Marinated Mozzarella Balls

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Looking for a delicious make-ahead appetizer or new addition to your charcuterie spread? These mozzarella balls marinated in olive oil with aromatic ingredients like garlic, herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar are so delicious. You will find marinated mozzarella balls easy to make and they’re pretty hard to stop eating too! Although a couple of hours will flavor the cheese, overnight marinating is even better, to really infuse it with maximum flavor. Serve up with crackers, crostini, crispy pita chips, focaccia or even just in a bowl by itself with skewers on the side.

A jar filled with marinated mozzarella balls, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes sits on a light surface with slices of bread next to it.

Once you know how to marinate mozzarella balls, you’ll want to make this garlicky, herby snack all the time, pairing them with bread, crackers or cured deli meats.

Love mozzarella? Also try chicken mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce, this Italian take on French onion soup, or gnocchi alla Sorrentina.

A glass jar filled with marinated mozzarella balls, seasoned with herbs and spices, sits on a light-colored surface. In the background, a bottle of olive oil, some bread, and garlic cloves create an inviting culinary scene.

Why You’ll Love It

So much Italian flavor: You can’t help but fall in love with this marinated mozzarella balls recipe. Sun dried tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil and parsley, and more combine to infuse it with plenty of wonderfully aromatic flavor.
Simple to prepare: Although you can find marinated mozzarella balls in the grocery store, they can’t possibly compare to this super-easy homemade version which is a breeze to prepare.
A versatile treat: Pair your marinated mozzarella with bread or crackers, include it on a charcuterie board, or stir a few into freshly cooked pasta along with marinara sauce. There are lots of ways to enjoy these.
Free from gluten and low carb: There’s no gluten in this recipe and very few carbs too.

A glass jar filled with marinated mozzarella balls, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes sits on a light surface. Next to it are some toasted bread slices, fresh basil leaves, and garlic cloves.

Marinated Fresh Mozzarella Cheese Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Mozzarella balls: These are easy to find at the grocery store. They’re sometimes labeled as mozzarella pearls. Get the plain ones of course, as you will be adding your own marinade. Bocconcini and ciliegine mozzarella are great varieties to choose.
Olive oil: I recommend Italian extra virgin olive oil (for obvious reasons!)
Fresh herbs: Fresh basil and fresh parsley are so good in the marinade.
Balsamic vinegar: Adds a tasty tang and a hint of sweetness.
Dried oregano: Another herb flavor.
Sun dried tomatoes: For sweetness and added flavor.
Fresh garlic cloves: Always good in savory recipes, but omit it if you prefer.

A neatly arranged set of ingredients for a recipe: fresh basil, marinated mozzarella balls, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, parsley, soy sauce, and various seasonings placed in small bowls on a tiled surface.

How to Make Marinated Mozzarella

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Drain the cheese: Drain off and discard the liquid the cheese is in.
Prepare the marinade: Combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl until well mixed.
Marinate the mozzarella balls: Toss the mozzarella balls in the marinade, then either cover the bowl with plastic wrap or put the cheese and marinade in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate overnight or for at least a couple of hours, and then bring the marinated mozzarella to room temperature and serve.

A fork holding a piece of marinated mozzarella with herbs and spices hovers above a jar filled with marinated mozzarella balls.

Substitutions and Variations

Different herbs: Fresh oregano can be used in place of dried, or you can swap the parsley for either extra basil or minced chives. You might like to try a little fresh rosemary too.
Zest it up: Add some lemon zest for a citrusy touch and perhaps a few drops of lemon juice.
A touch of spice: Red pepper flakes add a little kick to the flavor.

A glass jar filled with flavorful marinated mozzarella balls, mixed with herbs and spices, perfectly submerged in rich olive oil.

Serving Suggestions

As an appetizer: Serve marinated mozzarella balls with crusty bread, a garlic bread wreath or some homemade crackers.
To top other dishes: Marinated mozzarella adds a gourmet twist to homemade pizza margherita or eggplant lasagna.
On a cheese board: Pair these with some other cheeses, also adding marinated olives, cherry tomatoes and candied pecans for contrast.
As part of a charcuterie board: This is sure to be one of the most popular items on your charcuterie board!

Jar filled with marinated mozzarella balls, savory herbs, and rich sun-dried tomatoes.

How to Store Marinated Mozzarella Balls

Store: Keep this recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 5 days.
Freeze: Don’t freeze this recipe or you will lose the delicate flavors and the cheese will get a bit mushy when thawed.

A jar of marinated mozzarella balls in the background and two mozzarella balls resting on a slice of toasted bread in the foreground, with basil leaves and garlic nearby.

Top Tips

Use good quality mozzarella: The cheese is the star of the dish, so choose something that’s good quality.
Taste the marinade: Although the marinade is mainly just to flavor the cheese, it’s a good idea to check the flavor balance, so taste it before adding the mozzarella to see if it needs more salt or anything else.
Longer marinating time: I always make these a day ahead because overnight marinating really brings out the flavors.

A fork holds a marinated mozzarella ball above an open glass jar filled with more marinated mozzarella balls, with bread slices, garlic, and an oil bottle in the background.

Marinated Mozzarella Cheese Recipe FAQs

Can you use part-skim mozzarella cheese?

You could, but the full-fat kind has a richer flavor.

What can you do with the leftover marinade?

Don’t throw it out! You can use it as a dipping sauce for bread, have it as a salad dressing with your next pasta or rice salad recipe or use it to marinate cooked chicken or fresh vegetables.

Do you have to use extra virgin olive oil or can you use regular olive oil?

I strongly recommend using your favorite extra virgin olive oil for marinated mozzarella balls. It’s the binder that brings the other ingredients together and its flavor will be very apparent in the finished dish.

A jar brimming with flavorful marinated mozzarella balls, delicately mixed with aromatic herbs and spices. In the background, a garlic bulb and a fork add to the scene's rustic charm.

Marinated Mozzarella Ball Recipe

Various ingredients, including a bowl of marinated mozzarella balls, fresh basil, parsley, olive oil, sundried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, dried herbs, salt, pepper, and garlic arranged on a white surface.

A bowl with various herbs, minced garlic, and seasonings sits on a counter beside a bowl of marinated mozzarella balls and a small container of olive oil.

Marinated mozzarella balls are so good you won’t be able to stop eating them or dipping bread in the leftover marinade afterwards. The fresh herbs add fresh notes, the sun dried tomatoes add a kiss of sweetness and the garlic gives the recipe a lovely deep flavor. This is such a quick and easy appetizer paired with bread or crackers or you can present it on a charcuterie board or part of a cheese board.

Other Recipes to Try

A jar of marinated mozzarella balls infused with herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, perfectly complemented by a serving on toasted bread. Text reads "Marinated Mozzarella Balls."

A jar of marinated mozzarella balls infused with herbs and sun-dried tomatoes in oil. Text reads "Marinated Mozzarella Balls."

Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.