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Fresh summer melon, creamy mozzarella ciliegne, torn basil, crispy crunchy prosciutto, and ripe summer tomatoes make this simple, fresh Summer Fruit Caprese Salad one of my favorite simple dishes to make alongside grilled chicken or roasted fish for a light, hearty meal.
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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
How to Make Fruit Caprese
Summer Fruit Caprese Ingredients
To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:
- Cantaloupe: juicy, sweet, and fragrant with a soft texture that contrasts the cheese and prosciutto
- Honeydew Melon: mild, sweet, and refreshing, adds extra juiciness and color variation
- Cherry Tomatoes: bright, juicy, and slightly tangy, they bring acidity to balance the sweet fruit
- Ciliegine Mozzarella or Torn Burrata: creamy, mild, and rich, adding soft texture and subtle dairy sweetness
- Prosciutto: salty, savory, and silky, it provides umami depth and balances the sweetness of the fruit
- Fresh Basil: adds aromatic, peppery, and slightly sweet herbal notes
- Fresh Mint: brings cool, bright, and refreshing flavor that lifts the salad
- White Balsamic or Champagne Vinegar: adds gentle acidity and brightness without overpowering the delicate flavors
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: rich and fruity, it adds body and ties the dressing together
- Honey or Maple Syrup: a touch of sweetness that enhances the fruit and rounds out the vinegar’s tang
- Sea Salt: sharpens and enhances all the flavors, especially the fruit and cheese
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: adds subtle heat and complexity
- Toasted Pistachios or Pine Nuts (optional): provide crunch, nuttiness, and a layer of richness
Fruit Caprese Method
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:
Optional: Crisp Prosciutto
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay prosciutto out on a baking sheet. Roast at 350 degrees.
Crumble
When prosciutto is crispy, let cool, then chop or crumble.
Make Dressing
Whisk together dressing in a small bowl.
Add Fruit, Cheese, and Herbs
Add mozzarella, melon, tomatoes, and torn herbs to large bowl.
Dress
Drizzle dressing over salad, lightly toss.
Add Prosciutto & Serve
Top with prosciutto (crispy or torn chilled), and serve chilled, but not cold.
Tips for Perfect Fruit Caprese Salad
Choose peak-season, ripe fruit: Use melons and tomatoes that are fragrant, juicy, and naturally sweet — this is what makes the salad shine. Underripe fruit will taste bland and watery.
Cut fruit to bite size pieces: Aim for bite-sized pieces that are easy to pick up together on a fork — similar-sized chunks of melon, tomato halves, and mozzarella allow for the perfect bite every time.
Use prosciutto at room temperature if not crisping: Let prosciutto sit out for a few minutes before serving. This makes it softer, silkier, and easier to drape through the salad.
Layer herbs: Add basil and mint just before serving to preserve their fresh, vibrant flavor. Tear or finely chop them so they integrate rather than clump.
Dress lightly: Drizzle the vinegar, olive oil, and honey/maple syrup sparingly — you want to enhance, not drown, the natural flavors. Taste and adjust!
Add crunch for contrast: If using pistachios or pine nuts, toast them gently and sprinkle right before serving to keep them crisp.
Serve slightly chilled, not cold
A little chill keeps the salad refreshing, but fridge-cold fruit can mute the flavors. Let the salad sit at room temp for 10 minutes before serving.
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Summer Fruit Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 1 small cantaloupe
- 1 small honeydew melon
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup ciliegine mozzarella or torn burrata
- 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar or champagne vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 2 tablespoons toasted pistachios or pine nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the prosciutto slices flat. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until crisp. Let cool, then break into bite-sized pieces.
- While the prosciutto bakes, use a melon baller (or small spoon) to scoop the cantaloupe and honeydew into balls. Place them in a large salad bowl along with the halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella or burrata, basil, and mint.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, sea salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Right before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Sprinkle with crispy prosciutto and optional toasted pistachios or pine nuts. Serve immediately.
