Bushra Griffith
Cheese and crackers are a classic, easy-to-make, and versatile appetizer. They can be served as a simple snack or dressed up to impress guests. The key to a good cheese and cracker tray is variety. Choose a few different types of cheese—hard, soft, and blue are the basics—and consider adding some offbeat cheeses to the mix. For the crackers, include at least one plain variety and one more robust and flavorful option. You can also add breadsticks, crostini, or gluten-free crackers for texture and variety. To elevate your cheese and cracker tray, pair it with wine, fresh herbs, fruit, nuts, honey, or chocolate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheese varieties | 2-3 |
| Type of cheese | Hard, soft, blue, mild, sharp, stinky, triple cream, rind, goat, sheep, herbed, medium, etc. |
| Amount of cheese | 2-5 oz. per person |
| Number of crackers | 2-3 |
| Type of crackers | Water crackers, fruited crackers, crostini, wafer crackers, breadsticks, rice crackers, etc. |
| Accompaniments | Fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats, chocolates, dips, honey, etc. |
| Presentation | Fan-shaped, side plate, bowl, platter, tray, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a variety of cheeses
When serving cheese and crackers, it's important to provide a variety of cheeses to cater to different tastes. Here are some tips to help you choose a selection of cheeses that will impress your guests:
First, consider the number of guests you'll be serving and plan accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to provide 1-2 ounces of each cheese per person if served as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre, and 1 to 1.5 ounces if served as an after-dinner cheese course. If you're serving cheese as the main focus of a gathering, plan for 4-5 ounces of cheese per person. If you're serving other appetizers alongside the cheese and crackers, you won't need as much cheese. It's also a good idea to have a little extra cheese on hand, as it's better to have too much than too little.
Next, select a variety of cheeses with different textures and flavours. Aim for a mix of hard, semi-hard, soft, and blue cheeses. Here are some examples of cheeses to consider for each category:
- Hard cheeses: Parmesan, Gruyère, or aged gouda.
- Semi-hard cheeses: Cheddar, Swiss, or gouda.
- Soft cheeses: Brie, Camembert, goat cheese, or chèvre.
- Blue cheeses: Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton, or Dolce.
You can also include some in-between cheeses, like semi-soft varieties such as Fontina, Havarti, or Muenster. If you want to get creative, consider a themed cheese board featuring cheeses from a specific region or country, such as France, Italy, or Spain. For example, a French night could include Brie, Roquefort, and Emmental with a baguette, while an Italian night could feature Fontina, Burrata, and Gorgonzola served with crostini.
Remember, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to choosing cheeses. Feel free to experiment and include some offbeat options to make the tasting experience more fun for your guests.
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Select complementary crackers
When selecting crackers to accompany your cheese tray, it's important to consider the types of cheeses you'll be serving. Aim for a variety of crackers to complement the different flavours and textures of your chosen cheeses.
Firstly, decide on the number of crackers. It's a good idea to have at least two types of crackers on your tray. One should be more robust and flavourful to complement plainer cheeses, while the other should be simpler to pair well with more complex, strongly-flavoured cheeses. If you're making a larger tray, you can include more types of crackers, but remember that adults tend to eat fewer crackers than children, so you may not need as many as you think.
Next, consider the types of crackers you'd like to include. Water crackers are a classic choice, but don't be afraid to branch out and get creative. Try fruited crackers, wafer crackers, crostini, breadsticks, rice crackers, or even gluten-free Parmesan crisps. You can also switch up the shapes of your crackers, especially if you're serving something Italian. Breadsticks or breadsticks turned into prosciutto "lollipops" can be a fun addition. If you're serving a saucier dish, crostini might be a better option.
Now, think about specific pairings. Mild crackers go well with strong cheeses, while robust crackers complement milder cheeses. Here are some specific suggestions:
- Triple cream and soft rind cheeses like brie, camembert, and Comté pair well with water crackers, fruited crackers, or crostini.
- "Stinky" blue or limburger cheeses work with sweet or fruited crackers, wafer crackers, or croccantini.
- Sharp cheeses like cheddar go nicely with club crackers, Ritz, or other buttery crackers.
- Goat and sheep cheeses, such as chevre, Humboldt Fog, and roquefort, taste great with fruited or herby crackers.
- Herbed cheeses like Boursin and havarti dill are delicious with flatbreads, wafer crackers, or olive oil crackers.
Finally, don't forget that you can always add more crackers during your gathering if needed, and that it's a good idea to have a bowl of extra crackers on hand for your guests.
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Add fruits, vegetables, and nuts
When serving cheese and crackers on a tray, it's important to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and nuts to add colour, texture, and flavour. Here are some tips to help you create a delicious and visually appealing spread:
Fruits:
- Aim for a mix of fresh and dried fruits. Fresh fruits such as apples, pears, cherries, berries, grapes, apricots, persimmons, oranges, and dates add a refreshing touch to the platter.
- Dried fruits like apricots, cherries, dates, cranberries, and figs are also great options. They tend to be less popular, but they add a beautiful element to the tray.
