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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Every year, our 4th of July celebration starts early—and that means the grill is still cold and people are already hungry. My solution? A snack board that hits all the red, white, and blue notes without taking over the whole table.
This vertical charcuterie board is one of my favorite entertaining tricks. It looks festive, takes up hardly any space, and keeps the crowd happily munching until the burgers and hot dogs are ready. I started doing this because we were running out of room on the buffet table, and now it’s become a July 4th tradition.
Whether you’re hosting a big backyard bash or heading to a neighborhood potluck, this snack board adds instant cheer. It’s especially great if you’ve got kids running around—everyone can grab what they like, and the star-shaped bowls are always a hit!
It also pairs beautifully with my other holiday favorites like 4th of July Bundt Cake, Chocolate-Covered Pretzels for the 4th of July, and Red, White, and Blue Infused Water. You’ll be amazed how quickly this easy snack display becomes the centerpiece of your celebration.
Watch how I make this recipe
Tools That Make It Easier
This setup is all about making the most of vertical space. Here's what I use:
- Two tiered serving metal stand
- Red star - shaped dipping bowl
- Blue star - shaped dipping bowl
- White star-shaped dipping bowl
- 4th of July Fireworks Cocktail Picks
- Fourth of July ribbons set
If you don’t have a tiered tray, you can stack two cake stands or bowls of different sizes for a similar look. I’ve even used an upside-down mixing bowl topped with a plate in a pinch—get creative!
What You’ll Need From Your Pantry
Red
White
- Stars Crackerbread
- Yogurt Raisins
- Cauliflower
- White Chocolate Bar
- Brie cheese
- Pistachios with shells
- Assorted Cheese
- Cashews
Blue
Homemade Snacks to Add
Want to go the extra mile? Here are a few homemade treats that go perfectly with this board:
- Chocolate-Covered Pretzels for the 4th of July
- Homemade Star-Shaped Chocolates
- Star-Shaped Chocolate Graham Crackers
- Pinwheel Cookies for the 4th of July
These little extras really pull the whole thing together—and they make great party favors, too!
Before You Start: My Quick Tip
Keep snacks grouped by color for maximum impact. I cluster the red items together (like strawberries and salami), then the whites (like cheese and crackers), and finally the blues (grapes and blueberries). It makes the board feel more intentional and instantly festive. Bonus: you don’t need to fill every inch—strategic spacing makes it easier to grab what you want.
Also, wash and prep your produce the day before. I use the method in How to Keep Strawberries Fresh to ensure my berries stay plump and delicious all day.
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Let’s Make It Together
- Start with a clean two-tiered serving stand.
- Fill the star-shaped bowls with small snacks like pistachios, yogurt raisins, blueberries, and cashews.
- Place those bowls on the upper and lower tiers of the tray.
- Fill in gaps with larger snacks like bundles of grapes, wedges of brie, and cauliflower florets.
- Add mid-sized snacks like salami slices and cheese cubes.
- Fill in remaining gaps with popcorn, star crackers, and squares of white chocolate.
- Add ribbon around the top handle, and tuck in a few festive cocktail picks for flair.
That’s it! You’ve got a snack board that’s colorful, crowd-pleasing, and totally on theme.
Recipe variations
Store It Like a Pro
You can prep most ingredients ahead of time—just store them separately. I keep cheese and fruit in airtight containers in the fridge, and dry goods like crackers in sealed jars until I’m ready to assemble. Only combine everything when you’re ready to serve for best freshness.
To avoid sogginess, I always blot fruit with a paper towel before arranging. And if you’re transporting the board, keep the stand disassembled and pack everything in small containers to assemble on-site.
More July 4th Favorites
Pair your patriotic snack board with these festive treats and drinks:
- Red, White, and Blue Infused Water
- Patriotic Cinnamon Twists
- 4th of July Bundt Cake
- Pinwheel Cookies for the 4th of July
- Grilled S’mores
Looking for savory options? Try:
- Grilled Chicken Breasts
- Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
- Summer Cucumber Salad
- Chocolate-Dipped Watermelon Bites
Final Thoughts
This 4th of July vertical charcuterie board is one of those easy wins—it looks great, feeds a crowd, and sets the mood right away. It’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or even just a festive lunch at home. Once you try it, I promise you’ll come back to this setup year after year.
July 4th vertical charcuterie board
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
White
Instructions
- Start with a clean two-tiered serving stand.
- Fill the star-shaped bowls with small snacks like pistachios, yogurt raisins, blueberries, and cashews.
- Place those bowls on the upper and lower tiers of the tray.
- Fill in gaps with larger snacks like bundles of grapes, wedges of brie, and cauliflower florets.
- Add mid-sized snacks like salami slices and cheese cubes.
- Fill in the remaining gaps with popcorn, star crackers, and squares of white chocolate.Add ribbon around the top handle, and tuck in a few festive cocktail picks for flair.
From My Kitchen to Yours
July 4th Theme
- How to Make American Flag Chocolate Covered Pretzel Twists
- How to Make American Flag Mini Cupcakes for 4th of July
- Homemade Chocolate Graham Crackers in Fun Star Shapes
- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods for 4th of July Parties
- Watermelon Popsicles with Chocolate Drizzle
- Fast Homemade Vanilla Cake Recipe – Bake and Frost in 3 Hours
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Food Photography & Video Tips from My Studio
Here’s a peek at the tools, gear, and camera setups I use to film my recipe videos and photograph food at home. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of different setups, and now I’m sharing what actually works for me—whether I’m filming overhead shots for YouTube or styling still photos for my blog. If you’re curious about how I create the content you see here, these posts are a great place to start.
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