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Home » Recipe Index » Appetisers

Marinated Mozzarella Balls (Bocconcini)

Published: Sep 7, 2021 · Updated: Sep 7, 2021 Author: Alexandra Cook

For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

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Marinated Mozzarella Balls are so simple to prepare and make an absolutely delicious, flavour-filled appetiser. Garlic, oregano, lemon and a little chilli combine with Extra Virgin Olive Oil to make a delicious marinade, which perfectly complements the creamy bocconcini. Served with slices of crusty bread, this easy appetiser will become a favourite!

Overhead shot of bowl of mozzarella balls ready to serve.
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  • Why we love this recipe:
  • Ingredients in this recipe:
  • Step by Step Instructions:
  • Tips for Success and FAQs:
  • More delicious recipes for you to try:
  • Marinated Mozzarella Balls

Why we love this recipe:

A few simple ingredients transform delicious mozzarella balls into a really special appetiser. As with most food, homemade is best. When we make it, we are in control of the ingredients which we use and in the case of Marinated Mozzarella Balls, we can customise them to suit our taste. Just some of the reasons that we love this recipe are:

  • This is a delicious, easily made, Mediterranean inspired appetiser, perfect to make ahead of time for relaxed entertaining.
  • A container of cherry bocconcini is a fraction of the cost of a specialty cheese, making this an economical starter, ideal for entertaining.
  • There are so many ways to use it. Serve it with crusty bread to enjoy the cheese and soak up the flavour-filled oil. As well, it is a great addition to a salad, on a pizza or crostini or toss through with my Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta.
  • If you’re making the Marinated Mozzarella Balls for a crowd, it is easy to increase the quantities to suit.
  • You can easily customise the flavours to suit your taste. If you don’t like chilli, leave it out, if you prefer other herbs, use those. If you don’t have lemon but have an orange, some strips of peel or zest would be a great addition.

Ingredients in this recipe:

Ingredients in this recipe on a white background.

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

Cherry bocconcini – also known as Ciliegine mozzarella, these bite-sized balls of mozzarella work perfectly for this appetiser.

Cayenne chilli/pepper – for a hit of spice and colour.

Garlic – a couple of fresh cloves add great flavour.

Lemon zest – adds a bright note.

Black peppercorns – they are used whole.

Dried oregano – adds to Mediterranean flavours.

Sea salt flakes – as the cheese is mild in taste, this helps the flavours come together.

Extra virgin olive oil – for its flavour and nutritional benefit.

Step by Step Instructions:

Steps 1-4 of preparing this recipe in a photo collage - the mozzarella in a bowl, cutting the garlic, cutting the chilli and all of the ingredients in a bowl ready to mix.
  1. Drain the mini bocconcini and place in a jar or small bowl. 
  2. Peel and finely slice the garlic.
  3. Cut the chilli in half lengthways, remove the seeds and membrane. Finely slice the chilli and add as much or as little as you like to the mozzarella. Add to the jar or small bowl.
  4. Add all of the remaining ingredients, and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavours to develop. Serve with crusty bread.
Serve of mozzarella balls on plate with some bread.

Tips for Success and FAQs:

To prevent bacteria and the potential growth of botulism in fresh ingredients, such as garlic, herbs or spices which are packed in oil, the Marinated Mozzarella Balls must be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than two days. The cheese and the oil should be consumed within that time.

How long can I keep the Marinated Bocconcini for?

You can keep it refrigerated for up to 2 days. The oil will solidify slightly so you will need to bring it to room temperature to serve. Make a batch that you can enjoy within this time. Fresh ingredients, such as herbs and garlic, when stored in oil, cannot safely be kept for a long time as they have the potential to develop bacteria that can cause botulism.

What oil is best to use?

The mini bocconcini, along with the herb and spice flavoured olive oil, are delicious served with crusty bread so the best oil to use is extra virgin olive oil. As the oil is such an important flavour component, use the best olive oil that you have.

How long do the mozzarella balls need to be marinated for?

Store the prepared mozzarella balls in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving to allow the flavours to develop. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Overhead shot of bowl of mozzarella balls ready to serve.

More delicious recipes for you to try:

Easy recipes like our Marinated Mozzarella Balls are always popular. Here are some more of our favourites for you to try:

  • Marinated Olives
  • Roasted Capsicums
  • Cannellini Bean Dip
  • Marinated Feta Cheese
  • Oven Baked Beef Meatballs
  • Herbed Bread Dipping Oil
  • Marinated Parmesan

Marinated Mozzarella Balls (Bocconcini) are a crowd-pleaser, and so easy to make, that it is certain to become one of your most popular appetisers. Serve with your favourite bread or toasts. After you have eaten all the cheese, if there is any oil leftover, use it for pasta, a salad or as a dip for crusty bread. Enjoy!

Alex xx

Overhead shot of bowl of mozzarella balls ready to serve.

Marinated Mozzarella Balls

Marinated Mozzarella Balls are so simple to prepare and make an absolutely delicious, flavour-filled appetiser. Garlic, oregano, lemon and a little chilli combine with Extra Virgin Olive Oil to make a delicious marinade, which perfectly complements the creamy bocconcini. Served with slices of crusty bread, this easy appetiser will become a favourite!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Review
Course: Antipasto, Appetiser
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Marinating Time: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 451kcal
Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

Please note:

For accuracy, when weights are provided, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results. All oven temperatures listed are for fan forced.

Ingredients

  • 200 g (7 oz) cherry bocconcini See Note 1
  • ⅔ cup (150 ml) extra virgin olive oil See Note 2
  • 2 cloves garlic – peeled and cut into thin slices
  • ½ long red cayenne chilli/pepper – finely sliced (seeds removed) – or more to taste See Note 3
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes

Instructions

  • Drain the mini bocconcini and place them into a jar or small bowl. 
  • Peel and thinly slice the garlic.
  • Cut the chilli in half lengthways, remove the seeds and membrane. Finely slice the chilli and add to the mozzarella. Adjust the amount of chilli used according to your taste.
  • Zest the lemon.
  • Add all of the ingredients together and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavours to develop.
  • Use the mozzarella and oil within 2 days. See the note in the blog post regarding safety precautions.

Notes

  1. Cherry bocconcini are also known as Ciliegine mozzarella. These bite-sized balls of mozzarella work perfectly for this appetiser.
  2. As we serve the marinated mozzarella balls with crusty bread to mop up the flavoursome oil, we use extra virgin olive oil. Use the best quality olive oil that you have.
  3. Cayenne chillies are long, slender chillies/peppers. They are often mild in flavour, but the heat can vary. Add the amount of chilli according to your preference.
  4. Please note, the nutritional information is based on this appetiser serving 4, and the olive oil being enjoyed also. It does not include what the mozzarella is served with. The nutritional information is an estimate only. 
Made this recipe? We’d be so grateful if you could leave a comment and rating at the bottom of the page!

Nutrition Estimate:

Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 328mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 194mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional Disclaimer:

The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lara

    October 08, 2021 at 3:41 am

    5 stars
    We love bocconcini and this marinade really takes them to the next level. Perfect to add to salads, a cheese platter or charcuterie board. I’ll confess to just eating these right out of the jar!

    Reply
    • Alexandra

      October 13, 2021 at 3:09 pm

      Hi Lara, thank you for your lovely comments on the Marinated Mozzarella Balls. I am so pleased that you enjoy them and find many ways in which to use them. 🙂

      Reply

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