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.

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

This recipe also works well with brie!
Top with honey, whipped honey or our favorite hot honey
Use nuts on top (like our candied nuts) or any flavor of preserves.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze
Or, top with our raspberry sauce or strawberry topping for an incredible upgrade!

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

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.

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.

5 from 1 vote

Grilled Mozzarella Appetizer

By Julie Blanner

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

Cook: 10

Total: 15

Servings: 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