How to assemble a beautiful bread and cheese board
Earlier this month, we shared a post on which breads pair best with different cheeses — today we’re building on that with a practical (and delicious) guide to assembling a full bread & cheese platter, complete with all the extras that make it sing.
🧀 1. Start with the cheese
Aim for 3–5 cheeses with a mix of textures and flavours:
- Soft: Brie, Camembert
- Hard: Comté, aged cheddar
- Blue: Roquefort, Gorgonzola
- Aged: Manchego, Parmigiano
- Fresh: goat cheese, ricotta
Let cheeses sit out 30–60 minutes before serving for full flavour.
🍞 2. Add the bread & crackers
Texture is everything here:
- Our sourdough rye crackers – crisp, tangy, and crunchy for spreads and hard cheeses
- Baguette slices – a neutral canvas that works with almost everything
- Nordic rye – dense and earthy, especially good with blue or aged cheeses
- White country sourdough – chewy and tangy, perfect with soft cheeses
- Seeded sourdough – a seedy crunch that works with both creamy bries and nutty hard cheeses
Pre-slice or break bread into bite-sized pieces for easy sharing.
🥜 3. Add something salty & crunchy
These bring balance and a satisfying contrast:
- Almonds – Marcona if possible, for their buttery crunch
- Roasted walnuts or hazelnuts
- Pistachios – slightly sweet, vibrant, and great with creamy cheeses
- Mixed olives
- Cornichons or pickled onions
🍇 4. Balance with something sweet
A touch of sweetness ties everything together:
- Fresh fruit: grapes, figs, apples, pears
- Dried fruit: apricots, dates, cherries
- Fruit preserves or chutney – fig jam is always a winner
- A drizzle of honey near the blue cheese or goat cheese
🧈 5. Optional Extras: Spreads & butters
- Cultured butter (especially with rye bread)
- Whole grain mustard
- Whipped ricotta or herbed soft cheese
- Tapenade, hummus, or roasted pepper spread
🍷 6. Bonus: Add a drink
Wine is classic, but cider, craft beer, or even sparkling water with citrus or herbs can enhance the experience. Match intensity — bold cheeses with bold drinks, lighter cheeses with something fresh.
Final touches:
Use a large wooden board or ceramic platter. Group items in small clusters for visual interest. Garnish with rosemary, thyme, or edible flowers for a bit of flair.
Above all, make it easy to graze — and let your ingredients shine (especially those sourdough rye crackers and pistachios)!
