Quick Appetizer Magic: Just 3 ingredients. My cousin made these salty bites for a sunny picnic and they vanished in seconds.

These Low Carb Prosciutto Mozzarella Bites are my go-to when I need a quick appetizer that still feels a little special. My cousin first brought a batch of these salty little bites to a sunny picnic at our local park, and I swear they disappeared in seconds. With just three ingredients and no cooking, they’re perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute guests, or packing into a plastic container for a potluck or picnic. The soft mozzarella, the delicate salty prosciutto, and the fresh basil make a simple combo that tastes like something from a little Italian café, but they’re absolutely doable in a regular home kitchen.

Pack these bites snugly into a plastic container for picnics, game nights, or a backyard cookout, and keep them chilled until serving. They pair nicely with crisp raw veggies, olives, and a simple green salad. If you’re serving drinks, they go especially well with sparkling water and lemon, light white wine, or a dry rosé. At home, I like to set them out with a small bowl of cherry tomatoes and some nuts so everyone can make their own little low-carb snack plate.

Servings: 6

8 thin slices prosciutto

Pat the mozzarella balls dry with a clean paper towel. This helps the prosciutto hug the cheese better and keeps extra moisture out of your container.

Rinse the fresh basil leaves under cool water, then gently pat them dry. Pick out any tough stems so you’re mostly using soft, tender leaves.

Lay one slice of prosciutto flat on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice it lengthwise into 3 long strips. Repeat with the remaining prosciutto slices so you end up with about 24 thin strips.

Take one strip of prosciutto and place a basil leaf at one end. Set a mozzarella ball on top of the basil, then gently roll or wrap the prosciutto around the mozzarella so it hugs the cheese and basil snugly. The prosciutto will stick to itself, so you usually don’t need toothpicks.

Repeat with the remaining prosciutto strips, basil leaves, and mozzarella balls until all the mozzarella is wrapped. If a basil leaf is large, you can tear it into smaller pieces and tuck them in as you wrap.

Arrange the finished bites in a single layer in a plastic container, tucking in extra basil leaves here and there for more green and flavor. If you need to stack them, place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between layers to keep them neat.

Cover the container with its lid and refrigerate for at least 20–30 minutes before serving so the flavors mingle and the bites firm up slightly. Keep chilled until ready to serve, and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best texture and taste.

For picky eaters, you can use less basil or tuck in very small pieces so the flavor is more subtle, or even skip the basil on a few bites and just garnish the top of the container with leaves for color. If your family likes a little kick, you can sprinkle a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes over the finished bites before closing the lid. For extra richness, you can drizzle a light thread of good olive oil over the top just before serving (though this adds a bit more fat, it keeps the carbs low). If you prefer a milder saltiness, choose a very thin, delicate prosciutto and wrap it loosely; you can also use half a strip of prosciutto per mozzarella ball instead of a whole strip. For smaller kids, cut the mozzarella balls in half so the bites are easier to chew and supervise them closely if you decide to use toothpicks (though this recipe is designed so you don’t need them). Food safety tips: Always keep the mozzarella refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble, and don’t let these bites sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s a hot day at a sunny picnic). Transport them in an insulated cooler with ice packs if you’re taking them to a park or potluck. Use clean hands or gloves while assembling, and store leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container, eating them within 1–2 days for best quality. If anything smells off or looks slimy, it’s safer to discard it.