Save I'll never forget the moment I decided to create the Olympic Rings platter for my friend's summer gathering. We'd just watched the opening ceremony together, and I was inspired by the five interlocking circles that represent unity across the world. That evening, I stayed in my kitchen imagining how I could translate that iconic symbol into something edible and unforgettable. What started as a playful idea became my signature celebration platter—a dish that brings people together through color, flavor, and a little bit of Olympic spirit.
I remember setting up this platter for the first time at a neighborhood party, and people literally stopped mid-conversation when they saw it. Someone whispered, 'Did you really make that?' And I'll admit, there's something magical about watching a simple appetizer become the centerpiece of conversation. That's when I knew this recipe was special.
Ingredients
- Blueberries (1 cup): The jewels of the blue ring, they add natural sweetness and those gorgeous dark blue gems that catch the light. Choose plump, firm berries for the best visual impact.
- Blue corn tortilla chips (1/2 cup, broken into bite-sized pieces): These provide that satisfying crunch and authenticity. I learned to break them by hand rather than crushing them, so you keep some larger pieces for visual interest.
- Blue cheese (1/2 cup, crumbled): The umami anchor of this ring. Creamy, tangy, and utterly sophisticated, it transforms simple fruit into an elegant bite.
- Toasted walnuts (2 tbsp): A textural contrast that adds depth. Toasting them yourself takes just five minutes but makes all the difference in flavor.
- Yellow cherry tomatoes (1 cup, halved): Bright, sunny, and sweet. These little tomatoes are sunshine on a plate and provide that essential juicy element.
- Yellow bell pepper (1/2 cup, diced): Adds crisp sweetness and the golden color that makes this ring glow. Cut into consistent sizes for a polished look.
- Pineapple chunks (1/2 cup): Fresh tropical brightness that surprised me the first time I included it. The acidity balances the richness beautifully.
- Toasted cashews (1/4 cup): Buttery and delicate, they don't overpower but add that luxurious crunch we all crave.
- Black olives (1/2 cup, sliced): The foundation of drama in the black ring. I use Kalamata for their deep, briny complexity.
- Black grapes (1 cup, halved): Nature's caviar, adding elegance and a juicy pop to every bite.
- Black bean hummus (1/2 cup): The creamy heart of this ring. It anchors the flavors and provides that satisfying richness.
- Pumpernickel bread (1/2 cup, cut into small rounds): Nutty, dense, and perfectly dark. I learned to cut it with a small cookie cutter to make the rounds uniform and elegant.
- Cucumber slices (1 cup): Cool, crisp, and the purest green. These are refreshing palate cleansers between bites.
- Green grapes (1/2 cup, halved): Sweet and delicate, they're the gentle note in this fresh ring.
- Edamame (1/2 cup, shelled and steamed): Protein-packed and satisfyingly firm, they add substance without heaviness.
- Fresh basil leaves (1/4 cup): Tear them gently just before serving so they release their essential oils. This is the secret that elevates green to transcendent.
- Cherry tomatoes (1 cup, halved): The heart of the red ring, juicy and vibrant. Choose the reddest ones you can find.
- Red bell pepper (1/2 cup, diced): Sweet and crisp, it complements the tomato's intensity with its own brightness.
- Strawberries (1/2 cup, halved): Here's where most people say 'wait, strawberries?' But trust me, they belong here. Their sweetness against the savory elements creates a perfect balance.
- Roasted red pepper hummus (1/4 cup): Smooth, smoky, and utterly indulgent. It's the glue that holds the red ring together.
Instructions
- Gather Your Canvas:
- Clear a large, flat serving platter or board—this is your stage. I like to use a white platter because it makes the colors absolutely sing. Take a moment to appreciate the blank space. You're about to create something beautiful.
- Map Your Rings:
- If you're nervous about placement, use a pencil and parchment paper underneath as a faint guide. Lightly sketch five interlocking circles in the Olympic pattern: blue on the left front, black and red on top, yellow and green on the bottom. Don't overthink this—you're just giving yourself gentle landmarks.
