Spicy Hot Take Platter (Printable)

A bold medley of spicy core, cheeses, meats, fresh veggies, and dips arranged for easy sharing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Central Spicy Core

01 - 2 tbsp chili flakes (mild or hot variant)
02 - 2 fresh red chili peppers, thinly sliced (seeds optional)
03 - 1 fresh jalapeño, sliced (optional for color variation)

→ Cheeses

04 - 3.5 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
05 - 3.5 oz pepper jack cheese, cubed
06 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled

→ Cured Meats (optional, omit for vegetarian)

07 - 2.8 oz spicy chorizo, sliced
08 - 2.8 oz soppressata, sliced

→ Fresh Vegetables

09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
11 - 1 cucumber, sliced
12 - 1/2 cup radishes, sliced

→ Dips & Spreads

13 - 1/2 cup spicy hummus
14 - 1/2 cup roasted red pepper spread

→ Crunchy Sides

15 - 1 cup pita chips
16 - 1 cup multigrain crackers
17 - 1 cup vegetable sticks (carrots, celery)

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Place chili flakes and sliced fresh peppers in a small bowl or arrange them as a vibrant central mound on a large serving platter.
02 - Organize cheeses, cured meats if used, fresh vegetables, dips, and crunchy sides around the spicy core in radiating sections to create an appealing visual display.
03 - Serve immediately, encouraging guests to combine ingredients and add heat from the central core according to their preference.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's deceptively simple to make but looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, which is honestly the best kind of entertaining
  • Everyone finds something they love on this platter, from the cheese lovers to the spice seekers to those who just want good crackers
  • There's no cooking involved, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck at the stove
  • It adapts to whatever you have on hand, so it works whether you're feeding six people or twelve
02 -
  • Prep everything right before serving. That moment when everything is still crisp and the cheese is still firm is fleeting—once people start combining things, the platter gets warmer and textures start to soften. That first fifteen minutes are when it's truly at its best.
  • The central spice core is a promise, not a threat. People should feel like they're choosing adventure, not being forced into it. Make sure the flavors around it are appealing enough that someone could enjoy the platter without ever touching the chili flakes.
03 -
  • Chill your platter for thirty minutes before serving if you can—cold cheeses hold their shape better and cold vegetables stay crispier longer, which means everything tastes better for longer
  • Cut everything to roughly the same size so people can grab without overthinking it—mismatched pieces make even a beautiful platter feel chaotic
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