Hey everyone, it’s Dani from the Food Styling Challenge! Today, we’re covering what to do when you don’t have enough food to fill a bowl or plate but still need that full, abundant look for your photo. Here are some top tips and tricks to make it work!

Tip 1: Invert a Bowl

One of the easiest tricks is to invert a smaller bowl inside your main bowl:

• Place a smaller bowl upside down inside the larger bowl, creating a natural lift for the food on top.
• This simple hack is perfect for situations where you’re low on food but still want the bowl to look full. Using an inverted bowl creates height and makes the contents look abundant without needing extra ingredients.

Tip 2: Use Wadded Paper Towels

Wadding up paper towels can be another effective filler:

• Add wadded paper towels to the bottom of the bowl, then layer the food on top.
• This approach is great for dishes where you only need a bit of food on the surface to give the illusion of a full bowl. Paper towels are versatile, quick to use, and can provide the lift needed to make food appear plentiful.

Tip 3: Instant Mashed Potatoes

Instant mashed potatoes are a lifesaver in food styling:

• Keep boxes of instant mashed potatoes in your pantry, as they can be used as a filler in many dishes.
• Prepare a batch, add it to the bowl, and then layer your primary food on top. Instant mashed potatoes are inexpensive, easy to shape, and ideal for creating height in bowls or plates without being visible.

Tip 4: Use Fake Ice Cubes

Plastic ice cubes can be perfect for increasing volume in drinks or liquid-based dishes:

• Add a few fake ice cubes to drinks, smoothies, or soups to raise the liquid level without needing extra ingredients.
• This works especially well for opaque dishes like pea soup, chili, or thicker beverages where the ice cubes won’t be visible. Using fake ice cubes avoids the hassle of making additional batches and keeps your drink or soup looking consistent.

Thank you for watching! If you found these tips helpful, let us know in the comments, and feel free to share this video with a friend. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and click the link below to get instant updates and access to one of our best freebies.

See you next time—happy styling!