- Begin with Blue:
- Start arranging your blue ring first. Create a circular pattern, alternating blueberries, blue cheese crumbles, tortilla chips, and walnuts. Space them so the circle is clear but not overcrowded. This is where you set the rhythm for everything else.
- Layer the Colors:
- Move to yellow, then black, then green, then red, always slightly overlapping the adjacent ring to create that interlocking effect. As you work, step back occasionally and look at your creation from above. You'll know when it's right because the five colors will start speaking to each other.
- Balance and Arrange:
- Within each ring, distribute the spread (hummus or cheese) as an anchor, then arrange the rest of the ingredients around it. Think of it like creating a flavor journey—no two consecutive bites should taste the same. Layer for visual appeal by varying heights and orientations.
- Fresh Finish:
- If you're serving immediately, tear those basil leaves over the green ring at the very last moment. This little act of finality is your promise to your guests that everything is fresh and made with care.
- Chill or Serve:
- You can serve this immediately, or cover it loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to two hours. The flavors actually settle and meld a bit in the cold, making the second hour even better than the first.
Save What I love most about this platter is watching people experience it. The initial reaction is always visual—gasps, phone cameras coming out, comments about it being too beautiful to eat. But then someone takes that first bite, and their expression shifts. They taste the complexity, the contrast, the unexpected harmony of strawberries and roasted red pepper. That's the moment when it stops being about the Olympics and starts being about the magic that happens when thoughtful ingredients come together.
The Art of Color Psychology on a Plate
Each color ring has its own personality and flavor story. The blue ring is sophisticated and bold—it speaks of elegance and unexpected pairings like fruit and cheese. The yellow ring is cheerful and bright, built on natural sweetness and tropical notes that transport people somewhere sunny. The black ring is mysterious and umami-rich, celebrating savory depths. The green ring is fresh and clean, almost restorative. And the red ring is the grand finale, passionate and complex. When you understand that each ring has its own character, arranging them becomes less about following instructions and more about telling a story with colors and flavors.
Why This Works as an Appetizer
As someone who's hosted countless gatherings, I can tell you that the best appetizers do three things: they look impressive, they don't require utensils, and they don't fill people up before the main event. This platter accomplishes all three. Everything is grab-able. The fruits and vegetables are light and hydrating. The hummus and cheese provide richness without heaviness. People can stand around chatting, picking at it, trying new combinations, and no one feels like they've already had dinner. It's the perfect conversation starter and the most efficient use of your prep time.
Customizations and Celebrations
This platter is endlessly adaptable, which is part of why I keep coming back to it. I've made nut-free versions using seeds instead. I've done fully vegan versions with cashew cheese. I've adjusted based on what looked beautiful at the farmer's market that week. Once, I used black mission figs instead of olives in the black ring, and it was transcendent. The structure stays the same, but the flavors can shift with the seasons and your pantry. That flexibility means you can make this recipe your own while honoring the iconic design.
- For a vegan version, substitute cashew cream for blue cheese and plant-based hummus for the dairy versions.
- If anyone at your party has nut allergies, use toasted seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame) instead of nuts.
- Make it heartier by adding small cubes of cheese, crispy chickpeas, or toasted grains to any ring that needs more substance.
Save This platter has become my ritual for celebrations, and I hope it becomes one of yours too. There's something deeply satisfying about creating something beautiful that nourishes both the body and the spirit.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I assemble the interlocking rings?
Sketch five overlapping circles on your serving board as a guide, then fill each with their respective colored ingredients, layering for visual appeal and slight overlap.
- → Can I prepare this platter in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the rings and refrigerate the platter for up to two hours before serving to maintain freshness.
- → What are good substitutions for nuts to accommodate allergies?
Replace walnuts and cashews with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds to keep texture and crunch without nuts.
- → Is this platter suitable for vegans?
Absolutely. Use plant-based cheese and vegan hummus alternatives to adapt the flavors while keeping the colorful presentation.
- → What drinks pair well with this platter?
A crisp, light white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc complements the fresh and varied flavors beautifully.