A fruit, nut and cheese platter is a fun, easy and healthy dessert option for any occasion. During the holidays, there are lots of sweet treats to eat and a DIY dessert platter is a good way to add some healthy foods to the rotation. A healthy dessert platter also makes a great centerpiece. Guests will be drawn to the colorful display of fruit and will enjoy chatting while eating a healthy dessert. Here are a few ideas and tips for making a tasty and healthy DIY dessert platter of your own!
A healthy dessert platter does not require too much time or kitchen equipment to prepare. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A platter, cutting board or serving dish
- Small bowls for dipping sauces
- Skewers or toothpicks for serving
- Fruit, nuts, and cheese of your choice (we share some ideas for these below)
Fruit
When picking fruit for a DIY dessert platter, look for what is in-season because in-season produce is typically better quality and more affordable. Here is a list of some fruits that are available in each season:
Fall – apples, bananas, grapes, kiwifruit, pears, pineapples, and raspberries
Winter – apples, bananas, grapefruit, kiwifruit, oranges, pears, and pineapples
Spring – apples, apricots, bananas, kiwifruit, pineapples, and strawberries
Summer – apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, mangos, peaches, plums, raspberries, strawberries, and watermelon
Choose a variety of flavors and colors to create a dessert platter that everyone will enjoy. The different colors of fruits reflect the different nutrients they offer! Try choosing a fruit that you or your family has not tried yet or ask your kids to pick out their favorite fruit to get them excited about this healthy dessert. If using pears or apples for your dessert platter, add some lemon juice to the fruit’s flesh after slicing to prevent browning. Don’t forget to wash and dry fruit before serving!
Nuts
Nuts, seeds, and legumes are savory addition to a DIY dessert platter. They also have unsaturated fats that are heart-healthy and protein to satisfy you and your guests’ appetites.
Some great nuts, seeds, and legumes to add to your healthy dessert platter include almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, pecans, hazelnuts, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds. For whichever nuts, seeds, or legumes you choose, try to choose unsalted or lightly salted options.
Cheese
Adding different cheeses to your platter is another great way to include savory flavors. It is recommended that each person consumes 2 to 3 servings of dairy per day. Cheese and other dairy products are good sources of calcium, which is a necessary nutrient for people of all ages. Hard cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, and muenster are tasty options for your platter. You can buy hard cheeses by the block, in chunks, or as cheese sticks. Soft cheeses like brie or cottage cheese are also sure to be party favorites. Remember to opt for fat-free, low-fat, reduced-fat, or skim when choosing your cheeses!
Dips and Sauces
You can make a simple and tasty dipping sauce for your fruit platter by heating a bowl of chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second increments and stirring in-between. Non-fat vanilla Greek yogurt also makes a delicious and healthy dip for your dessert platter. Try adding peanut butter or cinnamon to the yogurt for a tasty twist!
Here are a couple of recipes for healthy dessert dips for you to try:
When creating your DIY Healthy Dessert Platter, remember to make it your own – use your favorite, colorful ingredients to make a creative and tasty platter.
For more ideas check our Facebook Live Video featuring our ONIE dietitian: