Broccoli Christmas Tree Veggie Tray

This broccoli Christmas tree veggie tray is a perfect appetizer for your next holiday party. Healthy and festive, this Christmas tree platter is a fun way to add some veggies to your holiday table.

Christmas is my favorite time of year. The holiday parties started for my family this week, and between Christmas and New Year we have almost a month of food and fun to look forward to. I love all the holiday food – the festive cocktails and delicious Christmas cookies – but it’s also nice to have some healthy options to choose from. This cute Christmas tree veggie platter is a great way to add some healthy fresh vegetables to the table at your next Christmas party.

This vegetable Christmas tree is super easy to make. All you need is a large serving platter and your favorite veggies. A star cookie cutter is perfect for cutting out a star shape for the top of the tree. Serve this platter with some hummus or your favorite creamy dip, and it is sure to be a hit with your guests.

For other simple and healthy holiday appetizers, try my Christmas wreath fruit platter, easy loaded hummus, or cherry tomato bruschetta.

You Will Love This

• This cute Christmas tree vegetable platter is perfect for your next holiday gathering – this festive vegetable tray adds tons of Christmas season cheer to your table.
• This is the perfect easy recipe for holiday entertaining – it comes together in about 15 minutes, and can be made ahead or at the last minute. No cooking required.

Ingredients

For this easy Christmas veggie tray, you need the following ingredients (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

• Fresh broccoli florets: I recommend buying a head of broccoli and cutting your own florets for this recipe. I find the pre-cut florets are usually not as fresh tasting, and while fine for cooking are not the best for eating raw.
• Colorful bell peppers: I used orange bell pepper, yellow pepper, and red pepper to create the garland for my Christmas tree.
• Cherry tomatoes: I used colorful cherry tomatoes as the ornaments for my tree.
• Pretzel sticks: These make the tree trunk.
• Cheddar cheese: You can use any type of cheese to cut out a star for the top of the tree. If you don’t want to add cheese, you can arrange baby carrots or slices of yellow bell pepper in a star shape.

Make it your own!

Use any of your favorite veggies in this Christmas veggie platter. Choose green vegetables to form the tree, and any colorful veggie for the garland and ornaments. Here are some additional ideas:

• For the tree: Try cucumber slices, celery strips, green pepper strips, or snap peas.
• For the garland and ornaments: Try carrot strips, slices of radish or slices of beet.
• Add some cauliflower florets to the bottom of your platter as snow!

Instructions

Step One: Wash and prepare all your vegetables. Cut your broccoli heads into small florets with flat bottoms, to help them stand up. Slice the peppers into long, thin slices.

Step Two: On a large platter, lay out your broccoli florets in four rows to form the tiers of your broccoli tree. Use the largest florets for the bottom of the tree, and the smallest florets for the top.

Step Three: Add the garland to your veggie tree. Lay out the orange, yellow and red bell pepper strips between the broccoli tiers.

Step Four: Add the ornaments to your tree. Tuck cherry or grape tomatoes throughout the broccoli tiers.

Step Five: Cut out a cheese star with a star cookie cutter and a large, thick slice of your favorite cheese. Add the star to the top of the tree. Arrange pretzel sticks at the bottom of the tree to form the tree trunk. Serve with your favorite veggie dip, and enjoy!

Can I make this ahead?

Yes, you can definitely make this veggie Christmas tree ahead! Cut and assemble your veggies up to a couple days in advance. Cover the tray tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. I recommend you cut the cheese star right before serving.