If you’re looking for a simple yet show-stopping appetizer, this Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe is absolutely my go-to. It’s fresh, zesty, and so flavorful that once you try it, you’ll find yourself making it again and again for gatherings or even a casual snack at home. Trust me, the combination of herbs, lemon, garlic, and a hint of spice in that olive oil marinade is a total game-changer!

🤍

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Prep: You only need about 10 minutes to get everything ready—perfect for busy days!
Bright, Fresh Flavors: The lemon and herbs really make the mozzarella pop with freshness.
Versatile Snack or Appetizer: It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or salads, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Keeps Well: This marinated cheese stores beautifully for days, so you can prepare it ahead of time.

A clear glass jar filled with small white balls, likely cheese, soaked in a yellowish olive oil mixed with finely chopped green herbs and red chili flakes. The jar shows layers of the cheese balls immersed evenly in the oil and herbs, with some herbs and chili pieces floating near the top. The jar is placed on a white marbled surface, accompanied by a white cloth with blue stripes, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a white bowl with red chili flakes, a silver fork, a small metal grater, and some green herb sprigs scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Marinated Mozzarella Balls, mozzarella appetizer, bruschetta-style mozzarella, easy mozzarella snack, herb-marinated mozzarella

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic in this Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe lies in simplicity; each ingredient plays a role, from the tanginess in freshly squeezed lemon juice to the spicy kick of red pepper flakes. When shopping, I always look for the freshest herbs I can find and the best-quality mozzarella balls—the better the base, the better the final dish.

Flat lay of fresh ciliegine mozzarella balls, a small bunch of bright green chopped parsley and basil leaves, a few lemon wedges with vibrant yellow zest curls, a whole garlic bulb with one peeled clove grated, a small white bowl of golden extra-virgin olive oil, a tiny white bowl of coarse sea salt crystals, and a tiny white bowl of red pepper flakes, all arranged in perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic dishes, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Marinated Mozzarella Balls, mozzarella appetizer, bruschetta-style mozzarella, easy mozzarella snack, herb-marinated mozzarella

Fresh Parsley and/or Basil: I like mixing both—they add herbal brightness that elevates the cheese.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Use fresh, never bottled, to get that vibrant citrus zing.
Lemon Zest: Adds that extra layer of citrus aroma and flavor.
Garlic Clove: Grated garlic disperses more evenly, giving a gentle but noticeable garlic flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch brings a lovely warmth without overpowering the dish.
Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors without making it too salty.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Go for a fruity and high-quality oil here—it’s the marinade’s base and flavor carrier.
Ciliegine Fresh Mozzarella Balls: These small mozzarella balls soak up the marinade beautifully—drain them well to avoid watery marinade.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how adaptable this Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe is, so I often switch up the herbs or add extras depending on what’s in season or what I’m craving. Feel free to make it your own!

Herb Swap: Sometimes I replace basil with fresh oregano or thyme for a slightly earthier flavor, which is delicious with grilled meats.
Spice It Up: If you like more heat, adding a bit more red pepper flakes or even a splash of chili oil really amps up the flavor.
Vegan Option: I’ve experimented with marinated vegan mozzarella alternatives—just adjust marinating time for softer types.
Additional Veggies: Cherry tomatoes or thin slices of roasted red pepper stirred in give a fresh contrast and colorful presentation.

How to Make Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Marinade

Start by combining the chopped herbs, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and half of your olive oil in a medium jar or bowl. I like using a jar here because it’s easy to shake everything together. This step is where your flavors meld, so make sure you give it a good stir or shake until everything is well mixed. The smell here is seriously addictive!

Step 2: Add and Coat the Mozzarella Balls

Next, add the drained mozzarella balls to the jar. Cover them with the remaining olive oil—if you find you don’t have enough to fully submerge the cheese, feel free to top it off with a little more extra-virgin olive oil. It’s important the mozzarella is completely covered so it marinates evenly and absorbs all those delicious flavors.

Step 3: Chill and Let the Magic Happen

Once your mozzarella is marinated, cover the jar tightly and refrigerate it for at least an hour. I often leave mine longer because the flavors get deeper and more balanced after several hours or even overnight. Just before serving, give the jar a gentle shake or stir to redistribute the marinade.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe

Dry Your Mozzarella Well: I learned the hard way that soggy balls dilute the marinade—pat them dry to help flavors stick better.
Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs give such a bright flavor; dried just can’t compete here.
Seal and Shake: Using a jar with a lid makes mixing and storing a breeze—plus a quick shake before serving refreshes the flavors.
Don’t Skip the Marinating Time: Giving it at least an hour (ideally longer) really lets the cheese soak up all the deliciousness.

