Sesame Mozzarella Balls Wreath 

This Sesame Mozzarella Balls Wreath is a stunning, Caprese-inspired holiday appetizer featuring sesame-coated mozzarella balls, jammy slow-roasted tomatoes, fresh greens, and a bright lemon-pesto drizzle. Easy to assemble, beautifully festive, and perfect for Christmas parties or elegant winter gatherings.

There are certain appetizers that instantly make the whole room go quiet once you set them down. And this Sesame Mozzarella Balls Wreath is exactly that kind of appetizer. It’s festive without being over-the-top, elegant without being fussy, and honestly… it’s one of the easiest holiday dishes you’ll make this season. That’s my favorite combination: low effort, high impact, and absolutely guaranteed to disappear faster than anything else on the table.

This wreath is light, fresh, beautiful, and fun, but at the same time, it has that satisfying richness from the mozzarella, the gentle nuttiness of sesame, the brightness of lemon, and the sweet, jammy slow-roasted tomatoes that bring everything together. It’s Caprese-inspired but with a winter holiday twist. It’s Christmas-y but not cliché. And it feels elevated without asking you to spend the entire day assembling microscopic garnishes with tweezers.

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday appetizer that feels gourmet but is still completely approachable, this is it. I love serving this for Christmas Eve dinner, holiday parties, cozy winter gatherings with friends, and honestly, even as a fun weekend snack board when I want something pretty and refreshing. It’s the kind of appetizer that tastes amazing but also doubles as a centerpiece – and who doesn’t love a dish that decorates the table for you?

Why This Sesame Mozzarella Balls Wreath Works So Well

Here’s why this wreath has become one of my top-performing savory appetizers:

1. It’s visually stunning with very minimal effort.

The wreath shape, the pops of red from the roasted tomatoes, the green from the arugula, the black and white sesame seeds… it all just works. It’s the food version of a holiday photoshoot, but you barely have to style it.

2. Slow-roasted tomatoes create MAJOR flavor payoff.

This is my secret weapon. They become glossy, soft, caramelized, and jammy. They add depth without overpowering the freshness of the greens and the creaminess of the mozzarella.

3. The sesame coating elevates the mozzarella.

Ciliegine mozzarella balls are delicious on their own, but rolling them in sesame makes them feel special – like tiny, elegant holiday ornaments. They bring crunch, nuttiness, and the prettiest contrast.

4. It’s light and refreshing – perfect between heavier holiday dishes.

Holiday menus are full of dips, pastries, bacon-wrapped everything… so this is a welcome break. It balances the table and gives guests something fresh to enjoy.

5. It’s impossible to mess up.

You can assemble this five minutes before guests arrive. You can scale it for a small dinner or a party of 20. Plus, it’s absolutely customizable. It’s foolproof and stress-free.

Let’s Talk Flavor (It’s All About Balance)

One of my favorite things about this recipe is the balance between creamy, nutty, savory, sweet, and fresh. Everything plays a very specific role, and I want to walk you through how it all works together so you understand why this wreath tastes so good.

The Greens: Arugula + Baby Spinach

Arugula gives a gentle peppery bite, while baby spinach softens that sharpness. Together, they create a tender, beautiful base that has enough structure to hold toppings without looking wilted.

The Herbs: Basil

Even just a few basil leaves add that instantly recognizable Caprese aroma. Tear them if they’re big – the rustic look feels very holiday-appropriate anyway.

The Mozzarella: Ciliegine Balls

These are creamy, mild, juicy – the perfect blank canvas. But!! They must be dried well or the sesame will not adhere. This is one of those tiny steps that makes a huge difference.

The Sesame Seeds: Black + White

This is where the magic happens. The contrast is stunning, and the nuttiness adds a beautiful depth that plain mozzarella doesn’t have. Nigella seeds also add the most subtle, intriguing flavor if you want to go that direction.

The Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

This part deserves its own TED Talk (or maybe a whole blog post?). You know how fresh cherry tomatoes are bright, juicy, and slightly acidic? Slow-roasting transforms them into something else entirely: sweeter, softer, glossy, caramelized, and so aromatic. They almost melt into the greens.

