Gluten-Free Gourmet Tower (Printable)

Elegant layers of gluten-free crackers, breads, and fresh spreads create a colorful and impressive appetizer tower.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base and Structure

01 - 12 gluten-free crispbread crackers (seed, multigrain, or plain)
02 - 8 slices gluten-free bread, lightly toasted, 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 - ½ cup microgreens or baby arugula
10 - ¼ cup thinly sliced radish
11 - ¼ 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

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Prepare all spreads and toppings in advance. Toast gluten-free bread lightly and cut into uniform rounds or rectangles matching cracker size.
02 - Arrange all ingredients mise en place for streamlined assembly.
03 - Place one cracker as the base. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese or hummus evenly over it.
04 - Stack a piece of toasted gluten-free bread atop the cracker. Add guacamole, then slices of cucumber and tomato.
05 - Alternate between crackers, bread, and spreads, incorporating sliced avocado, radish, roasted red pepper, and microgreens for visual contrast and flavor.
06 - Build 3 to 4 layers in total, pressing gently to stabilize. Finish with a cracker or bread slice topped with cream cheese, microgreens, pumpkin seeds, chives, and black pepper.
07 - Carefully transfer tower(s) onto serving plates using a wide spatula and serve immediately for optimal texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but takes just 25 minutes, making you feel like a culinary wizard without the stress.
  • Everyone at your table gets their own moment of joy watching you carefully transfer the tower to their plate—it's theater and dinner combined.
  • Naturally gluten-free without a single compromise on taste or presentation, so friends with dietary restrictions finally feel celebrated instead of accommodated.
02 -
  • Never slice your vegetables more than a few hours ahead. I learned this the hard way when I prepped for a party in the morning and by evening had sad, oxidized slices. Prep spreads yes, vegetables no.
  • The weight of the tower matters more than the height. Four stable layers will impress more than six wobbly ones. I've had towers topple exactly once, and I've been a careful builder ever since.
  • Pat every vegetable slice dry with paper towels. Moisture is the silent saboteur that will turn your crisp crackers soggy within minutes.
03 -
  • Chill your serving plates for 10 minutes before assembly. Cold plates keep everything fresher longer and make transferring the tower feel more intentional.
  • Use a serrated bread knife to toast and cut your gluten-free bread—regular knives tend to squish rather than cut, and gluten-free bread is more delicate than traditional bread.
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