Mini Caprese Waffle Bites

These adorable, ultra-tasty bites are loaded with all things good: fresh mozzarella, avocado, and roasted tomatoes, piled upon a crisp and flavored waffle crust to produce a most delicious dairy bite for a gourmet Shavuos appetizer or side. I included a kid-friendly version of “pizza waffle bites” for those customers with a less sophisticated palate; they are delicious as well and you may want to double this recipe, as they’ll be gone before you blink! Yields 20 mini caprese bites and 20 mini pizza bites

Directions

Prepare the Caprese Bites

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

2. Place tomato halves onto a lined baking sheet, spray with cooking spray, and roast until beginning to shrivel, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

3. Place waffle squares on a lined baking sheet. Combine butter and garlic and brush waffle squares generously with the mixture. Layer each waffle as follows: a slice of avocado, two tomato halves, a slice of cheese, and some chopped basil. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 10 minutes.

4. While the waffles are baking, prepare balsamic reduction: Boil vinegar in a small pot for about 20 minutes, or until reduced and slightly syrupy. Add confectioners’ sugar and mix to combine. Remove reduction from heat and allow to cool. Remove waffles from oven and drizzle with balsamic reduction. Serve warm.

Prepare the Pizza Bites

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).

2. Place waffle squares on a lined, greased baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine butter and garlic; brush over waffles. Combine pizza sauce, ketchup, Italian seasoning, and salt and spoon over waffles to fill surfaces. Sprinkle with chopped tomatoes, then cheese and basil.

3. Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is beginning to melt, and then broil for an additional three to four minutes, until tops are golden and bubbly. Serve hot.