When the summer heat gets too unbearable, the last thing you want to do is turn on the stove or oven. Instead, opt for an appetizer board for an easy, no-cook dinner. An appetizer board, especially one with a riot of textures, flavors and colors, can serve as a delightful (if unconventional) dinner. There’ll be something for everyone to enjoy!

The Board

Before you can pile on the ingredients, you’ll need a board. While you could keep it simple and use a cutting board, we love these gorgeous platters and boards below. Plus, don’t forget the bowls you’ll need to hold your various dips and spreads!

Anthropologie Renee Platter  Renee Platter $38.00 shop it Anthropologie 

Anthropologie Tempeste Platter   Tempeste Platter $24.00 shop it Anthropologie 

Crate & Barrel Slate & Wood Serving Board with Bowls  Slate and Wood Serving Board with Bowls $35.00 shop it Crate & Barrel 

Williams Sonoma Rustic Outdoor Melamine Mixed Bowls  Rustic Outdoor Melamine Mixed Bowls, Set of 6 $36.00 shop it Williams Sonoma 

Williams Sonoma Sicily Mixed Dipping Bowls  Sicily Mixed Dipping Bowls, Set of 4 $36.00 shop it Williams Sonoma

The Ingredients

Arrange at least one item from each of the following categories to make a well rounded and tasty meal on a board.

Protein

Go simple with anything from rotisserie chicken to cheese and deli meats or up the ante with your best tinned fish, cooked shrimp or chickpeas tossed in vinaigrette. (We love this seasonal Basil Vinaigrette!)

Cold and Crunchy

Any crudités will do the trick—broccoli, green beans, radishes, carrots, celery—you get it.

A Dip

You need a creamy dip (or two!) to swipe through. Try mustard, bean dip, hummus (like this Roasted Red Pepper Hummus), spreadable cheese, guacamole or even sour cream and onion dip.

A Starch

Try toasted bread slices, crackers, crispbreads or torn pita.

Something Sweet

A pile of berries provides a bright contrast. Other options: dried fruit, chocolate or spiced nuts.

Flavor Bursts

Throw on bold ingredients that’ll pop, like olives, pickled vegetables, corn nuts, caper berries or marinated artichoke hearts.

Anthropologie Renee Platter

Renee Platter $38.00 shop it Anthropologie

Anthropologie Renee Platter

$38.00

shop it Anthropologie

Anthropologie

Anthropologie Tempeste Platter

Tempeste Platter $24.00 shop it Anthropologie

Anthropologie Tempeste Platter

$24.00

Crate & Barrel Slate & Wood Serving Board with Bowls

Slate and Wood Serving Board with Bowls $35.00 shop it Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel Slate & Wood Serving Board with Bowls

$35.00

shop it Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel

Williams Sonoma Rustic Outdoor Melamine Mixed Bowls

Rustic Outdoor Melamine Mixed Bowls, Set of 6 $36.00 shop it Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma Rustic Outdoor Melamine Mixed Bowls

$36.00

shop it Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma Sicily Mixed Dipping Bowls

Sicily Mixed Dipping Bowls, Set of 4 $36.00 shop it Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma Sicily Mixed Dipping Bowls