Beach Day Starfish Snack

Featured in: Sweet Golden Treats

This ocean-inspired snack spread features star-shaped sandwiches filled with cream cheese, jam, or deli meat, accompanied by fresh grapes, strawberries, baby carrots, cucumber rounds, and crunchy mini pretzels, goldfish crackers, and pita chips. The platter is arranged to evoke a beach theme, making it ideal for summer gatherings or kids parties. Quick to prepare with no cooking needed, it can easily be adapted for various dietary preferences.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:14:00 GMT
A colorful Beach Day Starfish snack platter: starfish sandwiches, grapes, and goldfish crackers arranged. Save
A colorful Beach Day Starfish snack platter: starfish sandwiches, grapes, and goldfish crackers arranged. | amberladle.com

A whimsical, ocean-inspired snack platter featuring playful starfish-shaped sandwiches, fresh fruits, and crunchy snacks—perfect for summer gatherings or kids parties.

This snack spread was a hit at our last beach day party, delighting both kids and adults alike with its fun presentation and fresh flavors.

Ingredients

  • Starfish Sandwiches: 12 slices soft sandwich bread, 6 tbsp cream cheese (or hummus), 6 tbsp jam nut butter or deli meat (choose preferred fillings), 1 small cucumber thinly sliced, 1 small carrot peeled and grated, 1 starfish-shaped cookie cutter (approx 3-4 inches wide)
  • Fresh Fruit & Veggies: 1 cup seedless grapes halved, 1 cup strawberries hulled and halved, 1 cup baby carrots, 1 cup cucumber rounds
  • Crunchy Snacks: 1 cup mini pretzel twists (seaweed), 1 cup goldfish-shaped crackers, 1 cup pita chips or veggie chips
  • Dips: 1/2 cup ranch dip or hummus, 1/2 cup fruit yogurt (for fruit)

Instructions

Step 1:
Using the starfish cookie cutter cut star shapes from the bread slices You should get one star per slice—save the bread scraps for breadcrumbs or another use
Step 2:
Spread cream cheese (or hummus) on half of the star-shaped bread pieces
Step 3:
Add your preferred filling jam nut butter or deli meat followed by slices of cucumber or grated carrot if desired
Step 4:
Top each with another star-shaped bread piece to form sandwiches
Step 5:
Arrange the starfish sandwiches in the center of a large platter
Step 6:
Surround the sandwiches with halved grapes strawberries baby carrots and cucumber rounds
Step 7:
Add clusters of pretzel twists goldfish crackers and pita chips to represent seaweed and ocean floor
Step 8:
Place dips in small bowls and nestle them among the snacks
Step 9:
Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve
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| amberladle.com

Our family loves gathering around this platter, enjoying the interactive nature of building their own starfish sandwiches and snacking together.

Required Tools

Starfish-shaped cookie cutter Large serving platter Small bowls (for dips) Sharp knife Vegetable peeler

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (bread crackers pita chips) Dairy (cream cheese yogurt ranch dip) Nuts (if using nut butter) Soy (in some deli meats or dips) Always check labels for potential allergens and cross-contamination

Nutritional Information

Calories 240 Total Fat 8 g Carbohydrates 36 g Protein 6 g (per serving estimated)

This vibrant Beach Day Starfish snack creation features sandwich starfish and fresh veggie accompaniments. Save
This vibrant Beach Day Starfish snack creation features sandwich starfish and fresh veggie accompaniments. | amberladle.com

Enjoy this fresh and fun snack spread as a delightful addition to your summer gatherings or kids parties

Recipe FAQs

What fillings can I use for the star-shaped sandwiches?

You can fill the sandwiches with cream cheese or hummus, plus jam, nut butter, or deli meat, and add cucumber or grated carrot for extra crunch.

Can this snack spread be made vegan?

Yes, swap cream cheese and ranch dip for dairy-free alternatives and choose plant-based fillings to keep it vegan.

How do I create the starfish shapes?

Use a starfish-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes from soft sandwich bread slices for a whimsical look.

What snacks complement the sandwiches on the platter?

Include seedless grapes, strawberries, baby carrots, cucumber rounds, mini pretzel twists, goldfish-shaped crackers, and pita or veggie chips for variety and texture.

How should I serve the dips?

Place dips like ranch or fruit yogurt in small bowls nestled among the snacks for easy access and presentation.

Is any cooking required for this spread?

No cooking is needed; preparation mainly involves cutting and assembling the ingredients.

Beach Day Starfish Snack

A fun ocean-themed platter featuring star-shaped sandwiches, fresh fruit, and crunchy snacks for summer events.

Prep time
25 min
Cook time
1 min
Overall time
26 min
Created by Rachel Hayes


Skill required Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 6 Serving size

Diet preferences Meat-free

What you need

Starfish Sandwiches

01 12 slices soft sandwich bread
02 6 tablespoons cream cheese or hummus
03 6 tablespoons jam, nut butter, or deli meat
04 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
05 1 small carrot, peeled and grated
06 1 starfish-shaped cookie cutter (approx. 3-4 inches wide)

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables

01 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
02 1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved
03 1 cup baby carrots
04 1 cup cucumber rounds

Crunchy Snacks

01 1 cup mini pretzel twists (seaweed)
02 1 cup goldfish-shaped crackers
03 1 cup pita chips or vegetable chips

Dips

01 1/2 cup ranch dip or hummus
02 1/2 cup fruit yogurt (for fruit accompaniment)

How to make it

Step 01

Cut star shapes: Use the starfish cookie cutter to cut one star shape from each bread slice, saving scraps for other uses.

Step 02

Spread base layer: Spread cream cheese or hummus on half of the star-shaped bread pieces.

Step 03

Add fillings: Layer preferred fillings of jam, nut butter, or deli meat, then top with cucumber slices or grated carrot as desired.

Step 04

Assemble sandwiches: Top each filled piece with another star-shaped bread piece to complete the sandwiches.

Step 05

Arrange sandwiches: Place the starfish sandwiches in the center of a large serving platter.

Step 06

Arrange fruits and vegetables: Surround the sandwiches with halved grapes, strawberries, baby carrots, and cucumber rounds.

Step 07

Add crunchy elements: Scatter mini pretzel twists, goldfish crackers, and pita or vegetable chips around to mimic seaweed and ocean floor textures.

Step 08

Position dips: Place dips such as ranch or hummus and fruit yogurt in small bowls nestled among the snacks.

Step 09

Serve or store: Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to enjoy.

Equipment needed

  • Starfish-shaped cookie cutter
  • Large serving platter
  • Small bowls for dips
  • Sharp knife
  • Vegetable peeler

Allergy info

Always review ingredients for allergens. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains wheat (bread, crackers, pita chips), dairy (cream cheese, yogurt, ranch dip), nuts (if nut butter is used), and soy (in some deli meats or dips). Check labels for allergens and cross-contamination warnings.

Nutrition details (each serving)

Nutritional details are for reference and aren't a substitute for healthcare guidance.
  • Calorie Count: 240
  • Fat content: 8 g
  • Carbohydrate: 36 g
  • Protein amount: 6 g