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Here’s my go-to Christmas fruit skewers recipe, made with fresh seasonal fruits arranged on wooden skewers and finished with a light drizzle of white chocolate and a sprinkle of coconut.
These festive skewers have become a Christmas tradition at our house – the kids love helping to put them together, and they’re always the first thing to disappear from our holiday dessert table. Plus, they’re so easy to make that I usually prep an extra batch to bring to parties!
Why You’ll Love These Fruit Skewers
- Quick assembly – These festive skewers come together in just 10-15 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings or when you’re short on time.
- Kid-friendly activity – Little ones can help arrange the fruits and marshmallows, turning this simple recipe into a fun holiday activity the whole family can enjoy.
- No cooking required – There’s zero cooking involved – just wash, assemble, and serve. It’s that simple!
- Fresh and sweet combination – The mix of juicy fruits and soft marshmallows creates a perfect balance of healthy and treats, making these skewers a crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer or dessert.
- Customizable design – You can get creative with the arrangement and even add faces to make Santa-themed treats that will bring smiles to everyone at your holiday party.
What Kind of Strawberries Should I Use?
For fruit skewers, you’ll want to look for medium to large strawberries that are bright red and firm to the touch. Regular strawberries work better than the extra-large varieties since they’ll be easier to thread onto skewers and won’t overwhelm the other fruits. Fresh strawberries are definitely the way to go here – frozen ones will be too mushy and release too much liquid as they thaw. When picking your berries at the store, check the bottom of the container for any signs of mold or squished berries, and try to choose ones that are similarly sized so your skewers look uniform. If you’re making these ahead of time, wait to wash the strawberries until just before using them, as moisture can make them spoil faster.
Options for Substitutions
These fun holiday skewers are pretty simple, but here are some swaps you can try if needed:
- Strawberries: If fresh strawberries aren’t in season or looking good at your store, you can use red apple chunks or maraschino cherries instead. Just make sure to pat the maraschino cherries really dry before using.
- Green grapes: You can swap these with green apple chunks, kiwi pieces, or even honeydew melon balls to keep that festive green color. Just cut them about the same size as grapes would be.
- Marshmallows: Regular marshmallows work best for this recipe, but if you need a vegetarian option, try vegan marshmallows. Just know they might be a bit firmer when threading onto skewers.
- Wooden skewers: Bamboo or plastic skewers work just fine. If making for very young kids, you might want to use plastic drink stirrers which have duller ends.
- Chocolate frosting: For drawing faces, you can also use melted chocolate, black icing gel, or even mini chocolate chips pressed into the marshmallows.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when assembling fruit skewers is working with marshmallows that stick to everything – a quick roll of the marshmallows between slightly damp hands prevents them from becoming too sticky and makes threading them onto skewers much easier.
When it comes to strawberries, avoid choosing ones that are too ripe or soft, as they can split or get crushed during assembly – firm, bright red berries work best and hold their shape perfectly on the skewer.
A common mistake is rushing to decorate the marshmallow faces right after assembly, but waiting 5-10 minutes allows the marshmallows to settle and provides a better surface for drawing features with chocolate or edible markers.
To keep your skewers fresh for a party, store them in a single layer in the refrigerator, but remember to take them out about 15 minutes before serving so the marshmallows can return to room temperature and maintain their soft texture.
What to Serve With Fruit Skewers?
These fun Christmas fruit skewers are perfect for serving alongside other holiday party snacks and treats! I love setting up a simple dipping station with melted chocolate, vanilla yogurt, or cream cheese fruit dip to make them even more interactive. You can pair them with a selection of cookies and holiday treats on your dessert table, or serve them next to savory appetizers like cheese and crackers for a nice sweet-salty balance. Since these skewers are on the sweeter side, they also go really well with some bubbly drinks like sparkling cider or punch to complete your festive spread.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These festive fruit skewers are best enjoyed the same day you make them. If needed, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Place them in a single layer to prevent the marshmallows from sticking together or getting squished.
Prep Ahead: Want to get a head start? You can wash and dry the fruit up to 2 days before assembly. Keep the strawberries and grapes in separate containers in the fridge. Wait to add the marshmallows and assemble the skewers until the day you plan to serve them – this keeps everything fresh and prevents the marshmallows from getting hard in the fridge.
Display: Once assembled, these cute skewers can sit out at room temperature for up to 2 hours during your party or gathering. If you’re serving them outdoors, try to keep them in a shaded spot to prevent the fruit from getting too warm or the marshmallows from getting sticky.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0-0 minutes |
| Total Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 400-450
- Protein: 2-4 g
- Fat: 0-1 g
- Carbohydrates: 100-110 g
Ingredients
- 8 large marshmallows
- 24 small marshmallows
- 2 pints of fresh strawberries (about 24 large berries)
- 24 green grapes (washed and dried)
- 24 wooden skewers
- *optional: chocolate frosting tube or edible marker for drawing faces
Step 1: Assemble the Initial Ingredients
Start by threading a grape onto a kabob skewer, pushing it toward the bottom but leaving some space to hold the skewer comfortably.
Step 2: Prepare the Marshmallow Slices
Using kitchen scissors, carefully cut a large marshmallow into thirds.
Slide one slice of the marshmallow onto the skewer below the grape, ensuring it sits snugly against it.
Step 3: Add the Strawberry
Take a strawberry and slice off the top.
Thread the strawberry onto the skewer with the large side first, so it fits securely against the marshmallow slice.
Step 4: Top with a Mini Marshmallow
Finish the skewer by adding a mini marshmallow on top of the strawberry.
This will create a fun, layered look with the different ingredients.
Step 5: Serve and Optional Decoration
Serve your fun and fruity kabob plain, or get creative by decorating it with frosting or using an edible marker to draw fun designs.
Enjoy this playful snack!