I always say:
If you want this dish to taste gourmet, don’t rush the tomatoes.

The Dressing: Lemon + Pesto + Olive Oil

This is the easiest dressing in the world, but it packs so much flavor:

• lemon = brightness
• pesto = richness + herbiness
• olive oil = silkiness
• salt = wakes everything up

It’s punchy without overpowering the delicate mozzarella.

The Finishing Touch: Parmesan Snow

This is optional in theory, but I will say: don’t skip it. It creates a light, magical dusting that looks exactly like fresh snow on a Christmas wreath. It also adds saltiness that ties everything together.

How to Make the Perfect Sesame Mozzarella Balls Wreath

Now let’s walk through the full process the same way I make it at home – relaxed, step-by-step, and with the little tips that make the difference between “pretty” and “jaw-dropping.”

Step 1: Slow-Roast the Tomatoes (Non-Negotiable)

This is the heart of the recipe. When I say don’t rush them – I mean it.
You want them soft, collapsed, but still holding their shape. Almost confit-like, but without all the oil.

Tips for perfect roasted tomatoes:

• Use a shallow baking dish so the tomatoes caramelize instead of steaming.
• Add a rosemary sprig if you want that cozy winter aroma.
• Pull them out when they look glossy, slightly wrinkled, and jammy.

Let them cool completely before assembling the wreath. Warm tomatoes will wilt the greens – this is one of those mistakes you only make once.

Step 2: Prepare the Sesame Mozzarella Balls (Your “Holiday Ornaments”)

This is the fun part! Rolling the mozzarella is oddly satisfying – like a holiday craft project but edible.

Why drying them is essential:
Moisture is the enemy here. If you skip drying, the sesame will slide right off, and you’ll end up with patchy, sad mozzarella. A quick pat with paper towels makes the coating stick beautifully.

Use just enough olive oil to help the seeds adhere – too much and they won’t coat evenly.

Mixing black and white sesame seeds gives that festive speckled look that pops against the greens. Refrigerate the finished balls so they firm up slightly before assembly.

Step 3: Build the Wreath Base

Use a large, round platter – this makes the wreath shape instantly recognizable.

Fluff the greens, don’t press them down. A slightly wild, natural shape looks more like a real wreath. Scatter basil leaves throughout the greens, not just on top. You want those hits of basil to surprise you with each bite.

Step 4: Whisk the Lemon-Pesto Dressing

This dressing is purposely simple because the rest of the flavors are already rich and complex. You do not need a heavy dressing for this dish – just something bright and herbal. If your pesto is thick, whisk vigorously to loosen it into the olive oil. If it’s very salty, go lighter on the added salt.

Step 5: Assemble Your Elegant Holiday Appetizer Wreath

Now put everything together:

• Add tomatoes in small clusters for color balance.
• Place mozzarella balls evenly around the ring like ornaments.
• Drizzle the dressing lightly – do not drench the greens.
• Finish with a snowfall of Parmesan.

The beauty of this wreath is how effortlessly stunning it looks. Even if you don’t consider yourself “artistic,” it will come out gorgeous. The colors do the decorating for you.

Tips & Tricks For a Truly Stunning Holiday Wreath Salad

1. Dry the mozzarella extremely well. This determines whether the sesame coating stays beautiful or falls off.
2. Slow-roast the tomatoes fully. Pull them too early, and you lose that sweet, jammy richness.
3. Use a platter that’s proportionate. Too small = overcrowded wreath. Too large = sparse wreath.
4. Keep the greens fluffy. Flat greens = sad wreath.
5. Let everything cool before assembly. Warm toppings wilt the greens instantly.
6. Add dressing right before serving. Greens stay crisp and fresh.
7. Serve immediately or within 20 minutes. It looks best right after assembly.
8. Use freshly grated Parmesan. Pre-grated doesn’t melt lightly over the greens the same way.
9. Mix black + white sesame (or nigella seeds) for contrast. It elevates the entire look.
10. Don’t over-dress. A light drizzle is perfect – the tomatoes already bring moisture.

