Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip is a hot, cheesy appetizer. It transforms classic Caprese salad into a melty, shareable party dip, perfect for entertaining.
Author:Hannah Rodger
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:55 minutes
Total Time:70 minutes
Yield:6-8 servings
Category:Appetizer
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian-American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 large head garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, drained and cubed or torn
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons balsamic glaze, for drizzling (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Crusty bread, crackers, or pita chips, for serving
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cut off the top quarter of the garlic head to expose the cloves. Place the garlic on a small piece of foil, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap tightly.
Roast the garlic for 30-40 minutes, or until very soft and fragrant. Let cool slightly, then squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a small bowl. Mash with a fork.
While garlic roasts, toss the halved tomatoes with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
Roast tomatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until softened and slightly caramelized.
In a small oven-safe dish (like a shallow baking dish or cast-iron skillet), spread the mashed roasted garlic evenly.
Arrange the roasted tomatoes over the garlic.
Scatter the mozzarella cubes over the tomatoes and garlic.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, if using.
Serve immediately with crusty bread, crackers, or pita chips.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the tomatoes.
If you do not have fresh mozzarella, you can use shredded mozzarella, but the texture might be less creamy.
This dip is best served warm. If it cools, you can reheat it in the oven until bubbly again.