Gluten-Free Gourmet Tower (Printable)

Layered gluten-free crispbreads with creamy spreads and fresh toppings create an impressive, vibrant starter.

# What you need:

→ Base and Structure

01 - 12 gluten-free crispbread crackers (seed, multigrain, or plain)
02 - 8 slices gluten-free bread, toasted lightly, cut into rounds or rectangles

→ Spreads and Layers

03 - 5.3 oz whipped cream cheese
04 - 3.5 oz hummus
05 - 3.5 oz guacamole

→ Fresh Toppings

06 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
07 - 1 medium ripe tomato, thinly sliced
08 - 1 small avocado, sliced
09 - 1/2 cup microgreens or baby arugula
10 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced radish
11 - 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, sliced

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds
13 - 2 tbsp finely chopped chives
14 - Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
15 - Sea salt, to taste

# How to make it:

01 - Prepare all spreads and toppings in advance. Toast the gluten-free bread lightly and cut it into uniform rounds or rectangles to align with cracker size.
02 - Place all components mise en place to facilitate smooth assembly.
03 - Position a cracker as the base, then spread a thin layer of cream cheese or hummus atop.
04 - Place a piece of toasted gluten-free bread over the cracker, then spread guacamole and add cucumber and tomato slices.
05 - Alternate crackers, bread, and spreads, layering fresh toppings such as avocado, radish, roasted red pepper, and microgreens to build contrast and color.
06 - Construct 3 to 4 layers, pressing gently to maintain stability. Complete with a cracker or bread topped with cream cheese, microgreens, pumpkin seeds, chives, and black pepper.
07 - Carefully move the tower(s) to serving plates using a wide spatula to preserve structure.
08 - Serve immediately to enjoy optimal texture and freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely showstopping on the plate, yet comes together in just 25 minutes with zero cooking required
  • Everyone at your table gets to feel included, whether they're gluten-free or not, because this dish is simply delicious for all
  • The beauty of it is in the flexibility—you can swap toppings based on what's fresh and what you have on hand, making it endlessly adaptable
02 -
  • Toast your bread before assembly—this was the game-changer that stopped my towers from becoming soggy messes. Room temperature bread will absorb moisture from your spreads and vegetables, but toasted bread stays crisp and structural.
  • Pat all your fresh vegetables dry with paper towels before building. This single step prevents excess moisture from seeping into your layers and compromising stability. I learned this after my first tower started leaning within minutes of assembly.
  • Build your tower on the plate where it will be served, not somewhere else. Moving it is risky business, and I've learned that the two-minute walk from kitchen to table is not worth the anxiety.
03 -
  • Make sure your spreads are at room temperature before assembly—cold cream cheese tears delicate crackers, but room temperature spreads like silk
  • The secret to a visually stunning tower is thinking in color layers: whites and creams, then vibrant greens and reds, then back to neutral. Your eyes eat first
  • If you're worried about a tower toppling, press down very gently after building—just enough to help layers bond together without squishing the vegetables
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