How to Make a Fruit Platter

4.84 from 6 votes
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 10 people
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Let’s make fruit the star of the party! I’m always making fruit platters for gatherings. They’re fresh, colorful, and surprisingly easy to pull together. Here are my go-to tips for creating a spread that looks like a total showstopper.

Check out my fruit and cheese platter and guide to making the ultimate cheese platter!

Party-ready fruit platter with small dipping bowls and edible flowers.

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What Fruit to Use

I stick to what’s in season and colorful. It keeps the platter fresh, flavorful, and pretty. Here are my go-to picks:

  • Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries
  • Pineapple, grapes, apples, pears
  • Kiwi, oranges, melons, peaches, apricots
  • Pomegranate seeds, star fruit, dragon fruit, passion fruit

Mix and match by season and grab whatever looks best at the market. Variety is the magic!

How I Build My Platters Step-by-Step

Start with a pretty base: I use a wood board, marble slab, or large white platter
Add small bowls: Perfect for fruit dip, honey, or tiny berries
Big fruits first: Grapes (still on the vine!), watermelon, and larger slices go on next
Medium fruits: Layer in oranges, apples, pineapple… let the shape of your platter guide you
Finish with small fruits: Think berries, kiwi slices, anything colorful and cute
Add charm: Tuck in mint leaves, edible flowers, or even herbs to make it feel extra special

Summer fruit tray with kiwi slices, orange wedges, and fresh mint

Eden’s Simple Fruit Platter Tips

Fruit platters are my favorite way to add color, charm, and freshness to any party. Here’s how I make mine feel extra special:

Plan it out
• Grab fruit a few days early so it’s perfectly ripe
• Stick with seasonal fruit—it always looks and tastes better

Keep it fresh
• Prep sturdy fruit like melon and grapes the night before
• Wait to cut apples or bananas until just before serving
• Use lemon or pineapple juice to stop browning

Style it with charm
• Use bowls, stands, or stack fruit for height
• Go rainbow or pick a theme (all red, all tropical, etc.)
• Add edible flowers, mint, or basil for that final touch
• Play with shapes—use melon ballers or cookie cutters

Assorted fresh fruit arranged on a white platter with caramel and yogurt dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to make your own fruit tray?

Yes! Homemade is almost always cheaper, way prettier, and gives you more variety than the store-bought melon-pineapple situation.

How Early Can I prep?

Cut hearty fruit 2 to 3 days in advance. Wait on apples, pears, and bananas.

How to keep a fruit platter fresh:

Use seasonal fruit
Assemble the day of if possible
If prepping early, cover and chill—just skip bananas and apples until right before serving
Use lemon juice on apples or pears to prevent browning

fresh fruit on a small plate with fruit dip.

If you make one, tag me! I’d love to see your fruit platter magic. Leave a comment and a quick star rating below too!

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sliced fresh fruit on a platter
4.84 from 6 votes

How to Make a Fruit Platter

By: Eden
Learn how to make a beautiful fruit platter with simple tips and fun ideas for styling. Perfect for parties, this colorful tray is easy to assemble and always a hit.
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
0 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 10 people
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup strawberries, sliced
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup blackberries
  • 1/2 cup raspberries
  • 10 slices watermelon
  • 2 oranges, sliced
  • 1 cup pineapple, cut into chunks
  • 1/2 dragon fruit , optional
  • 1/2 pound grapes
  • 2 kiwi, skin removed and sliced

Instructions 

  • First, place small dipping bowls for fruit dip, caramel, or berries on the platter.
  • Next, add more oversized items to the platter, like watermelons and grapes. Keep grapes on the vine for extra height and to ensure they don’t roll off the tray.  
  • Add slices of oranges, apples, and chunks of pineapple. If you have the room, place a few small piles, separated, on the platter. If you’re using a round platter, use the shape of the plate to guide where you add the fruit. 
  • Then, layer in smaller items like sliced kiwi and berries. 
  • Tuck in garnishes like fresh mint and edible flowers around the platter.

Notes

Storage Tips
• Store sliced fruit in airtight containers for up to 3 days
• Keep fruits separate to avoid sogginess or stains
• Add a paper towel to berry containers to absorb moisture
• Use lemon or pineapple juice on apples and pears to prevent browning
Serving Ideas
• Pair with yogurt fruit dip.
• Add chocolate-covered strawberries for a sweet touch

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 7mg, Potassium: 470mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 26g, Vitamin A: 1424IU, Vitamin C: 70mg, Calcium: 43mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

About Eden

I’m Eden Passante and I develop, create, style and photograph every recipe and party on Sugar and Charm. I’m the author of Entertaining with Charm and have a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics and I’m here to help you create simple and easy recipes for entertaining and how to add charm to any gathering!

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2 Comments

  1. Kara says:

    5 stars
    Thanks for the step by step photos! I can make yummy food, but I’m not great at arranging it, so that was very helpful!

  2. Tara G says:

    5 stars
    Such a beautiful presentation, thank you! So easy too!