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
- 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.
- Place cheese. Arrange the cheese around the bowls, also spacing them away from each other to keep things pleasing to the eyes.
- Add crackers and bread. Arrange the crackers and bread around the bowls and cheese.
- Mix in some fruits. Arrange the fruit (grapes and apples) in gaps, also keeping them apart from each other).
- Fill gaps. Fill any large gaps with nuts.
Recipe Variations
- Add meats. Make a charcuterie board instead by adding a selection of cured meats like salami, prosciutto, or mortadella. The savory and umami flavors of the meats perfectly complement the rich, creamy cheese taste.
- Make a cheese fondue. Melt some cheese, put it in a bowl, and let everyone dip away! A warm, gooey cheese dip screams party time, and it’s a great way to get the kids excited. You could also add a bowl of Queso Cheese Dip instead.
- Have some chocolate. Place pieces of dark chocolate into your cheese board for a sweet and salty combination. The rich, dark, and sweet chocolate flavors are always welcome on a cheese board, and I'm sure your guests will agree.
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.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Soak fruit slices in lemon water. Apple and pear slices easily turn brown after you cut them, especially if you place them on the cheese board too soon. Keep them looking fresh by soaking them in water with lemon juice for a few minutes so they don’t discolor.
- Serve cheese at room temperature. The flavor of cheese is at its best when served at room temperature, so take it out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving. Doing so allows the cheese to soften and fully develop its flavor.
- Vary sizes. Some cheeses can be served whole, especially soft ones like brie and camembert, while hard cheeses are best served in cubes or thin slices for easy handling. You can leave a cheese knife near the board so guests can cut their own slices.
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.
More Appetizer Platter Recipes
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Recipe
Cheese Board
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
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.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, sliced or cubed
- 4 ounces gruyere, compte, or gouda cheese, sliced or cubed
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 1 wedge brie cheese
- 2-3 assorted crackers and/or bread (such as sliced ciabatta, pita chips, and breadsticks).
- ¾ cup olives
- ¼ to ½ cup jam
- ¼ to ½ cup honey
- 2-3 bunches red grapes
- 1-2 apples or pears, sliced
- ½ cup nuts (such as almonds or pecans)
Instructions
- 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.
- Arrange the cheese around the bowls, also spacing them away from each other to keep things pleasing to the eyes.
- Arrange the crackers and bread around the bowls and cheese.
- Arrange the fruit (grapes and apples) in gaps, also keeping them apart from each other).
- Fill any large gaps with nuts.
Notes
How to store: 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.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Assemble
- Cuisine: American
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