• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Veggie Desserts
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegan Cake and Desserts
    • Vegan Dinner
    • Vegan Breakfast
    • Vegan Guides
  • Cookbook
    • About My Cookbook
    • Buy Veggie Desserts + Cakes
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Press
    • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram Posts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
×
Home » Recipes » Desserts

How to Make A Fruit Platter (Fruit Tray)

Published: Jul 23, 2018 · Modified: Oct 26, 2020 by Kate Hackworthy · 29 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
pinnable image for How To Make the Ultimate Fruit Platter recipe

Learn how to make the ultimate Fresh Fruit Platter! Read my hints, tips and tricks to ensure your easy fruit tray is the star of the party. You'll love these fruit platter ideas.

Fruit platter served on a cake stand.

A Fruit Platter is a pretty display of fruit for a party, event or get together.

It sounds easy enough to make, and it is, however, with a few tricks you can make sure it lasts, looks delicious and the fresh fruit stays at its best.

Don't worry, I'm here to help with LOADS of hints, tips and fruit tray ideas for you.

Whether at a winter buffet or a summer party, a fruit tray can be the star of the show.

The colourful display of fruit, berries and melon always looks so inviting. There are so many colors, shapes and varieties that it's sure to entice any guest.

It's a rainbow of fresh fruit and lifts a party food table from beige to 'wow'.

From choosing the fruit to how to display it, read on for the Ultimate Fruit Platter Recipe!

Ways to make it extra special include placing the fruit onto a cake stand, adding sprigs of mint and including a selection of fruit dip.

Ingredients laid out for the ultimate fruit platter recipe

What is the best fruit to use?

It goes without saying that fresh seasonal fruit is best for your fruit tray.

Check out your local farm shops, fruit and vegetable stands and CSA veg box schemes as they'll likely have the best ingredients.

Making sure your fruit is fresh, ripe and flavourful is key to creating an amazing fruit platter that gets devoured by guests.

Look for a variety of types and aim for a rainbow of colours.

You'll want to get quite a lot of fruit because the best fruit trays are piled high.

If you have too much, leftover fruit can be frozen or used in smoothies or other recipes.

Fruits for a fresh fruit platter

Melons - they're firmer so make a great base for the softer berries and fruits.

Tropical fruit - the top of a pineapple can be included for height, while dragonfruit looks vibrant. Check out speciality shops for interesting tropical fruit.

Berries - plump, ripe, juicy berries are always a winner on a fruit platter.

More fruit platter ideas

Fresh figs  - not everyone will know how to eat these, so I like to slice them into quarters. Then they're bite-sized so people don't wonder if they can eat the skin - hint: yes you eat the skin of figs. Plus, they have such a beautiful color inside that it adds another pretty layer to your fruit display.

Dried fruit (particularly for an autumn/winter fruit platter). Go for any you like. Dates are lovely and sweet, cranberries make it a festive Christmas fruit platter, raisins are always popular and dried mango or apples are great too. For small dried fruits, put them into a small dish so they don't get lost in the fruit tray. I like to use a vintage teacup!

Orange slices - nice and zesty! Tip: leave a small dish for people to leave their peels in.

Herbs - particularly mint, but a few long sprigs of rosemary or thyme could work well too. They look so lovely on the tray of fruit.

Edible flowers - they add more colour and look so pretty. I like to use nasturtiums, marigolds, pansies etc... 

A fresh fruit tray with tropical fruit, berries, grapes and more.

PRO TIP: When serving pineapple and papaya, I like to hollow the shell, use a melon baller for the fruit and then pile it back into the shell.

Fruit to avoid

Some fruit has a tendency to go brown, even if you toss them in a little lemon juice.

Although it's fine to eat fruit that's going brown, it doesn't look very appetising, so it's best avoided on your display of fruit.

However, you could always pile some of them whole and uncut in a bowl next to the fruit tray.

It's best to NOT include (at least if cut):
Pears
Apples
Banana

But you don't need to leave them off your fruit tray. Instead, I like to include them whole. Then if they're anyone's favourite fruit, they can still enjoy them. 

PRO TIP: If you really want to use sliced apples and pears, then I suggest cutting them just before serving and tossing them in diluted lemon juice to help prevent browning.

