A fresh fruit charcuterie board is a showstopper that makes a beautiful and delicious addition for your next gathering. Serve this charcuterie board at your next picnic, dinner, or even as a breakfast board. This post will show you exactly how to make this colorful summer fruit board, but the magic of charcuterie boards is that you can easily swap out whatever fruit is in season.
Besides being absolutely gorgeous, this fresh fruit charcuterie board is also healthy and is best served at the peak of summer when the fruit is at its best.
Contents
What is a Fruit Charcuterie Board?
A fruit charcuterie board is an arrangement of various fresh fruits, often accompanied by an assortment of complementary accompaniments. Inspired by the traditional charcuterie board that features an array of cured meats, cheeses, and condiments, the fruit version takes a sweeter approach.
On a fruit charcuterie board, you can find a colorful selection of sliced and whole fruits such as berries, melons, grapes, citrus segments, and tropical fruits. These fruits are artfully arranged on a platter or board, creating a stunning presentation. To enhance the flavors and textures, the board might also include additions like nuts, dried fruits, honey drizzles, yogurt dips, and even some chocolate or caramel for dipping.
While a fruit charcuterie board is not a traditional charcuterie board, modern boards are getting more and more creative.
Ingredients for the Perfect Fruit Charcuterie Board
Selecting the best fruit for your charcuterie board involves a visit to your garden, local farmers market, or nearest grocery store. While you can use any fruit that is fresh and in season, it’s best to choose a wide range of colors to make the charcuterie board really pop.
I chose not only a range of colors but also a variety of sizes and shapes to add interest to the board. You can adjust the amount of fruit and the size of the charcuterie board based on the type of event and the number of people. Here is a list of the fruit we used for this board:
- 1 small watermelon
- pint of blueberries
- 2 peaches
- 3-4 apples
- 2 pints strawberries
- 1 pound green grapes
- Raspberries
See the best fruit to use on a charcuterie board.
In addition to the fruit, you can add a few fruit dips. These aren’t strictly necessary, but they make the board more fun and add some interesting elements to help build out your board design. I added 3 different fresh dips to this fruit charcuterie board:
- Caramel
- Whipped Cream
- Cool Whip and Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
Other dips you can add include: chocolate, honey, peanut butter, or yogurt, or check out our list of the top charcuterie board dips.
Cutting Your Fruit
No matter where you get your fruit, give it a good wash and cut up your fruit. There are many ways to cut the fruit, but I prefer to cut the larger fruit into small bite-sized pieces and leave the smaller fruit a finger food. You can of course include toothpicks, but most fruit is large enough to eat as finger food. Watermelon makes a great base to your fruit charcuterie board, but it’s easier to cut up a small watermelon into thin pieces.
Most of the fruit can be cut a few hours in advance of assembling and serving. Fruits like apples that brown after cutting should be cut as close to serving as possible. You can also put a little lemon juice on the fruit to keep it fresher.
Preparing Your Fruit Dip
You can also prepare your fruit dips in advance. I used store-bought caramel but made fresh whip cream by whipping cream and adding a small amount of sugar and vanilla to taste.
To make the whip topping cream cheese fruit spread, add whipped topping, cream cheese and frozen fruit to a blender and mix until combined. All of these toppings can be prepared in advance, but the whipped cream will only last for a few hours in the fridge. The fruit dips will serve as the anchors of your fresh fruit dip, so place them is interesting bowls to serve.
How to make a Charcuterie Fruit Board
Once you have your ingredients collected, cut and prepared, it’s time to choose a base for your fruit charcuterie.
Choose your favorite charcuterie board based on the type of event or the number of people you will be serving. You can find specific charcuterie boards or use your favorite cheese board or cutting board. Fruit takes up more room than other items on a charcuterie board, especially when you include watermelon, so choose a board that can hold everything. For the ingredients listed above, I used the largest board below.
I also love this natural wood charcuterie board on Etsy.
If you want to make a very large fruit charcuterie board, you can also use butcher paper laid down the middle of a table.
How to Assemble Your Fruit Charcuterie Board
Congrats! You now have everything you need to make an amazing fruit charcuterie board! Now comes the fun part of assembling the board. Start by laying out the larger items to serve as an anchor to the rest of the food. This includes the fruit dips and the watermelon. Use the watermelon to break up the board into different segments.
Fill each of these segments with different fruit trying to break up the colors, sizes, and shapes. Grapes are a great filler and add a pop of color to fill in the gaps. Lay out the apple and peach slices into interesting designs and cover the entire board with fruit. You can make this fruit charcuterie board in advance, but it is best to only sit out for a few hours. While most charcuterie boards are ok served at room temperature, I prefer a fruit charcuterie board just a bit cooler and more refreshing.
Fruit Charcuterie Board Recipe
Fresh Fruit Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- 1 Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1 Small Watermelon
- 1-2 pounds Grapes
- 1-2 pounds Strawberries
- 1 pint Blueberries
- 1 pint Raspberries
- 3 Apples
- 3 Peaches
- 1 Jar Caramel
- 1 Whipped Cream
Whipped Topping Cream Cheese Dip
- 2 ounces Cream Cheese
- 1/2 container Whipped Topping
- 1/2 cup Frozen Fruit
Instructions
- Select a Charcuterie Board that will fit the size and fruit
- Wash and clean your fruit
- Cut your fruit into bite sized pieces
- Place your fruit dips into bowl
Make You Whipped Topping Cream Cheese Dip
- Combine cream cheese, whipped topping, and frozen fruit in a blender
- Blend until well combined and scoop into a bowl
Assemble Your Charcuterie Board
- Lay out your fruit dips and large fruit on the board (start with the watermelon)
- Add the remaining fruit breaking up colors, size and texture to cover the entire board
- Serve
Love this recipe – please share or leave a comment!
Common Questions About a Fruit Charcuterie Board
What fruits should I include on my fruit charcuterie board?
You can include a variety of fruits such as strawberries, grapes, apples, and citrus slices for a colorful and diverse selection.
How do I arrange the fruits on the charcuterie board?
Arrange the fruits in an aesthetically pleasing manner, mixing colors, shapes, and sizes, and consider using a focal point like a bowl of dip or honey for added appeal.
Can I prepare my fruit charcuterie board in advance?
Yes, you can prepare many elements ahead of time, but it’s best to cut and assemble the fruits shortly before serving to keep them fresh and vibrant.
