How to Make a Fruit Charcuterie Board (2024)

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Charcuterie boards don’t always have to be savory! This fruit charcuterie board is full of fresh fruits and dips and is almost too pretty to eat…almost.

How to Make a Fruit Charcuterie Board (1)

Wondering what kind of appetizer to serve for your next party or brunch soiree? Look no further than this fruit charcuterie board. That’s right, charcuterie boards don’t always have to be packed with cured meat and olives. They can be made with fresh fruit, too!

To put together the perfect dessert charcuterie board, here are all the tools and kitchenware that you’ll need to make snacking seamless.

  • Large Cutting Board – To assemble all the goodies, you’ll need a large charcuterie board or simply just a large cutting board. Either will work just fine!
  • Small Bowls – These small bowls are perfect for all your dips.
  • Charcuterie Utensils – This set contains spoons, tongs, and spreaders that are key for easy serving. If you love making boards, investing in a set is well worth it.
How to Make a Fruit Charcuterie Board (2)

How to Make a Simple Fruit Charcuterie Board

Preparing a fruit board is an art of placing and presenting all the fruits in dips in the best way possible. It’s really simple once you get the formula down pact!

  • Assemble the Dips: Place the dips in small bowls in different parts of the board.
  • Clean & Assemble the Fruit: Clean, slice, and assemble the fruits in groups around the dips.
  • Add Some Cheeses & Dried Fruits: Sprinkle in pieces of your favorite hard cheeses and dried fruits. Now it’s time to get to snacking!

3 Tips for the Best Fruit Charcuterie Board

If this is your first time trying out the fruit charcuterie board trend, follow these 3 pointers to make it a breeze.

  • Make sure the fruit you pick is ripe. If you are going to whip up your board straight away, make sure that your fruit is ripe. You want it to be as flavorful as possible!
  • Slice each fruit into similar shapes. For each fruit you are using, try to cut it into similar sizes and shapes. This will be key to making the presentation stand out.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice the fruit. You want the slicing to be pristine, so make sure your knife isn’t dull before you start chopping up your fruit.

Different Fruits, Dips, & Cheeses to Use

Variety is the spice of life, so feel free to get creative with the fruits, dips, and cheeses you use on your fruit charcuterie board. Here are some suggestions to inspire you…

Fresh Fruits

The most important thing to consider when selecting your fruit is color. You want to pick fruits you love to eat, but several different colors and textures will make for such a pretty presentation.

  • Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
  • Melons: Honeydew, watermelon, & cantaloupe.
  • Bananas: Make sure you only cut the banana right before you plan to serve the tray to prevent it from browning.
  • Kiwi: You can slice the kiwi with the skin on or off – it’s edible!
  • Tropical Fruits: Mangoes (slice them into cubes), pineapple, and papaya.
  • Hard Fruits: Apples and pears are always a welcome addition. They are wonderful for dipping!
  • Stone Fruits: Cherries, peaches, apricots, & nectarines should have the seed removed before adding them to the board for easy snacking.
  • Grapes: Add a combination of green and red grapes for extra color.
  • Dried Fruits: Optionally, add in some dried fruits for variety. Dates, apricots, & dried mangoes are our favorites.

Tasty Fruit Dips

Add as many dips as your heart desires. Again, variety is key, so don’t be shy.

  • Nutella – Nobody ever will shy away from everyone’s favorite chocolate hazelnut spread. It pairs wonderfully with apples, pears, strawberries, and even mangoes.
  • Sweet Cream Cheese – In a stand mixer, beat room temperature, softened cream cheese with a teaspoon of vanilla and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. This dip is basically like cheesecake and it’s so simple to make!
  • Chocolate Ganache – A simple 2 ingredient decadent spread. All you need is your favorite chocolate and some cream!
  • Honey – Keep it simple and put out your favorite, high-quality honey.
  • Caramel Sauce – Snag a jar of your favorite jarred caramel sauce. You can also make some Instant Pot dulce de leche.
How to Make a Fruit Charcuterie Board (3)

Hard Cheeses

Hard, aged cheeses are our favorite for a fruit board. They are so easy to pick up and they add a deep flavor that contrasts so well with the vibrant flavors of the fruit.

