Beautiful Whole 30 Snack Ideas

This post contains collections of products that I personally recommend (it may contain affiliate links).

Updated 2023

Building a filling and healthy board from a variety of Whole 30-compliant foods doesn’t have to be boring. You can easily host friends and not break your Whole 30 healthy lifestyle! I’ve done lots of healthy platters, including this Elevated Veggie Board and Vegan Cheese Board, but I finally figured this one out…

Anchor the board with a protein, in this case, I used cocktail shrimp. Add in plenty of fruits, veggies and nuts (just not peanuts- they’re not compliant). Don’t forget delicious dips. It’s a WHOLE lotta fun!

For other healthy(ish) boards, try my Fresh Fruit Board, Rainbow Board, Mediterranean Mezze Board, Veggie and Goat Cheese Board, Avocado Toast Board, and all my salad boards.

The Secret is in the Sauce 

Dips are the true heroes here. Your guests are more inclined to gobble the veggies with a few delicious dips (make sure you don’t run out!). Honestly the biggest challenge on a Whole 30 Board is finding sauces that are Whole 30 approved, but thankfully there are plenty of Whole 30 aficionados cookin up compliant recipes all over the web. A quick Google search will get you what you want. 

• In this case, instead of traditional hummus with chickpeas (a no-no on the Whole30), I used an artichoke hummus to avoid legumes.

• Green goddess dressing is another great compliant dip that tastes particularly great with carrots and celery.

• Finally, Alex Snograss of The Defined Dish cracked the code on a whole 30 compliant Cocktail Sauce Recipe. It’s really worth checking out. 

Getting the Right Cut

Cutting your veggies just right will also help make them disappear faster. No one wants thin flimsy carrot sticks that don’t hold any dip. Here’s how to maximize dipping capacity…When I dip, you dip, we dip!

• Go for the adorable mini bell peppers (cut lengthwise) to give a proper scoop. Plus they usually come in all colors! 

• Use my favorite snap pea trick. Cut off a sliver of the tops of a few of the snap peas and place on the top of your pile, showing off the pretty individual peas. It adds texture and dimension to the board. Is it necessary? No! But i can’t help myself.

Building Your Whole 30 Board 

Colorful produce is key to making this board look inviting. As always, spread out similar colors on alternating sides of the boards. Note how the green broccoli is separate from the snap peas and the green goddess dressing to keep the board layout balanced. Same with the red raspberry, radishes and cocktail sauce. It’s not an exact science, but splitting them up helps make the board look more inviting. 

• First, blanch the broccoli and cauliflower to make them more tender and less better (check out this post for more on blanching).

• Like always, I like to start with bowls or ramekins, so add the dips and shrimp (or grilled chicken) to the board first to anchor it.

• Next, add your large produce items, like carrots, celery, peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower, then add the smaller veggies and berries. Keep in mind that separating similar colors and fanning out produce (or anything else you use) around the ramekins will help make your board look extra polished.

• Add the accoutrements next, making sure to fill any holes on the board.

• Finish the board by garnishing the shrimp with lemon and the hummus with cilantro and olive oil.

A couple tips for this board

• Not a fan of shrimp or just want to add more protein? Add chicken skewers, hard-boiled eggs, or mini grass-fed beef patties. 

• Put out a sparkling water bar with a variety of toppings—fresh citrus or berries, it’ll make your beverage game that much more fun.

Show Me Your Boards

I hope this post inspires you to make this board. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful snacks and spreads you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share! 

And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.

Photos by Haley Hunt Davis.

Photos by Haley Hunt Davis of Salt Worth Creative.