mozzarella balls- these small mozzarella balls are similar in size to cherry tomatoes and perfect for these caprese kabobs.
- Hilshire Fars Lit’l Smokies- to add a boost of flavor and protein! Feel free to omit if you’d like to keep this dish meatless.
- Pesto- homemade pesto or your favorite jarred version.
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Lay out the ingredients and skewers. We love this homemade spinach pesto recipe, but you can also use your favorite store brand pesto sauce!
Step 2: Assemble caprese kabobs! We recommend starting by threading a cherry tomato and ball of mozzarella cheese onto your skewer, followed by a basil leaf, cucumber, and Lit’l Smokie. Repeat the pattern as desired until your skewer is full!
Step 3: Add pesto! Use a basting brush to “paint” caprese kabobs with pesto.
Optional: For added flavor, drizzle olive oil and balsamic over the kabob, and season as you like with salt and pepper.
✔️Expert Tips and Tricks
- If you are worried about splinters, simply soak wooden skewers in water before assembling kabobs. Note: we are big fans of these Bamboo skewers for holding the kabob ingredients, sizes 6-8 inches.
- If your basil leaves are large, fold them in half before threading them onto the skewer.
- Opt for premium ingredients. When working with small appetizers, we like the ingredients to be top notch. Consider buying veggies from a local farmer or your own garden. We also suggest choosing a great olive oil when making your pesto and/or for drizzling over your kabobs.
- Make this easy summer appetizer the day you plan to serve them. To keep ingredients fresh, prepare kabobs up to four hours ahead of time and store in the fridge. Be sure to add the pesto and/or olive oil/balsamic right before serving.
- Use a basting brush– for adding pesto to caprese skewers. We love the Thermoworks basting brush because, although not made for kids, it comes in a mini size that’s perfect for little hands.
🧂 Recipe Variations
- Change the order of ingredients. You can also omit any ingredient you’d like.
- Make these kabobs vegan by removing the meat, cheese and pesto. It would be delicious to have salad kabobs with tomatoes, basil, cucumber, mushrooms, small radicchio leaves, sliced radish, and red leaf lettuce. Then drizzle olive oil/balsamic or your fave salad dressing on top. Yum!
- Use spinach leaves instead of basil leaves for a milder flavor.
- For more flavor, consider marinating mozzarella balls in pesto overnight before assembling your caprese kabobs.
- Change the meat. Swap the Lit’l Smokies for prosciutto, salami or any other sausage or meat of choice.
🧊Storage
Leftover kabobs can be transformed into a salad! You can also store caprese skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Tips for Picky Eaters
- Serve components separately – If mixed textures or flavors are a concern, offer the mozzarella, veggies, and meat on the side instead of assembling kabobs.
- Skip or simplify the pesto – Try a light drizzle or serve it on the side for dipping so kids can control how much flavor they want.
- Let kids build their own – Giving kids the option to assemble their own skewers can make them more interested in trying the ingredients.
Want more tips? Learn how to plan meals your picky eaters will enjoy with our printable Dinner Planner.
🍽️ What to serve with these Caprese Kabobs
Since the caprese kabobs with pesto are fairly light, they can be served as appetizers for a number of Italian or Mediterranean-inspired main dishes, or paired with a delicious soup or salad. We like to serve our skewers with:
Craft For This Recipe
Paper Mouse Craft with Cheese
Looking for an easy and adorable paper craft for kids? This sweet paper mouse craft with cheese uses just construction paper, scissors & glue—fun for preschool & up.
Learn why we use crafts during dinner prep.
Need something to keep kids occupied while you cook? Here are simple ideas that work in real life.
❓FAQ
We recommend preparing these kabobs the day you plan to serve them to prevent the base leaves from wilting. Store them in the fridge in plastic wrap up to four hours before serving. Just be sure to add the pesto or seasoning right before serving.
Caprese skewers are typically made of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves strung together on a wooden stick and drizzled with a balsamic reduction. For our caprese kabob recipe, however, we added cucumbers, sausage and pesto sauce for added flavor!
Yes! These kabobs can easily work as a light meal for kids. Pair them with: a piece of bread or garlic toast, pasta, crackers or fruit on the side.
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Caprese Kabobs with Pesto (Easy Appetizer or Light Meal for Kids)
Equipment
- 10 Kabob skewers 6-8 inches
Ingredients
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes (or 2 cups)
- 1-2 cucumbers (peeled & cut into quarter rounds)
- 6 ounce small mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
- 1 bunch fresh basil (stems removed)
- 14 ounce Hillshire Farms Lit'l Smokies
- 1/2 cup homemade pesto (or jarred pesto )
Optional
- olive oil (for drizzling)
- balsamic vinegar (for drizzling)
- salt (for sprinkling)
- black pepper (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Lay out the ingredients and skewers.
- Stack ingredients on your skewers in the order that you like. We recommend starting by threading a cherry tomato and ball of mozzarella cheese onto your skewer, followed by a basil leaf, cucumber, and Lit'l Smokie. Repeat the pattern as desired until your skewer is full.
- Use a basting brush to "paint" kabobs with pesto. Optional: drizzle olive oil and balsamic over the kabob. And season as you like with salt & pepper.
Video
Notes
- If you are worried about splinters, simply soak wooden skewers in water before assembling kabobs.
- If your basil leaves are large, fold them in half before threading them onto the skewer.
- Opt for premium ingredients. When working with small appetizers, we like the ingredients to be top notch. Consider buying veggies from a local farmer or your own garden. We also suggest choosing a great olive oil when making your pesto and/or for drizzling over your kabobs.
- Make caprese kabobs the day you plan to serve them. To keep ingredients fresh, prepare kabobs up to four hours ahead of time and store in the fridge. Be sure to add the pesto and/or olive oil/balsamic right before serving.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
