This Caprese wreath platter is the ultimate festive appetizer—fresh, vibrant, and ridiculously easy to assemble. Perfect for impressing guests without breaking a sweat! Plus, it’s vegetarian and gluten-free.
Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🛒 Ingredients | 📷 How To Make | 📹 Watch The Video | 👩🍳 Recipe Tips | 🥗 Serving Suggestions | 📝 Full Recipe Card | 🍽 More Similar Recipes
The Caprese wreath is a festive take on the classic Caprese salad, combining creamy mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil in a stunning circular arrangement.
This easy no-cook dish is drizzled with olive oil and seasoned to perfection, making it a crowd-pleaser for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or summer soirées.
Its versatility shines as both a standalone centerpiece or paired with an antipasto spread. With its fresh ingredients and vibrant colors, it’s a feast for the eyes and the palate, ideal for entertaining year-round.
I enjoyed eating it just as much as I enjoyed making it 🙂
👩🍳 You might also like my fresh mozzarella salad with Balsamic tomatoes, my restaurant-worth stracciatella appetizer, this Italian artichoke pesto, cheesy stuffed pattypan squash, or Parmesan crusted zucchini. Check out more Christmas appetizers here.
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need for this Caprese wreath recipe. Find the full measurements for about 12 servings (could be more smaller ones or fewer larger ones) in the recipe card below.
- Fresh mozzarella balls and optional baby bocconcini for added dimension. Swap with burrata for extra creaminess. Bocconcini are basically baby mozzarella, maybe a little more dense and I am using a few to pop in the middle of the circle; you can go with just large mozzarella slices here.
- Large ripe tomatoes and cherry or baby tomatoes for variety. Opt for heirloom tomatoes for a pop of color.
- Kalamata or green olives add a salty, briny kick.
- Basil is the star herb, providing freshness and aroma. Use parsley or arugula for a twist.
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper for finishing. Try a drizzle of balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for added flair.
How To Make Caprese Wreath
Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos.
- Prep the ingredients: Slice the mozzarella and tomatoes into rounds. Halve the cherry tomatoes and bocconcini (if using). Separate basil leaves.
- Create the wreath: Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices alternately in a circular shape on a platter.
- Add the center detail: Place the baby bocconcini halves and cherry tomatoes in a smaller circle inside the main wreath.
- Top with garnishes: Scatter basil leaves and olives over the top.
- Finish with seasoning: Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper just before serving.
Watch The Video
Recipe Tips/Variations
- Use high-quality mozzarella and vine-ripened tomatoes for the best flavor.
- For the best flavor and texture ratios, go for slightly more tomato slices than mozzarella.
- Keep the basil leaves fresh by storing them in damp paper towels until assembly.
- Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a sweet-tangy kick.
- To make it heartier, include slices of prosciutto or salami.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Caprese Wreath with crispy crostini or crusty bread for scooping. Pair with sparkling wine or a light cocktail for an elegant starter. It also works beautifully alongside a charcuterie board.
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Ingredients
- 3 large balls of fresh mozzarella sliced into circles
- 4 large tomatoes sliced into circles
- 5 baby bocconcini balls halved (optional)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved or whole
- ⅓ cup sliced Kalamata or green olives
- 2 cups basil leaves loosely packed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Slice mozzarella and tomatoes. Halve cherry tomatoes and bocconcini.
- Arrange mozzarella and tomato slices alternately in a circle on a platter.
- Fill the inner circle with halved bocconcini and cherry tomatoes.
- Scatter basil leaves and olives over the top.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper before serving.
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