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Easy Graduation Picnic Grazing Cups Recipe for Crowd-Pleasing Snacks

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These Easy Graduation Picnic Grazing Cups are quick, easy, and perfect for outdoor gatherings, offering a balanced bite of savory, sweet, and crunchy flavors in a convenient cup.

Ingredients

  • Mini clear plastic or glass cups (4 oz)
  • Mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
  • Cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • Hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • Salami or pepperoni slices, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Cucumber slices or mini pickles
  • Carrot sticks or shredded carrots
  • Crackers or pita chips, broken into pieces
  • Feta cheese, crumbled
  • Mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or shredded mozzarella
  • Olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Dijon mustard
  • Honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • Fresh herbs (parsley or basil), finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing (5 minutes): In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh chopped herbs like parsley or basil. Set aside to let flavors mingle.
  2. Chop Ingredients (10 minutes): Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, slice ½ cucumber into thin rounds, chop 2 hard-boiled eggs, shred about 1 cup cooked chicken breast, and cut ½ cup salami into bite-sized pieces. Crumble ½ cup feta cheese and prepare about 1 cup crackers or pita chips by breaking into smaller pieces.
  3. Layer the Cups (10-15 minutes): Start each cup by placing a small handful (about 1 cup) of mixed greens as the base. Drizzle a teaspoon of the dressing over the greens. Add a spoonful of chicken, a few pieces of salami, and a couple of chopped egg pieces. Then layer cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and shredded carrots. Sprinkle feta cheese on top, then finish with a few cracker pieces for crunch.
  4. Final Drizzle and Garnish (2 minutes): Give each cup a tiny extra drizzle of dressing and sprinkle a pinch of fresh herbs for color and aroma.
  5. Chill or Serve Immediately: Cover the cups with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before serving. Keep crackers separate until last minute if you want them extra crunchy.

Notes

Keep crackers separate until last minute to maintain crunch. Layer heavier ingredients like chicken and salami at the bottom to protect greens. Use fresh, crisp veggies and herbs for best results. The dressing should be bright but not overpowering; adjust honey and lemon to taste. Can be prepped up to 4 hours ahead. Variations include vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and seasonal ingredient swaps.

Nutrition

Keywords: grazing cups, picnic snacks, easy snacks, crowd-pleaser, graduation party, finger food, quick assembly, outdoor gathering

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/easy-graduation-picnic-grazing-cups-recipe-for-crowd-pleasing-snacks/