Thanksgiving Snack Board

Keep the hangry's at bay this Thanksgiving with a mix of salty-sweet, no-cook nibbles! This is a Thanksgiving Snack Board to put an end to both the complaints and the hunger pains while you and your crew are waiting on the turkey to finish cooking.

As someone who's hosted Thanksgiving for years, I've learned that keeping everyone semi-fed and happy before the turkey hits the table is the secret to a successful, stress-free holiday.

It's a perfectly seasonal appetizer made for tiding over a hungry crowd on Thanksgiving Day or entertaining all throughout the fall. Bonus? It's ready in less than 20 minutes. Just pick your three favorite cheeses, a jam to keep things interesting, add some fresh or dried fruits for pops of color, a cluster of sweet nibbles, and of course, a medley of nuts and crackers for some savory crunch!

If you're looking for a no-cook holiday snack board with a little more meat to it, check out my simple charcuterie board.

Why You'll Love This Snack Board

As a home that hosts every holiday for the last 15+ years (and genuinely loves it) I can attest to what a gift a snack board is to a busy hostess. On Thanksgiving day, we often have family and friends staying with us, which means I'm cooking, chatting, and keeping everyone fed all at the same time. This board is my go-to because:

• it's simple to assemble,
• feels perfectly seasonal,
• and keeps the munchies at bay while the turkey roasts in the oven.

A few pretty cheeses, colorful fruit, and a handful of nuts makes guests feel welcomed and the host more relaxed. Serve alongside spiked apple cider or mulled wine for an extra festive touch.

Need more food ideas for the big day? This Thanksgiving Potluck and Hosting Guide will tell you everything you need to know.

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Snack Idea

As we all know by now, Thanksgiving recipes are as much about the sides and the dessert table as it is about slicing into that golden, perfectly roasted turkey. But one aspect of the gathering that is often sadly overlooked, are the appetizers. From apple baked brie to caramel apple dip, fall appetizers have quite a bit to offer when it comes to the biggest foodie day of the year.

Of course, we wouldn’t want to spoil our appetites on the greatest eating day of the year, but we certainly don’t want our people to go into starvation mode either, now do we? No. What we need is an appetizer worthy of Thanksgiving day, yet one that won’t stuff us like the turkey we’re expecting to devour, and this, my friends, is where the Thanksgiving Snack Board comes in.

Cheeses for Thanksgiving Snack Board

As for the cheeses, pick your three favorites and for best quality, buy it in block form, not pre-sliced:

• Gruyere
• Aged Cheddar
• Wensleydale
• Gouda
• Havarti
• Brie
• Gorgonzola
• Goat Cheese

Pro Tip: In my experience, the more mild, recognizable cheeses are often the first to go. Something to consider when making your selections.

Choose Fall Fruits

• Pears
• Apples
• Pomegranate
• Cranberries
• Grapes

An assortment of fruit is another wonderful addition to any Thanksgiving Snack Board. Think seasonal when choosing your fruits: apples, pears, grapes, pomegranates, and cranberries would be great choices.

Pro Tip: You could go with fresh or dried fruits, but if you should choose to go with fresh apples or pears, be sure to give the sliced fruit a 10-minute soak in a bowl of ice water with a tablespoon or two of lemon juice first. This will keep them from discoloring too soon on your platter.

Nuts

• Pecans
• Glazed Nuts
• Almonds
• Walnuts

As for the nuts, you can’t go wrong with pecans come Thanksgiving time, and bonus if you can find glazed pecans for an extra salty-sweet vibe, or make our praline pecan recipe. Roasted and salted almonds or walnuts are also a great addition. In particular, my guests have always gone wild for Marcona almonds — a little harder to find, but insanely delicious.

Crackers

• Water Crackers
• Stone-Ground Crackers
• Triscuits
• Bruschettini
• Keebler's Toasted's

While we’re on the topic of salty, crunchy deliciousness, let’s talk crackers. Don’t allow the crackers to cover up the flavor of your selected cheeses. Go with a variety of water or stone-ground crackers instead of über buttery, salty crackers.

Sweet Ideas for Your Thanksgiving Snack Board

You can certainly mix sweet and savory when it comes to Thanksgiving snack boards. If you’d like to add a little more sweet to your board, consider throwing in nibbles equipped with fall flavors like biscotti, ginger snaps, maple-flavored cookies, or even one of The Anthony Kitchen’s all-time favorites — Ginger Molasses Cookies!

• Ginger Snaps
• Ginger Molasses
• Maple-Flavored Cookies
• Biscotti

These cookies can be made in advance and frozen until the big day to keep your day-of preparations at a bare minimum!

Jams and Spreads

For a homemade touch, add a small bowl of our cranberry sauce with orange juice — its sweet-tart flavor is perfect for pairing with brie or goat cheese. Plus, it'll get you a headstart on one of your Thanksgiving side dishes!

• Fig Jam
• Pear Jam
• Bacon Jam
• Pomegranate Jam

Last of all, jams -- they're perfect for serving with cheeses. It’s a little something extra and unexpected. You can serve it on the side or top off a soft cheese like brie, blue cheese, or goat cheese. Baked brie with jam is one of my go-to party appetizers! You could also top brie or goat cheese with baked apples for an extra special touch and serve it smack dab in the middle of your Thanksgiving snack board.

Fig, pear, and even bacon jam would be great additions to your platter. If you want to go the extra mile, consider mincing up a bit of fresh thyme or rosemary and sprinkling it over the jam.

Make Ahead & Storage Tips

• Make-Ahead | Cheese can be sliced and kept in an airtight container or zip-top bag up 3-4 days in advance. Wait to slice any fruit and assemble the board until the day of serving.
• Store | Store any perishable items like cheese and fruit in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Crackers and nuts can keep in airtight containers or original packaging at room temperature.

5 Thanksgiving Appetizers You'll Love

• My Dessert Charcuterie Board brings the wow to holiday tables with a mix of cookies, fruit, chocolates, and more. It can be as homemade or make-ahead as you wish!
• Cranberry Salsa has a combo of spice and tang, and is perfect for serving at the Thanksgiving table! Pair it with turkey or goat cheese for a seriously delicious spread!
• Goat Cheese Ball made with cream cheese, white Cheddar, cranberries, almonds, and fresh thyme feeds a crowd, is beautifully festive, and made for fall entertaining!
• Baked Brie with Cranberry Chutney is baked inside puff pastry, then slathered with a tart homemade Cranberry Chutney.
• Easy Cheese Dip comes together with just two ingredients and 10 minutes! Perfect for whipping up on a busy day in the kitchen.