Caprese skewers are essentially a modern, bite-sized adaptation of the Insalata Caprese (Caprese Salad), which originated on the island of Capri, Italy, in the early 20th century.

Here’s the backstory:

• The original dish– Insalata Caprese is made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and sometimes balsamic vinegar. Its red, white, and green colors mirror the Italian flag.
• Historical roots– Culinary historians trace it back to the 1920s or 1950s (sources vary), often linking it to post-WWI Italy when simple, fresh, and patriotic dishes became popular among tourists visiting Capri.
• The skewer twist– The appetizer form most likely emerged in the United States and other Western countries in the late 20th or early 21st century as part of the “mini food”and tapas-style entertaining Chefs and home cooks wanted a way to serve Caprese in cocktail-friendly portions, so they threaded the ingredients onto toothpicks or small skewers.
• Prosciutto addition– The classic salad is vegetarian, but adding prosciutto is an Italian antipasto tradition that pairs well with mozzarella and tomatoes, creating a fusion of Capreseand prosciutto e melone-style flavors.

So in short:
Capri, Italy, gave us the flavors in the 1900s; modern party culture gave us the skewer format.