Serving Ideas: How To Make It Feel Even More Festive

The great thing about this recipe is that it suits so many occasions. It’s perfect for:

• Christmas Eve appetizers
• Holiday parties
• Office potlucks (everyone will ask for the recipe!)
• Brunch boards
• Wine nights
• New Year’s gatherings
• “Bring a dish” dinners

You can pair it with toasted baguette slices, crispy crostini, or even serve it as part of a bigger antipasto spread with olives, prosciutto, and marinated artichokes.

Make-Ahead Tips

This is always the section people scroll to – and yes, this wreath is extremely prep-friendly.

You can prepare ahead:

• Roasted tomatoes: up to 1 day in advance
• Sesame mozzarella balls: up to 1 day in advance
• Dressing: up to 3 days in advance

Just keep everything refrigerated separately and assemble the wreath right before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Sesame Mozzarella Balls Wreath is one of those recipes I absolutely love sharing because it represents everything I want holiday cooking to feel like – joyful, beautiful, simple, delicious, and effortless. It’s the appetizer people will photograph, ask about, and remember long after the holiday season is over.It’s fresh without being boring. Elegant without being pretentious. Festive without relying on cranberry everything.
It’s just… perfect.

Sesame Mozzarella Balls Wreath

A crisp, elegant Caprese-inspired holiday wreath featuring creamy mozzarella rolled in sesame seeds, jammy slow-roasted tomatoes, fresh arugula, basil, and a snowy Parmesan finish. Stunning for Christmas, easy enough for any gathering.

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Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:40 minutes mins

Total Time:55 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, lunch, Salad

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: arugula mozzarella wreath, caprese appetizer, Caprese wreath, Christmas party food ideas, Christmas wreath appetizer, cold Christmas appetizer, easy Christmas appetizer, elegant Christmas recipes, festive holiday appetizer, holiday entertaining recipes, holiday salad wreath, mozzarella balls appetizer, sesame mozzarella recipe, slow-roasted tomato appetizer, winter appetizer ideas

Servings: 2

Ingredients

Sesame Mozzarella Snowballs

• 1 cup ciliegine mozzarella balls about 9–10 balls
• 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp nigella seeds or black sesame seeds
• 1 tsp olive oil

Roasted Tomatoes

• 8 oz cherry tomatoes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1 rosemary sprig optional

Wreath Base

• 3-4 cups arugula and spinach mix
• A few small basil leaves or tear larger ones
• ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan

Dressing

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp pesto
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

Slow-roast the tomatoes

• Preheat oven to 380°F (195°C).
• Add cherry tomatoes to a baking dish.
• Drizzle with olive oil, add salt, red pepper flakes, and rosemary if using.
• Roast 35–40 minutes, until softened, glossy, and slightly caramelized.
• Let cool completely before assembling the wreath.

Make the Sesame Mozzarella Balls

• Pat mozzarella balls very dry using paper towels.
• Drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil, just enough to lightly coat.
• Mix white and black sesame (or nigella) seeds in a shallow bowl.
• Roll each mozzarella ball in the seeds until fully coated.
• Refrigerate until ready to assemble.

Build the wreath base

• Arrange arugula and spinach in a full circular wreath shape on a large round platter.
• Scatter fresh basil leaves throughout the greens.

Prepare the dressing

• Whisk together olive oil, pesto, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until well combined.

Assemble the wreath

• Place roasted tomatoes in small clusters around the greens.
• Arrange sesame mozzarella balls evenly around the wreath.
• Drizzle lightly with the lemon-pesto dressing.
• Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the entire wreath like “snow.”

Notes

• Be sure the tomatoes are fully cooled before assembling to prevent wilting the greens.
• Drying the mozzarella thoroughly is essential — sesame sticks best to a dry surface.
• Assemble just before serving for the freshest look.
• You can prepare tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and dressing the day before; store separately.