Perfect for entertaining and outside parties, these fruit kabobs are not only beautiful, but easy to eat. 2 nut-free sunflower dips, a balsamic savory and a sweet chocolate!
FRUIT SALAD KABOBS WITH CHOCOLATE SUNFLOWER DIP
So, today’s post is about this lovely warm weather we are having here. Fruit salad kabobs…way more fun than eating a fruit salad out of a bowl. I figured putting them on some skewers would be more fun, bright and great for summer parties, the beach or picnics. It’s all about summertime and parties, right? I’m also sharing two different delicious nut-free dip recipes made with sunflower seeds today to go with these beauties. Make one or the other….or both for options for guests.
2 NUT-FREE SUNFLOWER DIPS
Both of these dips are so delicious. One is more savory and tart, made with balsamic vinegar and apple juice and the other is a super chocolatey dessert one! Both are yummy!
I’ve never served fruit this way and apparently, lots of people have, but this is my first recipe like this. The dip is sweet and acidic, which really brings out the flavors of the fruit.
My daughter loved this sunflower dip…even with the balsamic vinegar…she was licking the rim around the blender.
If balsamic isn’t your thing and you would rather something a litte more indulgent….then you will LOVE the sunflower chocolate dip…..aka….my new favorite thing.
I also turned this dip into some brownies! They have become wildly popular, check out my Vegan Double Chocolate Sunflower Brownies!
How’s that?! This sunflower chocolate dip is sooooo good and thick. I have been putting it on toast as well in the mornings as a switch up from my normal roasted almond butter toast!
I hope you really enjoy these Fruit Kabobs with these 2 amazing dips! The Sweet Sunflower Balsamic and Chocolate Sunflower Dips are both amazingly delicious!
Fruit Salad Kabobs and Chocolate Sunflower Dip
Ingredients
- 4 kiwis, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
- 6 large strawberries, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
- 1 large or 2 small banana, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch slices (the less ripe the better, so they don't brown too fast)
Sunflower Balsamic Dip (Makes 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 cup (70g) raw, unsalted sunflower kernels
- 1/2 cup (120g) unsweetened apple juice
- 2 tablespoons dark balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons water
Chocolate Sunflower Dip
- 1/2 cup (70g) raw, unsalted sunflower kernels
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons water
- Pinch sea salt
NOTE
- Do not use too ripe of bananas since they will brown faster. Firm ones work best. Since bananas turn brown so quickly, I would go ahead and prep the other fruit and slice it ahead of time, but wait til closer to the party to cut the bananas. Then just put them on the skewers shortly before. It doesn’t take but a few minutes to put them on the skewers if they are already sliced. Also, when you slice the bananas, with a spray bottle, spritz some fruit juice or brush some on the bananas on each side. I would stick to apple juice, so the flavor doesn't change too much.Wrap them tightly with plastic wrap, since it is the exposure to air that causes the browning. Don’t put the bananas in the fridge because they will brown even faster!
Instructions
- Slide the fruit onto skewers beginning with banana and ending with banana. I placed 13 pieces of fruit on each skewer, which gave me four skewers. I used metal skewers in the photos, but they slid around too much, so I would recommend just using the wood ones. I did that later and they held much better for dipping.
- To make the balsamic dip, add all of the ingredients to a high powered blender or food processor and process until completely smooth. Taste and add any additional sweetener, if you want it sweeter. Place in the fridge to chill a few moments, if desired.
- To make the chocolate dip, you will need a food processor instead of a blender. There is much less water in it and it does not work well at all in the blender. I tried and it just wouldn't blend and get creamy. The food processor produced a smooth, silky texture. Add just the sunflower kernels to the food processor. Process them into a fine flour and then add the remaining ingredients and process until it becomes very smooth and creamy, with no more bits of sunflower kernels. This will take a couple of minutes and you will need to scrape the side once or twice during. Store at room temperature to keep the smooth texture.
