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This post has been sponsored by Bertolli Olive Oil. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
These Olive Oil Marinated Mozzarella Balls are a quick and easy appetizer that takes less than 15 minutes to make. It’s the perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, or any other party!
Do you love appetizers as much as I do? I could seriously eat them for almost every meal. That’s why I was so excited when Bertolli reached out to me to ask if I could create an easy appetizer that could be made in under 20 minutes. 
I knew Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil would be PERFECT for these Marinated Mozzarella balls. Also, isn’t their NEW bottle so pretty? It has a new look but the same great taste and robust flavor I’ve come to expect from Bertolli. Being the world’s #1 olive oil brand and having 150 years of expertise, you know they know what they are doing. AND I have a coupon for you! Save now with $1 off any Bertolli item, and pick up the new bottle at your closest Kroger store!
What I love about these marinated mozzarella balls is that they seem so fancy and are sure to impress your guests, but they are unbelievably simple. Using Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil here is key because the flavors of the garlic and herbs are fat soluble, which means they really need to be bloomed in oil to bring out their full flavor. A quality extra virgin olive oil is “cold pressed” for a naturally full-bodied fruity flavor that not only brings out the best in the garlic and spices but compliments them.
OK, that may sound science-y and complicated, but don’t worry, the recipe is simple! All you need to know is mix Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil with garlic and herbs, add CHEESE, and you are in for a delicious appetizer bite. I like to serve these with a nice crusty bread because you will want to put this flavored oil on everything! My husband could not stop dipping bread into it.
I picked up everything I needed for this easy appetizer on my last trip to Fred Meyer. I grabbed the fresh mozzarella balls in the deli cheese case. I went with Ciliegine mozzarella balls that are about the size of cherries. They make a perfect bite-sized appetizer. The Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil was easy to find in the oil aisle, and the fresh herbs were in the produce section. I hate having to make multiple stops when I go grocery shopping, so I love that I can find all of this at my Fred Meyer when I’m doing my weekly grocery shopping!
Olive Oil Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Bertolli extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- 16 ounces bocconcini or ciliegine mozzarella drained
Instructions
- Mix together the olive oil, garlic, herbs, red pepper flakes and salt.
- Add the mozzarella balls, stir to fully coat.
- Allow to marinate for an hour or longer. The longer they marinate, the better the flavors will be. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Save now with $1 0ff any Bertolli item, and pick up the new bottle at your closest Kroger / Fred Meyer store.
Can u finish the mozzarella balls with a balsamic glaze after once they are finished marinated?
Hi, I haven’t tried that but it sounds like it could be great!
Can I keep adding mozzarella balls to the marinade?
Hi, I would worry about food safety, so I wouldn’t keep the oil longer than recommended.
Do you cook?
Hi, no, you don’t cook these.
Can I use dried herbs?
Sure!
Fresh herbs are best, especially basil
I stumbled across your recipe and LOVED IT!! I made the marinade and then added some cherry tomatoes and cooked tortallini to the mix. Then made appetizer skewers with them…. fabulous!
Oh yum, that sounds great!
These taste good, but they’ve been in the fridge for one day and the olive oil solidified 🙁 what’s the best way to get them back to normal??
Hi Cheyanne – if you set them out at room temp for a bit the olive oil will be liquid again. It’s just the fats getting solid in the cold.
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! This is exactly what I was looking for. The marinated mozzarella had so much flavor from the extra virgin olive oil and the fresh herbs.
I’m so happy to hear that Linda!
A perfect marinade and not just for mozzarella! I also use it as a salad dressing and it made the most delicious steak marinade! I highly recommend everyone try this!
Wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that Steph!
After consuming all the mozzarella, any suggestions on what to do with the leftover olive oil marinade?
It makes a great bread dip!
I just made my mozzarella balls for the week! I have a few with my dinner served with some crusty French bread. Yum!!
Yay! SO happy to hear that Jeanne!
How long can i store this?
Hi Sheila – it should last in the fridge for 4-7 days.
So easy and it came out delicious!
Wonderful! So happy to hear that.
where is fred meyer? Is it in the woodlands, Texas? Can you get the mozzarella balls there too>
Hi Corinne – Fred Meyer is a grocery store in the Pacific Northwest, but they are part of the Kroger family. So if you have a Kroger near you, or a store in the Kroger family, you should be able to find most of the same ingredients.
I just came across this because I was looking for a mozzarella ball recipe – and any store with an olive bar, cheese counter, or good dairy section should have mozzarella balls.
For Texas, I’d recommend HEB.
If you have a Food Lion, Harris Teeter, or Publix you’d also stand a good chance. Definitely Whole Foods as well.
There is nothing I don’t love about this!! YUM!