Arrowhead Directional Board (Printable Version)

An elegant snack board featuring angled cheeses, meats, and produce creating a visually appealing flow.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 - 1 small bowl (about 3.4 fl oz) herbed hummus or whipped feta dip

# Directions:

01 - Place the dip bowl at one end or corner of the board, establishing the focal arrowhead point.
02 - Fan out the cheese wedges and triangles so their points all face toward the dip bowl from the opposite side.
03 - Place folded prosciutto and salami in lines directed toward the dip, maintaining the visual flow (omit if vegetarian).
04 - Lay the cucumber slices, red pepper strips, grape clusters, and cherry tomato halves diagonally, angling them toward the dip bowl.
05 - Position artisan crackers and baguette slices in radiating lines, all oriented to point at the dip bowl.
06 - Scatter marcona almonds, dried apricots, and olives along the lines between components, reinforcing the directional pattern.
07 - Adjust the arrangement for visual balance and fill gaps as needed, keeping all elements angled toward the dip bowl.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that looks intentional and impressive without requiring any cooking skills.
  • The directional arrangement creates natural flow, so guests instinctively know where to gather and what to reach for.
  • You can prep everything in 25 minutes and it works for any dietary preference by swapping proteins or cheese.
02 -
  • The angle of your pieces matters more than perfection—even slightly off-kilter angles still read as directional to the eye, so don't get paralyzed by precision.
  • Chill your cheese for 10 minutes before slicing so it cuts cleanly and shapes stay crisp; warm cheese rounds the edges and loses its purposeful geometry.
03 -
  • Use a large wooden or slate board at least 14 by 10 inches—anything smaller and the directional pattern gets lost; anything larger gives you room to really make the flow sing.
  • Slice everything just before assembly if you can, because fresh cuts catch light differently and make the board feel vibrant and alive rather than pre-made.
Go Back