How to Make a Shaped Fruit Platter
Fruit platters are the perfect dish for a potluck, a picnic, or any other party. In the summer, fruit cools down your guests with a refreshing treat, and in the winter, fresh fruit brings a bit of summer into the festivities.
You can't go wrong with a fruit tray and with the wide variety of fruit that is available at grocery stores year-round, there is something that will please everyone.
Next time you take fruit to an event, instead of putting it in a bowl, try one of these shaped fruit platter ideas. It will add whimsy to any buffet table and be the hit of the party!
Fruit Tray Ideas
Occasion
| Platter Shape(s)
|
|---|---|
Anniversary
| Heart
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Graduation
| Graduation Cap, Graduation Year (each number could be a different fruit)
|
Birthday
| Butterfly, Balloons (make each oval balloon a different fruit and have a ribbon leading down to a bowl of fruit dip), Number for the age
|
Wedding
| Heart
|
Christmas
| Christmas tree, Star, Bell
|
Wedding Showers
| Heart, Bow
|
Baby Showers
| Pacifier, Baby Bottle
|
Supplies You'll Need
- Large piece(s) of cardboard or foam board, the sturdier the better
- Scissors
- Knife (serrated works well with cardboard)
- Plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil
- Tape
- Pen/pencil
Tips:
- Save your heavy-duty cardboard boxes for this project.
- The trays can get heavy, so if your cardboard is too flimsy, make sure to assemble on top of a large board or tray. It will be easier to carry.
- Don't use any surface that you want to use again. The juice from the fruit may leak through.
- Use lots of different colors and fruit on your platter.
Assembling the Fruit Tray
- Sketch the platter shape you want to use on the cardboard. Make adjustments as desired.
- Using scissors and a knife, cut out the shape. Do not worry about uneven edges because they will be covered by plastic wrap and foil.
- Cover top completely with plastic wrap, taping to the underside of the tray for security.
- Cover plastic wrap with aluminum foil, taping to the underside of the tray for security. Smooth edges and corners as desired.
- Start assembling the fruit tray. Make a nice design using different fruits. You may need to cut some of the fruit into smaller pieces or various shapes to fit.
- Finish up the platter and cover until ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
This platter is nice on its own, but it's even better with a bowl of fruit dip.
- Melt some chocolate for a delicious dip.
- A bowl of fresh whipped cream makes a nice light dip.
Fruits to Use
Not every fruit lends itself to a fruit platter that will be sitting out for a while. Here are some that hold up well to sitting out on a buffet table, and some that aren't so great.
Good fruits to use
| Fruits that don't hold up well
|
|---|---|
Strawberries
| Apples: brown quickly
|
Pineapple
| Pears:brown quickly
|
Grapes: They make great fillers and come in different colors
| Bananas: brown quickly and turn mushy
|
Oranges
| Plums: brown quickly
|
Kiwi: fantastic green color
| Cherries: look great, but have pits which are not great for party guests
|
Melon: comes in beautiful colors
| Raspberries: look and taste great but soften quickly
|
Star fruit: adds great texture
| Peaches: brown quickly
|
Mangos
| Â
|
Papayas
| Â
|
Blueberries
| Â
|
Blackberries
| Â
|
These trays are healthy and delicious and can be used as a side dish or put on the dessert table. People of all ages love it, and, best of all, no cooking is required.
Enjoy!
© 2013 Claudia Mitchell
Comments
AUTHORYou can keep it refrigerated until you use it. If it's going to be out for a while, get a large tray and lay ice down. Lay the platter on top of the ice. Might be a bit tricky, but it should do the trick for a little while at least.
How do you keep fruit cold?
- AUTHOR
Oh I like that idea. Now I am thinking. What about a Christmas tree shape with green grapes, kiwi and then a strawberry garland and pineapple ornaments. The possibilities are endless. I really love the bow idea. Thanks for commenting.
You've got me thinking now… A rectangular tray with strawberries making up a bow shape in the middle and pineapple chunks filling the surrounding areas with a green grape boarder a would be pretty for a Christmas buffet table. Ideas…! :)
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much carter06. My apologies for taking so long to respond. I love taking fruit to events and jazzing it up like this makes a big difference.
- AUTHOR
Hi Suzie - Better late than never when responding to comments. Sorry about that. Thanks for all of the support. Took one to a party a little while ago and it was a hit. You can't miss with fruit. Have a great day.
That's a neat idea for a fruit platter! A heart shape would work well for a Valentine's Day party! Great job..cheers
Hi GTF,
How did I miss this one! Love the shaped idea and great suggestions for all occasions too! It looks gorgeous, so tasty and healthy this is a winner all around!! Great simple idea with your usual flair of creativity that everyone can do now you have shown us how easy it is done!! Great job as always, all the votes, shared and pinned!!
- AUTHOR
Kristine - Thanks so much for your kind comments. I hope it's a hit at your next party. I think fruit is always a hit at any gathering.
- AUTHOR
Hi Jill - Glad you enjoyed the platter ideas. I made one for a graduation party in the shape of a cap. It was a hit. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
I absolutely love the heart-shaped fruit tray. I'll have to do this for my next gathering.
Absolutely delightful & gluten free (: ! Pinned it to "Sweet!" and shared. One of these would be really nice for a potluck.
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- AUTHOR
Hi Jackie - People really can't go wrong with a fruit platter in my opinion. It also stays out nicely without spoiling. Glad you enjoyed the hub. Hope you are having a nice summer.
