This easy two ingredient grilled mozzarella appetizer is simple enough for a weeknight, but elegant enough to serve guests! It’s grilled on a cedar plank to add a smoky element to the creamy, melty cheese.

This simple recipe is perfect for entertaining. Creamy mozzarella is topped with sweet preserves for a restaurant quality appetizer that will have your guests begging for more!

Grilled mozzarella topped with apricot jam, accompanied by round crackers on a white marble surface.
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One of the many things I learned in my catering career was that simple is always the best. Elevated ingredients and presentation can turn the simplest foods into something spectacular.

Case in point – this grilled mozzarella appetizer. The best part is that it is made in minutes with just two ingredients! It’s so gourmet, yet so simple!

A close-up of a grilled mozzarella cheese ball topped with apricot jam, served with a spreader knife and surrounded by round crackers.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Mozzarella – Use a large mozzarella ball that is as fresh as you can get. I like to use buffalo mozzarella that has a higher fat content.
  • Preserves – I like to top this appetizer with apricot preserves, but you can use your favorites. Cherry, blueberry and strawberry all work well.
Close-up of grilled Mozzarella cheese topped with honey, served with crackers on a white plate.

Variations

Grilled Mozzarella appetizer with apricot jam on top served on a white plate with crackers arranged around it, accompanied by a cheese knife.
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Tip from my Test Kitchen

A cedar plank is a must have for this grilled mozzarella appetizer! Cheese would melt through the grates, so the cedar is for both practicality and to infuse a smoky flavor and aroma.
Cedar conducts heat much more slowly than if you were to put the cheese in a pan, so you get just the right gooey consistency without burning.

A burrata cheese topped with apricot jam and a wedge of brie cheese, served as a grilled Mozzarella appetizer on a wooden cutting board.
Make my grilled brie recipe, too!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this grilled mozzarella with any of your favorites!

  • Crostini
  • Crackers
  • Flatbread
  • Thick Tomato Slices
A close-up of a grilled mozzarella cheese appetizer topped with a dollop of orange marmalade, placed on a wooden board.
A close-up of a grilled mozzarella cheese ball topped with apricot jam, served with a spreader knife and surrounded by round crackers.
5 from 1 vote
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Grilled Mozzarella Appetizer

Just two ingredients and you're on your way to a spectacularly simple appetizer! This easy grilled mozzarella cooks on a cedar plank to add a smoky element to the creamy, melty cheese.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 8 ounces mozzarella fresh
  • 3 tablespoons preserves

Instructions 

  • Soak a cedar plank in water for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours. This will keep it from burning.
  • Preheat your grill to medium high.
  • Place your cheese on the plank and add preserves on top. Place plank on top of the grate.
  • Grill 10 minutes with lid closed or until it appears to almost burst at the sides.

Julie’s Tips

Substitutions

  • Mozzarella – Use a large mozzarella ball that is as fresh as you can get. I like to use buffalo mozzarella that has a higher fat content.
  • Preserves – I like to top this appetizer with apricot preserves, but you can use your favorites. Cherry, blueberry and strawberry all work well.

Variations

  •  

Serving Suggestions

  • Crostini
  • Crackers
  • Flatbread
  • Thick Tomato Slices
Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 16mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 141IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

Equipment

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2 Comments

  1. this looks sooo good. We are bbq-ing for a family get together this weekend and I’ve already got the marmalade. OH yum. I can’t wait. Question though. I’ve never used cedar planks. Are there planks especially for cooking? (food grade?)

    1. Yes, you can get them at most grocery stores & meat markets. They’re generally in the meat department or on the end cap. Enjoy! Oh, and brie is also fabulous!
      Have a great holiday weekend!