How to Serve Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe

Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I almost always sprinkle a little extra chopped basil or parsley on top before serving to brighten the look and flavor. Sometimes I add a few cracked black peppercorns or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a touch of sweetness—it’s a beautiful contrast and always draws compliments at the table.

Side Dishes

This marinated mozzarella pairs brilliantly with crusty artisan bread, garlic crostini, or even as a fresh salad topper. My family especially loves it alongside a charcuterie board with olives, cured meats, and fresh fruit—makes for an unbeatable party spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served these mozzarella balls in a clear glass trifle bowl layered with tomatoes and fresh basil leaves, creating a colorful, eye-catching centerpiece. Another fun way is to skewer the balls with cherry tomatoes and basil for cute mozzarella lollipops—kids and adults both love them!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep any leftover marinated mozzarella balls in their marinade, sealed tightly in the refrigerator. They stay fresh and tasty for up to 5 days. Just be sure to keep them fully submerged in the olive oil so they don’t dry out or pick up fridge smells.

Freezing

Since fresh mozzarella tends to lose its texture when frozen, I don’t recommend freezing marinated mozzarella balls. The delicate creaminess changes and may become rubbery—so it’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days refrigerated.

Reheating

This recipe is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating usually isn’t necessary. However, if you want to gently warm it, I recommend removing the mozzarella from the marinade and warming it very briefly—just a few seconds in a microwave or a warm skillet—to preserve the creamy texture.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cheese instead of mozzarella balls?

You can experiment with other fresh cheeses like bocconcini or burrata, though burrata’s creaminess might make marinating tricky. Firmer cheeses like feta don’t absorb the marinade as well but can work if you enjoy a different texture and flavor experience.
How long should I marinate the mozzarella balls?

I recommend marinating for at least 1 hour to let the flavors soak in, but for best results, overnight marinating deepens the flavor beautifully. Just keep it refrigerated and covered in olive oil.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Definitely! This marinated mozzarella keeps well for several days in the fridge, making it a fantastic option for prepping ahead. Use it as a snack or quickly toss it into salads and sandwiches throughout the week.
What can I serve with marinated mozzarella balls?

These are wonderful served with crusty bread, fresh vegetables, olives, or incorporated into antipasto platters. You can also add them on top of fresh greens or roasted veggies for an easy flavor boost.

Final Thoughts

This Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe is one of those simple, understated dishes that never fails to impress me and my family. It’s easy enough for a weeknight snack but special enough for guests. I love how the fresh citrus and herbs breathe life into creamy mozzarella and how versatile it is for so many occasions. I can’t recommend you try this enough—once it becomes part of your repertoire, I bet you’ll reach for it whenever you want that effortless, fresh flavor hit. Enjoy marinating, savor every bite, and don’t forget to share with friends!

Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 89 reviews

Author: Bertha
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Marinated Mozzarella Balls are a fresh and flavorful appetizer featuring ciliegine mozzarella soaked in a zesty blend of herbs, lemon, garlic, and olive oil. Perfectly marinated for at least an hour, they offer a bright, tangy, and slightly spicy bite that’s perfect for parties or a simple snack.

Ingredients

Marinade

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and/or basil leaves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 garlic clove, grated
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon sea salt
⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or enough to cover the mozzarella balls

Mozzarella

8 ounces ciliegine fresh mozzarella cheese balls, drained and patted dry

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the marinade: In a medium jar, thoroughly mix together the chopped fresh parsley and/or basil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and ⅓ cup of the extra-virgin olive oil. Ensure all ingredients are well combined to infuse flavors.
Add the mozzarella: Place the drained and patted dry ciliegine mozzarella balls into the jar with the marinade, spreading them evenly to allow each ball to soak up the flavors.
Cover with olive oil: Pour the remaining ⅓ cup of extra-virgin olive oil over the mozzarella balls, adding more if needed to fully cover them and ensure even marination.
Marinate and chill: Cover the jar tightly and refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors meld together. For best taste, allow marinating up to 5 days, keeping it properly chilled.

Notes

Make sure to drain and pat dry the fresh mozzarella to prevent watering down the marinade.
If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
The marinated mozzarella should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 5 days for optimal freshness.
Use fresh herbs for the most vibrant flavor; you can mix parsley and basil or use one according to your preference.
This recipe can be served as a snack, appetizer, or added to salads and antipasto platters.