How to assemble a beautiful bread and cheese board

Earlier this month, we shared a post on which breads pair best with different cheeses — today we’re building on that with a practical (and delicious) guide to assembling a full bread & cheese platter, complete with all the extras that make it sing.

🧀 1. Start with the cheese

Aim for 3–5 cheeses with a mix of textures and flavours:

• Soft: Brie, Camembert
• Hard: Comté, aged cheddar
• Blue: Roquefort, Gorgonzola
• Aged: Manchego, Parmigiano
• Fresh: goat cheese, ricotta

Let cheeses sit out 30–60 minutes before serving for full flavour.

🍞 2. Add the bread & crackers

Texture is everything here:

• Our sourdough rye crackers – crisp, tangy, and crunchy for spreads and hard cheeses
• Baguette slices – a neutral canvas that works with almost everything
• Nordic rye – dense and earthy, especially good with blue or aged cheeses
• White country sourdough – chewy and tangy, perfect with soft cheeses
• Seeded sourdough – a seedy crunch that works with both creamy bries and nutty hard cheeses

Pre-slice or break bread into bite-sized pieces for easy sharing.

🥜 3. Add something salty & crunchy

These bring balance and a satisfying contrast:

• Almonds – Marcona if possible, for their buttery crunch
• Roasted walnuts or hazelnuts
• Pistachios – slightly sweet, vibrant, and great with creamy cheeses
• Mixed olives
• Cornichons or pickled onions

🍇 4. Balance with something sweet

A touch of sweetness ties everything together:

• Fresh fruit: grapes, figs, apples, pears
• Dried fruit: apricots, dates, cherries
• Fruit preserves or chutney – fig jam is always a winner
• A drizzle of honey near the blue cheese or goat cheese

🧈 5. Optional Extras: Spreads & butters

• Cultured butter (especially with rye bread)
• Whole grain mustard
• Whipped ricotta or herbed soft cheese
• Tapenade, hummus, or roasted pepper spread

🍷 6. Bonus: Add a drink

Wine is classic, but cider, craft beer, or even sparkling water with citrus or herbs can enhance the experience. Match intensity — bold cheeses with bold drinks, lighter cheeses with something fresh.

Final touches:
Use a large wooden board or ceramic platter. Group items in small clusters for visual interest. Garnish with rosemary, thyme, or edible flowers for a bit of flair.

Above all, make it easy to graze — and let your ingredients shine (especially those sourdough rye crackers and pistachios)!