  • Gouda
  • Cheddar
  • Parmesan
  • Manchego
  • Hard Blue Cheese

Hot Tip: If you like a little crunch, feel free to sprinkle on some nuts as well. Walnuts and pecans are our favorites.

How to Make a Fruit Charcuterie Board (4)

Make-Ahead Tips

If you want to get a head start on your prep for your fruit charcuterie board, feel free to pull it together the night before and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. However, if you’re going to use apples or bananas be aware that they turn brown the longer they sit. These are best sliced right before you plan to serve them.

FAQ

What fruits can you put on a fruit charcuterie board?

You can use whatever fruits you like best for a fruit charcuterie board. From hard fruits to softer fruits, you really can’t go wrong. Simply use whatever you’d put on a typical fruit tray.

What cheeses go well on a fruit charcuterie board?

The best cheeses to serve on a fruit charcuterie board are hard cheeses. You want your guests to be able to easily pick them up and nosh on them. Stray away from using soft cheeses like burrata, goat cheese, and brie, as they are best served as spreads for crackers or bread on a traditional cheese platter.

How do you cut fruit for a fruit charcuterie board?

When you’re making a fruit charcuterie board, it’s best to cut your fruits into pieces that are easy to grab and hold. Don’t cut the fruit too thin, or it will be difficult for your guests to dip them.

More Helpful How-To Guides to Check Out

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  • How to Make Homemade Pasta – Ultimate guide on easy pasta noodles

Recipe

How to Make a Fruit Charcuterie Board (5)

How to Make Fruit Charcuterie Board

Print Pin

Servings

6 servings

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This easy guide on how to make a fruit charcuterie board is a fun way to mix up your appetizer spread. Full of fresh fruits & dips, it’s so snack worthy!

Ingredients

  • 3 lb fruit
  • 1/2 cup Nutella
  • 1/2 cup caramel
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese fruit dip
  • 8 oz cheese slices

US UnitsMetric

Instructions

  • Start by placing your favorite dips in small bowls in different parts of the board.

  • Clean and slice the fresh fruits. Place them around the dips in groups. Sneak in pieces of your favorite hard cheeses and dried fruits. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

How to Make Fruit Charcuterie Board

Amount Per Serving

Calories 538 Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Fat 26g40%

Saturated Fat 18g90%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 47mg16%

Sodium 404mg17%

Potassium 423mg12%

Carbohydrates 66g22%

Fiber 5g20%

Sugar 53g59%

Protein 14g28%

Vitamin A 1281IU26%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 370mg37%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

How to Make a Fruit Charcuterie Board (2024)

FAQs

How to Make a Fruit Charcuterie Board? ›

Arrange in circles/piles of varying sizes and fill the gaps in with nuts or smaller berries. Nestle small bowls on your board and fill them with nuts, dried fruits or berries. You can always turn your board into a rainbow fruit charcuterie board by using fresh mozzarella pearls as the clouds!

How to put together a fruit charcuterie board? ›

Assemble the Dips: Place the dips in small bowls in different parts of the board. Clean & Assemble the Fruit: Clean, slice, and assemble the fruits in groups around the dips. Add Some Cheeses & Dried Fruits: Sprinkle in pieces of your favorite hard cheeses and dried fruits. Now it's time to get to snacking!

What fruits do you put in a charcuterie board? ›

Fresh fruit and berries: grapes, apples, pears, oranges, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries. Dried fruit: apricots, cherries, figs, pineapple, mango. Sweet spreads: Fig butter, orange marmalade, blackberry jam or other sweet spreads.

