Save to Pinterest A whimsical, ocean-inspired snack platter featuring playful starfish-shaped sandwiches, fresh fruits, and crunchy snacks—perfect for summer gatherings or kids parties.
I love making this snack spread for beach days with the family because it brings smiles and is easy to customize.
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—save 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.
Save to Pinterest This spread always brings our family together on sunny days—sharing, laughing, and enjoying every bite.
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
Calories: 240, Total Fat: 8 g, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 6 g (per serving, estimated)
Save to Pinterest This delightful snack platter is sure to be a hit at your next gathering with minimal prep and maximum fun.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I create starfish-shaped sandwiches?
Use a starfish-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes from soft sandwich bread slices, then add your preferred fillings between two star shapes.
- → What fillings work best for the sandwiches?
Cream cheese or hummus paired with jam, nut butter, or deli meat are great options, complemented by thin cucumber or grated carrot for crunch.
- → Can this platter accommodate dietary preferences?
Yes, you can swap cream cheese for dairy-free spreads to make it vegan and choose turkey or chicken fillings for non-vegetarian options.
- → What snacks enhance the ocean-inspired theme?
Mini pretzel twists resemble seaweed, goldfish-shaped crackers mimic ocean creatures, and pita chips add crunchy texture to the spread.
- → Which dips pair well on this platter?
Ranch dip or hummus complements the sandwiches, while fruit yogurt works well with the fresh fruit selection.
- → How can I safely prepare allergen-free variations?
Check ingredient labels for wheat, dairy, nuts, and soy, and substitute components like bread, spreads, and dips as needed.