Polka Dot Platter Appetizer (Printable Version)

A visually stunning platter featuring colorful melon balls, grapes, cheeses, and olives arranged in spheres.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruits

01 - 1 cup watermelon balls
02 - 1 cup cantaloupe balls
03 - 1 cup honeydew melon balls
04 - 1 cup red grapes
05 - 1 cup green grapes

→ Cheeses

06 - 1 cup mozzarella pearls (bocconcini)
07 - 1 cup marinated feta balls (optional)

→ Savory Spheres

08 - 1 cup mini bocconcini or small marinated cheese balls
09 - 1 cup stuffed green olive spheres

→ Extras (Optional)

10 - 1/2 cup chocolate truffle balls
11 - 1/2 cup energy bites or nut butter balls
12 - Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - Use a melon baller to scoop watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew into even spheres.
02 - Rinse grapes thoroughly and pat dry.
03 - Drain mozzarella pearls and marinated cheese balls to remove excess liquid.
04 - Arrange all spherical ingredients on a large platter, alternating colors and types for a visually appealing polka dot pattern.
05 - Incorporate optional savory or sweet spheres as desired to enhance variety.
06 - Sprinkle fresh mint leaves over the platter for added fragrance and color.
07 - Serve chilled alongside cocktail picks or small skewers for easy enjoyment.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like edible art, which means your guests will take photos before anything disappears.
  • Zero cooking required means you can actually enjoy your party instead of sweating in the kitchen.
  • Every element is pick-and-pop friendly, so people can graze without needing a plate or fork.
  • The colors are naturally stunning—no food coloring needed, just nature doing the heavy lifting.
02 -
  • Melon balls release juice as they sit, so prep them as close to serving time as possible—within 2 hours is safe, but 30 minutes is ideal.
  • A dry platter makes the difference between looking intentional and looking like someone abandoned a fruit salad mid-scoop; always use paper towels aggressively.
  • Cold ingredients stay fresher and more visually appealing, so chill everything for at least an hour before arranging.
03 -
  • Prep all your ingredients the morning of, but arrange the platter only an hour or two before serving to avoid juicing and wilting.
  • For a vegan twist, substitute mozzarella with cashew cheese balls and skip the dairy-based truffles—the platter looks just as stunning.
  • If you're serving this at a warm-weather event, chill your serving platter in the freezer for 10 minutes before arranging so everything stays fresh longer.
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