What are 5 things to avoid on a charcuterie board? ›

CHARCUTERIE // Stop Adding These 10 Ingredients To Your Charcuterie Boards!
  • STINKY CHEESES. The cheese section at the grocery store can be overwhelming and intimidating. ...
  • FRUITS THAT GO BROWN. ...
  • SPICY FOODS. ...
  • CRACKERS & BREAD. ...
  • Veggies. ...
  • Allergens and Sensitivities. ...
  • Dips, Sauces and Jams. ...
  • Boring and Bland Foods.
Jan 15, 2023

Can I make a fruit charcuterie board the night before? ›

u003cbru003eCan I make Charcuterie boards ahead of time? Yes, Charcuterie boards can be prepared ahead of time. I would recommend waiting to slice any fruit until right before serving. Otherwise, the ingredients can be prepped and arranged up to 24 hours in advance.

How do you make a fruit platter look good? ›

Colors – It is vital to have a wide assortment of different colored fruits to help the board pop. Garnishes – This can come in the form of fresh berries, mint, nasturtiums, or grapes. These will help fill in the gaps of the bigger fruits to help make the platter look fuller.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for charcuterie? ›

Creating Interest with the 3-3-3-3 Rule

Choose three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accompaniments for a perfect and balanced board, every time!

What is the secret to a great charcuterie board? ›

In general, a good charcuterie board will have 2-3 types of meat, 2-3 cheeses, 1-2 fruits, 1-2 crackers, nuts, bread, pickles, mustard and a dip or spread. The deliciousness of your board depends on the quality of your ingredients. Buy USDA Organic when possible and look for meats that are free from nitrates.

What are two main charcuterie items? ›

Here are the five key elements to a perfect charcuterie board:
  • Cheese. ~ You have limitless options in this category so you can not go wrong. ...
  • Sweet. ~ Cheese can pair well with sweet components like honey, fig jam, and/or a chutney. ...
  • Savory. ~ You need to have one or two savory elements to pair up to the meats. ...
  • Meat ~ ...
  • Bread.

What are the do's and don'ts of charcuterie? ›

As you assemble your picture-perfect charcuterie board, remember to pay attention to food safety and health concerns.
  • Keep it clean. ...
  • Beware of bacteria. ...
  • Watch the clock. ...
  • Check the cheese. ...
  • Scale back on the sodium. ...
  • Serve it safely.
Mar 14, 2024

How to cut fruit for charcuterie board? ›

Slicing the Fruit

You can cut them halfway down the center with the stem still on for a classic look, or get creative and carve the berry into a little rose. No matter how you slice your fruit, just be intentional.

What goes on a fruit board? ›

Suggested Ingredients for a Fruit Board
  • Berries: a blend of any and all berries is always a good idea. ...
  • Oranges.
  • Pineapple.
  • Kiwi.
  • Cherries.
  • Mango.
  • Grapes.
  • Other tropical fruits such as dragonfruit, lychee, papaya, pomegranate, and more!
May 6, 2022

How to make a fruit grazing platter? ›

  1. Step 1 : Prepare your fruits. Make sure to wash all your fruits (with the skin on) before cutting or putting them on your board together. ...
  2. Step 2 : Lay out your base. ...
  3. Step 3 : Layer in smaller fruits and slices. ...
  4. Step 4 : Fill in any empty spaces with extra ingredients. ...
  5. Step 5 : Serve!

How do you arrange items on a charcuterie board? ›

I like to begin arranging my boards with the cheese first, and I follow the design rule of odds (3, 5, or 7 cheese selections, depending on the size of your board). Space the cheeses apart equally on your board, followed by the meats, then fill in the remaining empty spaces with fruits, nuts, crackers, etc.

How do you make a fruit grazing platter? ›

  1. Step 1 : Prepare your fruits. Make sure to wash all your fruits (with the skin on) before cutting or putting them on your board together. ...
  2. Step 2 : Lay out your base. ...
  3. Step 3 : Layer in smaller fruits and slices. ...
  4. Step 4 : Fill in any empty spaces with extra ingredients. ...
  5. Step 5 : Serve!

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