Santa Board

A Break from Cookie Baking? Meet This Healthy Holiday Snack Board

Sometimes you need a break from all those holiday cookies. This Santa Board is that break. It’s a fun, healthy snack that kids and adults go crazy for. The board doubles as a cute centerpiece and a way to sneak in veggies. Perfect for parties, play dates, work parties, school parties, or just an afternoon snack in December. Santa never looked so good.

Reasons to Love This Christmas Snack Board

• It’s a clever way to get kids to eat their veggies, they’re too busy building Santa’s beard to notice the cauliflower.
• The whole board comes together in minutes with no cooking required, just assembly.
• It doubles as a festive centerpiece that doubles as a snack, so one less thing to prepare for your holiday party.

Key Ingredients for a Healthy Holiday Snack Board

• Hummus: Plain hummus works best for Santa’s face. You can use store-bought or homemade. Thinner hummus may spread too much, so choose a thick variety.
• Black olives: Large pitted olives are perfect for the eyes and belt buckle. Look for jumbo olives in a can or jar.
• Cauliflower: White cauliflower gives a natural beard look. Cut into small, uniform florets for easy arrangement.

Equipment Needed for a Christmas Snack Board

• Large board or platter with a lip (20×13 inches works well)
• Round white plate with a lip for the hummus (around 8 inches in diameter)
• Sharp knife for cutting olives and bell peppers
• Cutting board (optional, for prepping vegetables)

Tips for Assembling Your Holiday Party Snack Board

Start with a round white plate with a lip for the hummus, this makes Santa’s face. Spread it smooth, then press the olive eyes, tomato nose, and bell pepper smile gently so they stay put. Use a 20×13-inch board with a lip to hold everything in place. Layer the bell pepper strips from the top of the plate up to the top-right corner of the board to form Santa’s hat. Add a line of mini mozzarella balls along the top edge of the plate, then a small pile on the hat for the pom-pom.

For the beard, arrange cauliflower florets in a crescent below the plate. Use smaller florets for the mustache and eyebrows. Place the remaining olives at the bottom of the board around the beard to create Santa’s belt, then stack three club crackers at the bottom center. Cut the last olive in half and press the halves together on the top cracker for the belt buckle. Fan the remaining crackers along the right side and divide cherry tomatoes on both sides of the beard. Finish with broccoli at the top left.

Expert Advice for a Perfect Fun Christmas Snack Board

Choose large pitted black olives for the eyes and belt buckle, small ones get lost in the hummus. Pick firm cherry tomatoes and bright red bell peppers for the best contrast. For the cauliflower, break it into small, uniform florets so it looks like a fluffy beard. If you’re making the board ahead, keep the crackers and broccoli separate until serving to prevent sogginess.

Kid-Friendly Assembly Tips for Your Christmas Snack Board

Get the kids involved by letting them place Santa’s features, olives for eyes, tomato for nose, bell pepper smile. They can also help arrange the cauliflower beard and mozzarella hat trim. It’s a fun activity that gets them excited about eating vegetables.

Variations for an Adult Snack Board or Different Dietary Needs

Swap the hummus for a white bean dip or spinach artichoke dip if you want a different flavor. For a dairy-free version, skip the mozzarella balls and use white cheese-shaped vegetables like jicama sticks or daikon radish. Add other veggies like cucumber slices or snap peas for extra crunch. To turn it into a reindeer board, use a different shape for the face and swap the crackers for pretzel antlers.

How to Serve This Kids Snack Board

Set the board out on a coffee table or buffet for guests to graze on. It pairs beautifully with a cheese board or a bowl of nuts. For a full holiday spread, serve alongside cookies and hot cocoa. The board is also great as an after-school snack in December, kids can pick at it while doing homework.

Storing Leftover Snack Board Ingredients

Leftover hummus, olives, tomatoes, and mozzarella can be refrigerated in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days. The cauliflower and broccoli will stay fresh for a day or two, but the crackers should be kept at room temperature in a sealed bag. The assembled board doesn’t store well once everything is placed, so it’s best assembled just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Holiday Party Snack