Red Food Fruit Heart for Valentine's Day

Red food gets a bad rap. Artificial red dyes negatively affect lots of people and you maybe have even started avoiding red food. How about we ditch the dye and focus on yummy whole red fruits and vegetables as an alternative to red food coloring for fun Valentine's Day food ideas like this fruit heart tray?

Red Food List – Red Fruits and Vegetables

There's a wonderful selection of naturally red foods to choose from. Many you're familiar with and a few that might be new. All of which are pretty dang good for you!

Red Fruits

• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Red Apples
• Cherries – dried and fresh
• Cranberries
• Watermelon
• Red Grapes
• Plums
• Tomatoes {it's technically a fruit}
• Red Anjou Pears
• Red Grapefruit
• Currents
• Pomegranates
• Blood Orange
• Lingon Berries
• Rambutan
• Red Dragon Fruit {pitaya}
• Prickly Pear {red cactus fruit}

Red Vegetables

• Beets
• Radishes
• Red Onions
• Radicchio
• Red Cabbage
• Rhubarb {it's actually a veggie}
• Red Spinach {yep, it's a thing!}
• Red Peppers
• Red chili peppers
• Red Potatoes

Do you Have a Heart?

I'm sure you do and it's a BIG and generous one! But what happens if you don't have a heart shaped platter? You can still make this fruit heart using a paper pattern!

Tape 2 pieces of 11×17 paper together (or 4 pieces of 8.5×11) and fold in half. Draw a large half-heart that takes up almost the entire paper. Don't stress about it being the perfect shaped heart. Just don't make it too long and skinny.

Now that you've got your pattern, set it on a large round or square tray, or even straight on the counter! Now you're ready to start placing your red fruit. If you do set up on the counter it will NOT move easily. If not using a tray, set it up where it will be served.

*Pro Tip: Do not place directly on a wood table unless using wax paper to block any moisture

Red Food Fruits

Look at all these naturally red foods! Aren't they beautiful? You could serve this right now. Valentine's Day party food ideas don't have to be complicated.

But with a few minutes effort {it seriously takes 10 minutes} you can serve a stunning fruit heart that everyone will remember. And this whole fruit heart cost me about $20. That, my friend, is worth it!

Choose your families favorite red fruit and cut as desired. I sliced my apples as I normally would and realized the red was hard to see.

*Pro Tip: Instead of cutting red skinned fruit into wedges, slice the apples & pears in half, just before the core, then set the cut side down and slice into straight pieces like you would an avocado.

You can see how much better the red pear slices sit {left} compared to the apple wedges {right}.

Start With Your Fruit Dip

When doing a fruit tray it's nice to include fruit dip and you want to place your ramekin first and add the fruit around it.

Don't have a heart shaped ramekin? Neither did I. Grab a heart shaped cookie cutter, wrap the bottom with Press and Seal wrap, trim the sides, and it'll hold your yogurt fruit dip perfectly!

Make your own:

• Heart shaped cookie cutter set
• Press and Seal
• Scissors
• Noosa Raspberry Yogurt

Place Red Food on Heart

Starting with your larger red fruits like strawberries and cherries, start to outline the heart in sections. The trick to a beautiful tray is to group the red food items together. Vary the size, colors, and textures of the fruits so you keep it interesting.

Continue following around the edge of the heart and start filling in the center.

Small fruits like raspberries, cranberries, dried cherries, or pomegranate seeds are perfect to place LAST as they can be used to fill in any gaps and create a lovely full appearance.

Flowers or other decorative decor can also be added for interest. These red spray roses were a fun addition.

Can I Have Sweets?

Okay, I get it. Valentine's Day is synonymous with candy and you might want to add a bit. My kids asked for these heart shaped suckers which were perfect to fan out and create the top arch. Just start on the outside with the bottom layer and offset each row as you build them up.

Use non-round fruits, like the blood orange slices, to set on the sticks or the fruit will try to roll.

Red Food Art

You no longer need to avoid red food when it comes in the form of beautiful red fruits and vegetables. When using a pattern, like this paper heart, it's easy to create a stunning work of food art perfect for Valentine's Day.

If you're going to cut fruit and put it on a tray anyway, it's worth the few extra minutes and make it look amazing. If you create a fruit heart of your own, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. And if you share photos, I want to see it too! Please tag us @partieswithacause on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. We love celebrating all your hard work! 

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For More Great Valentine's Day Ideas

It's another month of Head In With Us and my party friends have other really great ideas on how to make this your best Valentine's Day celebration ever!

• Darling Galentine's Soiree at Pop of Gold

Pin it for Later

More Valentine’s Day Food Ideas

• Last Minute Valentine’s Party Food Ideas
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie for Valentine’s Day
• Cranberry Brie Tart Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe
• Make Valentine's Day Special for Your Family – Valentine's Day Traditions

Valentine’s Day Decor Ideas

• Romantic Valentine’s Day Mantel Decor
• Queen of Hearts Art – Playing Card DIY
• How to Make a Macaron Tower

Classroom Valentine Printables for Kids

• Darling Cactus Printable Valentine Cards for Kids
• Awesome Car Valentine Printable
• Dinosaur Valentine Cards for School {coming soon}
• Hedgehog Valentine Cards for Kids {coming soon}