How much fruit do I need?

You want to have enough fruit for each guest, but you also don't want a lot of waste at the end of your party!

To make sure you don't over or under cater for your fruit tray, here is a rough guide for how much fruit per guest.

  • 10 guests - 8 cups of fruit
  • 15 guests - 10 cups
  • 20 guests - 15 cups
  • 30 guests - 20 cups
  • 40 guests - 25 cups

Why make your own fruit platter

Sure, you can easily pick up a fruit tray in Publix, Costco, Walmart or other grocery stores.

But it's really easy to make it yourself at home, and then you know that it's fresh and full of the best seasonal ingredients.

A Costco Fruit Platter can be expensive too. Plus, it's never displayed very attractively and you're probably going to want to transfer it to a pretty plate or dish anyway, rather than the plastic box.

If you grab a load of fresh, ripe fruit, then you can quickly make your own elegant and gorgeous platter at home.

Also, I love that you can customise the fruits you use!

Fruit platter laid out on a cake stand with piles of fresh fruit

How long does a fruit platter last?

It's best to make the fruit platter the day that you plan to serve it. Once assembled, store it covered in the fridge.

Alternatively, if you don't have space in the fridge, keep it chilled by placing it, covered, on a tray of ice.

If you need to make the fruit tray ahead of time, then wash and prepare all the fruit, and keep each type in separate containers in the fridge and assemble on the day.

It will keep this way for 3-4 days.

Fresh fruit platter on a grey backdrop

Pro Tip: use fancy cutters for interesting shapes!

Interesting fruit platter ideas for serving

Place the fruit on a cake stand to show it off and give it height above the other party food.

Use hollowed pineapples or coconut shells for extra interest.

Add edible flowers and sprigs of mint.

Make sure there's a bowl or trash can for guests to discard of any pips, stems or peelings.

Don't forget the napkins! Fruit can be juicy.

Use fancy crinkle cutters for interesting shapes.

A fruit platter recipe on a cake stand surrounded by a vintage gilded picture frame.

Tips for the best fruit platter

  • Buy seasonal fruit that's perfectly ripe.
  • Avoid fruit that tends to go brown (apples, pears, banana).
  • Make it on the day, or late the evening before.
  • Ensure grapes are seedless and serve them in a bunch so they don't roll off the serving dish.
  • Remove seeds from melons or buy seedless.
  • Go organic if you can.

Fruit Display Tips

  • Group the same fruits together (ie: mango, strawberries or blueberries) so guests don't have to pick through it.
  • Distribute colours so there's variety (don't put raspberries and strawberries in the same area).
  • Add firmer fruit, like melon, first, then pile soft fruit on top.
  • Add height with a bunch of grapes or pineapple. You can slice the pineapple in half lengthways, scoop out the flesh with a melon baller and pile the pineapple balls back in.

Other Fruit Platter Ideas

Serve it on a special dish or cake stand.

Add something special, such as fresh figs, mint sprigs or edible flowers.

Make skewers of alternating types of fruit.

Fruit Dips

I also love to add a selection of dips that pair well with fruit.

For an extra-special fruit platter, I pile the fruit onto a cake stand, then add vintage teacups of dip around the bottom.

But of course, any containers would work perfectly too.

Or get creative and put them into shelled out coconuts or pineapples!

Tea Simple Syrup
Chocolate Avocado Dip
Vanilla Yogurt Dip

Get the recipe

Thanks for checking out my recipe! I love hearing from my readers; you all allow me to do what I love and write this food blog, sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes, vegetable cake recipes and also easy vegan desserts.
Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #veggiedesserts.Follow me on Instagram > Twitter > Facebook > Pinterest > Youtube

📖 Recipe

Fruit tray on a platter stand.

