Name: Festive Fruit Kabobs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 Strawberries; 12 Green grapes; 1 Large Banana (or 2 small); 12 Mini white marshmallows; 12 Toothpicks; 2 Bananas; 6 Strawberries; 2 Regular Size Marshmallows; 6 Mini Marshmallows; 12 Candy Eyes; 6 Small, round red candies (such as M&Ms)

If you’re searching for a light, colorful, and crowd-pleasing snack this season, you’ve got to try my Festive Fruit Kabobs Recipe. It’s a fan-freaking-tastic way to bring a little joy to your holiday table or any gathering where you want something fresh and fun. I absolutely love how it combines just the right amount of sweet and tangy flavors with a playful presentation that both kids and adults go crazy for. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to nail these adorable Santa and Grinch-inspired kabobs — plus share tips to keep things super easy and delicious!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Easy & Quick to Make: You’ll have these festive kabobs ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for last-minute gatherings.
Kid-Friendly Fun: The Santa and Grinch themes make it a hit with little ones who love helping assemble and munch.
Healthy but Sweet: Combining fresh fruit with just a touch of marshmallow gives you a tasty treat that doesn’t feel heavy.
Versatile for Any Occasion: While I make these for Christmas, you can easily swap fruits for other seasonal celebrations.

This image shows a white round plate holding seven festive fruit skewers designed to look like Santa Claus faces. Each skewer has three layers: at the bottom is a green grape, followed by a middle section with a half banana piece decorated with two small black and white candy eyes and one red candy nose on some skewers, and topped with a red strawberry hat. Between the strawberry and the grape or banana, there is a small white banana slice acting as Santa's hat brim. On top of the strawberry sits a small white marshmallow as the hat's pompom. The plate rests on a dark wooden surface with Christmas decorations around, including pine cones, red ribbons, candy canes, and scattered mini marshmallows. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Festive Fruit Kabobs, holiday fruit skewers, Christmas fruit snacks, colorful fruit party appetizers, easy holiday fruit recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are straightforward and easy to find, and they come together perfectly to create that balance of fruity freshness and sweet whimsy. When picking out your fruit, I recommend grabbing the freshest strawberries and grapes you can find to keep the kabobs juicy and bright.

Flat lay of a small cluster of bright red strawberries with green leafy tops, a handful of shiny green grapes, a peeled banana sliced into thin rounds arranged neatly, a few small white mini marshmallows in a small simple white ceramic bowl, two whole uncracked brown eggs (note: no eggs in this recipe so omit), a small white ceramic bowl filled with small round red candies, another small white bowl holding tiny candy eyes, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white ceramic plate with toothpicks neatly placed beside them, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Festive Fruit Kabobs, holiday fruit skewers, Christmas fruit snacks, colorful fruit party appetizers, easy holiday fruit recipe

Strawberries: Choose firm, ripe ones for the best flavor and easier slicing.
Green grapes: Seedless are best for easy eating and a nice pop of vibrant color.
Bananas: I prefer slightly firm bananas so slices hold their shape without getting mushy.
Mini white marshmallows: These add the perfect snowy “hat” or “beard” look on your kabobs.
Regular-size marshmallows: For the Banana Santa Kabobs, they’re cut into thirds to build the bodies.
Candy eyes: These bring the characters to life—grab a pack from your local craft or baking aisle.
Small, round red candies: M&Ms work great for the Santa noses and mouths, adding a fun pop of color.
Toothpicks: Essential for assembling, and I like to use thicker ones to avoid breakage.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Festive Fruit Kabobs Recipe my own by switching up fruits or tweaking the decorations. It’s super easy to personalize, so don’t hesitate to get creative with what you have on hand or what your family enjoys most!

Tropical Twist: I once swapped grapes for pineapple chunks and strawberries for kiwi, and it gave the kabobs a fun tropical vibe that everyone enjoyed.
Dairy-Free Option: Simply skip the marshmallows or use vegan marshmallows—your kabobs will still be charming and delicious.
Gluten-Free Treat: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, perfect for guests with dietary restrictions.
Seasonal Fruits: Feel free to swap in apples, pears, or clementines during other holidays to keep the festive spirit alive year-round.

