When I was growing up, fruit was just something you grabbed from the bowl and ate. My kids would usually pick around the healthy stuff on their plates, leaving behind anything that wasn’t covered in chocolate. Then one summer afternoon at a friend’s BBQ, I watched as children rushed to grab these colorful fruit skewers from the table. They were eating fruit – and actually enjoying it!
Turns out, presentation makes a big difference when it comes to getting kids (and adults!) excited about fruit. These rainbow fruit kabobs are so simple to put together, but something about seeing the fruits lined up in pretty patterns on a stick makes them way more appealing than a regular fruit salad. And the best part? There’s no real cooking involved – just some washing, cutting, and threading onto skewers.
Why You’ll Love These Fruit Kabobs
- Quick and easy – These fruit kabobs come together in just minutes – perfect for last-minute party prep or when you need a fast healthy snack.
- Kid-friendly fun – The rainbow colors and fun presentation make these kabobs irresistible to kids. They’ll love helping thread the fruit onto skewers too!
- Healthy snacking – Packed with fresh fruits, these kabobs are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber while still feeling like a treat.
- No cooking required – Just cut, thread, and serve! No need to turn on the oven or stove, making these perfect for hot summer days.
- Customizable – You can easily swap fruits based on what’s in season or your family’s preferences. The dipping options are endless too!
What Kind of Fruit Should I Use?
The beauty of fruit kabobs is that you can mix and match based on what’s in season and looking fresh at your store. While this recipe calls for specific fruits, you can easily swap them out – just try to keep a good mix of colors to maintain that rainbow effect. When selecting your fruit, look for pieces that are ripe but still firm enough to hold their shape when threaded onto skewers. For example, your watermelon should feel heavy for its size and have a creamy yellow spot where it sat on the ground, while pineapples should have a sweet smell at the base and golden-yellow color (avoid those with too many brown spots). If you’re making these ahead of time, fruits like apples or bananas aren’t the best choice since they brown quickly, but all the fruits listed in this recipe will hold up well for a few hours in the fridge.
Options for Substitutions
One of the great things about fruit kabobs is how easy it is to mix and match fruits based on what you have or prefer:
- Watermelon: You can swap watermelon with any red melon like red honeydew, or even red apples cut into chunks.
- Pineapple: If fresh pineapple isn’t available, you can use canned pineapple chunks (just drain well) or substitute with yellow peaches or golden apples.
- Cantaloupe: Other orange fruits work great here – try using orange segments, peaches, or apricots instead.
- Blackberries: Any berries will do! Try blueberries, raspberries, or even purple grapes for that deep purple color in your rainbow.
- Kiwi: Green grapes or green apple chunks make good alternatives for the green element in your rainbow.
- Strawberry yogurt: Feel free to use any yogurt flavor you like, or try fruit dip, honey, or chocolate sauce as your dipping option. For a dairy-free version, coconut yogurt works great too.
- Whipped cream: You can skip this or replace it with coconut whipped cream, or even marshmallow fluff for a fun twist.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making fruit kabobs is preventing the fruit from turning brown or releasing too much juice – to keep your fruits fresh and colorful, prepare them just before serving or toss them in a bit of lemon juice if making ahead. Another common mistake is cutting the fruit pieces in different sizes, which can make the kabobs unstable and difficult to eat – aim for uniform 1-inch cubes for most fruits, except for berries which can be left whole. When threading the fruits onto skewers, avoid pressing them too tightly together, as this can cause the softer fruits like strawberries and mangoes to get crushed and release their juices. For the best presentation and stability, start and end each skewer with firmer fruits like pineapple or cantaloupe, which will help hold everything in place.
What to Serve With Fruit Kabobs?
These colorful fruit kabobs are super versatile and can be served with all kinds of tasty dips and sides! A simple honey-vanilla yogurt dip makes a great pairing, or you can go with a cream cheese fruit dip for something a bit more indulgent. For brunch, try serving these kabobs alongside French toast, waffles, or pancakes – the fresh fruit is perfect for balancing out sweet breakfast treats. If you’re hosting a party, these work really well on a platter next to some cheese and crackers, giving guests both sweet and savory options to choose from.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These colorful fruit kabobs are best enjoyed right after assembling, but if you need to make them a bit ahead, you can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Place them in a single layer to prevent the fruits from getting squished or sliding off the skewers.
Prep Ahead: Want to get a head start? You can cut all the fruits up to 24 hours in advance and store them separately in sealed containers in the fridge. Just wait to assemble the kabobs until you’re ready to serve. Keep the yogurt and whipped cream separate and cold until serving time.
Serving Tip: If you’ve stored your assembled kabobs in the fridge, let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving – the fruits will taste better when they’re not ice cold. Add the yogurt and whipped cream toppings just before serving to keep everything fresh and pretty.
| Preparation Time | 10-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0-5 minutes |
| Total Time | 10-25 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 600-700
- Protein: 10-15 g
- Fat: 20-25 g
- Carbohydrates: 120-140 g
Ingredients
- 2 cups cubed watermelon (around 12 pieces)
- 2 cups cubed pineapple (around 12 pieces)
- 2 cups cubed cantaloupe (around 12 pieces)
- 12 whole strawberries
- 3 mangoes, peeled and cubed
- 12 blackberries
- 3 kiwis, peeled and cut into slices
- 4 ounces of strawberry yogurt
- 4 ounces of whipped cream topping
Step 1: Prepare the Fruit Skewers
Gather your selection of fruits and cut them into bite-sized pieces if necessary.
Thread the fruit pieces onto wooden skewers.
Try to arrange them in a colorful sequence for a visually appealing presentation.
Step 2: Make the Fruit Dip
In a separate bowl, combine your chosen fruit dip ingredients.
Stir well until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
Adjust any flavors according to your personal taste preferences.
Step 3: Assemble and Serve
Place the prepared fruit skewers onto a serving platter.
Add the bowl of fruit dip alongside the skewers.
Your fruit skewers with dip are now ready to serve.
Enjoy this refreshing and healthy snack!