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Eyeball Caprese Bites

These Eyeball Caprese Bites are small, visually striking appetizers made from fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil. They are assembled into bite-sized spheres that resemble creepy eyeballs, perfect for Halloween parties. The dish combines creamy, juicy, and herbaceous textures with a playful, spooky presentation.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 98
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 pieces cherry tomatoes preferably ripe and firm
  • 16 ounces fresh mozzarella balls ciliegine or small balls
  • fresh basil leaves small leaves, whole or halved
  • 1 cup red food coloring for decorating the 'pupils'

Equipment

  • Toothpicks
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Sharp knife
  • Serving platter

Method
 

  1. Start by washing and drying your cherry tomatoes and basil leaves. Set them aside for easy assembly.
  2. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a tiny shallow indentation into each mozzarella ball where you'll place the 'pupil'. This creates a small dimple for the dark center.
  3. Mix a few drops of red food coloring into a small bowl of water to create an easy way to tint the mozzarella. Dip a toothpick into the colored water to add a small, dark dot into each mozzarella's indentation, forming the 'pupil'.
  4. Gently press each cherry tomato onto a mozzarella ball, positioning it so that it appears as the 'iris' surrounding the 'pupil'.
  5. Tuck a small basil leaf behind each mozzarella ball to mimic an eye socket or add a touch of 'eyelash' effect for extra creepiness.
  6. Use toothpicks to assemble the bites by stacking the mozzarella, tomato, and basil components neatly on a serving platter. Remove toothpicks after assembly to keep the presentation clean.
  7. Arrange all the assembled eyeball bites on a platter, spacing them evenly for a spooky, eye-catching display ready to serve.

Notes

For added realism, you can lightly brush the mozzarella with edible gel or food-safe shimmer powder to give a glossy, 'wet' look. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain freshness.