Urban Grid Snack Platter (Printable Version)

A creative snack board with pretzel rod grids filled with cheeses, veggies, meats, and dips for sharing at gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Streets

01 - 20 long pretzel rods

→ Cheeses

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

→ Meats (optional)

05 - 3.5 ounces salami, sliced
06 - 3.5 ounces 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 the pretzel rods on a large rectangular serving board in a grid pattern, mimicking streets and city blocks.
02 - Fill each created block with cheeses, optional meats, vegetables, dips, olives, and nuts, grouping them separately for visual contrast and easy selection.
03 - Transfer dips into small bowls and situate them within or adjacent to the grid layout.
04 - Present the assembled platter promptly, encouraging guests to sample and combine different sections.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everyone finds something to love because they're building their own snack adventure, not eating what someone decided for them.
  • It looks like you spent hours styling when really it's just 25 minutes and a grid—your reputation as a host just skyrocketed.
  • The pretzel rods are the secret weapon: salty, crunchy, and they actually hold everything together both structurally and visually.
02 -
  • Cut everything roughly the same size—it changes how people eat, making the experience feel deliberate rather than chaotic, and every bite has better balance.
  • Keep cheeses and dips cool until the last possible moment; they soften in minutes at room temperature, which sounds minor until your carefully arranged blocks start sliding around.
  • The pretzel rods are load-bearing walls, not decoration—lay them out first and build everything else around them, or you'll end up rearranging halfway through.
03 -
  • Use a long wooden board over round platters; it gives the grid metaphor room to breathe and makes the whole thing look intentional.
  • Group similar colors together but break the pattern occasionally with contrast—your eye will feel delighted rather than bored by the arrangement.
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