Caprese Skull Skewers
Updated Oct 16, 2025, Published Sep 26, 2024
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Add a spooky (and totally delicious) twist to your Halloween spread with these Caprese Skull Skewers! This fun, gluten-free appetizer is a creepy-cute take on the classic Italian Caprese salad — with bite-sized mozzarella “skulls,” juicy cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil all drizzled in olive oil and balsamic glaze.
They’re easy to make, hauntingly adorable, and guaranteed to steal the show at your Halloween party!
Silicone skull molds can be purchased online or at specialty kitchen stores. They can be used to make these mozzarella skulls and ice cubes for spooky drinks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Caprese Skull Skewers combine everything you love about a traditional Caprese salad — creamy mozzarella, sweet tomatoes, and fragrant basil — but transform them into a festive Halloween snack that’s equal parts elegant and eerie.
The trick? Using a silicone skull mold to shape the mozzarella pearls into spooky little skulls. It’s the perfect mix of sophisticated and fun!
You’ll love this recipe because it’s:
- 100% gluten-free and vegetarian
- Easy to make ahead for stress-free entertaining
- Perfect for Halloween parties, fall gatherings, or spooky movie nights
- A creative way to serve a healthy appetizer that still fits the Halloween theme
What You’ll Need
Simple ingredients make this recipe both quick and impressive:
- Mozzarella pearls – baked in silicone skull molds to create the creepy-cute centerpiece.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes – add sweetness and vibrant color.
- Fresh basil leaves – for that classic Caprese flavor.
- Extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper – to enhance the freshness.
- Balsamic glaze – the perfect drizzle for a little tangy-sweet flair.
That’s it — just a few ingredients for a Halloween appetizer that looks like it took all afternoon.
How to Make It
The process couldn’t be easier:
- Lightly spray silicone skull molds with cooking spray, fill each cavity with a mozzarella pearl, and bake until just softened.
- Press the cheese gently to shape it, chill until firm, and pop out your mozzarella skulls.
- Thread each skull onto a skewer with a basil leaf and cherry tomato.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Arrange them on a platter for a spooky snack that looks straight out of a haunted kitchen — but tastes fresh, light, and delicious.
Tips & Variations
- Make ahead: Prepare the mozzarella skulls the day before and assemble just before serving.
- Add color: Use a mix of red and yellow tomatoes for a festive look.
- Vegan option: Substitute plant-based mozzarella pearls for a dairy-free version.
- Serving idea: Arrange the skewers in a skull-shaped dish or black slate platter for maximum Halloween impact.
Perfect for Halloween Parties
These Caprese Skull Skewers are the ultimate Halloween party food — festive without being fussy. They fit beautifully on an appetizer board with other spooky snacks like Spider Deviled Eggs or Gluten-Free Halloween Nachos, and they’re easy to grab and eat while mingling.
Elegant, eerie, and effortlessly gluten-free, these Caprese Skull Skewers prove that Halloween food can be both creepy and classy. With simple ingredients and a fun twist, they bring a little bite of Italy — and a touch of Halloween spirit — to your celebration.
So go ahead — serve up these bite-sized skulls and watch your guests eat them up!
Caprese Skull Skewers
Ingredients
- Gluten-free nonstick cooking spray
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 24 cherry or grape tomatoes
- 24 fresh basil leaves
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher or fine sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° degrees. Set silicone skull molds on a baking sheet. Lightly spray the silicone molds with cooking spray.
- Add a ball of mozzarella to each skull cavity. Bake for 6 – 8 minutes or until the cheese softens but is not melted. Use a couple of paper towels to press the softened cheese into the molds and absorb any liquid released from the cheese.
- Transfer the molds to the refrigerator and let chill for 8 – 10 minutes or until firm. Repeat with the remaining cheese balls until you have 24 skulls total.
- Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each tomato so they will stand up.
- Thread the skulls onto 3 – 5-inch skewers. Add a basil leaf and tomato, cut side down.
- Drizzle some olive oil on a platter and add a few pinches of salt and pepper. Arrange the skewers on the platter, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
