Snack trays offer endless possibilities and are variable in size for individual portions and parties. They give snackers plenty of options to choose from, including candy and sweet treats. All in all, a snack tray is a versatile victory for busy parents!
How to Make a Snack Tray
Choose Your Occasion:
Who’s your snack tray for? From quick snacks for kids or a charcuterie-style board for a family picnic, snack trays come in all sizes, themes and flavors. A little bit of this and a little bit of that, and you’ve got something nutritious and delicious.
While you might be picturing a Pinterest-perfect snack tray for a party, everyday snack boards don’t have to be photo-ready. At-home lunches and dinners can be assembled on a tray and delivered to the dining room table or packaged up with a lid for eating on the way to soccer practice
Pick Your Ingredients:
There’s no science behind snack trays. It’s about what your family likes and making the most of what you already have on hand.
- Sweets: Let’s start with our personal favorite. Opt for small treats like HERSHEY’S KISSES Candies. These individually wrapped chocolates are perfect on the go, but if presentation is important, arrange ROLO® Unwrapped Caramels, REESE’S PIECES Candies or YORK Unwrapped Minis on your platter as well.
- Salty: Salty options bring a nice flavor contrast as well as a satisfying crunch. Whether it’s pretzels, popcorn, peanuts or puffs, most salty snacks are available in individual bags or shareable sizes.
- Fruits & Veggies: While snack trays can be indulgent, they also allow you to position fresh snacking options alongside the treats. Not only do fruits and veggies look great on your trays, but they also add a pop of color and a nice crunch.
- Cheese & Crackers: If you think about it, snack trays look a lot like the portable lunches you used to eat as a kid. Bring it all back with a cheese and cracker platter, featuring string cheese and cracker-slice cheese, along with sliced pepperoni, salami, bologna, or if you’re feeling extra fancy, deli meat cookie cutter shapes.
- Dietary Restrictions: Snack trays give guests and family members plenty of variety if they’re sticking to a personal diet, such as gluten-free, keto or vegetarian. Having a range of options ensures there’s a little something everyone can grab.
As you’re deciding on what you’ll need for your tray, consider whether or not you’ll need to keep it chilled. Portable snack trays with lids stack easily into a cooler. If you’re at home for a picnic, choose a tray or platter that fits in the fridge until party time.
Snack Tray Ideas & Themes
It doesn’t take much work to create easy snacks for the family. Ready to get started? Here are a few snack tray ideas to try:
Movie Night Snack Trays
Screening a blockbuster movie at home? Snack Tray … Assemble! Start with classic movie munchies like popcorn and chocolate. Then add a few of your family’s favorite finger foods like veggies and dip and cheese sticks. Elevate your popcorn game with a drizzle of melted chocolate chips.
Road Trip Snack Trays
Snack trays are a great way to save time and money when you’re traveling with the family. Just bust out a container of munchies to keep everyone happy in between stops.
When you’re cruising down the highway, easy, no-mess snacks are key. Individually wrapped options like HERSHEY’S KISSES Candies and REESE’S Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures save your sweets if they fall on the floor, while TWIZZLERS Twists and JOLLY RANCHER Gummies are a chewy, fruity refreshment.
You can also whip up some easy-to-grab treats for a little homemade flavor away from home. Think cookies, brownies, bars or ROLO® Pretzel Delights. Add some vitamins with fruits that don’t need to be cut, like grapes, strawberries and mandarin oranges, or pre-cut your veggies (celery, bell peppers, carrots) into sticks.
Learn How to Make This Road Trip Snack Tray or get more Road Trip Hacks for traveling with kids.
Make your next munching moment sweeter than ever with these snack tray ideas. Snack trays ensure there’s a little something for everyone’s tastes without going overboard on prep work. The food possibilities are endless, but you should always end with dessert! Looking for more party inspiration? Check out our birthday ideas and recipes page.