- Cut larger fruits into relatively small pieces and scatter them across the board. This makes it easier for guests to grab a bite and creates a balanced look.
- Consider the seasonality of fruits to save costs. In-season fruits are usually cheaper and can add variety to your tray.
Vegetables:
- Include some crunchy vegetables like arugula or other leafy greens. You can dress them with a splash of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make them more exciting.
- Cornichons (tiny pickles) are another option to add a tangy crunch to your tray.
- If you want to get creative, try making vegetable crackers or crisps. For example, you could make Parmesan crisps or crackers from scratch.
Nuts:
- Nuts provide texture and flavour to your cheese and cracker tray. Some popular choices include pistachios, cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts, and walnuts.
- Be mindful of any nut allergies your guests may have. It is always a good idea to provide a variety of options to accommodate different dietary needs.
- If you're on a budget, nuts can be one of the more expensive items. You can skip them altogether or opt for cheaper varieties like peanuts.
Remember, the key to a great platter is to make it look full and abundant. Fruits, vegetables, and nuts are excellent fillers to achieve that wow factor!
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Include meats and dips
When it comes to serving cheese and crackers on a tray, meats and dips can be a great addition. Here are some tips to elevate your platter:
Choosing the Meats
Select an assortment of meats to provide a variety of flavours and textures. Cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, chorizo, and summer sausage are popular choices. If you want to get fancy, try adding "fancier" meats like prosciutto or cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, or soppressata. For thinner meats like prosciutto, a neat presentation trick is to hold each piece vertically and then gently lower it onto the tray, twisting your hand to create folds and save space. Deli meats can be rolled up tightly and stacked neatly. If you're using sliced sausages, arrange them in a fish scale pattern.
Adding Dips and Spreads
Dips and spreads add a whole new dimension to your cheese and cracker tray. Fig jam, honey, mustard, and apple butter are excellent choices that pair well with meats and cheeses. You can also offer a selection of dips such as hummus, artichoke dip, or romesco. For a festive touch, consider seasonal dips like whipped caramel apple dip or pumpkin dip. Don't be afraid to offer a variety of options to cater to different tastes.
Crackers and Bread
While the meats and dips are the stars of this tray, don't forget the crackers! It's a good idea to provide a variety of crackers, such as water crackers, butter crackers, and gluten-free options. Breadsticks and crostini can also be great alternatives to traditional crackers. Fan out the crackers or bread around the edges of the tray to make them easily accessible to your guests.
Presentation Tips
When assembling your meat, cheese, and cracker tray, start with the bulkiest items first. Place any bowls of dips or pickles in the centre, then add the cheeses, followed by the meats. Finally, use the crackers to fill in any gaps. If you're using sliced meats, consider creating a fan shape around the cheeses. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different arrangements to make your tray visually appealing.
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Wine and other drink pairings
When serving cheese and crackers, it's important to consider the drinks you will be offering your guests. Wine and cheese are a natural, delicious, and sophisticated pairing. Here are some tips for choosing the right wine to accompany your cheese and crackers:
- One safe tip is to pair wines with cheeses produced in the same country or region. For example, you could pair Spanish wines with Spanish cheeses.
- Try to match flavour intensities. A strong, dark Cabernet Sauvignon might overpower delicate cheeses but will pair well with intense flavours like aged cheddar or Gouda.
- If you plan to serve lighter wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, or Pinot Grigio, opt for less intense cheeses like Brie and Gruyère.
- The type of cracker you choose can also influence the wine you pair with your cheese. For instance, traditional wheat crackers now come in a variety of ingredients such as whole grains, seeds, herbs, and spices, which can affect the wine choice.
- Flavoured crackers with ingredients like fruit, olive oil, or truffle oil can be paired with milder cheeses to let the cracker shine.
- Hard cheeses like Manchego, Parmigiano Reggiano, Comte, and cheddar pair well with red, medium-bodied wines like Rioja or Cabernet Sauvignon. You could also pair cheddar with Chardonnay.
- Soft cheeses like Camembert and Brie go well with red and fruity wines like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir. You could also try a rosé.
- Blue cheeses like Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton pair well with sweet wines. Try a unique choice like a graham cracker with a blue cheese.
Remember, these are just suggestions, and you can always get creative with your pairings. If in doubt, ask for recommendations at a specialty shop or supermarket, or visit on sampling day to find the perfect match for your cheese and crackers.
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Frequently asked questions
If serving as an appetizer, plan for 2-3 oz. of cheese per person. If it's the only snack, you'll need more. If serving as a main course, plan for 4-5 oz. of cheese per person. If you're serving other snacks, people will eat less cheese.
It's best to provide a few different varieties since your guests' tastes can vary. Include a mix of hard, soft, and blue cheeses. Familiar hard and semi-hard cheeses include Swiss, cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyère. Some soft cheese options are goat cheese, Camembert, chèvre, and Brie. Examples of blue cheese include Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton.
It's good to have at least two types of crackers. One should complement the plainer cheeses, and the other should pair well with more complex, strongly-flavored cheeses. Water crackers are a classic choice, but you can also get creative with breadsticks, crostini, rice crackers, or gluten-free crackers.
