Savory Crudités Veggie Santa Hat

Featured in: Fresh & Seasonal

This festive platter highlights an array of fresh vegetables artfully arranged as charming Santa hats, combining cucumber rounds, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, and mozzarella balls. Surrounded by colorful florets and baby carrots, the spread offers a delightful crunch. A smooth, tangy dip made from Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, fresh herbs, lemon, and garlic complements the veggies perfectly. Easy to assemble and visually appealing, this platter adds a healthy, celebratory touch to seasonal gatherings.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:02:00 GMT
Festive Savory Crudités platter showcases red and green veggie "Santa hats" with creamy dip. Save
Festive Savory Crudités platter showcases red and green veggie "Santa hats" with creamy dip. | berrycottage.com

A festive and vibrant platter featuring fresh vegetables arranged as Santa hats, served with a flavorful dip—perfect for holiday gatherings and healthy snacking.

This veggie Santa hat dip platter quickly became a holiday favorite in my family due to its simplicity and festive look.

Ingredients

  • Fresh Vegetables: 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 1 large English cucumber, 1 red bell pepper, 6 radishes, 1 cup cauliflower florets, 1 cup broccoli florets, 1 cup baby carrots
  • For the Santa Hat Assembly: 12 small mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 12 small basil leaves
  • Dip: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1 clove garlic finely minced, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Step 1 Wash Vegetables:
Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly.
Step 2 Prepare Vegetables:
Slice the cucumber into ½-inch thick rounds. Cut the red bell pepper into strips. Trim the radishes leaving a bit of the green stem for decoration.
Step 3 Create Santa Hats:
Place a cherry tomato on top of a cucumber round. Add a basil leaf between the tomato and the cucumber for a decorative hat brim. Top each tomato with a mozzarella ball to mimic a hat pompom. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
Step 4 Arrange Platter:
Arrange the Santa Hats on a platter. Fill in remaining space with cauliflower florets, broccoli florets, radishes, bell pepper strips, and baby carrots for a festive look.
Step 5 Prepare Dip:
In a small bowl combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, chives, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.
Step 6 Serve:
Place the dip in a small serving bowl and nestle it among the vegetables on the platter. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Making this platter is always a fun family activity and everyone loves decorating their own Santa hats.

Notes

For a vegan version, use plant-based yogurt and cheese. Add other colorful veggies like yellow bell pepper or snap peas for more variety. Pair with sparkling water or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Required Tools

Sharp knife, cutting board, mixing bowl, serving platter, toothpicks

Nutritional Information

Calories: 120 per serving. Total Fat: 6 g. Carbohydrates: 10 g. Protein: 7 g.

Vibrant photo: A platter of Savory Crudités features colorful vegetable Santa hats next to dip. Save
Vibrant photo: A platter of Savory Crudités features colorful vegetable Santa hats next to dip. | berrycottage.com

This festive dip platter adds joy and flavor to any gathering perfectly.

Recipe FAQ

How do I prepare the Santa hat vegetables?

Slice cucumbers into rounds, place a basil leaf on each, top with a cherry tomato and a mozzarella ball to mimic the Santa hat, securing with toothpicks as needed.

What ingredients make up the creamy dip?

The dip combines Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chopped dill and chives, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper for a fresh and tangy flavor.

Can I make this platter vegan friendly?

Yes. Substitute plant-based yogurt and vegan cheese alternatives to accommodate vegan preferences while maintaining creaminess.

How should I serve and store the platter?

Serve immediately for the best freshness, or cover and refrigerate if prepared ahead. Consume within a day for optimal texture and flavor.

Are there suggestions for additional vegetables?

You can add colorful veggies like yellow bell peppers or snap peas to boost variety and festive appeal.

Savory Crudités Veggie Santa Hat

Fresh vegetables styled as Santa hats on a festive platter, served with a creamy, herbed dip.

Prep duration
25 min
0
Complete duration
25 min
Created by Lily Anderson


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 6 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-free, Without gluten

Components

Fresh Vegetables

01 1 pint cherry tomatoes
02 1 large English cucumber
03 1 red bell pepper
04 6 radishes
05 1 cup cauliflower florets
06 1 cup broccoli florets
07 1 cup baby carrots

Santa Hat Assembly

01 12 small mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
02 12 small fresh basil leaves

Dip

01 1 cup Greek yogurt
02 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
03 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
04 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
05 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
06 1 clove garlic, finely minced
07 ½ teaspoon salt
08 ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Direction 01

Prepare Vegetables: Thoroughly wash and dry all fresh vegetables to ensure cleanliness and freshness.

Direction 02

Slice and Trim: Slice the cucumber into ½-inch thick rounds. Cut the red bell pepper into strips. Trim radishes, leaving a bit of green stem for garnish.

Direction 03

Assemble Santa Hats: Construct Santa hats by placing a cherry tomato atop each cucumber slice. Position a fresh basil leaf between the cucumber and tomato to form the hat brim. Top each tomato with a mozzarella ball to mimic the pompom. Secure the assembly with a toothpick if desired.

Direction 04

Arrange Platter: Arrange the completed Santa hats on a serving platter. Fill remaining spaces with cauliflower florets, broccoli florets, radishes, bell pepper strips, and baby carrots for a vibrant presentation.

Direction 05

Prepare Dip: In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, chopped dill, chopped chives, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and fully incorporated.

Direction 06

Serve: Transfer the dip into a small serving bowl and nestle it among the vegetables on the platter. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Necessary tools

  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Mixing bowl
  • Serving platter
  • Toothpicks

Allergy information

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and seek professional medical advice if you have concerns.
  • Contains dairy from mozzarella balls and Greek yogurt.
  • May contain eggs depending on mayonnaise brand.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 120
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Proteins: 7 g