How to Make Festive Fruit Kabobs Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Fresh Fruit

First things first, wash and dry your strawberries and grapes thoroughly—this really helps prevent any sogginess later on. Then, peel your bananas and slice them up thinly for the Grinch kabobs, or into thirds if you’re building the Banana Santa kabobs. Cutting the ends off the strawberries gives them a more polished look and makes them easier to spear onto your toothpicks.

Step 2: Assemble the Christmas Fruit Kabobs (Grinch Style)

Grab your toothpick and start by threading on a green grape, then a banana slice, followed by a halved or trimmed strawberry. Top it off with a mini marshmallow to create that cute Santa hat look! I usually line these up on a festive platter—my family always notices these first at parties.

Step 3: Make the Banana Santa Kabobs

For the Banana Santa kabobs, take your banana pieces and thread one onto the toothpick. Then add a piece of a regular marshmallow that’s been cut into thirds, followed by a strawberry, and top it all off with a mini marshmallow hat. Use candy eyes and a small red candy for the mouth to bring these little Santas to life. This step is always a hit with my kids because they get involved decorating!

Step 4: Arrange and Serve

Arrange your kabobs on a bright holiday platter or a wooden board for a rustic touch. I like to add sprinkle of fresh mint leaves around the edges for a pop of green and added freshness. Keep them chilled until serving so fruits stay crisp and marshmallows hold their shape.

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Fruit Kabobs Recipe

Choose Firm Fruit: I’ve learned that using firmer bananas and grapes keeps your kabobs looking fresh longer without mushiness setting in.
Use Fresh Candy Eyes: For the Banana Santas, those little candy eyes add instant character — I keep a stash handy during holiday weeks!
Chill Before Serving: I always refrigerate assembled kabobs for about 30 minutes; it helps the marshmallows firm up and keeps everything crisp.
Prep Just Before Serving: To avoid fruit discoloration, especially bananas, assemble your kabobs as close to serving time as possible.

How to Serve Festive Fruit Kabobs Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of simple garnishes like fresh mint leaves or even a light dusting of powdered sugar over the marshmallows for a snowy effect. Sometimes, I add a few whole cranberries scattered around the platter for an extra holiday pop. It makes the presentation feel extra-special without much effort.

Side Dishes

These kabobs are perfect alongside holiday brunch spreads — I like pairing them with cinnamon rolls, yogurt parfaits, or even a cheese and cracker board. They add that fresh, sweet contrast to richer sides that your guests will appreciate.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the kabobs standing upright in a block of styrofoam covered with foil to create a festive “kabob bouquet.” It was a showstopper! You can also tie a little red ribbon around each skewer to add festive flair or serve them on individual mini plates with a drizzle of honey or chocolate for an extra-special touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any kabobs left (which I rarely do, but it’s happened!), wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge. I find they keep best if eaten within 24 hours since bananas tend to brown quickly. Leaving them chilled slows the process.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing these kabobs. The fresh fruit changes texture when frozen and thawed, especially bananas and strawberries—they get mushy and watery.

Reheating

Since these are served fresh and cold, there’s no need to reheat. Just bring them out right from the fridge, and they taste best chilled!

FAQs

Can I use other fruits in the Festive Fruit Kabobs Recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to substitute fruits like blueberries, pineapple chunks, or kiwi depending on the season or your preference. Just make sure they’re cut into bite-sized pieces that can fit well on toothpicks.
How long do these kabobs stay fresh?

For best taste and texture, enjoy your Festive Fruit Kabobs within 24 hours of assembling. Keep them refrigerated and covered to preserve freshness.
Can I make these kabobs vegan?

Yes! Just swap regular marshmallows for vegan marshmallows, and check that any candies used are free from animal-derived ingredients.
Do I have to use candy eyes and small candies?

Not at all. These candies add fun character, but you can always skip them or use edible markers to draw faces on the marshmallows if you want to keep it simpler or allergy-friendly.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Fruit Kabobs Recipe is one of those joyful little projects that turns snacking into a celebration. From the first time I made these for a holiday party, they instantly became a tradition thanks to the smiles they brought to my family and friends. If you want an easy, adorable treat that feels festive without fuss, I wholeheartedly recommend giving these kabobs a go. Trust me, your guests will be asking for the recipe (and the second round) in no time!