Are you on board with food boards? Not only are they super trendy, but they’re also extremely delicious and the perfect way to incorporate your decorating skills. Literal eye candy, food boards are always a hit at any event and even make a casual last-minute lunch, dinner or dessert seem fancier. Click through this slideshow of the 33 best food board ideas and get inspired to make your own for any holiday, a movie marathon or a family night in. From appetizer boards to, yes, even a mac and cheese board, I guarantee you will be drooling by the time you get to the end.
Tips for Making the Best Food Board
My #1 tip for pulling off the best food boards is to make them less complicated. All those ingredients can seem genius at the time, but then you have to find room for them on the board. Food boards can be thematic or simply used for a quick appetizer snack.
Related: How to Make a Charcuterie Chalet
What Is a Food Board?
If you’ve been on social media for a minute, you’ve probably seen a plethora of different snack boards, dessert boards, main course boards and fruit boards that have been popping up. You name it, it can be on a food board. There are cheese and charcuterie boards. There are dessert boards piled high with candy, cakes and cookies. There are breakfast boards, like bagel, waffle and pancake boards. There are even build your own kind of dinner boards. Plus, hummus and appetizer boards.
What Is Charcuterie?
Charcuterie is a display of different types of cured meats, along with cheeses and accompaniments such as fruit, olives, nuts and spreads. When people think of charcuterie boards they are usually referring to a meat and cheese board.
Best Ingredients for a Charcuterie Board
To make the best cheese board, try to focus on three things: variety, taste, texture. Variety makes a great board; add items that are sweet, salty, crunchy, fatty, savory, carb-rich, pickled and brined. Don’t complicate it. It should be easy and fun to put it all together!
Related: 31 Types of Cheese to Add to Your Next Charcuterie Board
33 of the Best Food Board Ideas
The Best Food Board Ideas
Bacon and Cheddar Charcuterie Board
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Shea Goldstein
You might think bacon and cheese is a tough combo to work with, but the duo actually presents an opportunity to play around with different and maybe new flavors.
Get the recipe: Bacon and Cheddar Charcuterie Board
Appetizer Board
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Photo by Mark Boughton | Styling by Teresa Blackburn
Offer guests plenty of pretty, yummy nibbles without spoiling the big meal.
Get the recipe: Appetizer Board
Game Day Meat and Cheese Board
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Moore or Less Cooking
There is no cooking involved, just arrange the meats and cheese and your favorite snacks on the board. It’s easy peasy.
Get the recipe: Game Day Meat and Cheese Board
Holiday Dessert Charcuterie Board
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Smells Like Home
Filled with sweet and salty snacks with an amazing cinnamon toffee cream cheese dip for dipping everything in sight!
Get the recipe: Holiday Dessert Charcuterie Board
Easy Football Snacks
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Moore or Less Cooking
Grilled Cheese Sticks, Jalapeño Peppers and Loaded Potato Skins will be a touchdown at your home-gating parties and the big game!
Get the recipe: Easy Football Snacks
Keto Charcuterie Board
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Low Carb Nomad
Looking for the perfect keto snacks and low carb appetizers? Making a Keto Charcuterie Board is the perfect way to do so and they are so easy to make and fun too!
Get the recipe: Keto Charcuterie Board
How to Make an Epic Cheese Board
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The View From Great Island
This is blockbuster appetizer for winter holidays, game days, or any time hungry friends and family gather ’round.
Get the recipe: How to Make an Epic Cheese Board
Dessert Charcuterie Board
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Belly Full
Kids and adults alike will be wowed by this fun and easy dessert charcuterie board. Perfect to serve at your next birthday party, game night, book club, or any get together!
Get the recipe: Dessert Charcuterie Board
Italian Antipasto Charcuterie
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Belly Full
Enjoy a simple and beautiful Italian antipasto platter with fresh fruit, cured meat, cheeses and bread. This charcuterie board is so delicious, easy to put together, and fun to eat!
