This festive and fun Veggie Tray Christmas Tree comes together in minutes. It’s a healthy holiday appetizer or snack that will make everyone smile and gather together! It’s beautifully delicious with assorted green vegetables, grape tomatoes, dill, and starfruit!
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This Veggie Tray Christmas Tree is fun, festive, and inviting. It’s the perfect appetizer for your holiday party! It’s an easy appetizer that looks impressive. With all of the cookies, cheese, and other indulgences, this veggie tray will be a healthy addition.
If you want a fruit tray, check out my Christmas fruit tray! Or try these reindeer celery snacks and strawberry Santas that are healthy and kid-friendly!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Appetizer
- Healthy: This appetizer’s holiday color comes from vegetables, so it’s a healthy way to get into the holiday spirit.
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll only need a few veggies and pretzel sticks.
- Whole Food Ingredients: Aside from the pretzels, this tray is made with fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Diet-Friendly: This is a vegan dish that’s dairy-free, and if you see gluten-free pretzels, it’s also gluten-free! This is also a fun appetizer to serve to kids to get them more excited about eating veggies.
Ingredients and Notes
- English Cucumber: Sliced into thin rounds. This will create two rows for the Christmas tree.
- Green Pepper: Cut into medium size and small sticks. The small sticks will be used at the top of the tree.
- Sugar Snap Peas: Wash and cut the ends off of the sugar snap peas. You’ll arrange these in two rows to make the green of the tree.
- Dill: A few dill sprigs add a little piney look to the tree.
- Grape Tomatoes: Used to make beautiful red ornaments.
- Starfruit: You need just one slice to act as the tree topper. Cut a large section of the starfruit for the top of the tree and a few slices near the end of the starfruit to add as ornaments.
- Pretzel Sticks: Act as the trunk of the tree.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add pineapple tidbits for more color and extra “decorations” on the tree.
- Add a few broccoli florets to give the veggie tree more fullness.
- Dried cranberries can also be used for extra color and to create a decorative look.
- If you prefer not to use pretzel sticks for the base of the tree, consider using carrots cut into slim sticks.
How to Make a Veggie Tray Christmas Tree
- Wash and dry the vegetables. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds. Cut the green pepper into medium and small sticks. Cut the ends off of the snap peas. Slice the starfruit (you won’t use the entire starfruit).
- Arrange the vegetables in rows, starting with the cucumber slices, the medium green pepper sticks, and the snap peas; repeat. Each row will be slightly narrower than the one before. Arrange the small green peppers at the top to create a point.
- Arrange a few grape tomatoes around the tree. Place one slice of the starfruit on the top of the tree and a few smaller slices around the tree. Add a few sprigs of dill around the edges.
- Place pretzel sticks on the bottom center underneath the cucumber slices. Serve with a side of hummus or veggie dip, and enjoy!
FAQ
I recommend using vegetables that are in season during December and that have the colors of the season, including green, red, and yellow. I recommend green peppers, broccoli, cucumber, snap peas, and green beans. Red vegetables I recommend include cherry tomatoes and red peppers. Yellow vegetables include yellow cherry tomatoes and starfruit. Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and dill to create an evergreen tree look.
Place bowls of spiced nuts, like almonds or cashews, on the tray for added crunch and flavor. Marinate some vegetables in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and herbs before placing them on the tray. For a tangy and briny flavor, include pickled items like olives, pickles, or pickled peppers—grate citrus zest (lemon, lime, or orange) over the vegetables for a citrusy flavor. Sprinkle a mild spice blend or seasoning over the vegetables. Consider Italian seasoning, Cajun spice, or a simple salt and pepper mix.
The key to super fresh flavor and texture is preparing this tray just before guests arrive. At that point, it’s at peak quality.
Expert Tips
- Purchase your veggies fresh. It’s best to get your veggies the day before or the day you’re ready to prepare your veggie tray so that they are at the peak of freshness before serving.
- Cut veggies a few hours before serving so you can arrange the tree easily before guests arrive.
- Cut the green pepper into two different even sizes. I found it easiest to slice the ends off of the green pepper where it starts to curve. This way, you get even sticks that lay flat. Then, cut the rest of your green peppers into smaller sticks to make the top of the tree.
- You won’t use the entire starfruit. Cut one slice near the center for the top of the tree and a few slices near the end or bottom to achieve smaller stars for the middle of the tree.
- I used grape tomatoes for the ornaments, but rounder cherry tomatoes would be even better to achieve the ornament look.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Serve with gluten-free hummus, vegan tzatziki, or ranch dressing to dip the veggies in. You can also enjoy these fresh veggies without dipping or use a store-bought dip.
Storage
Although I find this Christmas veggie best when eaten as soon as possible after making it, you can make it the night before or a few hours beforehand to save time.
Refrigerator: Store for 1 to 2 days in an airtight container for maximum freshness. You can push it to 4 days, but the veggies will begin to get soft. Freezing is not recommended.
Video
Serving Size
This veggie tray will serve 8-10 people. I recommend cutting additional vegetables and refilling the tray throughout your holiday party to serve more people.
Please comment below if you found this article helpful or have any additional questions. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more family-friendly vegan recipes!
Recipe
Veggie Tray Christmas Tree
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 5 pretzel sticks
- 1 starfruit
- 1 English cucumber cut into thin slices
- 1 green bell pepper cut into medium and small sticks
- ¼ cup grape tomatoes
- ½ cup sugar snap peas
- 6 sprigs fresh dill
Instructions
- Prepare your vegetables. Wash all of your vegetables. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds. Cut the green pepper into medium and small sticks. Cut the ends off of the snap peas. Slice the starfruit (you won't use the entire starfruit).
- Arrange the vegetables in rows starting with the cucumber slices, then the medium green pepper sticks, and the snap peas, repeat. Each row will be slightly more narrow than the one before. Arrange the small green peppers at the top to create a point.
- Arrange a few grape tomatoes around the tree. Place one slice of the starfruit on the top of the tree, and a few smaller slices around the tree. Add a few sprigs of dill around the edges.
- Place pretzels sticks on the bottom center underneath the cucumber slices. Serve with a side of hummus or veggie dip, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Purchase your veggies fresh, meaning it’s best to get your veggies the day before you’re ready to prepare your veggie tray so that they are at the peak of freshness before serving.
- Cut the veggies a few hours early or just before ready to serve.
- Cut the green pepper into two different even sizes. I found it easiest to slice the ends off of the green pepper where it starts to curve. This way, you get even sticks that lay flat. Then, cut the rest of your green peppers into smaller sticks to make the top of the tree.
- You won’t use the entire starfruit. Cut one slice near the center for the top of the tree, and a few slices near the end or bottom to achieve smaller stars for the middle of the tree.
- I used grape tomatoes for the ornaments, but it would be even better with rounder cherry tomatoes to achieve the ornament look.
rachel moore
So pretty. I want to make it. I have a huge rosemary bush so I will use sprigs of that instead of buying dill. Tomatos and cukes wer already on my grocery list so just added the other veggies to list.
Sue
Fantastic veggie tray for the holidays!
Jessie
This is so cute!! I am trying this for my party this year for sure!!
Tawnie
This is SO cute and I know will be a hit this year for our small gathering!
Christie Gagnon
Love this! So festive and healthy!!
Beth
This is so adorable! I love this! I can’t wait to make one for the holidays!