If you're hosting some gatherings this summer, you'll definitely want to invite these rainbow fruit skewers to the party. They're easy to make and make-ahead friendly, yet they're also eye-catching and feel special. They're the perfect dessert for a summer BBQ, picnic, or potluck.
My husband and I love hosting friends on our deck during the summer, but I often struggle with dessert. I like to serve a little something sweet, but I'm always on the hunt for an option that's simple and fresh. These fruit skewers, also called fruit kabobs (or kebabs), allow everyone to have a treat at the end of a meal without feeling weighed down. They're friendly for most diets (vegan, gluten-free, grain-free), so they're an option that everyone can enjoy.
When it's outdoor entertaining season, you should be out on the patio enjoying the weather and everyone's company, not in the kitchen trying to bake something fussy. These rainbow fruit skewers, with their fresh and vibrant mojito-inspired dipping sauce, are sure to become your go-to summer party dessert.
This adorable, healthy summer dessert has quickly become a go-to for me and I hope it will for you too. Here's why:
As written, these fruit skewers are summery and subtly tropical thanks to the pineapple, but not specifically island-inspired. If you really want to lean into tropical flavors, try swapping in as many Hawaiian, Caribbean, or Southeast Asian fruits as you can. For red, try papaya. For orange, you can use a deeply-colored mango. For yellow, you can use pineapple as written or see if you can find golden kiwi. For green, try green kiwi. Blue is trickier; you might need to stick with blueberries even though they're not tropical. For purple, go for a pink vibe with pink dragonfruit.
If you love tropical flavors, then I can't wait for you to check out my tropical vegan recipes guide. It's full of Hawaiian-inspired recipes that are always a hit at summer gatherings. You'll find colorful cocktails, beachy appetizers, fresh salads, and unique mains to pair with these fruit skewers.
These fruit skewers are easy to make and only take about ten minutes, once the fruit is cut. If you're in a time crunch, feel free to get an assortment of pre-cut fruit at the store. All you have to do is thread the fruit on in rainbow order: a strawberry, a cantaloupe ball (or chunk), a pineapple chunk, a honeydew ball (or chunk), a large blueberry, and a large red grape. You can make as many or as few as you want.
Although you can certainly swap in your favorite fruit, keeping the same colors will maintain the rainbow effect. For example, you could use papaya instead of a strawberry for red, or use mango instead of pineapple for yellow. I'd suggest avoiding fruits that brown easily (like apples) and fruits that are very fragile (like raspberries).
The mojito dipping sauce is easy too. You'll just stir together full-fat, creamy yogurt with some lime juice and fresh mint, plus an optional dash of sweetener if you use an unsweetened yogurt. It's fresh and vibrant, and provides some nice decadence to these otherwise light rainbow fruit skewers. Remember to choose a vegan yogurt if needed.
Here's what you'll need for these easy fruit skewers, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
Although these colorful fruit kabobs are very simple, I think they're great proof that summer desserts don't need to be complicated. They're perfect for outdoor parties, potlucks, picnics, and even brunch because there's no last-minute work. Just pull them out of the fridge and enjoy!
Summer is really a time for fruit to shine, and the light, vibrant flavors in these rainbow dessert skewers are refreshing on a warm evening. Plus they're just plain fun, which is what summer is all about.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
These rainbow fruit skewers are fresh, colorful, and vibrant. Paired with a lime and mint dipping sauce, they're the perfect easy summer party dessert.
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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