This Fresh Fruit Platter will 'wow' your guests and be the star of every party! Learn how to carve a watermelon and create the ultimate fruit tray for any occasion.
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Why You'll Love This Fruit Platter
- A plentiful fruit tray is as delicious as it is beautiful!
- Fruit is a healthy choice for guests who follow a vegan, gluten-free or vegetarian diet.
- Making your own fresh fruit platter is much cheaper than purchasing one!
- There are many occasions to serve this platter...including baby showers, weddings, brunch, bridal teas and more!
Ingredients
Choose fresh produce that doesn't need to be sliced for easier assembly. Fruit such as grapes, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries work well. Add a few sliced fruits like pineapple and cantaloupe for color and texture.
How to Carve a Mini Watermelon
To carve a mini watermelon, the most important tool you'll need is a melon carver. (ad) This little gadget will help you get through parties and holidays in style.
A melon carver will also help you take a standard fruit tray from boring to fabulous in a few easy steps!
1 - Insert the melon carver (ad) into the middle of the melon. Push the carver in and out in a circular pattern until you meet on the other side. The melon will fall open to a beautiful design.
2 - Arrange both halves of the watermelon on the side of a large platter. Scoop the pulp out of the middle with a spoon and you're ready to fill it with grapes.
3 - Tuck a few strawberries or grape clusters under the watermelon halves to prop them up.
4 - Fill in the watermelon halves with grape clusters and let them drape down the sides. Add strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries in sections until you come together in the middle. Arrange pineapple and cantaloupe on the sides.
Recipe FAQS
Yes! You can carve a cantaloupe or honey dew melon if you prefer. However, I like the color of the watermelon and the contrast it adds. Just make sure you choose a small melon or it will overwhelm the platter.
Berries, melons and grapes stay fresh longer than other fruits like bananas or apples that may turn brown. If you want to use these fruits, be sure to brush them with lemon juice to retain their color.
Yes, this platter can be made up to 1 day ahead and kept in the refrigerator as long as you wrap them well with plastic wrap. It may be easier to prep the fruit the day before and arrange the platter the morning of your event.
Fruit Platter Presentation Ideas
- Prep everything ahead of time to make assembly smoother. Wash or rinse berries and cut cantaloupe and pineapple into bite size pieces.
- Arrange watermelon or larger items on the platter first, then fill in the gaps with smaller berries, etc.
- Use seasonal produce and garnishes to make your creation stand out.
- Pile the fruit as high as you can to make it look plentiful. Since we eat with our eyes first, your guests will appreciate this attention to detail.
- Use a color scheme to match the seasons or event you're planning. Pick produce that matches your theme and have fun putting it all together!
- Look at the photos and use them as your guide during assembly.
Serving Suggestions
Fruit is a favorite side dish that goes well with everything. Try serving it alongside chicken salad croissants and a spinach dip frittata for lunch. It's also the perfect accompaniment to quiche and makes every charcuterie board better!
There's really no right or wrong way to make a fruit tray, so let your creative juices flow! This carved platter is an epic appetizer no matter how it's arranged, so be prepared for your guests to be amazed by your awesome creation!
More Fruit Recipes
Try these other recipes that are sure to please!
- Sweet Peach Tart
- Strawberry Margarita Icebox Pie
- Blackberry Cheese Danish
- Raspberry Slab Cheesecake
- Vintage Strawberry Cake
Recipe Card
Fresh Fruit Platter
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Fresh Fruit Platter will 'wow' your guests and be the star of every party! Learn how to carve a watermelon and create a beautiful fruit platter for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 mini watermelon
- 16 oz. blueberries
- 16 oz. blackberries
- 16 oz. raspberries
- 16 oz. strawberries
- 16 oz. pineapple (optional)
- 1 large bunch red seedless grapes
- 1 large bunch green seedless grapes
Instructions
- Rinse berries and gently pat dry with a paper towel.
- Use any size or shape of platter you can find. Larger platters create a better presentation.
- Carve a mini watermelon using a melon carver (ad). Pierce the watermelon with the carver and use an in and out motion to cut it in half.
- Place both halves of carved mini watermelon on the platter towards the edge. Remove pulp from middle with a spoon.
- Tuck a few strawberries and grape clusters under the watermelon halves to prop them up.
- Begin stuffing grapes in holes of carved watermelon, allowing them to cascade to the platter.
- Arrange other fruit in groups, piling it high to create an abundant look. Fill in gaps with smaller berries.
Notes
Feel free to use other melons if you prefer, but make sure they are small or they will overwhelm the platter.
Berries, melon and grapes stay fresh longer and are the best choice for a fruit platter.
This platter can be made a day in advance if wrapped with saran wrap and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Appetizers
- Method: Hand
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: fruit platter, dessert, fresh fruit, appetizers, carved watermelon, carved fruit
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Michelle
Beautiful!!!
Debi
Thanks, pal!
Kara
Thanks for these tips on how to make a fruit platter. I've always wondered what tools I needed to carve a watermelon.
★★★★★
Debi
I love my handy dandy melon carver! It's a great tool.
Carol
Such a colorful dish-and healthy!
★★★★★
Debi
Thanks! I love making these fruit platters!