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Picnic season is here, and there’s nothing better than enjoying a meal outdoors with family and friends. To make planning your picnic easy, I’ve rounded up over 50 picnic food ideas that are easy to prepare, transport, and, most importantly, so good! From classic sandwiches and salads to snacks, finger foods, and sweet treats, this list has something for everyone.
Table of Contents
I’ve personally tested and loved each of these recipes, making sure they’re not only tasty but also practical for an outdoor setting. Many of these dishes can be made ahead of time, so you can spend more time enjoying the picnic and less time prepping. So grab your picnic basket, pack your favorite blanket, and get ready to enjoy some fantastic food under the open sky!
What are Picnic Foods?
- Portable, easy-to-eat foods. Think of your favorite flavors that can be wrapped up into individual serving sizes and kept well during transport. Some common picnic foods include sandwiches, wraps, veggie sticks, and potato salads.
- Refreshing and seasonal produce. Maximize the summer’s bounty by including lots of seasonal fruits and vegetables like watermelon, grapes, strawberries, bell peppers, and cucumbers. Prep them at home to have easy picnic finger foods ready to eat.
- Simple yet satisfying meals. Make sure your picnic foods list has lots of hearty meals that will keep everyone full. Some healthy picnic foods that fit this bill are macaroni salads, sandwiches, and even vegetarian picnic foods with hearty plant-based protein like beans and quinoa.
- Have a variety of foods. Make sure you have a well-rounded picnic spread full of different flavors, textures, and colors. This has an impressive visual appeal and makes a more nutrient-balanced meal overall.
Tips for Making Picnic Foods
- Choose equipment carefully. Make sure your cooler doesn’t have any leaks and you have the proper containers to transport your food.
- Prep ahead of time. To minimize stress on picnic day, prepare as much food as possible in advance. This includes washing, drying, cutting fruits and vegetables, and making salad dressings and dips.
- Keep components separate. Avoid soggy salads and sandwiches by keeping crunchy components such as dressings, toppings, and fillings in separate containers or small zip-top bags.
- Consider making individual servings. Make picnic prep easy by choosing picnic basket foods that can easily be divided. If needed, cut and package them at home so they’re ready in easy-to-grab individual serving sizes.
- Stay well hydrated. Bring plenty of drinks (better yet, freeze them if they’re in freezer-safe containers) to keep you and your picnic guests well-hydrated.
- Bring extras. Always pack extra napkins, paper plates, utensils, and wet wipes for easy cleanup. Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket or camping chairs for comfortable seating. Throw in a bottle of hand sanitizer to clean those hands before digging into your picnic basket foods.
How to Plan a Menu for a Picnic
- Decide how many people to accommodate. Your menu will largely depend on whether you’re just feeding your family or a large group of people.
- Pack a variety of foods. Include lots of flavors, textures, and colors in your picnic spread. Mix and match sweet and savory for a well-rounded meal.
- Consider diet restrictions. Be sure to take into account any dietary restrictions or preferences of your picnic guests. This is especially important when you are considering picnic food ideas for large groups. Offer plenty of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian picnic foods.
- Choose hearty salads. Save the leafy salads for another occasion and go with heartier salads that keep well over time and are deliciously satisfying.
- Go heavy on fresh veggies. Just because you’re skipping the green salads doesn’t mean you can’t add veggies to your picnic foods list. In fact, a crudite platter or cut veggies like celery and carrots are some of the most perfect summer picnic foods and a must-have.
Best Picnic Food Recipes
Now that you’re convinced you want to eat outdoors more, here comes the fun part—actually choosing your summer picnic foods. This roundup covers everything: from picnic finger foods to easy-to-transport salads and vegetarian bites and sweet, healthy picnic foods to end the day with. There are also lots of picnic food ideas for large groups, so there’s something for everyone here.
Snacky Picnic Basket Foods
Get ready for a fun-filled picnic with these tasty, bite-sized treats! Perfect for sharing and easy to pack, you can make these picnic snack recipes ahead of time! From savory to sweet, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy under the sun.
