Arrowhead Directional Board (Printable Version)

Visually striking appetizer board with angled cheeses, meats, produce, crackers, and dips for gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar, cut into triangles
02 - 3.5 oz brie, sliced into wedges
03 - 3.5 oz gouda, cut into strips

→ Meats (omit for vegetarian)

04 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, folded
05 - 3.5 oz salami, sliced and folded

→ Fresh Produce

06 - 1 cup seedless grapes, cut into small clusters
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 small cucumber, sliced diagonally
09 - 1 small red bell pepper, sliced into strips

→ Crackers & Bread

10 - 1 cup artisan crackers
11 - 1 small baguette, sliced on the bias

→ Nuts & Extras

12 - ½ cup marcona almonds
13 - ¼ cup dried apricots
14 - ¼ cup olives

→ Dips & Spreads

15 - 100 ml herbed hummus or whipped feta dip

# How to Make It:

01 - Place the dip bowl at one end or corner of your board to establish the arrowhead point.
02 - Fan out cheese wedges and triangles from the opposite side so all points face the dip bowl.
03 - Arrange folded prosciutto and salami in lines aimed toward the dip to maintain visual flow; omit meats for vegetarian option.
04 - Position vegetables and fruit slices diagonally so they angle toward the dip bowl.
05 - Arrange crackers and baguette slices in radiating lines pointing toward the dip.
06 - Distribute almonds, dried apricots, and olives between main components, reinforcing the directional pattern.
07 - Fill any gaps and balance the arrangement, ensuring all elements remain angled toward the dip bowl.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms a simple board into a conversation starter that feels intentional and elegant, not random or thrown together
  • The directional arrangement actually helps guests know where to dip and guides their eye, making the whole experience feel thoughtfully designed
  • You can prep it in 25 minutes flat, yet it looks like you spent hours planning every angle
  • It works for any crowd—from casual weeknight gatherings to fancy dinner parties where presentation counts
02 -
  • The dip bowl is the hero of this board—don't cheap out on it. A beautiful small ceramic or glass bowl makes all the difference and makes guests want to dive in
  • Prep your ingredients ahead of time (cut everything the morning of if you can), but don't arrange the board more than 2–3 hours before serving or it loses its freshness and some items will sweat or dry out
  • The directional arrangement only works if you commit to it fully—if you scatter things randomly at the end, the magic disappears. Every component should feel intentional
03 -
  • If you're serving this at a party where people will be moving around, arrange your board on a smaller section of a large surface rather than using the entire board—this concentrates the impact and makes it easier for guests to actually reach everything
  • Keep a tiny bowl of extra dip hidden in the kitchen and refresh it halfway through the party—there's nothing worse than a dip bowl that's been sitting out and looking picked over
  • Use a cheese knife or small spreader for each cheese variety so flavors don't mingle unless the guest wants them to—it's a small gesture that feels luxurious
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