Urban Grid Snack Platter (Printable)

A city-themed snack platter with pretzel grids, cheeses, meats, vegetables, and dips for easy sharing.

# What You Need:

→ Streets

01 - 20 long pretzel rods

→ Cheeses

02 - 3.5 oz mild cheddar, cubed
03 - 3.5 oz gouda, cubed
04 - 3.5 oz mozzarella, cubed

→ Meats (optional)

05 - 3.5 oz salami, sliced
06 - 3.5 oz smoked turkey, cubed

→ Vegetables

07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 cucumber, sliced
09 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
10 - 1/2 cup baby carrots

→ Dips & Spreads

11 - 1/2 cup hummus
12 - 1/2 cup ranch dip

→ Extras

13 - 1/2 cup mixed olives
14 - 1/2 cup roasted nuts (almonds or cashews)

# Directions:

01 - Place pretzel rods on a large rectangular platter in a grid pattern, creating intersecting 'streets' to form blocks resembling a city map.
02 - Distribute cubed cheeses, sliced or cubed meats if using, vegetables, mixed olives, and roasted nuts into the separate blocks for visual variation and easy access.
03 - Place hummus and ranch dip into small bowls and position them within or near the grid for convenient dipping.
04 - Present immediately, inviting guests to select and combine ingredients from the various blocks as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Your guests will actually stop mid-conversation to photograph it—the grid design does the work for you.
  • Everyone gets to build their own flavor combinations, which somehow makes people happier than if you assembled it for them.
  • Twenty-five minutes of prep means you can spend the party actually enjoying people instead of frantically finishing food.
  • It works for casual hangouts or fancy gatherings without looking like you're trying too hard.
02 -
  • Cut your cheese into cubes at least an hour before serving and let them sit uncovered in the fridge—they'll firm up and be easier for guests to grab.
  • If you slice the cucumber more than two hours ahead, it releases water and becomes sad; do this step just before the party starts.
03 -
  • Toast your pretzel rods very lightly in a 300°F oven for five minutes before arranging if you want them extra crispy and to amplify their salty flavor.
  • Mix a tiny bit of lemon juice into your hummus just before serving—it brightens the whole platter and makes people taste it differently.
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