Crudités Platter Recipe: Easy French Vegetable Appetizer 2026

Crudités are simply fresh vegetables, served raw and cut into easy-to-hold shapes so you can scoop up or dip them into the sauce, cream or pâté that comes alongside. This classic French appetizer is all about contrast and color: crisp carrots, cool cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes and peppery radishes arranged around a bowl of something creamy.

The beauty of a crudités platter is how flexible it is. You can pair it with all kinds of dips and vary them by occasion or preference, or even serve several at once so everyone finds a favorite, from any version of hummus to avocado cream, guacamole, yogurt sauce, classic mayonnaise or a simple vinaigrette. A smaller selection of whatever vegetables you have in the fridge can also turn it into a light, frugal dinner.

As a rule, cut each vegetable in the shape that makes it easiest to pick up by hand and dip. Most become batons, though some are easier to handle as slices, like cucumber or zucchini, since their sticks would snap. Others, like bell pepper, work well cut into rectangles that act as little spoons, while small vegetables such as radishes or cherry tomatoes are best left whole so they don't lose their juices.

Ingredients for Crudités Platter

This makes 4 servings as an appetizer.

• 2 carrots
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 zucchini
• 1 small cucumber
• 5 cherry tomatoes
• 5 radishes

How to Make Crudités Platter Step by Step

1. Cut the carrots into batons

First, peel and cut 2 carrots into batons about 1 cm thick. Keeping them a similar size makes the platter look tidy and gives everyone an easy handle for dipping.

2. Prepare the celery

Wash the celery stalk, trim the ends and divide it into batons or short sticks. Celery brings a fresh, crunchy bite that balances the sweeter vegetables on the plate.

3. Cut the pepper into rectangles

Wash, remove the seeds from 1 red bell pepper and cut it into rectangles that are not too small, so they can be used like little spoons. Their curved shape holds dip beautifully.

4. Slice the zucchini

Wash 1 zucchini and cut it into round slices about half a centimeter thick. Slices hold up better than sticks here, since zucchini batons would break easily.

5. Slice the cucumber on the diagonal

Wash 1 small cucumber and cut it into diagonal slices about half a centimeter thick. The angled cut gives them a larger surface for scooping up dip.

6. Keep the cherry tomatoes whole

Wash 5 cherry tomatoes, remove the stems and leave them whole so they don't lose their pulp. Their bright color and pop of sweetness round out the platter.

7. Keep the radishes whole

Wash 5 radishes and present them whole as well. Their small size makes them perfect for picking up by the stem and dipping straight into the sauce.

8. Arrange the crudités around the dip

Arrange the cut vegetables attractively on a plate with the chosen sauce, cream or pâté presented in a bowl in the center, in this case a hummus. Grouping similar colors and shapes makes the platter look inviting.

9. Serve immediately

Serve right away. To enjoy the crudités, take a little hummus with each vegetable, dipping as you go so everything stays crisp.

Tips for the Best Crudités Platter

Choose and cut vegetables by texture

Cut each vegetable in the format that suits it best so it's easy to grab and dip: batons for carrots and celery, slices for cucumber and zucchini, rectangles for pepper, and whole radishes and cherry tomatoes. This keeps everything sturdy and pleasant to eat.

Pick dips to match the occasion

You can serve crudités with all kinds of dips and change them up by occasion or preference, or offer several at once for every taste, such as hummus in any of its versions, avocado cream, guacamole, yogurt sauce, classic mayonnaise or a vinaigrette.

Make it a light meal

A smaller selection of vegetables you already have in the fridge can turn crudités into a simple, frugal dinner. However you serve them, choose the vegetables and the amount of each based on what your guests enjoy.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

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