Fruit Platter

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
How to make the ultimate fruit platter - with hints, tips, tricks and serving suggestions to make it extra special. You'll love these fruit platter ideas!
4.92 from 24 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
SaveSaved!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, International
Servings 10
Calories 143 kcal

Equipment

  • Knife

Ingredients
 

  • 1 mango
  • 1 pineapple
  • 5 kiwis sliced
  • 1 cup (150g) raspberries
  • 1 cup (150g) blueberries
  • 1 honeydew melon flesh cut into chunks
  • 1 cantaloupe flesh cut into chunks
  • 1 bunch grapes
  • Sprigs of mint to garnish

Instructions
 

  • Wash all the fruit well.
  • Prepare the mango by making thick slices down either side of the stone. Score the flesh of each 'cheek' into a criss cross, then flip it into a hedgehog shape and use a knife to cut off each cube of mango flesh.
  • Prepare the pineapple by cutting the top and bottom (save the leafy top to include in your fruit platter for decoration if you wish). 
    Stand it on the cut side and carefully cut off the thick rind. 
    Cut long strips away from the hard core, then cut the strips into bite sized chunks. 
  • Slice the kiwi. (Kiwi peel is edible. Keep it on if you wish for decoration and provide a bowl for guests to discard it, or just remove it before cutting.)
  • Rinse the raspberries and blueberries.
  • Cut the melons in half and then quarters. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Cut the peel from the flesh and then cut the flesh into bite sized pieces. 
  • Wash the grapes but keep them on the stalk.
  • Decoratively assemble the fruit on your chosen plate, tray or cake stand, grouping each type of fruit together and keeping different colours to different sections. 

Video

Notes

 
- buy seasonal fruit that's perfectly ripe
- avoid fruit that tends to go brown (apples, pears, banana)
-serve it on a special dish or cake stand
-add something special, such as fresh figs, mint sprigs or edible flowers
- make it on the day, or late the evening before
- add firmer fruit, like melon, first, then pile soft fruit on top
- group the same fruits together (ie: mango, strawberries or blueberries) so guests don't have to pick through it
- distribute colours so there's variety (don't put raspberries and strawberries in the same area)
- add height with a bunch of grapes or pineapple
- ensure grapes are seedless and serve them in a bunch so they don't roll off the serving dish
- remove seeds from melons

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 2gSodium: 29mgPotassium: 638mgFiber: 4gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 1850IUVitamin C: 117.2mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 0.8mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

More Dessert Recipes

  • Close up of a frozen berry muffin on a table.
    Frozen Berry Muffins
  • A cherry marzipan cake on a wooden board, with two slices cut next to it.
    Cherry Marzipan Cake
  • Close up of slices of cottage cheese banana bread on a table.
    Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
  • Side view of the sliced kiwi cake with lime drizzle.
    Kiwi Cake
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.92 from 24 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Riley

    May 28, 2024 at 2:43 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for all the great tips for a perfect fruit platter for our party!

    Reply
  2. Sarah

    October 09, 2023 at 6:25 am

    This comment is very late, but I’d love to know where that blue and white footed bowl came from. Can you please share the source?

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      October 11, 2023 at 2:15 pm

      Hi, it's a cake stand from Anthropologie. From at least 5 years ago though!

      Reply
  3. Jane

    August 09, 2021 at 5:02 pm

    Buying "perfectly ripe fruit" is the trick that I have trouble with. How can a Mellon be best judged for ripeness and flavor.

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      August 09, 2021 at 5:07 pm

      It's not always easy! I press the bottom to make sure it yields a little and smell it. If there's no smell at all, it's not quite ripe.

      Reply
  4. Susie

    February 01, 2021 at 4:23 am

    5 stars
    I plan on making a tray of fresh fruits for my family get together onSunday for Super Bowl. And this is some great ideas. Thanks for sharing. I will let you know how it goes. Susie From Florida🇺🇸

    Reply
  5. sue

    October 26, 2020 at 2:01 pm

    5 stars
    I love the shot of the platter in the frame, what a stunning dish for entertaining!

    Reply
  6. Beth

    October 26, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    5 stars
    I love this idea! It's so beautiful and colorful! Perfect for our guest! Can't wait to make another one soon!

    Reply
  7. Jess

    October 26, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    5 stars
    This is the ultimate party tray! Love how simple it is to put together and how beautiful it is.

    Reply
  8. Gina

    October 26, 2020 at 1:14 pm

    5 stars
    Love the tips to add fresh herbs and edible flowers to the spread!

    Reply
  9. Jen

    October 26, 2020 at 1:08 pm

    5 stars
    My kids are more willing to eat fruit when it's all cut up on a platter like this. Thank you for the idea to add edible flowers on the platter too. Such a pretty presentation.

