Fresh Fruit Platter Charcuterie Board

5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 3 stars 1 stars

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

Updated 2024

simple fruit platter ideas for parties

Everyone loves a fruit tray for parties, and this fresh fruit plate is perfect for everything from BBQs, to baby showers and office parties. It’s super easy and uber customizable! Just be sure to choose fresh, seasonal, and unblemished fruit. 

Plus you can keep it interesting with different shapes and fruit cuts: Use a melon baller and serve juicy melon balls in a bowl, cut oranges into half-moons, and serve kiwis in sliced rounds–you get the idea.

The other key part of this fruit platter are the dips! My Chocolate Hazelnut Dip is super easy and delicious. Whether you make your own or buy something tasty from the store, dips ,make your board look pretty and professional.

For other fruity ideas, check out my Smoothie Bowl Toppings Board, Yogurt Toppings Board, Burrata & Citrus Salad, Rainbow Fruit Board, and Fruit & Avocado Board.

>>> Jump to Recipe

What Fruit Is In Season Right Now?

It’s alway best to use fruit that’s in season wherever you are–trust me, it tastes much better that way (and it’s better for the environment), even if it’s technically available out of season! Here are fruits organized by season, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Spring

  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Bananas
  • Kiwi
  • Pineapples
  • Strawberries

Summer

  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cherries
  • Honeydew Melon
  • Mangos
  • Peaches
  • Plums
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Watermelon

Fall

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Cranberries
  • Grapes
  • Kiwi
  • Mangos
  • Pears
  • Pineapples
  • Pomegranates
  • Raspberries

Winter

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Grapefruit
  • Kiwi
  • Oranges
  • Pears
  • Pineapples
  • Pomegranates
how to make fruit tray ideas

How to Choose Ripe Fruit

My go-to is shopping at a farmer’s market, if you’re lucky enough to live near one! Small-scale farms typically don’t pick fruits before they’re ripe, so chances are whatever they’re selling at the market is ripe.

But, if you’re in the grocery store, here are a couple things to keep in mind:

  • Avoid anything with visible bruising or wrinkled spots
  • Give it a gentle squeeze and avoid anything that’s too soft (for melons, gently press on the opposite end from the stem)
  • Choose the deepest colored fruits
  • Apples should be firm
  • Melons should feel heavy for their size

Cutting Fruit for Fruit Trays

How to Make a Strawberry Rose

How to Make Orange Butterflies

How to Make Melon Balls

How to Store Fruit

Every fruit is a little different! But here are some general rules of thumb:

  • Not all should be refrigerated – research how to store the fruits you’ve purchased! 
  • Store fruits in a separate produce drawer from veggies 
  • Store fruit that needs to ripen on the counter in a paper bag which quickens ripening time

Learn more about buying fruit here!

How To Make a Fruit Board

Produce

  • Oranges, sliced into half-moons
  • Grapes, on the vine 
  • Pineapple, sliced into half-moons and quarter-moons
  • Strawberries
  • Blackberries 
  • Raspberries 
  • Bing Cherries 
  • Rainier Cherries 
  • Kiwi, sliced into rounds 
  • Watermelon, cut into triangles 
  • Cantaloupe, balled

Dips

  • Strawberry yogurt
  • Chocolate Fruit Dip, store-bought or homemade (check out my recipe!)

Garnish

  • Coconut flakes

Put It All Together

  • First, add the cantaloupe balls to a medium bowl and place on the center of the board. Then add dips and coconut flakes to separate small bowls and place on the board to anchor it. 
  • Start by fanning kiwi rounds around 2 of the bowls. Then add strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries in separate sections. 
  • Add the bigger items, like watermelon, oranges, pineapple half-moons, and grapes around the edge of the board.
  • Fill in the rest of the board with cherries and pineapple quarter-moons, being careful to keep like colors separate.
  • Garnish the chocolate dip with coconut flakes and enjoy!
fresh fruit plate ideas

Other Fruit Plate Dip Ideas

Whether you want different dips or more dips (I get it), try these out! 

  • Nutella
  • Honey
  • Your favorite icing
  • Vanilla Greek yogurt
  • Whipped cream
  • Challenge Butter Dessert Snack Spreads (use this coupon)

Show Me Your Fruit Boards

I hope this post inspires you to make a fresh fruit tray. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful snacks and sweets 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.

fruit tray

Fresh Fruit Tray & Dips

5 from 1 vote

Description

Make this fruit and dip party tray for every gathering.

Ingredients
  

Produce

  • Oranges sliced into half-moons
  • Grapes on the vine
  • Pineapple sliced into half-moons and quarter-moons
  • Strawberries
  • Blackberries
  • Raspberries
  • Bing Cherries
  • Rainier Cherries
  • Kiwi sliced into rounds
  • Watermelon cut into triangles
  • Cantaloupe balled

Dips

  • Strawberry yogurt
  • Chocolate Fruit Dip store-bought or homemade

Garnish

  • Coconut flakes

Instructions

  • First, add the cantaloupe balls to a medium bowl and place on the center of the board. Then add dips and coconut flakes to separate small bowls and place on the board to anchor it.
  • Start by fanning kiwi rounds around 2 of the bowls. Then add strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries in separate sections.
  • Add the bigger items, like watermelon, oranges, pineapple half-moons, and grapes around the edge of the board.
  • Fill in the rest of the board with cherries and pineapple quarter-moons, being careful to keep like colors separate.
  • Garnish the chocolate dip with coconut flakes and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Rate & Review!

shop the post

Rate & Review

Recipe Rating




1 Reviews

  1. Stacey H wrote:

    5 stars
    This is awesome!!

    Posted 11.27.22 Reply