Marinated Mozzarella Balls are a fast and easy appetizer recipe perfect for a charcuterie board or party! Fresh cheese soaked in basil, rosemary, garlic, and seasoning for a gluten free, keto low carb snack.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Fresh mozzarella cheese is a special thing, and I love jazzing it up a little!
Marinated mozzarella balls are a delicious and versatile snack or appetizer made with small balls of fresh mozzarella cheese that have been marinated in various herbs, spices, and oils.
This flavored cheese is packed with some of the most popular and traditional Italian flavors all in a bite sized snack.
Marinated Mozzarella Balls are perfect for using on a charcuterie board, like our Italian Antipasti Charcuterie! They are the perfect bite sized cheese with lots of flavor.
Marinated mozzarella balls are not only delicious but also visually appealing due to their vibrant colors and can be a delightful addition to any gathering or party.
They are quite simple to make at home and offer a delightful twist to the classic fresh mozzarella experience.
Ingredients
These are the ingredients you need for this marinated cheese:
Fresh Mozzarella – I prefer the ciliegene ball shape, which is the perfect bite size! You can use any other ball size, or even cut larger fresh mozzarella into pieces. Bocconcini is my next favorite size. I do NOT recommend using non-fresh cheese as it does not marinate well.
Olive Oil – No need to bust out the expensive oil here, but since it is such a key part of the flavor profile, try to use an extra version variety.
Fresh Basil – fresh herbs are best over dried for the best flavor. You can swap out for other herbs as desired such as parsley.
Fresh Rosemary – same as basil!
Garlic – While I am a lover of garlic powder, I find the fresh garlic to be amazing in this recipe to get little bites of the sharp flavor. Use as much as your heart desires!
Red Pepper Flakes – just for a little touch of heat!
Salt – while cheese is salty, we are adding just a touch to bring all the flavors together.
Instruction Overview
To make marinated mozzarella balls, the fresh mozzarella balls are drained to remove any excess liquid and then placed back in the container (to make it easy!).
The marinade ingredients are poured over the cheese and then mix everything together.
Put the lid back on the container and marinate for at least a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to infuse into the cheese, making it more flavorful and aromatic.
We found that overnight was the BEST flavor. Two hours worked okay. Less than that was just not enough time. So plan ahead for the best flavor!
The marinated cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How to Use Marinated Mozzarella
Marinated mozzarella balls can be enjoyed in various ways. They make an excellent appetizer served on toothpicks or skewers, along with cherry tomatoes, olives, and fresh basil leaves.
They can also be added to salads, pasta dishes, or served on top of pizzas.
And of course, they are great for antipasto platters, our Italian Charcuterie board, or simply as a standalone snack.
Modifications and Substitutions
You can use any Italian herbs you have on hand and prefer. Fresh parsley in place of rosemary would be a great option for something lighter.
Dried herbs can work, but I do not recommend them. So much flavor in this recipe comes from fresh herbs that it is worth using them.
Garlic lover? Increase the garlic clove quantity as desired!
Add other mix ins for fun such as olives, artichokes, or marinated red peppers.
FAQs
How long will marinated mozzarella last?
How long does mozzarella in olive oil last? Marinated mozzarella can last a week in your refrigerator.
Can I eat 3 day old mozzarella?
Yes!
Can I freeze marinated mozzarella balls?
Yes. Marinated mozzarella can be frozen up to three months however the texture might change slightly.
Does olive oil turn rancid?
Yes, olive oil can go rancid, especially if it is exposed to light. It is best to store olive oil in a dark container and in a cabinet.
What are the small mozzarella balls called?
There are different mozzarella ball sizes. Bocconcini, ciliegine, and pearls are all different mozzarella ball cheese sizes.
Bocconcini are the largest, followed by ciliegine, and pearls are very small.
Ciliegine is my preferred size and what I use for this recipe. I find they are the perfect bite sized option.
How do you store olive oil so it doesn’t go rancid?
Keep it in a dark, dry place, away from heat.
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More Cheese Appetizers
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- Knife
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ciliegene mozzarella balls or other fresh mozzarella shape of choice, see note 1
- â…“ cup olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh basil thinly sliced or chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced (approximately 1 teaspoon) (or more as desired)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Drain your mozzarella balls from the liquid and place back into the container.
- Add the remaining ingredients into the container. Stir well to combine.
- Seal the container and refrigerate at least two hours, ideally overnight.
- When ready to serve, bring the cheese out to come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
Notes
- I find the ciliegene mozzarella ball size to be perfect for a bite. You can use any ball shape or even cut a cheese log into bites. But be sure to use fresh cheese as it marinates the best!