Get the recipe: Italian Antipasto Charcuterie
Halloween Charcuterie Board
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Midget Momma
This Halloween charcuterie board is perfect to snack on between trick or treating. You’ll love all the ways you can get creative with food for Halloween!
Get the recipe: Halloween Charcuterie Board
Party Snacks Charcuterie Board
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Midget Momma
If you are looking for the ultimate snack for a party, game day or just because, then you are going to want to make this amazing party snacks charcuterie board!
Get the recipe: Party Snacks Charcuterie Board
Epic Clam Chowder Dinner Board
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The Reluctant Entertainer
Make a big pot of clam chowder for this epic clam chowder dinner board. Serve with shrimp cocktail, bread and your favorite crackers.
Get the recipe: Epic Clam Chowder Dinner Board
Pear Buttermilk Cake Breakfast Board
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The Reluctant Entertainer
Bake a pear buttermilk breakfast cake, made with buttermilk cake batter, and serve on the Big Board (breakfast board) for weekend company!
Get the recipe: Pear Buttermilk Cake Breakfast Board
Ice Cream Sundae Charcuterie Board
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Kim & Kalee
This ice cream sundae charcuterie board is perfect for a special night at home or get-together! The best part is it’s customizable and perfect for kids and adults!
Get the recipe: Ice Cream Sundae Charcuterie Board
Mezze Platter
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I Heart Naptime
This is the perfect appetizer for entertaining and includes all of your Mediterranean favorites!
Get the recipe: Mezze Platter
Veggie Platter
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I Heart Naptime
Loaded with our favorite fruit, veggies, dips, crackers and snacks, this fruit and veggie platter is the perfect easy snack idea that you can feel good about feeding your family!
Get the recipe: Veggie Platter
Fruit and Cheese Platter
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I Heart Naptime
Learn how to assemble an amazing fruit and cheese platter for your next party. Pick your favorite fruits, cheeses and fillers to make your platter the star of the show!
Get the recipe: Fruit and Cheese Platter
Halloween Charcuterie Board
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Favorite Family Recipes
The biggest candy holiday of the year needs a special holiday board with a fun, dressed-up treat tray like this one! You will be a hit with the kiddos as they indulge in way too much candy.
Get the recipe: Halloween Charcuterie Board
How to Make a Dessert Charcuterie Board
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Favorite Family Recipes
The language of love comes alive with this pink and red Valentine’s Day-themed candy and cookie dessert charcuterie board. Enjoy it with a sweetheart, kids or friends.
Get the recipe: How to Make a Dessert Charcuterie Board
Pancake Board
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Number 2 Pencil
A fun and creative way to serve your favorite pancake breakfast.
Get the recipe: Pancake Board
Winter Burrata Charcuterie Board
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Reluctant Entertainer
The ultimate winter burrata charcuterie board has burrata (young mozzarella), salami, nuts and winter fruits like grapes, pears and figs!
Get the recipe: Winter Burrata Charcuterie Board
Macaroni and Cheese Dinner Board
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Reluctant Entertainer
Just in time for a cozy meal, serve a macaroni and cheese dinner board. Add your favorite mac and cheese recipe, along with a variety of tasty toppings!
Get the recipe: Macaroni and Cheese Dinner Board
Game-Day Baked Nacho Board
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Reluctant Entertainer
This nacho board comes together in 30 minutes, and everyone will love it.
Get the recipe: Game-Day Baked Nacho Board
Epic Grilled Breakfast Charcuterie Board
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Reluctant Entertainer
Serve an epic grilled breakfast charcuterie board filled with grilled meat, cheese and soft-boiled eggs. Add fruit and summer jams for easy entertaining.
Get the recipe: Epic Grilled Breakfast Charcuterie Board
Epic Spring Charcuterie Board
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Reluctant Entertainer
An epic spring charcuterie board filled with cured meats, cheese, fruit kebabs and spring blossoms! Arrange on an epic board, with favorite pastel colors.
Get the recipe: Epic Spring Charcuterie Board
