Save A playful, nutritious snack tower inspired by giraffes—layers of fruits, vegetables, and cheese create a fun, eye-catching treat perfect for kids or parties.
This snack tower quickly became a hit at family gatherings, bringing smiles and encouraging kids to eat their veggies.
Ingredients
- Base & Body: 4 thick slices cucumber, 4 baby carrots, 4 celery sticks (cut into 4-inch lengths), 4 cubes cheddar cheese (about 1-inch), 4 cubes gouda cheese (about 1-inch)
- Neck & Head: 4 long pretzel rods, 8 black olive slices (for eyes), 4 cherry tomatoes (for the nose), 4 thin apple slices (for ears)
- Decorative Features: 2 tbsp cream cheese or hummus (for glue), 1 tbsp black sesame seeds (for spots), Fresh chives or parsley (for leaves/grass garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Lay out the cucumber slice as the base of each snack tower.
- Step 2:
- Stack a cube of cheddar cheese on the cucumber, followed by a baby carrot and a cube of gouda cheese to form the giraffes body.
- Step 3:
- Insert a pretzel rod upright into the stack for the neck, gently pressing it into the cheese and vegetable layers for stability.
- Step 4:
- Attach a cherry tomato to the top of the pretzel rod as the giraffes head, securing it with a dab of cream cheese or hummus if needed.
- Step 5:
- Use thin apple slices on each side of the cherry tomato to form ears, fixing them with cream cheese or hummus.
- Step 6:
- Place two black olive slices on the cherry tomato for eyes, and dab a drop of cream cheese or hummus to help them stick.
- Step 7:
- Sprinkle black sesame seeds along the body and neck for spots.
- Step 8:
- Garnish the plate with fresh chives or parsley to resemble leaves or grass.
- Step 9:
- Serve immediately for best texture.
Save This recipe is a favorite for family snack times, often turning into a fun activity to assemble and enjoy together.
Required Tools
Cutting board, Sharp knife, Small spoon or toothpick (for spreading cream cheese/hummus), Serving plate
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese, cream cheese) and gluten (pretzel rods). Tree nut free, peanut free, egg free. Always check product labels for cross contamination if serving to individuals with allergies.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~85 per tower. Total Fat: 4 g. Carbohydrates: 10 g. Protein: 3 g.
Save This snack tower is as delightful to build as it is to eat, making it a perfect treat anytime.
Recipe Guide
- → What vegetables are used in the giraffe snack tower?
Slices of cucumber, baby carrots, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, and thin apple slices provide the fresh vegetable elements.
- → How are the giraffe’s neck and head constructed?
Pretzel rods serve as the neck, topped with cherry tomatoes for the head, decorated with olive slices for eyes and apple slices for ears.
- → What ingredient holds the tower layers together?
A spread like cream cheese or hummus acts as an edible glue to stabilize the layers and attach decorative parts.
- → Can this snack tower be adapted for vegan diets?
Yes, by substituting dairy cheeses with plant-based alternatives and using hummus instead of cream cheese.
- → How can the tower be garnished for presentation?
Fresh chives or parsley mimic leaves or grass around the base, enhancing the tower’s visual appeal.
- → Are there common allergens in this snack tower?
It contains dairy and gluten due to cheese and pretzel rods, so check labels if allergies are a concern.