This hot and bubbly Skillet Caprese Dip blends melted mozzarella, ripe tomatoes and fresh basil for an easy and delicious appetizer perfect for date night or any night!
Take a Date Night Dip
We love a great dip in this house. Dips make perfect quick snacks or thoughtful appetizers for a casual meal. This Skillet Caprese Dip is a hot take on the cool and classic combination of fresh mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes, and fresh basil. It’s so simple, yet special enough to make the date-night-in or entertaining menu. It’s quickly becoming one of our favorites.
How to Bake Crostini
You can eat this dip with crackers or with a toasted baguette. Getting a perfectly toasty crostini for dipping is easy-peasy. Let me teach you how to bake crostini so that they’re crisp, crunchy and ready for enjoying. Layered with your favorite toppings, scooped into a tasty dip or on their own, these baked crostini are perfect for snacking.
Simplicity is Delicious!
The beauty of this hot caprese dip recipe lies in its simplicity. Three ingredients. A little heat. And a whole lotta yum. It’s actually a little bit habit forming, so I would not be surprised if, once you try this amazing dip, you find yourself grabbing for that mini-skillet over and over again when the craving calls! It’s so, so good.
What Do I Need to Make Skillet Caprese Dip?
- Marinated fresh mozzarella cheese balls
- Cherry tomatoes, diced
- Chopped fresh basil
- Mini cast iron skillet
Quick Tip: Make the Crostini First!
If you’re toasting a baguette for the dip, go ahead and get that going first. If you’re using crackers, then jump right into making the dip!
How to Make Skillet Caprese Dip
- First, drain the container of mozzarella cheese balls. The marinade seasoning should still stick to the cheese and the bottom of the container. Add those seasonings and the drained marinated cheese balls to a mini cast iron skillet over medium-low heat.
- While the cheese is melting, dice the tomatoes and chop the fresh basil.
- Let the cheese balls heat and start to melt. As they melt, they will release some liquid. If necessary, use an oven mitt to carefully lift the skillet and drain some of the liquid from it.
- Return the skillet to the stovetop and cook until bubbling and melted, stirring often, for about 10 minutes.
- Once the cheese is melted, turn off the heat. Top the melted cheese with the diced tomatoes and chopped fresh basil.
More Dips You’re Sure to Love
- Skillet Queso Fundido: It’s pure cheesy goodness that comes together in minutes with just 3 ingredients. Creamy with the most amazing layer of cheese crisp around the edges. Pass the chips!
- Grilled Brie with Peaches and Pesto: Sweet, juicy peaches, nutty pesto and melty, mellow brie and turns them into your new summer grilling obsession.
- Spinach Dip: A simple and delicious appetizer to serve for any occasion. Everyone always enjoys dipping into it with fresh veggies and chunks of bread.
- Grilled Brie with Strawberries: Creamy cheese combined with sweet strawberries, and tangy balsamic vinegar in a delicious appetizer that’s perfect for summer entertaining.
- Pimento Cheese Dip: Cheese lovers won’t be able to get enough! It’s easy to make and so savory and tangy, it’s sure to be a hit at your next get-together. Dig in, y’all!
How to Serve Skillet Caprese Dip
Serve with toasted baguette or crackers. I like to serve the skillet with an oven mitt. When people need to touch the skillet as they scoop the cheese from it, no one gets burned!
To reheat: As the cheese cools, it will start to harden. Place a serving knife to slice the cheese from the skillet, or return the skillet to the stovetop over low heat for a few minutes to melt again.
I hope you find amore with this Skillet Caprese Dip! If you make it and post a pic to social, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see! I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share.
xoxo,
Skillet Caprese Dip
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This hot and bubbly Skillet Caprese Dip blends melted mozzarella, ripe tomatoes and fresh basil for an easy and delicious appetizer perfect for date night or any night!
Ingredients
- 1 (12 ounce) container marinated fresh mozzarella cheese balls
- 10 cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Drain the container of mozzarella cheese balls. The marinade seasoning should still stick to the cheese and the bottom of the container.
- Heat a mini cast iron skillet over medium low heat. Add the drained marinated cheese balls along with all of the seasonings left in the container.
- Let the cheese balls heat and start to melt. As they melt, they will release some liquid. If necessary, use an oven mitt to carefully drain some of the liquid from the skillet.
- Return the skillet to the stovetop and cook until bubbling and melted, stirring often, about 10 minutes.
- While the cheese is melting, dice the tomatoes and chop the fresh basil.
- Once the cheese is melted, turn off the heat. Top the melted cheese with the diced tomatoes and chopped fresh basil.
- Serve with toasted baguette or crackers.
Notes
- Serve the skillet with an oven mitt for people to use if they need to touch the skillet as they scoop the cheese from it.
- As the cheese cools, it will start to harden. Either place a serving knife to slice the cheese from the skillet, or return the skillet to the stovetop over low heat for a few minutes to melt again.
What brand of cheese do you use? I made this last night, the cheese never melted. Impossible to use as a dip. I’m wondering if the brand makes a difference?
Hi Janice! I use either the Trader Joe’s brand or the BelGioioso brand of marinated mozzarella cheese balls. Both work great! Which brand did you use?
I used Belgioioso brand. The cheese melted & was bubbly but was never creamy, maybe it needed to heat longer?
This was an epic fail for me! The mozzarella balls were the consistency of rubber bands and they melted into a blob that wasn’t at all spreadable. Very disappointing. I ended up tossing the whole mess in the garbage.
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Hi Deb! I’m so sorry to hear the recipe didn’t turn out as great as it should for you! Did you use marinated mozzarella balls? The oil from the marinade helps keep the cheese nice and melty for dipping into. Did you use a cast iron skillet? The skillet helps keep the cheese warm longer. Hope this helps and that you get to try it again soon with greater success.