These Easy Marinated Mozzarella Balls are the perfect simple yet elegant appetizer for the holidays, parties, or truly any time of year! They feature soft, fresh mozzarella balls bathed in a flavorful marinade of extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, fresh herbs like basil and rosemary, and chewy sun-dried tomatoes. I absolutely adore making these Marinated Mozzarella Balls because they require minimal effort but deliver huge flavor and look so beautiful on an appetizer spread. They’re incredibly versatile and always a crowd-pleaser, especially wonderful now as we enjoy fresh spring flavors here on April 8, 2025!
Why You’ll Love These Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Incredibly Easy: Seriously simple to make – just mix the marinade and add the cheese!
- Fresh and Flavorful: Packed with fresh herbs, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and tangy vinegar.
- Elegant Appetizer: Looks sophisticated and impressive with minimal effort.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The flavor actually improves as the mozzarella marinates.
- Versatile: Perfect for parties, cheese boards, salads, or just snacking.
Ingredients for Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious and easy appetizer. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine/”cherry size”) (Dairy) (See note 1 in original recipe)
- Chopped fresh basil (Herb)
- Finely chopped fresh rosemary (Herb)
- Drained sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, finely chopped (Vegetable)
- Medium garlic clove, minced (Aromatic) (See note 2 in original recipe)
Marinade
- Extra-virgin olive oil (Oil)
- Red wine vinegar (Acid)
- Salt, or to taste (Seasoning) (See note 3 in original recipe)
- Ground black pepper, or to taste (Spice)
- Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional) (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the classic herb combination in these Marinated Mozzarella Balls, but here are some tasty variations:
- Different Herbs: Use fresh oregano, thyme, parsley, or a mix of your favorite herbs.
- Add Citrus: Stir in some lemon zest or orange zest for a brighter flavor.
- Add Olives: Toss in some chopped Kalamata or green olives along with the sun-dried tomatoes.
- Make it Spicy: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add some finely chopped fresh chili.
- Balsamic: Substitute balsamic vinegar for the red wine vinegar for a sweeter, deeper flavor.
How to Make Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Let me show you how incredibly simple it is to make these Easy Marinated Mozzarella Balls:
Make the Marinade
- In a large bowl, I add the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if I’m using them).
- I whisk these ingredients together thoroughly to combine them well.
- Next, I add the chopped fresh basil, finely chopped fresh rosemary, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic to the bowl.
- I stir again to combine all these flavorful components.
Add Mozzarella
- I thoroughly drain the fresh mozzarella balls (it’s important to remove excess water).
- I add the drained mozzarella balls to the bowl with the marinade.
Marinate and Chill
- I stir gently to combine the mozzarella balls with the marinade ingredients, making sure they get nicely coated. I try to arrange the mozzarella balls so as many are covered with the marinade as possible. (Alternatively, I can transfer the mozzarella and marinade into glass jars, which helps the marinade more fully cover the mozzarella balls.)
- I cover the bowl (or jars).
- Finally, I refrigerate the Marinated Mozzarella Balls for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. (See note 4 in original recipe).
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Marinated Mozzarella
Here are my secrets for making this appetizer truly exceptional:
- Use Fresh Mozzarella: Use ciliegine (cherry-sized) or bocconcini fresh mozzarella balls packed in water or whey for the best texture.
- Drain Mozzarella Well: Pat the mozzarella balls gently with paper towels after draining to remove excess moisture, which helps them absorb the marinade better.
- Fresh Herbs are Key: Fresh basil and rosemary provide the most vibrant flavor compared to dried.
- Marinate for Flavor: While delicious after an hour, letting the mozzarella marinate overnight allows the flavors to deepen significantly.
- Use Quality Olive Oil: A good quality extra-virgin olive oil forms the base of the marinade, so its flavor matters.
How to Serve
These Marinated Mozzarella Balls are incredibly versatile! Serve them:
- As an Appetizer: On their own with toothpicks, or alongside crusty bread, crackers, or pita bread.
- On a Cheese Board: A beautiful and flavorful addition to any cheese or charcuterie platter.
- In Salads: Toss them into green salads, pasta salads, or Caprese salads.
- On Skewers: Alternate mozzarella balls with cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, or olives on skewers.
- As a Pizza Topping: Add them to homemade pizza before or after baking.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Make Ahead and Storage
These marinated mozzarella balls are perfect for making ahead! They actually taste better after marinating for several hours or overnight. Store the Marinated Mozzarella Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
FAQs about Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
- Yes, but fresh herbs are highly recommended for the best flavor. If using dried, use about 1/3 the amount called for fresh herbs (e.g., 1 teaspoon dried rosemary instead of 1 tablespoon fresh).
- Can I use a different type of cheese?
- Fresh mozzarella balls are ideal for this recipe. You could try marinating feta cubes, but the texture and flavor profile will be very different.
- How long do these need to marinate?
- Marinate for at least 1 hour for some flavor infusion, but overnight is best for maximum flavor.
Enjoy these simple, flavorful, and incredibly versatile Easy Marinated Mozzarella Balls! They’re a perfect appetizer for any occasion.
Print
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marinating Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy recipe for marinated mozzarella balls makes the perfect appetizer for the holidays or any time of year! Fresh mozzarella is marinated in a flavorful blend of olive oil, herbs, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (454g) fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine/”cherry size”), drained (see note 1)
- 1/2 cup (32g) chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons (6g) finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 ounces (57g) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced (see note 2)
- 3/4 cup (177ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (11ml) red wine vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon (4g) salt, or to taste (see note 3)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Make Marinade Base: In a large bowl, add the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk together thoroughly to combine.
- Add Flavorings: Add the chopped fresh basil, finely chopped fresh rosemary, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic to the bowl with the marinade base. Stir to combine.
- Add Mozzarella: Thoroughly drain the fresh mozzarella balls. Add the drained mozzarella balls to the bowl with the marinade ingredients.
- Combine and Marinate: Stir gently to coat the mozzarella balls evenly with the marinade. Arrange the mozzarella balls so as many are submerged in the marinade as possible. (Alternatively, transfer the mozzarella and marinade into glass jars, which can help keep the mozzarella balls more fully covered by the marinade).
- Chill: Cover the bowl (or jars) and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld. (See note 4).
- Serve: Before serving, let the marinated mozzarella balls sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes to allow the olive oil to liquefy if it solidified in the fridge and to take the chill off. Serve with toothpicks or small forks as an appetizer.
Notes
- Mozzarella: Ciliegine (cherry-sized) fresh mozzarella balls are ideal. Pearls or larger balls (cut into bite-sized pieces) can also be used. Ensure they are well-drained.
- Garlic: Adjust the amount of minced garlic to your preference.
- Salt: The amount of salt needed may vary depending on the saltiness of the mozzarella and your personal taste. Start with 3/4 teaspoon and add more if needed after tasting.
- Marinating Time: Marinating for at least 1 hour allows the flavors to infuse. Marinating overnight provides even deeper flavor.
- Herbs: Feel free to substitute or add other fresh herbs like oregano or parsley.
- Storage: Store leftover marinated mozzarella balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.