How to Make a Fruit Turkey Platter (Fun Thanksgiving Snack!)

Ready for a fun and healthy Thanksgiving treat? This fruit turkey platter is the cutest way to serve a fresh fruit tray for the holiday! Made with colorful fruit skewers arranged like turkey feathers and a pear “turkey body,” this Thanksgiving fruit tray is always a hit with kids and adults. Whether you’re looking for an easy holiday centerpiece or a kid-friendly Thanksgiving snack, this fruit turkey is simple to assemble, festive, and so fun to make together.

Cute & Fun Fruit Turkey Platter For Kids – So Easy!

I’ve been making this cutie fruit turkey to bring to my kids’ Thanksgiving classroom feasts, and it’s such a hit all around! They adore it and love helping me make it, too!

It’s such a great no-cook recipe to include little ones in. They can easily skewer the fruit once it’s prepped and will love helping you turn fruit skewers into a fun turkey!

Be sure to leave a comment and let me know how your turkey turns out!

Why you’ll love this fruit turkey recipe 

Who says holiday treats can’t be healthy, fun, and easy to make? Get ready to embrace the holiday spirit with a turkey fruit tray that’s healthy, inclusive, and irresistibly fun. Here’s why this recipe is sure to become a beloved holiday tradition:

Kids and Adults Love It! – What’s not to love about a dish that brings a smile to both young and old? The playful turkey design captivates the kids, while adults appreciate the fresh, natural sweetness of a variety of fruits. It’s a universal crowd-pleaser that bridges generations and tastes at any holiday gathering.

Quick & Easy – With simple steps and no cooking required, you can assemble this eye-catching turkey fruit platter in no time. Just slice up your favorite fruits, thread them onto skewers, and have fun! It’s the perfect last-minute addition to your Christmas or Thanksgiving table.

Allergen-Friendly – Catering to the various dietary needs of your extended family can be a challenge, but not with this easy Thanksgiving appetizer! It’s naturally free from common allergens like gluten, nuts, and dairy, plus it can be customized to use whichever fruit you prefer!

Wholesome & Light – This turkey-shaped fruit platter is a welcome break from all the rich, indulgent foods on the holiday table. It’s the perfect palate cleanser or nourishing snack while you wait for the turkey dinner!

What you need for this Thanksgiving turkey fruit platter

Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.

• Wood skewers & toothpicks – For threading fruit and creating the turkey’s feather pattern.
• Candy eyes – To give your fruit turkey its cute, playful face.
• Strawberries – Bright red fruit for the outer feather layer.
• Mandarin orange slices – Juicy, vibrant segments that add great color.
• Cantaloupe – Cut into chunks for skewers, plus a piece for the turkey’s beak and legs.
• Pineapple – Sweet yellow pieces that bring tropical flavor and color.
• Green grapes – Crisp, kid-friendly fruit that holds up well on skewers.
• Honeydew – Soft green fruit that adds a fresh, colorful layer.
• Blueberries – Small pops of deep color for filling in feather sections.
• Pear – Cut in half to create the turkey’s body on your platter.

How to make a fruit turkey

Step 1: To make your fruit turkey, first prepare all the skewers of fruit. Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces, then skewer the fruit. Use the same pattern for each skewer to give it a rainbow look.

Step 2: Make small mini skewers using toothpicks and add smaller fruits onto those.

Step 3: Build your fruit turkey! Place the half pear on a large plate or platter for the turkey’s body, and then press the fruit skewers around the pear to look like turkey feathers.

Step 4: Cut a piece of cantaloupe for the legs and beak. Use honey to secure the eyes and beak, and place the legs on the plate.

Step 5: Serve it up!

Watch me make it!

The full how to video can be watched below, or on my YouTube channel!

Best Fruit to Use for a Fruit Turkey Platter

The key to a beautiful turkey fruit platter is choosing fresh fruit that holds its shape and adds lots of color. Here are the best fruits to use:

• Strawberries: Bright red and juicy – perfect for the outer “feathers.”
• Blueberries: Great for filling in color and adding contrast.
• Green or Red Grapes: These never disappoint and hold up very well.
• Mandarin Orange Segments: Naturally sweet and vibrant.
• Pineapple & Cantaloupe: Adds warm yellow and orange tones to the feather pattern.
• Honeydew: A pretty pop of green.
• Pear: Sliced in half, it makes the ideal “turkey body.”

Tip: If using fruit that browns (like pear or apple slices), toss in a little lemon juice to keep everything fresh and bright.

How to Keep Fruit Fresh on a Thanksgiving Fruit Tray

Keep your fruit turkey looking fresh and vibrant with these easy tips:

• Pat the fruit dry before skewering to prevent excess moisture.
• Use lemon juice on apples or pears to prevent browning.
• Refrigerate until serving to keep everything crisp and cold.
• Line containers with paper towels when storing berries to absorb moisture.
• Cover assembled skewers tightly with plastic wrap if prepping the night before.

These simple steps keep your Thanksgiving fruit tray crisp, colorful, and ready to serve.

Thanksgiving fruit tray ideas

If you want even more fun ways to serve fruit at Thanksgiving, here are some easy holiday fruit tray ideas to inspire you. These variations use colorful, fresh fruit and simple arrangements that look beautiful on any holiday table.

Rainbow Fruit Tray
Arrange sliced fruit in colorful rows – strawberries, oranges, pineapple, grapes, blueberries – for a gorgeous rainbow effect. It’s bright, simple, and perfect for kids.

Simple Sliced Fruit Tray
Use a variety of sliced fruit like apples (tossed in lemon juice), pears, kiwi, grapes, strawberries, and mandarin oranges. Add a yogurt or honey dip in the center.

Fruit & Cheese Turkey PlatterMix fruits like grapes, strawberries, and pineapple cubes with cheddar, gouda, or Colby Jack to make a more filling turkey fruit platter.

Skewered Fruit Tray
Instead of arranging fruit directly on the tray, place all the fruit onto skewers and fan them out in a turkey shape — a super cute party presentation.

Fall-Themed Fruit Board
Build a tray with seasonal fruits like pears, apples, grapes, pomegranate arils, oranges, and figs. This pairs beautifully with a creamy fruit dip.

Kids Thanksgiving Snack Tray
Make mini fruit turkeys using toothpicks and small fruit pieces — perfect for preschool or classroom parties.

Serving suggestions

This Thanksgiving fruit turkey platter is not just a delight to behold! It’s also a versatile centerpiece that pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments. Here are some of my favorites:

• Dips – Consider serving your fruit turkey with a range of dips to cater to different tastes. A honey yogurt dip or a cream cheese fruit dip will offer a creamy, tangy contrast. For a vegan option, a coconut yogurt-based dip. If you’ve included cheese in your platter, a sweet and spicy pepper jelly or a savory herb dip can be an excellent addition.
• Dessert-Style – Who doesn’t love a bit of decadence around the holidays? Serve some caramel or chocolate dip on the side to turn this fruit platter turkey from an appetizer into a dessert. 
• Breakfast-Style – If Thanksgiving dinner is a ways away, consider serving this adorable fruit platter for breakfast alongside a fluffy stack of whole grain waffles to keep your fam well-fed before the big feast. You can prep the waffles ahead of time and freeze them to make it an easy morning for everyone!
• Crackers – Add some crunch to the mix by serving some pretzel sticks or fruit-studded crackers alongside the fresh fruit.

Recipe Success Tips

• Use fruit that is fresh, fragrant, and ripe. You can also use additional fruit as needed depending on the size of your party. 
• No matter what fruit or veggies you use, make sure you get lots of different colors! For a proper “rainbow” organize them in ROYGBIV order. 
• Set up an assembly line. I like to put all the fruit chunks into different small bowls in front of me so I can easily go down the line and create matching skewers without having to think about it. This method is also great if you want to get the kiddos in on the fun. 
• Work ahead. Make all of your skewers the night before your event, then cover them well with plastic wrap or place them in a gallon-sized zip-top bag. 

How much fruit do I need for a fruit tray?

The amount of fruit you’ll need really boils down to the number of guests you’re expecting.

The recipe here is enough for 18 servings, but you can always add more! And, if you have leftovers, that just means extra healthy snacks for later in the week!

How should I store leftovers?

First things first, gently separate the fruits. This is especially important if you have a mix of softer fruits like berries, which can get squishy and affect the other fruits. Place the fruit in airtight containers and pop them in the fridge. Most fruits will stay fresh for a couple of days, especially if they were fresh when you first put your platter together.

Quick Tip for Berries: If you have any berries, line their container with a paper towel to absorb any extra moisture and help keep them from getting too mushy.

More easy recipes for the holidays you’ll love

• Dairy-free eggnog fresh toast casserole
• Turkey-shaped veggie platter 
• Rice Krispie turkey legs
• Christmas tree charcuterie board

If you try this fruit turkey platter recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!

XO

Heather

Originally published November 2023. Updated November 2025.