Mm, that looks like something cool on a hot day, makes my mouth water! ^
- AUTHOR
I hope everyone enjoyed the fruit platter at your party. What shape did you make? Thanks for letting me know you were doing this idea.
Hi Glimmer
I read this a while back but I am going to a party on Saturday and wanted to take a special healthy luscious food tray. THIS is the one. I will taking this and sharing with my friends and family. Thanks for the lovely idea Angels are on the way this evening ps
- AUTHOR
Many thanks Vespa - I bet you have some incredible fruit in Peru, and it would look really pretty on a try like this. I bet you could come up with a good dip too. I appreciate the support.
- AUTHOR
Thanks DDE! It was fun to make and eat!
This is something I would never have thought of, and it's such a useful idea with all the beautiful fresh fruit we can get in Peru. I like the idea of serving the pretty fruit tray with a delicious dip, too. Thank you! Voted up and shared.
Incredible idea for a fruit platter you have created a fruitful thought, looks so attractive.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much. I can't believe I forgot to tell you. I guess I was so eager to hit the "publish" button. WIth the nice temperatures I'm not as motivated to write hubs so when I do, I want to get it done.
Thank you so much! I do appreciate it and will link this one to my brunch hub!
- AUTHOR
btrbell - Thanks for reading and commenting. I completely forgot to tell you that I had linked your watermelon fruit bowl hub to this. I loved that bassinet and thought other folks would too.
- AUTHOR
Hi Nell - Have fun visiting your son. He, and all the party guests, will love it! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
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- AUTHOR
Thanks truthfornow. That's what I like about it, something like this can be taken to any event and look good. Fruit is one of those things you can't go wrong with either. Pretty much everyone will find something they like.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much CZCZCZ. I hope you give it a try sometime. It's fun to make.
- AUTHOR
I appreciate it lesliebyars. I like that it can be any shape too. Even a circle would be really pretty.
- AUTHOR
Many thanks rajan - I bet this would look beautiful with some of the many fruits you have written about. A tropical fruit platter would be lovely too.
What a great idea! I love it! up++ and pinning! Thank you!
I love it! now I know what to do when I visit my son, we are having a party next week! you are a genius! lol! thanks!
Really like your idea here. You can basically create any shape. Great for all occasions, even company parties.
Very nice idea and tutorial for a fun and visually appealing fruit display.
I am salivating! Very neat and easy way to create different shapes for the fruit to be in. Thanks for sharing!
GTF, voted up, interesting and awesome! What a unique idea. It looka very attractive.
Voted UIA and shared.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much pstraubie - Well it may be summer where you are, but I had to bring in all my plants these past few days for a freeze warning! At least this fruit reminds me of summer temps. I appreciate your kind comments and hope you are well.
You know of course that I wanted to reach in and snitch a piece of these succulent looking fruits.!!! Summer is the time for such yumminess for sure (well, any time is, but summer screams,, juicy fruits)..and while the calendar does not say 'summer' yet it is summer-like weather we are now having.
The clever presentation is so attractive and eye-catching and will definitely make a great display on a buffet.
Thanks for sharing and congrats again on your HOTD accolades... ps
- AUTHOR
Hi aviannovice - This is definitely a great way to dress up a party. I also find that my daughter will eat more fruit when it comes from something a little bit fancier than just a bowl of fruit. Thanks for reading!
- AUTHOR
Thanks Natashalh - I have a number of summer parties coming up and am definitely bringing this to a couple of them. I appreciate the comments.
What a great way to dress up a gathering or dinner. What a centerpiece this would make.
This looks great! I really appreciate the directions on how to make the tray, too. I never would have known how!
- AUTHOR
Sneha Sunny - Glad you enjoyed the hub and thanks so much for commenting. I appreciate it and hope you give it a try.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much Vacation Trip. There are so many wonderful types of fruit available, you'll have a fun time trying it.
- AUTHOR
ytsenoh - I think something like this is beautiful at a bridal shower and the guests will all appreciate the fruit. I know when I was getting ready for my wedding I did not want to eat anything to fattening. Hope it turns out nicely. Thanks for reading!
- AUTHOR
Hi Michelle - Ha - I agree with you...Thanks for the nice comments and support!
wow this is so creative and beautiful. And of course useful! Thank you for this great idea. I've never tried anything like this. Thinking to try! :)
- AUTHOR
Wow Bill, I appreciate all of the support. Have a great day.
- AUTHOR
I appreciate it breakfastpop! It's good for breakfast too (and always fun to eat munch on fresh fruit during a political discussion). Glad you enjoyed the hub.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much Bill! It's so easy and such a wow platter for a party I think everyone should do this at their next function! You could impress Bev with a fancy platter too. Have a great day.
Wow. Great idea. This looks amazing. I am going try this out. Thank you for sharing. Voted up and interesting.
Glimmer, fabulous idea! In fact, I'm going to have to borrow this for my daughter's bridal shower. It's so much better than tossing fruit into a bowl! Thanks very much.
Have fruits, will travel, I always say! Sharing, Glim..you always create!
This is a great idea. How creative. I'm impressed. Voted this one up, shared, pinned... Great job.
I absolutely love this idea! Up and awesome.
- AUTHOR
Thanks ChitrangadaSharan! Fruit is a perfect dish for any party. I'm glad you enjoyed the hub.
You are so clever! This is not something I would ever do but that does not prevent me from appreciating the cleverness behind it. Well done!
These are excellent fruit platter ideas, and what a healthy and attractive way to make someone happy!
Great hub! Voted up and pinning too!
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