This fall cheese board perfectly combines flavorful cheeses, Italian meats, dried fruits, fresh fruits, and crispy, crunchy crackers. If you have ever been intimidated about putting together a cheese board, I have you covered with step-by-step instructions! 

Confession: I have never put together a fancy cheese board before. I’ve put some cheese and meat on a tray but never put one together for a show or a fancy party.

That’s why I wanted to challenge myself to get all fancy and artistic with my cheese and meat. I mean, what else am I supposed to do with my life? Some people have kids, and some have cheese boards – c’est la vie.

But for real, I was majorly stressed about putting this board together. I just wanted it to look fancy and beautiful, and “OMGOMGOMG, I WANT TO EAT ALL OF THAT!”

Now, this fall cheese board (to me) screams fall. It contains delicious cheeses, Italian meats, seedy crackers, herbs, fresh fruits, and scattered dried fruits.

It’s the best fall season flavors scattered about on a fancy board.

Also, if you’re new to cheese boarding, you must know a few things. You want an excellent selection of cheese, so for me, that usually means something blue, something cheddar or cheddar-like, something hard but not cheddar, and finally, something soft and spreadable.

For me, that usually means Brie.

I mean, goat cheese works well here, too, but I’m just such a sucker for Brie.

Looking for something more themed? Try this football charcuterie board!

Ingredients needed:

• Brie cheese
• Cotswold cheddar
• Gorgonzola cheese
• Gouda cheese
• Italian meats – I used prosciutto, Mortadella, and hard salami.
• Candied bacon
• Fresh fruits – I mixed apples, grapes, pears, pomegranate seeds, and fresh figs.
• Dried fruits – A mix of dates, dried figs, apple slices, and dried sweetened oranges.
• Cured goods – olives, teardrop peppers, and gherkins.
• Nuts – whole sunflower seeds and pistachios.
• Jams and jellies – I’m using apple butter here, but other tasty additions are fig spread, honey, or any whole fruit jam.
• Carbs – I like a mix of seedy crackers and dried breadsticks.
• Platter decorations – Since the board’s theme is fall flavors, I decorated it with sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, and bay leaves.

How to assemble a fall cheese board

1. Choose your board

• Any flat surface works: a wooden cutting board, marble slab, or a large platter. Think about the size. You want enough space to spread things out but not so big that things look sparse.

2. Pick the cheese

• Types of Cheese: Aim for variety! A mix of soft, semi-soft, and hard cheeses keeps things interesting. I used Cotswold cheddar, Brie, Gorgonzola, and Gouda for this fall charcuterie board.
• Presentation: Pre-slice harder cheeses and leave soft cheeses in larger pieces with small knives nearby. This makes it easy to grab a bite!

3. Add the meat

• Variety: Pick a couple of cured meats – prosciutto, mortadella, hard salami, and candied bacon are all lovely options.

4. Carb additions

• Crackers & Breadsticks: Offer a couple of types for different textures.
• Baguette Slices: Lightly toasted slices of a French baguette work wonderfully with soft cheeses.

5. Add fresh and dried fruit

• Grapes, apple slices, pears, and pomegranate seeds add sweetness and color. Try dates, figs, apples, and sweetened orange slices for dried fruits. Place them in small clusters near cheeses for easy pairing.

6. Get nutty

• A handful of pistachios, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, or pecans can add a savory, crunchy touch. Place them in little piles for an easy grab-and-go option.

7. Cured and salty

• Olives, gherkins, and tear-shaped peppers add a tangy, salty bite that cuts through the richness of the meat and cheese. My homemade Easy Refrigerator Pickles, Sweet and Spicy Zucchini Pickles, or my Quick Pickled Beets are excellent homemade versions.

8. Jams, honey, or spreads

• Sweet Spreads: Apple butter is great for this board and ties in the vibes of autumn. Other great options are honey, fruit spread, and fig butter.

9. Making it pretty

Other additions

I love making cheese boards because they can be adapted to include any of your favorites! I kept it simple with this fall cheese board, but here are some other lovely additions that would jazz up any charcuterie board.

• Spreadable dips like Easy Pumpkin Hummus, French Onion Dip, or Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta.
• Try other nut additions like Praline Pecans (Candied Pecans) or Sweet Salty Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.
• Add something sweet to munch on, like Harvest Chex Mix, Classic Chocolate Truffles, or my Brown Sugar Pecan Toffee.
• Homemade spreadables are always an excellent addition. Try my Homemade Pumpkin Butter, Vanilla Bean Strawberry Jam, or Blueberry Compote.

More appetizer recipes

Harissa Whipped Feta

Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms

French Onion Dip

Cranberry Brie Pinwheels