Pin this A whimsical, ocean-inspired snack platter featuring playful starfish-shaped sandwiches, fresh fruits, and crunchy snacks&mdashperfect for summer gatherings or kids parties.
This snack spread became an instant hit at our family summer picnic, especially with the kids who loved the starfish shapes and colorful fruits.
Ingredients
- Starfish Sandwiches: 12 slices soft sandwich bread, 6 tbsp cream cheese (or hummus), 6 tbsp jam nut butter or deli meat (choose preferred fillings), 1 small cucumber thinly sliced, 1 small carrot peeled and grated, 1 starfish-shaped cookie cutter (approx 3-4 inches wide)
- Fresh Fruit & Veggies: 1 cup seedless grapes halved, 1 cup strawberries hulled and halved, 1 cup baby carrots, 1 cup cucumber rounds
- Crunchy Snacks: 1 cup mini pretzel twists (seaweed), 1 cup goldfish-shaped crackers, 1 cup pita chips or veggie chips
- Dips: 1/2 cup ranch dip or hummus, 1/2 cup fruit yogurt (for fruit)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Using the starfish cookie cutter cut star shapes from the bread slices. You should get one star per slice&mdashsave the bread scraps for breadcrumbs or another use.
- Step 2:
- Spread cream cheese (or hummus) on half of the star-shaped bread pieces.
- Step 3:
- Add your preferred filling: jam nut butter or deli meat followed by slices of cucumber or grated carrot if desired.
- Step 4:
- Top each with another star-shaped bread piece to form sandwiches.
- Step 5:
- Arrange the starfish sandwiches in the center of a large platter.
- Step 6:
- Surround the sandwiches with halved grapes strawberries baby carrots and cucumber rounds.
- Step 7:
- Add clusters of pretzel twists goldfish crackers and pita chips to represent seaweed and ocean floor.
- Step 8:
- Place dips in small bowls and nestle them among the snacks.
- Step 9:
- Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve.
Pin this This snack spread brings back memories of joyful summer afternoons spent outdoors with family and friends, the kids eagerly grabbing starfish sandwiches and fresh fruits.
Required Tools
Starfish-shaped cookie cutter, Large serving platter, Small bowls (for dips), Sharp knife, Vegetable peeler
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (bread crackers pita chips), Dairy (cream cheese yogurt ranch dip), Nuts (if using nut butter), Soy (in some deli meats or dips). Always check labels for potential allergens and cross-contamination.
Nutritional Information
Estimated per serving: Calories 240, Total Fat 8 g, Carbohydrates 36 g, Protein 6 g
Pin this Enjoy this fun and colorful snack spread that’s sure to delight guests of all ages. Serve fresh for best taste and presentation.
Frequently Asked Recipe Questions
- → How do I make the starfish sandwiches?
Use a starfish-shaped cookie cutter to cut star shapes from bread slices, spread the filling on half, layer with preferred fillings like jam or deli meat, then top with another star-shaped bread piece.
- → What fillings work best inside the sandwiches?
Cream cheese, hummus, jam, nut butter, or deli meats combined with thin cucumber slices or grated carrot add flavor and texture.
- → How can the platter be adapted for dietary restrictions?
Swap cream cheese for dairy-free spreads to make it vegan, and use turkey or chicken for a non-vegetarian version. Check dips and snacks for allergens.
- → What snacks complement the starfish sandwiches?
Crunchy components like mini pretzel twists, goldfish-shaped crackers, and pita or veggie chips add sea-inspired texture and taste.
- → How should the platter be served and stored?
Arrange sandwiches and accompaniments on a large platter with dips in small bowls; serve immediately or cover and chill until ready.