Notes
Holy crap, that dip! What else would you recommend serving it with? I need an excuse to make it. 😉
Oh, shoot you could use it for anything…the balsamic could be for dipping veggies in or even as a salad dressing! And the chocolate I’ve been using on toast, pancakes, etc. SO good!
Delicious dips, I love sunflower seeds so that sunflower balsamic sounds like something I could eat by the spoonful. A great healthful snack with the fruit. Both are terrific.
Seriously, I DO eat it by the spoonful, no exxageration haha!
This looks fabulous! I am going to reblog this at the end of the month!
Thank you so much, that’s so nice of you Cindy!
FYI – I resubscribed to the blog so let me know if the confirmation doesn’t go through.
cheers
Cindy
Yes, you are confirmed! Thank you Cindy for subscribing!
Yum yum yum! This would be great for a party. I’ve been storing up a few party-type recipes actually lately…clearly I need to find an excuse for a celebration!
I bet I would love both dips 🙂
Thank you so much Emma!
Pinned. Pinned. Pinned. Pinned. Pinned. Pinned. Pinned.
OH MY GOD. 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Haha! Thanks Uru!
Ummmmmmmm, I’m dying right now. I’ve been loving fruit lately and both of your dip options sound fantastic! I love how kid friendly everything is too. YUM!
Thank you so much Melanie! It’s a big deal not to leave out the little ones with options these days!
Nothing better than fresh, sweet fruit in the summer………except when it’s dipped in Chocolate of course. Awesome pics and these really need to be added to my Memorial Day spread now!! Thanks Brandi. I can taste those kabobs already 😉
You are so sweet Angela, thank you so much!! Those cucumber dogs were amazing!
I tried the strawberry/balsamic combo a few years ago and I just didn’t get it. Maybe I need to give it another try!! Regardless, the kabobs look great and that CHOCOLATE dip has my name all over it! Perfect summer snack.
Oh, yes, I’ve seen strawberries with straight up balsamic vinegar which I don’t like either, but this one is completely diluted with sunflower butter and sweetener, so it’s not nearly acidic. Super yummy!
Oh my gosh, you know I had to make the chocolate sauce….It was Delicious! this will be great for my snacks….thank you!
That is so wonderful to hear Elilta! Thank you so much for making it and giving feedback..it’s a favorite of mine for good reason 🙂
How do you get the bananas from turning brown? Would like to make this a couple of hours before a party.
Hi Heidi! Good question. I’ll add a note to the recipe. Since bananas turn brown so quickly, I would go ahead and prep the other fruit and slice it ahead of time, but wait til closer to the party to cut the bananas. Then just put them on the skewers shortly before. It doesn’t take but a few minutes to put them on the skewers if they are already sliced. Or, adding a little fruit juice sprinkled on the bananas can help preventing from browning too quick. I would spritz some apple juice on them so it doesn’t alter the flavor too much. Spread them out on a plate and spritz or sprinkle the juice on them on each side. That should help them some, just cutting them too early I still wouldn’t advise, so they are fresh . And don’t put the bananas in the fridge because they will brown even faster! Let me know how it turns out!
I’ve just literally made the chocolate dip and OMG!!
Mine came out just a bit grainy texture but still creamy and delicious probably because of the food processor’s power but it didn’t stopped me of getting some bread and spread it over directly from the food processor so yes it is THAT good and what makes it so good also is the fact that it’s healty.
Brandi thank you very much for sharing this goodness with us. By the way I’m already subscribed to your youtube channel
Greetings from London!
Yay Esther! I’m so happy to hear that you loved it! Yes, some food processors don’t get things as smooth but if you just let it run for many minutes, like truly walk away, the longer you go, the more smooth it will get 🙂
Oh and this dip is what inspired these super popular brownies! So try them if you want to next! https://thevegan8.com/2015/04/22/vegan-double-chocolate-sunflower-brownies/
such a delicious, fruity idea brandi.doming loved it – it will be great hit with my kids