Fruit Rainbow

This pretty and vibrant fruit rainbow is an eye-catching yet simple way to jazz up your basic fruit platter. Quick and easy to assemble, this is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, birthday parties, or brunch with friends!

Fruit trays or fruit salads are a staple of brunch gatherings and kid parties year-round, and while popular, they can sometimes be a little expected or predictable. A fruit RAINBOW, on the other hand, is anything but!

No one can resist a smile when they lay eyes on this pretty rainbow assortment of fruit, ready to eat. This is the simplest and easiest way to add a guaranteed ray of sunshine to any gathering, or just your ordinary brunch.

What You’ll Need

To make the exact combination shown here, you will want to pick up the following:

• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Cantaloupe
• Mango
• Green kiwi
• Blueberries
• Blackberries

These fruits are all simple to prep and will give you a classic ROY G. BIV look.

More Fruits For Each Color of the Rainbow

Of course there are many other fruits that you can swap in for different colors, depending on availability and personal preference. That’s part of the fun! Here are a few ideas to make a brilliant rainbow fruit platter:

• Red: raspberries, strawberries, cherries, watermelon, pomegranate arils
• Orange: cantaloupe, clementine or mandarin oranges, peaches, nectarines
• Yellow: mango, pineapple, golden kiwi, bananas, yellow watermelon, apricots
• Green: green kiwi, green grapes, honeydew melon
• Blue: blueberries, plums, Concord grapes
• Violet/Purple: blackberries, red grapes

How To Assemble a Fruit Rainbow: Tips & Tricks

You can make this fruit rainbow either in simple lines, as shown here, or in the shape of an arc to mimic a true rainbow. Either way, following a few simple tips will make assembly a breeze.

• This may be obvious, but if pressed for time, purchase as much fruit pre-cut as you can, or select mainly berries and other fruits that do not need to be cut at all.
• Wash all your fruit under cold water first, then lay it out to dry slightly on paper towels or clean kitchen towels. This makes it easier to see what you have and gauge amounts up front
• Cooking with kids? Enlist them to help cut the fruit using some kid-friendly knives. They’ll have a blast!
• Want a little more variety of shapes? Prep one or two fruits using a melon baller.
• If making the rainbow in lines: Count how many types of fruit you have. Pick which will go in the middle. Make a line of that first, then work out from the middle on each side.
• If making the rainbow in an arc: Start with red on the top edge of your platter, and work your way down.
• Either way: Keep a handful of each fruit back while forming the rows, so you can use a few extra pieces to strategically plug gaps or add fullness at the end.

Making a fruit rainbow for St. Patrick’s Day? Assemble in the shape of a rainbow, then go all out and add either Rolo candies (pot of gold!) or marshmallows or a fruit dip (fluffy clouds!) to the ends.

More FAQs

How much fruit should I buy for a rainbow fruit tray?

This will depend, of course, on the size of your serving tray and on how many people you intend to serve. Estimate at least 1/2 cup of fruit per person. If, for example, you are serving 6 people and have 6 types of fruit, you would want a heaping 1/2 cup of each fruit.

When in doubt, buy a little extra; it helps to make the platter look generous. Also, if your crowd includes children, in this instance I would plan on larger servings. Many kids love fruit; I’ve never served this to a child who didn’t dig in and request seconds!

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep a fruit rainbow tray up to 12 hours in advance. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to serve. You can spritz a little lime juice on top just before serving to brighten the flavors.

If you swap in bananas or another fruit that tends to turn brown quickly, however, you will want to assemble it just prior to serving.

Fruit Rainbow Skewers

Interested in serving individual fruit rainbow skewers? Simply thread the cut fruit and berries onto wooden kebab sticks in the same rainbow pattern, one piece of each per skewer. Consider using these long wooden skewers with a slightly blunt tip — it’s pointed enough to poke through the fruit, but not so pointed that you’ll worry about handing them off to small children!

Just like that, you have the most eye-catching fruit kebabs ever! Simply arrange them on a platter and watch smiles form.

More Fruit-Forward Recipes

Do you enjoy creative recipes featuring fruit? Try my mint raspberry watermelon wedges next for an elevated summer appetizer, this peach arugula salad for a show-stopping side, or a mixed berry galette for an easy yet impressive dessert.

If you make this Fruit Rainbow, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below. I love hearing how recipes turn out in your kitchen, and it helps other readers, too.

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