Dragonfly Dance Appetizer Tray

Featured in: Picnic Food

This vibrant tray offers a lively assortment of fresh vegetables, artisanal cheeses, and savory cured meats for a delightful start to any gathering. Arranged to mimic dragonfly wings, the display combines crunchy crackers and flavorful dips topped with fresh basil and edible flowers, creating a natural and elegant presentation. Ready in 25 minutes with easy prep and optional vegetarian substitutions, it's perfect for casual or refined entertaining.

Updated on Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:41:00 GMT
Dragonfly Dance Appetizer Tray: Colorful veggies, cheese, and meats create this elegant appetizer. Save It
Dragonfly Dance Appetizer Tray: Colorful veggies, cheese, and meats create this elegant appetizer. | sunnyspoonful.com

A vibrant, elegant appetizer tray inspired by nature's colors and textures, perfect for entertaining. Features a delightful medley of fresh vegetables, cheeses, cured meats, dips, and crackers arranged artfully to evoke the grace of dragonflies.

This appetizer tray is always a hit at parties. I love how easy it is to assemble and how it looks so impressive without much effort.

Ingredients

  • Fresh Vegetables: 1 cup baby carrots, 1 cup cucumber slices, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, 1/2 cup sugar snap peas, 1/2 cup radish slices
  • Cheeses: 100 g goat cheese, cut into rounds, 100 g cheddar cheese, cubed, 100 g brie, cut into wedges
  • Cured Meats (optional for vegetarian version omit): 100 g prosciutto, thinly sliced, 100 g salami, sliced
  • Dips & Spreads: 1/2 cup hummus, 1/2 cup tzatziki, 1/4 cup fig jam
  • Crackers & Breads: 1 cup assorted crackers, 1 cup baguette slices
  • Garnishes & Decorative Elements: 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup edible flowers (such as nasturtium or pansy), 2 tbsp roasted pistachios, shelled

Instructions

Step 1:
Wash and prepare all fresh vegetables pat dry.
Step 2:
Arrange vegetables in sweeping lines to resemble dragonfly wings, using contrasting colors for visual appeal.
Step 3:
Place cheese and cured meat slices in clusters, mimicking dragonfly bodies.
Step 4:
Spoon dips into small bowls and position them decoratively around the tray.
Step 5:
Fan out crackers and baguette slices along the edges.
Step 6:
Garnish with basil leaves, edible flowers, and pistachios for a nature-inspired finish.
Step 7:
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Beautiful Dragonfly Dance Appetizer Tray with an appetizing mix of crackers, dips, and meats. Save It
Beautiful Dragonfly Dance Appetizer Tray with an appetizing mix of crackers, dips, and meats. | sunnyspoonful.com

The family always gathers around this tray at parties, admiring the colors and flavors while sharing stories into the night.

Required Tools

Large serving tray or platter, small bowls for dips, sharp knife, cutting board, and serving tongs are essential for assembling this appetizer tray.

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cheese), gluten (crackers and bread), and nuts (pistachios). Some dips may contain sesame (hummus) or dairy (tzatziki). Always verify ingredient labels for allergies.

Nutritional Information

Per serving with meats and cheese: Calories 260, Total Fat 15 g, Carbohydrates 18 g, Protein 10 g.

Enjoy this easy Dragonfly Dance Appetizer Tray: a delicious and beautiful party platter. Save It
Enjoy this easy Dragonfly Dance Appetizer Tray: a delicious and beautiful party platter. | sunnyspoonful.com

Enjoy this delightful appetizer tray at your next gathering for a burst of flavor and elegance.

Recipe FAQs

What ingredients compose the vegetable selection?

Baby carrots, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas, and radish slices form the fresh vegetable assortment.

Are there vegetarian options available?

Yes, simply omit the cured meats and add marinated artichoke hearts or olives as flavorful alternatives.

How are the components arranged on the tray?

Vegetables are arranged in sweeping lines to resemble dragonfly wings, cheeses and cured meats clustered centrally, with dips and crackers distributed decoratively around the edges.

What dips accompany the tray?

Hummus, tzatziki, and fig jam provide creamy and sweet accents complementing the fresh and savory elements.

Can this tray accommodate gluten-free diets?

Yes, substitute the standard crackers with gluten-free alternatives to suit dietary needs.

Dragonfly Dance Appetizer Tray

A colorful tray featuring fresh veggies, cheeses, meats, dips, and crackers for effortless entertaining.

Prep Time
25 mins
0
Total Duration
25 mins
Authored by Lana Bright

Recipe Type Picnic Food

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Style International

Recipe Yield 8 Serving Size

Diet Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Fresh Vegetables

01 1 cup baby carrots
02 1 cup cucumber slices
03 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 1/2 cup sugar snap peas
05 1/2 cup radish slices

Cheeses

01 3.5 oz goat cheese, cut into rounds
02 3.5 oz cheddar cheese, cubed
03 3.5 oz brie cheese, cut into wedges

Cured Meats (optional for vegetarian option: omit)

01 3.5 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
02 3.5 oz salami, sliced

Dips & Spreads

01 1/2 cup hummus
02 1/2 cup tzatziki
03 1/4 cup fig jam

Crackers & Breads

01 1 cup assorted crackers
02 1 cup baguette slices

Garnishes & Decorative Elements

01 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
02 1/4 cup edible flowers (nasturtium or pansy)
03 2 tablespoons roasted pistachios, shelled

Directions

Step 01

Prepare Vegetables: Wash all fresh vegetables thoroughly and pat dry to remove excess moisture.

Step 02

Arrange Vegetables: Place vegetables in sweeping lines across the serving tray to evoke dragonfly wings, using contrasting colors for a vibrant effect.

Step 03

Position Cheeses and Meats: Cluster cheese rounds, cubes, wedges, and cured meat slices to mimic the dragonfly's body segments.

Step 04

Set Dips: Spoon hummus, tzatziki, and fig jam into small bowls and arrange decoratively around the tray.

Step 05

Add Crackers and Breads: Fan out assorted crackers and baguette slices along the tray edges for accessibility and balance.

Step 06

Garnish: Scatter fresh basil leaves, edible flowers, and roasted pistachios over the arrangement for natural elegance.

Step 07

Serve or Store: Serve immediately, or cover the tray and refrigerate until ready to present.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large serving tray or platter
  • Small bowls for dips
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Serving tongs

Allergy Information

Review each ingredient to identify potential allergens, and consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains dairy, gluten, nuts; dips may contain sesame and dairy.

Nutrition Details (Per Serving)

This nutritional data is for reference only and isn't a substitute for medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 260
  • Fats: 15 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 18 grams
  • Proteins: 10 grams