Marinated Mozzarella Balls

These marinated mozzarella balls are the perfect easy appetizer. They're super versatile, fast (less than five minutes of active work!), inexpensive, and taste so much better than store-bought marinated mozzarella.

Jump to:

• Why We Love These Mozzarella Balls
• Key Ingredients and Substitutions
• Step-by-step Instructions
• Serving Ideas
• Frequently asked questions
• Perfect Pairings
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Why We Love These Mozzarella Balls

• They're easy to make ahead of time: All you have to do to make these mozzarella balls ahead of time is throw the ingredients in a jar, store them in the fridge, and pull them out when you're ready to serve. They're so simple, and they actually taste better after they've been sitting for a while!
• They're delicious: Cheese, olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, and seasonings—what's not to love?
• They're versatile: You can serve these mozzarella balls in a salad, on a charcuterie board, or on some crusty bread. They're good however you serve them.

Looking for other great appetizers? Try our fried pickle dip, strawberry and halloumi skewers, or air fryer bacon wrapped dates.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Mozzarella pearls: We get the small "pearl" size, but the larger "Ciliegine" size (about the size of a cherry, which is what that word translates to in Italian) works as well.

Extra virgin olive oil: Buy a good-quality olive oil for best results. Check out this article if you need help picking your next bottle.

Fresh basil and oregano: Don't try to cheat and use dried—it's just not the same in this particular recipe.

Fresh garlic: Again, opt for fresh here!

See recipe card for full ingredient list and amounts.

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Add the mozzarella pearls to a jar or bowl with a lid. Add olive oil, fresh basil, fresh oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, and stir.

Step 2: Cover with a lid and let marinate for half an hour. Enjoy! If you're not going to eat them right away, store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Serving Ideas

• On a charcuterie board: These are great served in a small bowl alongside other cheeses, meats, nuts, crackers, fruits, and veggies.
• In any salad: Toss these on top of any salad to make it extra special!
• With toasted bread: Cut a french baguette into 1-inch thick slices, toss with some olive oil, and toast in the oven until golden. Then serve with this cheese. You can also sop up the oil with the bread.
• In a simple veggie salad with red onions and tomatoes: Add sliced red onions and diced tomatoes to the mozzarella mixture and let marinate for half an hour. Serve it with any meal that needs a fresh side. It'd be great with olives, white beans, or cucumbers, too!
• Use the leftover oil. If you've eaten all the mozzarella and still have some delicious marinade floating around, add just a touch of balsamic vinegar and use it as a salad dressing or as a dip for toasted bread.

Perfect Pairings

Print

📖 Recipe