Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to assemble your fruit skewers and whip up the delicious yogurt dip. This process is easy enough to get the kids involved!

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit

First, focus on preparing all your fruit. This is the most time-consuming part, but doing it methodically makes assembly a breeze.

• Wash and Dry: Gently rinse all your fruit under cool running water. Pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This step is crucial, as wet fruit can become slippery and spoil faster.
• Hull and Cut: Hull the strawberries by removing the green leafy tops. If they are very large, slice them in half for a more manageable bite.
• Cube and Core: Peel the pineapple, remove the tough core, and cut the flesh into uniform 1-inch cubes. Do the same for the cantaloupe if you are not using a melon baller. Consistent sizing makes for more stable and attractive skewers.
• Peel and Slice: Peel the kiwis and slice them into thick, sturdy rounds. Peel the mandarin oranges and carefully separate them into individual segments.
• Gather Berries and Grapes: Remove the grapes from their stems. Ensure your blueberries are ready to go.

Step 2: Make the Yogurt Dip

While the fruit rests, you can quickly prepare the creamy dip.

• Combine Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the plain Greek yogurt, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and fresh lemon juice.
• Whisk Until Smooth: Use a whisk to mix all the ingredients together until the dip is completely smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps of yogurt or pockets of honey.
• Taste and Adjust: Give the dip a taste. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more honey. If you want more of a tang, a little more lemon juice will do the trick. If you’re using it, whisk in the optional citrus zest now.
• Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill while you assemble the skewers. Chilling the dip allows the flavors to meld together and thickens it slightly.

Step 3: Assemble the Fruit Skewers

This is the fun and creative part!

• Create a Pattern: Begin threading the prepared fruit onto your skewers. For the most visually appealing result, create a repeating pattern of colors and shapes. A great “rainbow” pattern to follow is: strawberry, orange segment, pineapple cube, kiwi slice, green grape, blueberry, and black grape.
• Thread Carefully: Gently push the fruit pieces onto the skewer, being careful not to push too hard and split them. Leave about 1 inch of space at the bottom of the skewer to act as a handle and a small space at the top.
• Repeat: Continue this process until all your fruit is used up or you have your desired number of skewers.
• Arrange for Serving: Lay the completed fruit skewers on a large platter or serving tray. You can arrange them in neat rows or in a circular, sunburst pattern. Serve immediately with the chilled yogurt dip on the side.