Gluten-Free Gourmet Tower Layers (Printable)

Stacked gluten-free bread, crispbreads, and vibrant fresh toppings create a striking and flavorful appetizer.

# 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 - 1/2 cup microgreens or baby arugula
10 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced radish
11 - 1/4 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

# Method:

01 - Prepare all spreads and toppings. Lightly toast the gluten-free bread and cut into uniform rounds or rectangles to match the crackers' size.
02 - Arrange all ingredients nearby for efficient layering.
03 - Place a crispbread cracker as the base and spread a thin layer of cream cheese or hummus over it.
04 - Layer a slice of toasted gluten-free bread, then spread guacamole and add slices of cucumber and tomato.
05 - Alternate layers of crackers, bread, and spreads, incorporating avocado, radish, roasted red pepper, and microgreens to create a colorful display.
06 - Stack 3 to 4 layers gently pressing for stability. Top with a cracker or bread slice, add a dollop of cream cheese, microgreens, pumpkin seeds, chives, and freshly cracked black pepper.
07 - Carefully move the towers onto serving plates using a wide spatula.
08 - Present without delay to maintain the crisp textures.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter—your guests will actually pause mid-bite to admire the architecture before they taste it, and that moment of delight never gets old
  • Completely gluten-free without tasting like a compromise, because you're using real, flavorful ingredients that happen to be naturally free of gluten
  • Zero cooking required, just assembly, so you can have this ready while you're still in your robe on a party day
  • It's endlessly customizable—swap spreads, play with colors, and make it your own every single time
02 -
  • Moisture is the silent tower killer—pat your tomato and cucumber slices dry with paper towels, and use jarred roasted peppers instead of fresh roasted ones, because that extra water will destabilize everything from the inside out
  • The spreads need to be thin layers, not thick ones, or your tower will shift and lean. Think of them as edible glue, not the main event.
  • Bread must be toasted, and crackers must be sturdy varieties, not delicate ones. Soft ingredients require hard foundations.
  • Assembly timing matters—don't make this more than 20 minutes before serving, because even with toasted bread, the moisture from fresh vegetables starts to soften everything eventually
03 -
  • Invest in a good wide spatula with a thin edge—it's the difference between graceful transfer and structural collapse. The thinner the spatula blade, the less pressure you need to apply.
  • Cut all your vegetables just before assembly, but don't stress about it looking restaurant-perfect. Slightly rustic slice variations actually make the tower look more handmade and beautiful.
  • Press gently as you build, but don't be afraid—these towers are sturdier than they look once the layers are stacked properly
Return