Christmas Snowman Mozzarella Skewers
Two small mozzarella balls make each snowman, with a cherry-tomato hat, a thin white cheese band, a carrot nose, and chia-seed features. The finished skewers sit over a bed of leafy greens. This no-cook appetizer takes about 25 minutes to assemble; the keys to neat hats and faces are choosing tomatoes close in size to the cheese and blotting the mozzarella before decorating it.
Ingredients for Christmas Snowman Mozzarella Skewers
- 3 to 4 cups arugula or tender salad greens, washed and thoroughly dried
- 24 small fresh mozzarella balls, such as bocconcini, about 3/4 inch each (340g)
- 12 small cherry or grape tomatoes, halved crosswise (180g)
- About 4 ounces fresh mozzarella log, cut into 12 thin, small bands (115g)
- 1 small carrot, cut into 12 tiny triangles
- About 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 12 short bamboo appetizer skewers
Optional for serving: 1/4 cup pesto for dipping and a handful of extra cherry tomatoes for the platter.
How to Assemble the Snowman Skewers
- Prepare the ingredients: Line a large shallow platter with the dry greens. Drain and gently blot the mozzarella balls. Halve the tomatoes, cut the mozzarella log into thin bands, and cut the carrot into tiny triangles. Choose tomato halves close in width to the mozzarella balls.
- Build the bodies: Thread two mozzarella balls onto each skewer, with the upper ball as the head. Leave room above it for the hat. If the balls have flatter sides, turn those toward the front for decorating.
- Add the hats: Thread a thin mozzarella band above each head, followed by a tomato half, cut side down. Trim any tomato half that overhangs substantially. A strip of white cheese should remain visible beneath each red cap.
- Decorate the snowmen: Gently press chia seeds into each head for eyes and a curved smile. Add a tiny carrot nose, making a shallow slit in the cheese if needed. Press a few more seeds into the lower ball for buttons. Keep the details small and facing outward.
- Arrange and chill: Set the skewers close together on the greens without stacking their decorated sides. Scatter unused tomato halves or extra tomatoes among the greens if desired. Refrigerate the platter until close to serving.
Serving and Making Ahead
Leave the greens undressed and serve optional pesto in a separate bowl so the snowmen stay neat. The components can be prepared earlier the same day, but assemble the platter near serving time for the best appearance. If the seed details might shift, add them shortly before serving.
For another holiday appetizer platter, try the Christmas antipasto wreath or serve these alongside Christmas tree deviled eggs.
How to Store the Skewers
Keep assembled skewers refrigerated and loosely covered until close to serving. Avoid pressing the covering against the decorated faces. These are best prepared for same-day serving; a longer storage window has not been established. Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving (1 skewer, without pesto): 115 calories, 7g protein, 9g fat, and 3g carbohydrates. Approximate nutrition per 100g: 175 calories, 11g protein, 13g fat, and 4g carbohydrates. Values vary with the mozzarella and other ingredients used.
Christmas Snowman Mozzarella Skewers
Equipment
- Bamboo appetizer skewers
- Large shallow platter
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
For the Snowmen
- 24 small fresh mozzarella balls, such as bocconcini, about 3/4 inch each (340 g)
- 12 small cherry or grape tomatoes, halved crosswise (180 g)
- About 4 ounces fresh mozzarella log, cut into 12 thin small bands (115 g)
- 1 small carrot, cut into 12 tiny triangles
- About 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 12 short bamboo appetizer skewers
For Serving
- 3 to 4 cups arugula or tender salad greens, washed and thoroughly dried
- 1/4 cup pesto, optional, for dipping
- A handful of extra cherry tomatoes, optional
Instructions
- Line a large shallow platter with the dry greens.
- Drain and gently blot the mozzarella balls. Halve the tomatoes, cut the mozzarella log into thin bands, and cut the carrot into tiny triangles.
- Choose tomato halves close in width to the mozzarella balls.
- Thread two mozzarella balls onto each skewer, positioning the upper ball as the head and leaving room above it for a hat. Turn any flatter sides toward the front.
- Thread a thin mozzarella band above each head, then add a tomato half cut side down. Trim any tomato that overhangs substantially.
- Press chia seeds gently into each head to make eyes and a curved smile. Add a tiny carrot nose, making a shallow slit in the cheese if needed.
- Press a few more chia seeds into the lower mozzarella ball for buttons, keeping the details small and facing outward.
- Arrange the skewers close together on the greens without stacking their decorated sides. Add extra tomatoes to the platter if desired.
- Refrigerate until close to serving. Serve the greens undressed and offer optional pesto in a separate bowl.
Tips
- Choose tomato halves close in size to the mozzarella balls for neat hats.
- Blot the mozzarella well so the decorations adhere more easily.
- Turn flatter sides of the mozzarella toward the front for easier decorating.
- Add chia-seed details shortly before serving if they might shift.