T-Rex Fossil Crudités Platter

Featured in: Warm Rustic Plates

This fun vegetable arrangement mimics a T-Rex fossil using fresh cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and snap peas. Cherry tomatoes and olives add eye-catching details, all set on a bed of baby spinach leaves. The creamy dip combines Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon, and fresh dill for a flavorful complement. Ideal for healthy appetizers, it's easy to prepare with no cooking required and makes a playful addition to kids' parties or themed events.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:59:00 GMT
Vibrant T-Rex Fossil Crudités: a fun, healthy veggie platter with creamy ranch dip, perfect for kids. Pin it
Vibrant T-Rex Fossil Crudités: a fun, healthy veggie platter with creamy ranch dip, perfect for kids. | emberthyme.com

A playful and healthy vegetable platter arranged to resemble a T-Rex fossil, perfect for kids parties or themed gatherings. Served with a creamy ranch dip.

Get creative with the vegetable placement and enjoy a fun activity with kids while making this unique platter.

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 1 large cucumber, 2 large carrots, 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, 1 small broccoli crown, 1 small cauliflower crown, 10 snap peas, 6 cherry tomatoes, 6 black olives (pitted for eyes/claws), 1 bunch baby spinach leaves (for background)
  • Dip: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Wash Vegetables:
Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly.
Slice Cucumber:
Slice the cucumber into thin rounds for the T-Rexs vertebrae and tail bones.
Cut Carrots:
Peel and cut the carrots into thin sticks for ribs and limbs.
Slice Bell Peppers:
Slice the bell peppers into strips for the jaw, spine, and claws.
Prepare Florets:
Break the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets for skull, pelvis, and joints.
Arrange Spinach:
Arrange baby spinach leaves as a base layer on a large platter.
Assemble Vegetables:
Assemble the vegetables on top to form a T-Rex fossil shape, using olives for eyes and claws, tomatoes for accent bones or fossilized eggs.
Make Dip:
In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Serve:
Serve the dip alongside the platter.
Colorful bell peppers and carrot "bones" showcase this creative T-Rex Fossil Crudités appetizer for a party. Pin it
Colorful bell peppers and carrot "bones" showcase this creative T-Rex Fossil Crudités appetizer for a party. | emberthyme.com

This platter is always a hit at kids parties where everyone enjoys making and eating their own T-Rex fossils.

Required Tools

Large serving platter, Sharp knife, Vegetable peeler, Small mixing bowl, Whisk or spoon

Allergen Information

Contains dairy Greek yogurt mayonnaise Mayonnaise may contain eggs verify ingredients for hidden allergens

Nutritional Information

Calories 75 Total Fat 3 g Carbohydrates 9 g Protein 3 g per serving

Eye-catching T-Rex Fossil Crudités: fresh veggie "fossils" and creamy dip served, ready for dipping and fun. Pin it
Eye-catching T-Rex Fossil Crudités: fresh veggie "fossils" and creamy dip served, ready for dipping and fun. | emberthyme.com

This T-Rex fossil crudités platter is a fun, healthy addition to any party and encourages creativity and interaction.

Recipe FAQs

How do I assemble the T-Rex shape?

Arrange sliced cucumbers for the spine and tail, carrot sticks as ribs and limbs, and bell pepper strips for claws and jaw. Use broccoli and cauliflower florets for joints and skull, with olives and tomatoes for eyes and accents.

Can I make the dip dairy-free?

Yes, substitute Greek yogurt and mayonnaise with plant-based alternatives or use hummus or guacamole as a flavorful dip.

What are good alternatives for the baby spinach base?

Try using kale leaves, lettuce, or other fresh greens to create a vibrant background for the vegetable arrangement.

How long does the platter stay fresh?

Keep it refrigerated and consume within a few hours for optimal freshness and crispness of the vegetables.

Is this suitable for special diets?

This platter is vegetarian and gluten-free; adjust the dip ingredients for vegan or allergy-friendly needs as desired.

T-Rex Fossil Crudités Platter

A colorful veggie platter shaped like a T-Rex fossil served with a zesty dill dip.

Time to Prep
25 mins
0
Overall Time
25 mins
By Ember Thyme Clara Henshaw


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Portions 8 Portion Size

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly, No Gluten

What You’ll Need

Vegetables

01 1 large cucumber
02 2 large carrots
03 1 yellow bell pepper
04 1 red bell pepper
05 1 small broccoli crown
06 1 small cauliflower crown
07 10 snap peas
08 6 cherry tomatoes
09 6 pitted black olives
10 1 bunch baby spinach leaves

Dip

01 1 cup Greek yogurt
02 1/4 cup mayonnaise
03 1 tablespoon lemon juice
04 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
05 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 Salt and pepper to taste

How To Make

Step 01

Prepare vegetables: Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly.

Step 02

Slice cucumber: Cut cucumber into thin rounds to represent vertebrae and tail bones.

Step 03

Cut carrots: Peel carrots and slice into thin sticks to form ribs and limbs.

Step 04

Slice bell peppers: Cut yellow and red bell peppers into strips for the jaw, spine, and claws.

Step 05

Prepare florets: Break broccoli and cauliflower into small florets to depict skull, pelvis, and joints.

Step 06

Arrange base layer: Spread baby spinach leaves evenly as a base layer on a large serving platter.

Step 07

Assemble fossil shape: Arrange prepared vegetables on the spinach base to recreate a T-Rex fossil shape, adding olives for eyes and claws, and cherry tomatoes as accent bones or eggs.

Step 08

Prepare dip: Combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; whisk until smooth.

Step 09

Serve: Serve the creamy dip alongside the assembled vegetable platter.

Equipment Needed

  • Large serving platter
  • Sharp knife
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk or spoon

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens and talk to your healthcare provider if you’re unsure.
  • Contains dairy from Greek yogurt and mayonnaise.
  • Mayonnaise may contain eggs; verify labels for egg-free options.

Nutrition Details (for each portion)

This nutritional info is just for reference—always consult your healthcare provider for specific advice.
  • Calorie Count: 75
  • Fats: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Proteins: 3 g