Long-Necked Giraffe Snack Tower

Featured in: Everyday Cozy Plates

This charming snack tower combines crisp cucumber slices, cubes of cheddar and gouda cheese, and vibrant baby carrots layered thoughtfully to resemble a giraffe’s silhouette. Pretzel rods form the long neck, topped with cherry tomatoes, olive slices, and thin apple ears. Black sesame seeds and fresh herbs add decorative spots and greenery. Quick to assemble and vegetarian-friendly, it’s ideal for gatherings or kids’ snacks with versatile ingredient swaps.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:27:00 GMT
Vibrant Long-Necked Giraffe Snack Towers with colorful veggies, cheese, and playful pretzel necks. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant Long-Necked Giraffe Snack Towers with colorful veggies, cheese, and playful pretzel necks. | velvetthyme.com

A playful, nutritious snack tower inspired by giraffes—layers of fruits, vegetables, and cheese create a fun, eye-catching treat perfect for kids or parties.

This snack tower always brings smiles when I serve it to my family—it’s a creative way to enjoy healthy ingredients.

Ingredients

  • Base & Body: 4 thick slices cucumber, 4 baby carrots, 4 celery sticks (cut into 4-inch lengths), 4 cubes cheddar cheese (about 1-inch), 4 cubes gouda cheese (about 1-inch)
  • Neck & Head: 4 long pretzel rods, 8 black olive slices (for eyes), 4 cherry tomatoes (for the nose), 4 thin apple slices (for ears)
  • Decorative Features: 2 tbsp cream cheese or hummus (for glue), 1 tbsp black sesame seeds (for spots), Fresh chives or parsley (for leaves/grass garnish)

Instructions

Step 1:
Lay out the cucumber slice as the base of each snack tower.
Step 2:
Stack a cube of cheddar cheese on the cucumber, followed by a baby carrot and a cube of gouda cheese to form the giraffes body.
Step 3:
Insert a pretzel rod upright into the stack for the neck, gently pressing it into the cheese and vegetable layers for stability.
Step 4:
Attach a cherry tomato to the top of the pretzel rod as the giraffes head, securing it with a dab of cream cheese or hummus if needed.
Step 5:
Use thin apple slices on each side of the cherry tomato to form ears, fixing them with cream cheese or hummus.
Step 6:
Place two black olive slices on the cherry tomato for eyes, and dab a drop of cream cheese or hummus to help them stick.
Step 7:
Sprinkle black sesame seeds along the body and neck for spots.
Step 8:
Garnish the plate with fresh chives or parsley to resemble leaves or grass.
Step 9:
Serve immediately for best texture.
Fun Long-Necked Giraffe Snack Tower ready to be devoured, a whimsical healthy treat for kids and parties. Save to Pinterest
Fun Long-Necked Giraffe Snack Tower ready to be devoured, a whimsical healthy treat for kids and parties. | velvetthyme.com

We love making these snack towers together as a family activity, turning healthy eating into creative fun.

Required Tools

Cutting board, sharp knife, small spoon or toothpick (for spreading cream cheese/hummus), serving plate

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cheese, cream cheese) and gluten (pretzel rods). Tree nut free, peanut free, egg free. Always check product labels for cross-contamination if serving to individuals with allergies.

Nutritional Information

Calories approx 85 per tower. Total Fat 4 g. Carbohydrates 10 g. Protein 3 g.

Delicious Long-Necked Giraffe Snack Tower featuring cheese, veggies, and pretzel necks, visually appealing and tasty. Save to Pinterest
Delicious Long-Necked Giraffe Snack Tower featuring cheese, veggies, and pretzel necks, visually appealing and tasty. | velvetthyme.com

This creative snack is perfect for quick preparation and makes healthy eating exciting in any setting.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this snack tower vegan?

Yes, substitute plant-based cheese cubes and use hummus instead of cream cheese to keep it vegan.

What are good alternatives for the cheese cubes?

Soft mozzarella or vegan cheese cubes work well as substitutes to maintain the texture and flavor balance.

How do I keep the snack tower stable?

Press the pretzel rod gently into the layered vegetables and cheese and use a spread like cream cheese or hummus as glue for the toppings.

Can I prepare these in advance?

For best texture, assemble shortly before serving to keep ingredients fresh and crisp.

Are there gluten-free options?

Use gluten-free pretzel rods or replace them with sturdy veggie sticks, such as celery, to keep it gluten-free.

Long-Necked Giraffe Snack Tower

A fun tower layered with cucumber, cheese, carrots, and pretzels for a playful, fresh snack experience.

Prep time
20 min
0
Total process time
20 min
Created by Velvet Thyme Eleanor Hayes

Recipe category Everyday Cozy Plates

Skill level Easy

Cuisine type International

Yield amount 4 Number of servings

Dietary details Vegetarian-friendly

List of ingredients

Base & Body

01 4 thick cucumber slices
02 4 baby carrots
03 4 celery sticks (4-inch lengths)
04 4 cubes cheddar cheese (1-inch cubes)
05 4 cubes gouda cheese (1-inch cubes)

Neck & Head

01 4 long pretzel rods
02 8 black olive slices
03 4 cherry tomatoes
04 4 thin apple slices

Decorative Features

01 2 tablespoons cream cheese or hummus
02 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
03 Fresh chives or parsley for garnish

How to make it

Step 01

Prepare the base: Lay a thick cucumber slice flat as the foundation for each snack tower.

Step 02

Assemble the body: Stack one cube of cheddar cheese on the cucumber, place a baby carrot atop, then add a gouda cheese cube to form the body.

Step 03

Insert the neck: Place a pretzel rod vertically into the assembled body, pressing gently to secure stability.

Step 04

Attach the head: Affix a cherry tomato to the top of the pretzel rod using a small dab of cream cheese or hummus as adhesive if necessary.

Step 05

Add ears: Position thin apple slices on either side of the cherry tomato, securing them with cream cheese or hummus.

Step 06

Create eyes: Place two black olive slices on the cherry tomato for eyes, using a small amount of cream cheese or hummus to adhere.

Step 07

Decorate spots: Sprinkle black sesame seeds along the body and neck to mimic giraffe spots.

Step 08

Garnish and serve: Arrange fresh chives or parsley around each tower to resemble leaves or grass, then serve immediately for optimal texture.

Essential tools

  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Small spoon or toothpick for spreading
  • Serving plate

Allergy warnings

Be sure to carefully review every ingredient for allergens and seek expert advice as needed.
  • Contains dairy (cheddar, gouda, cream cheese) and gluten (pretzel rods).

Nutrition details per serving

Details here are meant for guidance. Please contact health professionals for medical advice.
  • Calorie count: 85
  • Fat content: 4 g
  • Carbohydrate: 10 g
  • Protein amount: 3 g