When I first made these Cheese and Grape Skewers for a summer gathering, I didn’t expect them to vanish so quickly. The combination of creamy cheese and juicy grapes on a stick feels fancy but takes minutes to assemble. In my kitchen, these little skewers have become my go-to for effortless entertaining. They’re bright, sweet, and savory all at once just the kind of simple party food that makes guests smile without keeping me stuck in the kitchen.
I love making these alongside my other bite-sized favorites like smoked salmon bites or mini cheese ball bites. They’re perfect for holidays, bridal showers, or even a relaxed wine night with friends.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love these Cheese and Grape Skewers because they balance elegance with ease. There’s no cooking involved, just a few minutes of slicing, pairing, and threading onto skewers.
Here’s what makes them special:
- Quick and beautiful: They look gourmet but take less than 15 minutes.
- Naturally gluten-free: Perfect for guests with dietary preferences.
- Versatile flavors: Works with so many cheese types sharp cheddar, creamy brie, or tangy goat cheese.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can prep them a few hours early and chill until serving.
- A crowd pleaser: The sweet grapes pair beautifully with the saltiness of cheese, just like caprese skewers do with tomatoes and mozzarella.
Recipe
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Cheese and Grape Skewers
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 skewers
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cheese and Grape Skewers are a simple, elegant appetizer made with creamy cheese cubes, juicy grapes, and optional herbs or drizzles. Perfect for parties or wine nights, they balance sweet and savory flavors beautifully.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups seedless red grapes
1 ½ cups seedless green grapes
8 oz cheese (cheddar, gouda, or brie), cut into cubes
Fresh basil or mint leaves (optional)
1–2 tbsp honey or balsamic glaze (optional)
24 cocktail picks or small skewers
Instructions
- Wash and dry grapes thoroughly.
- Cut cheese into bite-sized cubes.
- Thread one grape, a leaf (optional), and one cheese cube onto each skewer.
- Arrange on a platter and chill until serving.
- Drizzle lightly with honey or balsamic glaze before serving.
Notes
Use firm cheese for best results.
Add prosciutto, nuts, or olives for extra flavor.
Prep up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-bake, Simmer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 15
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Grapes: Use seedless red or green grapes, or mix both for a colorful platter. Red grapes tend to be sweeter, while green ones add a refreshing tartness.
- Cheese: I love using cubes of aged cheddar or gouda for their firm texture, but creamy cheeses like brie or Havarti also work beautifully.
- Fresh herbs (optional): A small basil or mint leaf between the cheese and grape adds fragrance and color.
- Toothpicks or small skewers: Choose cocktail picks or mini bamboo skewers for easy serving.
Optional Add-Ins
- Prosciutto or salami slices: Wrap a thin slice around the cheese cube before skewering for a salty twist, inspired by my salami cup appetizer bites.
- Nuts: Add a roasted almond or pecan between layers for crunch.
- Drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze: Adds a touch of sweetness and shine, similar to the glaze I love on prosciutto-wrapped stuffed dates.
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
Rinse and pat the grapes completely dry. Cut your cheese into bite-sized cubes about the same size as the grapes, so each bite feels balanced.
Step 2: Assemble the skewers
Start by threading a grape onto a toothpick. Next, add a basil or mint leaf if using, followed by a cube of cheese. You can reverse the order if you prefer the cheese on top it’s all about presentation.
Step 3: Add flair (optional)
If you’re adding charcuterie or nuts, thread them between the cheese and grape. For example, wrap a thin slice of prosciutto around your cheese before skewering.
Step 4: Chill and serve
Arrange your finished skewers on a platter. Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before serving. Just before guests arrive, drizzle lightly with honey or balsamic glaze for a touch of shine.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy
Serve cold or at room temperature. These pair beautifully with crisp white wine or even alongside grape jelly meatballs for a fun mix of sweet and savory appetizers.
Tips for success:
- Use firm cheese so it holds shape.
- Pat the grapes dry moisture can make the cheese slip.
- For extra flair, use colorful cocktail picks or alternate grape colors on each skewer.
Variations and Customization Ideas
Here’s where you can make these Cheese and Grape Skewers your own:
- Caprese-style skewers: Replace grapes with cherry tomatoes and use mozzarella pearls. Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a quick twist on tomato mozzarella skewers.
- Mediterranean flair: Use cubes of feta, kalamata olives, and green grapes for a briny-sweet contrast.
- Sweet dessert version: Swap the cheese for small cubes of pound cake and drizzle with chocolate.
- Spicy-sweet combo: Use pepper jack cheese and sprinkle a little chili flakes or hot honey before serving.
- Gourmet touch: Alternate grapes, gouda, and smoked almonds on fancy cocktail picks for an upscale party platter.
These are endlessly adaptable whatever cheese you have on hand can work. The goal is that perfect mix of creamy, sweet, and fresh in every bite.
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
These Cheese and Grape Skewers are one of those recipes I turn to again and again when I need something effortless yet elegant. They fit right in with any spread, from casual barbecues to sophisticated cocktail parties. I love serving them alongside small bites like my smoked salmon bites or prosciutto-wrapped stuffed dates for a mix of flavors and textures.
If you try these, let me know how you customize them in your own kitchen. Whether you go classic with cheddar and red grapes or bold with blue cheese and honey, these little skewers never disappoint.
