Easy & Delicious Fruit Kabobs with Brownies: The Perfect Treat for Kids & Parties

Looking for a quick, easy, and undeniably delicious treat that’s perfect for kids and adults alike? Our homemade fruit kabobs, also lovingly known as “fruit on a stick” or fruit skewers, are your answer! Each skewer is beautifully packed with juicy, fresh berries like vibrant strawberries, perfectly complemented by rich, fudgy chocolate brownies. This recipe is designed to be simple to make, even ahead of time, using basic ingredients you likely already have or can easily find.

These delightful skewers are more than just a dessert; they’re a fantastic, mess-free snack ideal for summer gatherings, birthday parties, or just a fun afternoon treat. Just like our popular Apple Nachos, they offer a convenient and enjoyable way to serve fruit, ensuring clean hands and happy faces. The combination of sweet fruit and decadent brownie bites creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that everyone will adore. Get ready to impress your guests with these colorful and tempting treats!

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Fruit Kabobs

• Effortless Preparation: With just a few simple steps, you can assemble these gorgeous kabobs in no time. Perfect for busy parents or last-minute party planning.
• Kid-Friendly & Fun: The “fruit on a stick” concept makes eating healthy (with a sweet bonus!) exciting for children. They can even help with assembly!
• Perfect for Any Occasion: From casual picnics and backyard BBQs to elegant dessert tables and holiday celebrations, these fruit skewers fit right in.
• Customizable: Easily swap fruits, add different sweets, or experiment with various drizzles and dips to match your taste or theme.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare them in advance, chill, and serve when ready, making entertaining a breeze.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making these delicious fruit and brownie kabobs requires only a few key ingredients. The beauty lies in their simplicity and the fresh, vibrant flavors they bring together.

• Mini Brownies: These are the star sweet component. You can use homemade fudgy brownies cut into 1-2 inch squares or mini brownie bites from your local bakery. The key is that they should be firm enough to thread onto a skewer without crumbling.
• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe, and juicy strawberries are ideal. Look for bright red berries with green caps. They provide a wonderful tart contrast to the sweet brownies. Ensure they are thoroughly washed and patted dry, and their stems removed.
• Wooden Skewers: Standard wooden skewers work perfectly. If serving to very young children, consider trimming the sharp tip for safety.

How to make fruit kabobs (fruit kebabs)?

Assembling these delightful fruit and brownie skewers is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for perfect results:

1. Wash and Dry Fruits: Begin by thoroughly washing your strawberries under cool running water. Gently pat them completely dry with a paper towel. This is crucial to prevent excess moisture from making your kabobs soggy or affecting their freshness.
2. Prepare Brownies: If baking your own brownies, ensure they are fully cooled before cutting them into bite-sized pieces (about 1-2 inches). If using store-bought, make sure they are mini brownie bites or cut into suitable squares. Cold brownies are easier to handle and less likely to crumble.
3. Assemble the Kabobs: Carefully thread the brownie pieces and strawberries onto a wooden skewer in an alternating pattern. A common pattern is brownie, strawberry, brownie, strawberry, ending with a brownie or strawberry. You can adjust the pattern and quantity based on the size of your skewer and desired look. Ensure all pieces are snug but not overly compressed.
4. Chill Before Serving: Once assembled, place the kabobs on a platter and cover them lightly with plastic wrap. Chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until you are ready to serve. Chilling helps them firm up and enhances their refreshing taste.

Creative Variations for Your Fruit Skewers

The beauty of fruit kabobs lies in their versatility! Don’t be afraid to get creative and customize them to your liking or for specific occasions:

• Grilled Fruit Kebabs: For a smoky, caramelized flavor, try grilling certain fruits. Peaches, nectarines, pineapples, apricots, and pears all taste fantastic when grilled. Start by chopping these fruits into 2-inch pieces. Thread them onto a skewer (soaked bamboo skewers are best for grilling). Place them on a hot grill and cook on each side until they show slight charring and distinct grill marks. Remove from the grill, then drizzle with honey and sprinkle with a touch of cinnamon powder for an added layer of flavor.
• Themed Holiday Kabobs: Celebrate every holiday with festive fruit skewers!
  • Christmas/Winter: Think red and green with strawberries and kiwi, or create “snowman” kabobs with marshmallows and blueberries for eyes, or “Santa” kabobs with strawberries, marshmallows, and a small grape.
  • St. Patrick’s Day: Go green with kiwi, green grapes, and honeydew melon for vibrant “rainbow kabobs” (add other colors like orange slices and blueberries).
  • Easter: Incorporate pastel colors by adding marshmallow Peeps, colored marshmallows, or using fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and sliced peaches.
  • Fourth of July: Red, white, and blue kabobs are a classic with strawberries, blueberries, and marshmallows or small pieces of white pound cake.
  • Halloween: Use orange (cantaloupe, mandarin oranges), purple (grapes, blackberries), and green (kiwi) fruits, perhaps with a spooky dip!
• Drizzle Melted Chocolate: Elevate your kabobs with a luscious chocolate drizzle. Melt your favorite chocolate bar or semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave (or a double boiler) until smooth. Arrange the assembled kabobs on a cookie tray lined with wax paper, then generously drizzle the melted chocolate over them. Let the chocolate set at room temperature or in the refrigerator. For extra flair, toss on some colorful sprinkles before the chocolate hardens!
• Create a Kabob Centerpiece: Transform your fruit kabobs into a stunning edible centerpiece. Take a bunch of prepared skewers and artfully arrange them in a tall vase or a sturdy, decorative pitcher at the center of your dessert table. This presentation is not only beautiful but also makes it easy for guests to grab a treat.
• Serve with Sweet Dips: Offer a variety of delectable dips alongside your fruit skewers to enhance the flavor experience. Popular choices include a sweetened vanilla yogurt dip or these fantastic recipes: Chocolate Fruit Dip, Best Cream Cheese Fruit Dip, Peaches and Cream Dip, Chocolate Whipped Cream, Homemade Whipped Cream, or my absolute favorite, Chocolate Fondue.
• Mini Skewers for Bite-Sized Treats: For smaller, bite-sized portions, use toothpicks or short cocktail skewers instead of long wooden ones. You’ll need to slice strawberries and brownies into smaller, more manageable chunks to fit. These are perfect for appetizers or when serving a large crowd.
• Add Cheese for Sweet & Savory: If you enjoy the delightful combination of sweet and savory, consider threading in cubes of mozzarella cheese or a mild cheddar between the fruits and brownies. The creamy cheese adds an unexpected, delicious twist.

