Cheese Board

This easy Cheese Board is one of the most popular and classic appetizers you can serve at any gathering. With an assortment of cheese, bread and crackers, fresh fruit, and nuts, this spread is perfect for a dinner party, wine night, or just as a snack when you're feeling fancy. It’s also a guaranteed way to brighten up your holiday table without spending too much time in the kitchen.

A quality cheese board typically consists of various kinds of cheese, fresh fruits, bread and crackers, some nuts, and a bowl of honey arranged in an aesthetically pleasing way. It brings a lot to the table, and no one will be able to resist digging in. We included four types of cheese in this recipe that have unique textures and flavors ranging from a hard, sharp-tasting cheddar to a soft, milky brie. The sweetness of the honey, jam, and fresh fruits perfectly balances out the saltiness of the cheese, while the crusty bread, crackers, and nuts provide a crunchy contrast that people are sure to love and enjoy.

Why You'll Love this Cheese Board Recipe

• Extremely simple to make. Anybody, and I mean, anybody can quickly put this cheese board together in 15 minutes. All you need is a selection of your favorite cheeses, fresh fruits, crackers and breads, honey or jam, and some nuts, neatly arranged on a large wooden cutting board or platter.
• Great for any occasion. From casual get-togethers and picnics to elegant dinner parties and holiday gatherings, a cheese board is the perfect way to add a bit of sophistication and style to the table without too much work. Plus, you and your guests can experience different flavors and textures, which makes it more interesting than just serving a plate of cheese.
• Stunningly beautiful. A nicely arranged cheese board is a treat for the palate and a feast for the eyes. The brightly colored fruits, the crunchy crackers and nuts, and the colorful jams and honey side by side with different cheese cuts certainly make it a work of art. Who wouldn’t be impressed by that?
• Versatile. If you're going for a fancy cheese board, you can always add a few more ingredients like cured meats, fresh veggies, spreads, and even some fresh herbs. Or if you’re looking for something simpler yet still delicious, just stick to the basics and you’ll do just fine.

Ingredient Notes

To make this easy Cheese Board, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below), along with a knife and a large wooden platter:

Cheese

Use an assortment of 4 different types of cheese, ranging from soft, semi-soft, and hard cheese. We used:

• cheddar cheese - one of the classic hard cheeses for a cheese board. It has a strong, sharp flavor with a slightly hard texture.
• gruyère cheese - a semi-soft cheese with hints of saltiness and nuttiness. You can also use Comté or Gouda if you have them on hand.
• goat cheese - a soft, creamy cheese with mild tangy flavors that adds an interesting texture to the board. It’s usually served in logs or rounds.
• brie cheese - another classic, this soft cheese has a mild, buttery, creamy, and slightly sweet flavor that’s perfect for spreading on crackers or bread.

Crackers and/or Bread

Crackers or bread are the perfect vehicle for all those delicious cheeses. Some great optinos are water or saltine crackers, breadsticks, sliced ciabatta, French bread, sourdough, and pita chips. Potato chips work too!

Marinated items

I like to add a little tang to these cheese board with a bowl of olives. Kalamata olives or large green olives are great for a nice tangy contrast. You can also add in other marinated items such as marinated artichokes, pickles, or roasted red peppers.

Jams

We add a little sweetness with jam and honey. You can also add a bowl of maple syrup or fruit compote.

• jam - for a sweet, fruity flavor. You can use strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry.
• honey - has a nice, syrupy consistency for dipping.

Fruit

Add a few varieties of fresh fruit such as grapes, berries, apples, and pears.

• red grapes - I prefer this to be in a bunch so it won’t roll over.
• apple - sliced into thin wedges or small cubes. You can switch this with pears too.

Nuts

Use different types of nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and hazelnuts for an added crunch.

How to Make the Best Cheese Board

1. Arrange contained items. On a large platter, arrange the items that are in a bowl (including olives, jam, and honey), spacing them apart from each other in a non-symmetrical pattern.
2. Place cheese. Arrange the cheese around the bowls, also spacing them away from each other to keep things pleasing to the eyes.
3. Add crackers and bread. Arrange the crackers and bread around the bowls and cheese.
4. Mix in some fruits. Arrange the fruit (grapes and apples) in gaps, also keeping them apart from each other).
5. Fill gaps. Fill any large gaps with nuts.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious Cheese Board as an appetizer or snack for your next gathering. It makes for a great centerpiece for any party or event. Serve it as part of an appetizer spread along with some other favorites like:

• Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze
• Fried Goat Cheese Balls
• Mediterranean Flatbread
• Beet Hummus
• Toasted Ravioli
• Kale Chips

For more appetizer recipes, see our 75+ Easy Appetizer Recipes.

Storing Instructions

Fully cover the entire cheese board with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to take out the cheeses at least 30 minutes before serving. We also don't recommend putting the leftover crackers, bread, and nuts in the fridge, so place them in separate airtight containers and store at room temperature instead.

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• Veggie Tray
• Caprese Skewers

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