Picket Fence Snack Platter (Printer-Friendly)

A vibrant platter featuring crackers encasing assorted nuts and fresh berries for easy sharing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crackers (The Fence)

01 - 20–24 rectangular or oval whole wheat crackers (such as Melba toasts or water crackers)

→ Garden Mix

02 - ½ cup raw almonds
03 - ½ cup walnut halves
04 - ½ cup shelled pistachios
05 - ½ cup dried cranberries
06 - ½ cup fresh blueberries
07 - ½ cup fresh raspberries
08 - ¼ cup chopped dried apricots

→ Optional Garnishes

09 - 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup for drizzling
10 - Fresh mint leaves

# Method:

01 - Select a large, flat serving platter or board as your base.
02 - Arrange crackers upright side by side along the platter’s perimeter to form a continuous picket fence, angling slightly inward if necessary for stability.
03 - In a medium bowl, gently mix raw almonds, walnut halves, shelled pistachios, dried cranberries, fresh blueberries, fresh raspberries, and chopped dried apricots.
04 - Spoon the nut and berry mixture into the center of the cracker fence, keeping it loose and abundant for visual appeal.
05 - Lightly drizzle honey or agave syrup over the garden mix if desired.
06 - Top with fresh mint leaves to enhance color and aroma.
07 - Present immediately, inviting guests to scoop nuts and berries from the center and enjoy using crackers.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 10 minutes, which means you can prep it while guests are arriving without any stress.
  • The combination of textures—crispy crackers, crunchy nuts, chewy berries—keeps every bite interesting.
  • It's naturally vegetarian, easy to customize for dietary needs, and looks far more impressive than the minimal effort it requires.
02 -
  • Fresh berries will weep slightly as they sit, so if you're prepping more than 30 minutes ahead, hold the raspberries and blueberries separate and add them at the last moment.
  • The crackers stay crispest if you arrange them right before serving, especially in humid weather—assemble the fence and fill moments before guests arrive if you can.
03 -
  • If your crackers are sliding around, place a damp kitchen towel under the platter to keep it from sliding on the table—stability matters for presentation.
  • Taste a sample of your almonds and walnuts before assembling to make sure they're fresh; stale nuts will undermine the whole platter, but fresh ones make it sing.
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