Tips and Techniques for Perfect Fruit Kabobs

Achieving perfectly delicious and visually appealing fruit kabobs is easy with a few expert tips:

• Always Use Ripe Fruits: The foundation of a great fruit kabob is ripe, flavorful fruit. Choose berries that are plump and vibrant, and other fruits that yield slightly to gentle pressure. Ripe fruits offer the best juicy flavor and tender texture.
• Fresh Fruits are Best: While canned fruits might seem convenient, I highly recommend sticking to fresh fruits for these kabobs. Fresh fruits have a much firmer texture, preventing them from becoming mushy on the skewer, and their taste is far more refreshing and vibrant.
• Homemade vs. Store-bought Brownies: Both options work! If using homemade, ensure they are completely cooled and firm before cutting. For store-bought brownies, opt for mini brownie bites or cut larger brownies into approximately 2-inch square pieces. Anything significantly larger might be too heavy and cause the skewer to bend, or the brownie to fall or break off.
• Cut the Pointy Edge of the Skewer for Kids: For enhanced safety, especially when serving to children, use scissors or small kitchen shears to snip off the sharp, pointy end of the wooden skewers. This small step makes them much safer and more comfortable to handle.
• What Else Can Be Added? This is a very versatile recipe! Don’t limit yourself to just brownies and strawberries. Consider adding:
  • Large marshmallows or colorful mini marshmallows
  • Gummy candies or sour candy strips for a playful touch
  • Pieces of Rice Krispie Treats
  • Small slices of Sour Cream Pound Cake or other firm cakes
  • Additional fruits like small pieces of watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, firm apples (tossed in lemon juice to prevent browning), firm banana slices (also tossed in lemon juice), blackberries, blueberries, grapes, orange segments, and kiwi slices.
• Thoroughly Wash and Dry Fruits: This step cannot be overstated. Wash all fruits meticulously to remove any dirt or residues. Equally important is to pat them completely dry. Excess moisture can dilute flavors, make fruits mushy, and potentially affect the overall freshness and shelf life of your kabobs.

Another Idea: Delicious Fruits-Only Kabobs

If you prefer a lighter, healthier option or want to cater to different dietary needs, simply omit the brownies and focus entirely on fresh fruits. The key to visually appealing and delicious fruit-only kabobs is to use a wide variety of colors, textures, and flavors. My personal favorites include vibrant kiwis (sliced), sweet raspberries, tart blackberries, juicy blueberries, soft peaches, smooth nectarines, classic strawberries, succulent pitted cherries, refreshing watermelon, sweet cantaloupe, mild honeydew, tropical pineapples, and tangy oranges.

Some fruits, like kiwis, pineapples, and melons, will need to be sliced or cubed into manageable pieces. Smaller berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries can be used whole. Arrange them in a beautiful rainbow pattern or an alternating color scheme to make them extra enticing. These fruit-only skewers are perfect for a light snack, a healthy dessert, or as part of a brunch spread.

Recipe FAQs

Storage Instructions

Proper storage is key to enjoying your fruit kabobs at their best:

• Room Temperature: These kabobs can safely remain at room temperature, away from direct heat or sunlight, for approximately 2-3 hours. After this time, refrigeration is recommended to maintain freshness and safety.
• Refrigerate: For longer storage, place the assembled fruit kabobs in a single layer on a plate or shallow container. Cover them tightly with plastic wrap or transfer them to an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Beyond this, fruits may start to soften and release excess juices.
• Freeze: Freezing is generally not recommended for these specific fruit kabobs, primarily because fresh berries (like strawberries) become very soft and watery upon thawing, losing their desirable texture and releasing a lot of juice. However, you can bake and freeze your brownie pieces separately. Then, simply thaw the brownies and assemble the kabobs with fresh fruit as per the instructions below when you’re ready to enjoy this delightful treat.
• Make-Ahead Instructions: These kabobs are an excellent make-ahead dessert! You can fully assemble them up to 1 day in advance. Arrange them on your desired serving tray, cover securely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. This preparation method significantly reduces your workload on the day of your party or event, allowing you more time to relax and enjoy.

More Delicious Brownie Recipes to Try

If you love the brownie element in these kabobs, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic brownie recipes from our collection:

• Cheesecake Brownies (Cream Cheese Brownies)
• Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
• 3 Ingredient Nutella Brownies
• Fudgy Avocado Brownies
• Fudgy Oreo Brownies
• Chocolate Orange Brownies
• Gooey Brownies (Chocolate Cherry Brownies)

Recipe Card: Chocolate Fruit Kabobs