Gluten-Free Gourmet Tower (Print View)

A vibrant layered tower combining crispbread, creamy spreads, and fresh toppings for elegant entertaining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base and Structure

01 - 12 gluten-free crispbread crackers (seed, multigrain, or plain)
02 - 8 slices gluten-free bread, lightly toasted, cut into rounds or rectangles

→ Spreads and Layers

03 - 5.3 oz whipped cream cheese
04 - 3.5 oz hummus
05 - 3.5 oz guacamole

→ Fresh Toppings

06 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
07 - 1 medium ripe tomato, thinly sliced
08 - 1 small avocado, sliced
09 - ½ cup microgreens or baby arugula
10 - ¼ cup thinly sliced radish
11 - ¼ cup roasted red peppers, sliced

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds
13 - 2 tbsp finely chopped chives
14 - Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
15 - Sea salt, to taste

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Prepare all spreads and vegetables in advance. Lightly toast gluten-free bread and cut into uniform rounds or rectangles matching the cracker size.
02 - Arrange all ingredients mise en place to streamline assembly.
03 - Place a crispbread cracker as the foundation, spreading a thin layer of cream cheese or hummus.
04 - Add a toasted gluten-free bread slice, spread guacamole, then top with cucumber and tomato slices.
05 - Alternate crackers, bread, and spreads, layering avocado, radish, roasted red pepper, and microgreens to add texture and color.
06 - Construct 3 to 4 layers, gently pressing each to maintain stability. Top with a cracker or bread slice, a dollop of cream cheese, microgreens, pumpkin seeds, chives, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
07 - Transfer the tower carefully to serving plates with a wide spatula and serve immediately for optimal texture.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a complete show-stopper that makes your guests feel genuinely special, whether they need gluten-free or just appreciate something beautifully crafted
  • Zero cooking required means you can prepare everything ahead and assemble just before serving, keeping your energy for actually enjoying time with people
  • Every bite delivers contrasting textures and flavors—the crunch of the crackers, the creaminess of the spreads, and the freshness of raw vegetables all work together like a perfectly orchestrated dance
02 -
  • Never skip toasting the bread—untoasted bread will absorb moisture from the spreads and vegetables, turning into a sad, soggy mess within minutes. That light toasting is what keeps your tower standing proud
  • Pat your sliced vegetables completely dry with a paper towel before assembling. Even a little excess moisture will eventually make the spreads slide and the tower lose its integrity
  • The order matters more than you'd think—place spreads before vegetables so the spreads act as a protective barrier that slows down moisture transfer. This simple switch changed everything for me
03 -
  • Keep your spreads at room temperature for easier spreading—cold cream cheese becomes difficult to work with and disrupts your careful layers
  • The moment when your tower feels slightly wobbly is actually perfect; it means you've layered it fully without over-compacting, and the gentle press of a wide spatula will set everything into place
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