Masquerade Mask Appetizer Platter (Printable View)

Vibrant platter with olives, cheese, veggies, fruits, nuts, and herbs arranged in a festive masquerade mask style.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base & Eye Openings

01 - 2 large green or black olives, pitted or 2 small cheese cubes (cheddar or gouda)

→ Vegetables & Fruits

02 - 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
03 - 1 cup assorted bell pepper strips (red, yellow, orange)
04 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced red radishes
06 - 1/2 cup baby carrots, halved lengthwise
07 - 1/2 cup seedless grapes (red or green)

→ Cheeses & Accompaniments

08 - 1 cup assorted cheese cubes (cheddar, gouda, Swiss)
09 - 1/2 cup mini mozzarella balls
10 - 1/2 cup mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pistachios)
11 - 1/4 cup dried fruits (apricots, cranberries, or figs)
12 - 1/2 cup crackers or breadsticks (optional)

→ Garnishes

13 - Fresh herbs (parsley, basil, dill)
14 - Edible flowers (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Choose a large oval or rectangular serving board as the base for arrangement.
02 - Position two olives or cheese cubes near the top center of the board, spaced horizontally to mimic eye openings.
03 - Fan out cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, and assorted fruits symmetrically above and around the eyes to emulate masquerade mask feathers.
04 - Nestle assorted cheese cubes and mozzarella balls among the vegetables and fruits for varied texture and color.
05 - Fill in remaining gaps with mixed nuts and dried fruits to enhance flavor and visual appeal.
06 - If using, place crackers or breadsticks along the lower edges or sides of the board.
07 - Decorate with fresh herbs and edible flowers before serving immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required—just fresh ingredients and your artistic vision, perfect when you want to spend time with guests instead of sweating in the kitchen
  • It's a conversation starter that actually tastes incredible, with every bite bringing together crisp vegetables, creamy cheese, and sweet fruit
  • Endlessly customizable to match your pantry and your color scheme, so it never feels repetitive even if you make it a dozen times
02 -
  • Prep your vegetables hours ahead and store them in separate containers with damp paper towels—they'll stay crisp and crunchy, and you'll stress less when it's time to arrange
  • The symmetry is what makes this feel like an actual mask, not just a vegetable platter, so take your time with the placement and don't rush the visual composition
03 -
  • Slice vegetables consistently thin so they're elegant and stack beautifully—use a mandoline if you have one, but be careful with those fingertips
  • Keep everything in the refrigerator until the last possible moment, then arrange quickly so nothing wilts or loses its crunch and sparkle
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