Marinated Mozzarella Balls

These marinated mozzarella balls are a quick and easy party appetizer! Coated in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and herbs, they're full of rich flavor.

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Marinated mozzarella balls

These marinated mozzarella balls are quickly becoming a family favorite snack. I love them because they’re the perfect last-minute appetizer for gatherings—flavorful, elegant, and SO easy to throw together. Jack and Ollie love them…well…because they love anything with cheese.

The recipe is super simple. I marinate mini fresh mozzarella balls in olive oil with herbs, garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. The bright, savory flavor of the fresh garlic, lemon, and herbs saturates the oil, which in turn soaks into the chewy balls of cheese.

I hope these marinated mozzarella balls become your go-to appetizer for parties and gatherings, or a go-to snack to keep on hand in your fridge. They’re easy, delicious, and a little decadent. Enjoy!

How to Make Marinated Mozzarella Balls

This recipe starts with 8 simple ingredients:

Ingredients

Fresh mozzarella, of course! I recommend using ciliegine mozzarella for this recipe. These “cherry-sized” balls are perfect for eating in one bite! If you can’t find them, you can use bocconcini mozzarella balls or larger balls of fresh mozzarella cut into bite-sized pieces. Drain the mozzarella and pat it dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel before you make this recipe.
Extra-virgin olive oil – It creates the base of the marinade and adds rich, fruity flavor to the mozzarella.
Fresh herbs – For aromatic flavor! Fresh basil and parsley are my go-tos for this recipe. But for a fun twist, you could substitute half the amount of chopped fresh oregano or thyme.
Lemon juice and zest – They add bright, tangy flavor.
Garlic – For savory flavor.
Red pepper flakes – They add a kick of heat. Feel free to skip them if you’re sensitive to spice.
And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

To make the marinated mozzarella balls, stir together the herbs, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and half the olive oil in a medium jar.

Add the cheese and top with the remaining oil, using more as needed to fully submerge the balls.

Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. Finally, season to taste and serve!

How to Serve Marinated Mozzarella Balls

These marinated mozzarella balls are a flavorful, festive appetizer! Add a small bowl of them to your next antipasto platter, or serve them as part of a Mediterranean spread with snacks like these:

Homemade focaccia or crusty bread with basil pesto
Eggplant caponata or olive tapenade with crostini
Marinated gigante beans
Tomato bruschetta

Enjoy them with your favorite wine or an Aperol spritz!

Here are a few more of my favorite ways to use these marinated mozzarella balls:

In summer salads like this panzanella
In simple pasta dishes like my pesto pasta
In a grain bowl with farro, chickpeas, pesto, and roasted tomatoes

How do you like to serve them? Let me know in the comments!

How to Store

These marinated mozzarella balls keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

The oil will solidify in the fridge, but don’t worry—it’s totally normal! Just let the marinated mozzarella sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. The oil will quickly return to its liquid state.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes

If you love these marinated mozzarella balls, try one of these easy appetizer recipes next:

Caprese Skewers
Deviled Eggs
Stuffed Mushrooms
Whipped Ricotta
How to Make a Cheese Board
Or any of these 50 Easy Appetizer Recipes!