Game Night Controller Platter

Featured in: Family Comfort Classics

This snack platter creatively mimics a video game controller using an array of textures and flavors. Cubed and sliced cheeses, assorted meats, crunchy crackers, fresh vegetables, and flavorful dips come together to delight both the palate and the eyes. Black olives and grape tomatoes serve as buttons, while pretzel sticks act as joysticks. Easily adaptable for dietary preferences, this no-cook platter can be customized and garnished for a vibrant, interactive party experience.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:29:00 GMT
A delicious game night controller snack platter, overflowing with cheese, meat, and veggie treats. Save to Pinterest
A delicious game night controller snack platter, overflowing with cheese, meat, and veggie treats. | recipesforevers.com

A playful and interactive snack platter, arranged in the shape of a video game controller, perfect for parties and game nights. This platter combines savory snacks, cheeses, deli meats, and dips, delighting both the eyes and taste buds.

This snack platter is always a hit at our game nights and brings fun and flavor to the table.

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 100 g cheddar cheese, cubed, 100 g mozzarella cheese, cubed, 100 g pepper jack cheese, sliced
  • Meats: 100 g salami, sliced, 100 g turkey breast, rolled
  • Crackers & Bread: 150 g assorted crackers, 100 g breadsticks
  • Vegetables: 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips, 1 cucumber, sliced into rounds, 1 cup baby carrots, 100 g cherry tomatoes
  • Dips: 100 g hummus, 100 g ranch dip
  • Garnishes & Buttons: 12 black olives (whole, for controller buttons), 8 round grape tomatoes (for colored buttons), 50 g pretzel sticks (for joysticks/decoration), Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1:
On a large rectangular serving board or tray, outline the shape of a classic video game controller using breadsticks or cracker sticks.
Step 2:
Fill the controller shape with alternating sections of cheeses, meats, and vegetables to create color contrast.
Step 3:
Use black olives and grape tomatoes to represent controller buttons, arranging them in clusters where the real buttons would be.
Step 4:
Use pretzel sticks as joysticks by placing them upright (secure with a small piece of cheese or cucumber as a base if needed).
Step 5:
Place dips in small bowls at the grip ends of the controller or as touchpads.
Step 6:
Fill in any gaps with extra crackers or vegetables.
Step 7:
Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant look.
Step 8:
Serve immediately and encourage guests to play and snack.
This fun controller snack platter features colorful cheese, veggie buttons, and salty pretzel joysticks. Save to Pinterest
This fun controller snack platter features colorful cheese, veggie buttons, and salty pretzel joysticks. | recipesforevers.com

This platter brings everyone together for laughter and plenty of snack-fueled fun on game nights.

Required Tools

Large serving board or tray, Small bowls for dips, Sharp knife, Serving tongs

Allergen Information

Contains Dairy (cheese) Gluten (crackers breadsticks) Possible Soy (dips) Meat (if included). May contain nuts if added by user. Always check labels for potential allergens and cross-contamination.

Nutritional Information

Calories 270, Total Fat 14 g, Carbohydrates 21 g, Protein 13 g per serving approximately.

Close-up of a game night controller platter with hummus, crackers, and cubed cheeses ready to serve. Save to Pinterest
Close-up of a game night controller platter with hummus, crackers, and cubed cheeses ready to serve. | recipesforevers.com

Enjoy assembling this snack platter and watch it become the star of your next game night.

Recipe FAQs

What cheeses work best for this platter?

Cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack cheeses provide a nice balance of flavors and textures, offering both mild and spicy notes.

How can I make the platter vegetarian-friendly?

Simply omit the meats and add extra cheeses, roasted nuts, or marinated tofu cubes to maintain a hearty selection.

What are good substitutes for the dips provided?

Consider creamy spinach dip, guacamole, or a tangy yogurt-based dip to complement the platter’s variety.

How do I assemble the controller shape effectively?

Use breadsticks or cracker sticks to outline the classic controller shape on a large serving board, then fill sections with cheeses, meats, and vegetables.

Can this platter accommodate gluten-free needs?

Yes, by choosing gluten-free crackers and breadsticks, the platter can be adapted to suit gluten-free diets.

What garnishes add visual appeal to the platter?

Fresh parsley and colorful vegetables like grape tomatoes and mini bell peppers enhance appearance and offer vibrant accents.

Game Night Controller Platter

A colorful snack platter arranged as a game controller with cheeses, meats, veggies, and dips for fun sharing.

Prep Duration
25 minutes
0
Complete Duration
25 minutes


Complexity Easy

Cuisine International

Makes 8 Portions

Dietary Info None specified

What You Need

Cheeses

01 3.5 oz cheddar cheese, cubed
02 3.5 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed
03 3.5 oz pepper jack cheese, sliced

Meats

01 3.5 oz salami, sliced
02 3.5 oz turkey breast, rolled

Crackers & Bread

01 5.3 oz assorted crackers
02 3.5 oz breadsticks

Vegetables

01 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
02 1 cucumber, sliced into rounds
03 1 cup baby carrots
04 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes

Dips

01 3.5 oz hummus
02 3.5 oz ranch dip

Garnishes & Buttons

01 12 black olives, whole
02 8 round grape tomatoes
03 1.75 oz pretzel sticks
04 Fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

Step 01

Outline Controller Shape: Arrange breadsticks or cracker sticks on a large rectangular serving board to outline the shape of a classic video game controller.

Step 02

Arrange Cheeses, Meats, and Vegetables: Fill the outlined controller shape with alternating sections of cheeses, sliced meats, and vegetables to create an appealing color contrast.

Step 03

Place Buttons: Position black olives and grape tomatoes as controller buttons, clustering them where the actual buttons would be located.

Step 04

Add Joysticks: Insert pretzel sticks upright to serve as joysticks, securing them with a small piece of cheese or cucumber if necessary for stability.

Step 05

Add Dips: Place hummus and ranch dip in small bowls at the grip ends of the controller or in areas resembling touchpads.

Step 06

Fill Gaps: Fill any remaining spaces with extra crackers or vegetables to complete the platter.

Step 07

Garnish and Serve: Garnish the platter with fresh parsley for a vibrant appearance and serve immediately for optimal freshness.

Essential Tools

  • Large serving board or tray
  • Small bowls for dips
  • Sharp knife
  • Serving tongs

Allergy Details

Be sure to check every item for allergens. If uncertain, talk with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains dairy from cheeses.
  • Contains gluten from crackers and breadsticks.
  • May contain soy in dips.
  • Contains meats if included.
  • Possible nut contamination if added.

Nutrition per serving

Nutrition details are for your reference only. Always speak with a professional for medical concerns.
  • Caloric Content: 270
  • Total Fat: 14 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 21 grams
  • Proteins: 13 grams