Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls

Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls are made with extra-virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, fresh basil, fresh thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and mozzarella balls. This easy Marinated Mozzarella Balls recipe creates a flavorful appetizer that takes about 1 hour to prepare and can serve up to 6 people.

Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls Ingredients

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (use 1 Tbsp if using dried)
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil (use 1 tsp if using dried)
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme (use 1 tsp if using dried)
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (add more as you like if you prefer spice)
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 8 oz. mozzarella balls (ciliegine, pearls, or bocconcini, as you like), drained

How To Make Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls

1. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, parsley, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
2. Coat Mozzarella: Add the drained mozzarella balls to the bowl. Stir until the mozzarella is well-coated. You can either leave them in the bowl or transfer them to a jar for marinating.
3. Marinate: Allow the mozzarella to marinate at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving.
4. Store if Needed: If preparing more than an hour in advance, store the marinated mozzarella in the refrigerator. Note: The olive oil may solidify, so remove the mozzarella from the fridge about 20 minutes before serving to return it to room temperature.
5. Serve: Stir the mozzarella balls well before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Recipe Tips

• Choose Good Mozzarella: The type of mozzarella you use makes a big difference. Use fresh mozzarella balls like ciliegine, pearls, or bocconcini for the best taste and texture. Fresh mozzarella soaks up the marinade flavors better.
• Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: Fresh herbs are best for great flavor, but you can use dried herbs too. Remember, dried herbs are stronger, so use less—about one-third of what you would use if they were fresh.
• Marinating Time: Let the mozzarella sit in the marinade for at least one hour to soak up the flavors. If you can leave it longer, even overnight, it will taste even better. Just keep it in the fridge if you marinate it for more than an hour.
• Serving Temperature: Serve the mozzarella balls at room temperature so the olive oil is nice and liquid and the flavors are strong. If they were in the fridge, take them out 20 minutes before serving.
• Stir Before Serving: Give the mozzarella balls a good mix before you serve them. This makes sure they all get a nice coating of herbs, spices, and olive oil for tasty bites every time.

What To Serve With Marinated Mozzarella Balls

Marinated Mozzarella Balls pair well with crusty bread, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and roasted bell peppers. It also can be served alongside mixed olives, charcuterie, assorted nuts, and fresh basil leaves.

How To Store Marinated Mozzarella Balls

• In the Fridge: After making the Marinated Mozzarella Balls, put them in a container that seals tightly or covers the bowl they’re in with plastic wrap. You can keep them in the fridge for up to one week.
• Freezing: It’s best not to freeze these mozzarella balls. Freezing can change the texture of the cheese and make the olive oil clumpy.

Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings

• Calories: 280
• Total Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Dietary Fiber: 0 g
• Sugar: 0 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg
• Sodium: 150 mg

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Protein Balls
• Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls
• Pioneer Woman Olive Cheese Balls
• Pioneer Woman Ham Balls
• Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls