Ready to gobble up some fruity fun? Say hello to my fruit turkey platter! Imagine a vibrant fruit plate, artfully arranged in the shape of a turkey. Whether you’re hosting a grand holiday feast or just looking for a fun snack for kids, this adorable turkey fruit platter is the move! With a quick & easy assembly that the kiddos will love to help with, this fruit turkey is *almost* too cute to eat.
Cute & Fun Fruit Turkey Platter For Kids – So Easy!
I’ve been making this cutie fruit turkey to bring to my kid’s 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:
- 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!
- 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.
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
- Candy Eyes
- Strawberries
- Mandarin Orange Slices
- Cantaloupe
- Pineapple
- Green Grapes
- Honeydew
- Blueberries
- Pear
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!
Optional Variations
These variations and adjustments are here to inspire you to create a platter that not only looks spectacular but also caters to the needs of your loved ones:
- Turkey-Shaped Cheese and Fruit Platter – Want to make the snack a bit more substantial? Feel free to add some cubes of your favorite mild semi-firm cheese to the turkey fruit platter skewers. Cheddar, havarti, gouda, or Colby are always a hit!
- Turkey-Shaped Veggie Platter – Vegetables can also take center stage in a turkey-shaped arrangement. Create a vibrant turkey-shaped veggie platter using your favorites like cherry tomatoes, red pepper, baby carrots, yellow peppers, and crisp cucumbers. Use a little piece of carrot for the turkey’s beak to make it even more adorable!
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.
What is the best fruit for a platter?
The secret really is quite simple – go for fruits that you love to eat, because if you enjoy them, chances are, your guests will too! The key to a dazzling fruit platter is to choose fresh, vibrant fruits that hold up well, especially those that don’t brown quickly (because nobody wants a platter of sad, oxidized fruit!).
Think along the lines of colorful berries like strawberries and blueberries, juicy grapes, and citrus fruits like oranges or clementines. They not only add a pop of color but also stay fresh-looking longer.
And here’s a little tip: If you’re set on including fruits that tend to brown, like apples or pears, give them a quick toss in a bit of lemon juice. This little citrusy bath helps keep them looking fresh and appetizing for longer.
How much fruit do I need to make a fruit platter?
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
Fruit Turkey Platter
Ingredients
- 18 Wood skewers
- 6 Toothpicks
- 9 Strawberries cut in half
- 18 Mandarin orange slices
- 24 Cantaloupe pieces
- 18 Pineapple pieces
- 18 Green grapes
- 18 Honeydew pieces
- 30 Blueberries
- 1/2 Pear
- 2 Candy eyes
Instructions
- 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.
- Make small mini skewers using toothpicks and add smaller fruits onto those.
- 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.
- 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.
- Serve it up!
Nutrition
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
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