    Reply
  10. Robert Jack

    July 02, 2019 at 9:05 am

    5 stars
    fruit is so yummy! Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  11. Julia

    August 23, 2018 at 2:15 pm

    5 stars
    Mmm... this is a summer party must! Love all the tips on how to make the best platter.

    Reply
  12. jenna farmer

    July 25, 2018 at 4:06 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness-this looks so refreshing!

    Reply
  13. Olivia Thristan

    July 25, 2018 at 1:09 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so lush, simple to make yet it still looks fantastic! Good point about the apples and bananas, nobody wants brown fruit! xx

    Reply
  14. Louise Joy

    July 25, 2018 at 12:50 pm

    This looks amazing - it looks so tasty and colourful. I loooove melons, especially in the summer! x

    Reply
  15. Emma

    July 24, 2018 at 10:58 pm

    That looks beautiful, and thanks for the tips about the best fruits to include.

    Reply
  16. georgie

    July 24, 2018 at 10:48 pm

    5 stars
    this is so so pretty!!! i love fruit for dessert, and this is allll my favourite fruits!

    Reply
  17. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

    July 24, 2018 at 10:42 pm

    5 stars
    I can never have enough fruit! Love this colorful plate!

    Reply
  18. Allison - Celebrating Sweets

    July 24, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    5 stars
    That is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your tips.

    Reply
  19. Dannii

    July 24, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    What a beautiful looking platter. Great for making fruit skewers and putting in a chocolate fountain.

    Reply
  20. camila

    July 24, 2018 at 9:15 pm

    5 stars
    Veggie platters are the best!! looks incredible! Love all the fruit!!

    Reply
  21. Melanie

    July 24, 2018 at 11:44 am

    Oh yes, this is my kind of platter. Love melon too, so yummy and refreshing x

    Reply
  22. Elizabeth

    July 24, 2018 at 10:53 am

    5 stars
    That is one seriously good-looking fruit platter! My fruit mad daughter would LOVE if I served this! Great tips & tricks, thanks!

    Reply
  23. Kacie

    July 23, 2018 at 2:29 pm

    5 stars
    Your chocolate avocado dip sounds so good and I like the idea of adding some mint too.

    Reply
  24. Pati

    July 23, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    Thank you so much for this how to - first of all i love it and i could eat it right now - also your photography is outstanding

    Reply
  25. Mellissa Williams

    July 23, 2018 at 12:45 pm

    5 stars
    Your fruit platter is beautifully presented. The tips are really useful, good to know which fruit to avoid as they would go brown

    Reply
  26. Erica Hughes

    July 23, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    5 stars
    So simple to prepare, but it does look stunning and I can imagine it getting nibbled at over a leisurely summer lunch.

    Reply
  27. MELANIE EDJOURIAN

    July 23, 2018 at 11:58 am

    5 stars
    I love adding edible flowers to this sort of dish. I really need to grow my own. The platter looks great I do love the selection you included. Mangoes are in season now so I must grab some!!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

Collage of press logos.

Popular recipes

  • Stack of naan breads on a plate.
    Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)

  • Plate of lentil dahl and rice.
    The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl

  • Soup in a bowl with a spoon.
    Easy Lentil Soup

  • Spoonful of sauce on a jar of it.
    Cane's Sauce Recipe (copycat)

Vegetable Cake Recipes

  • A cake and a piece of cake sitting on top of a table.
    Apple Kale Cake with Apple Icing

  • Close up of cut loaf cake.
    Parsnip Loaf Cake

  • Cake on a cake stand with slices missing
    Vanilla Spinach Cake

  • A slice of lemon cucumber cake on a plate.
    Lemon and Cucumber Cake

My cookbook

Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About me
  • Contact
  • Work with me
  • Press
  • Veggie Desserts Cookbook

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for newsletter updates

Partner Sites

  • You Say Potatoes

Disclaimers

  • Disclosures & Affiliate Policies
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Kate Hackworthy / Veggie Desserts

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This recipe worked out perfectly!
The whole family loved this recipe!
Easy and tasty!
I'm sure we'll be making this recipe again and again!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.