Apple Chips
How to Make Fruit Leather
Roasted Cashews with Coconut
Oven Baked Potato Chips
No Bake Energy Bites
Air Fryer Popcorn
Baked Kale Chips
Picnic Finger Foods
When packing for a picnic, opt for easy-to-make and eat finger foods. These tasty bites are perfect for grazing while enjoying various activities. Everyone will love the mix of full-flavored and cool, creamy recipes, perfect for a warm day.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Cheese & Fruit Snack Box
Cucumber Sandwich
Homemade Pita Chips
Stuffed Dates – 4 Ways
Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
Homemade Ranch Dip
Pinwheel Sandwiches – 4 ways
Pizza Quinoa Bites
Best Picnic Salads
No picnic is complete without a cool, veggie-packed salad. From pasta salads to chicken salads, you can’t go wrong with the delicious options below!
Tahini Pasta Salad
Asian Chicken Salad
Tuna Nicoise Salad
Waldorf Salad
Macaroni Egg Salad
Greek Orzo Salad
Yogurt Chicken Salad
Asian Noodle Salad
Vegetarian Picnic Foods
Enjoy a selection of delicious vegetarian picnic foods! From refreshing salads and hearty sandwiches to tasty bites, these easy-to-make options are perfect for a light and satisfying outdoor meal.
Vegan Macaroni Salad
Mediterranean Potato Salad
Vegetarian Avocado Sandwich
Hummus Veggie Sandwich
Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad
Crispy Falafel Recipe
Quinoa Patties
Picnic Food Ideas for Large Groups
Sun-dried Tomato Pasta Salad
West African Beef Kabobs (Suya)
Peach Salsa
Cucumber Bites
Cheese Fatayer
Red Kidney Bean Salad
Mustard Potato Salad
Cheese Manakeesh
Kale Tabbouleh Salad
Healthy Picnic Foods
Mediterranean Rice Salad
Chicken Burrito Protein Bowl
Oven Roasted Chickpea Shawarma
Healthy Egg Salad
Grain Bowls – 3 Ways
Bulgur Chickpea Salad
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Easy Picnic Sweets and Treats
It’s always a delicious surprise to include something sweet in your picnic spread. It will keep the kids happy, and you can include a variety of options for larger crowds. Best of all, these sweet treats can all be made ahead of time and packed quickly.
Healthy Rice Krispie Treats
Date Snickers
Chocolate Peanut Butter Dip
Trail Mix Cookies
Greek Yogurt Brownies
Strawberry Oat Bars
How To Keep Food Chilled
- Insulated coolers: Use a good quality cooler to keep food chilled. Fill it with ice packs or ice to keep food cold for longer periods. You may also want to use insulated bags or lunch boxes for smaller items to provide additional insulation.
- Freeze drinks: Freeze beverages such as water bottles or juice boxes and use them both as refreshments and cooling elements for your food. They’ll keep the cooler cold as they thaw and you don’t have to waste that limited space with ice packs.
- Layer strategically: Alternate layers of ice packs or frozen items with your food items in the cooler. This helps distribute the cold evenly and maintains a consistent temperature. Similarly, place sturdier items at the bottom of the cooler and more delicate foods on the top to prevent crushing.
- Chill ahead: Refrigerate perishable foods overnight before packing them into the cooler. Chilled foods will stay cold longer when they start out cold.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Keep the cooler in the shade to avoid direct sunlight, which can quickly melt the ice and warm the food. Also, keep the cooler closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
How To Store Picnic Foods Properly
- Use airtight containers. Pack your picnic foods in sealed containers to keep them fresh and prevent leaks. This is especially important during transportation and when you’re packing up the cooler.
- Keep cold foods cold. Use a cooler with ice or ice packs to keep perishable foods like sandwiches, salads, and dips chilled as much as possible. After serving, put your food back on ice to prevent it from sitting out in the sun all day.
- Wrap sandwiches securely. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep them fresh and prevent them from getting soggy. You can also use sandwich containers to protect them during transport.
- Store salad components separately. Some salads benefit from the dressing being stored separately from the rest of the salad. Similarly, keep crunchy toppings and add-ins like croutons and nuts separate and add to salad last to maintain texture.
- Use insulated bags for other foods. Store non-perishable snacky picnic basket foods like chips and nuts in insulated bags to keep the warm heat out. They don’t need to be chilled but will taste better when they are kept at moderate temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh, firm vegetables, such as bell peppers, cucumbers, and celery, and fruit like grapes, apples, and stone fruits are good options for your picnic basket. Nuts, seeds, and dry snack-type picnic finger foods are excellent. Make sure anything perishable is properly stored in a chilled cooler. And avoid foods that will wilt, melt, or spoil easily in the heat.
Choose shelf-stable snacks that are convenient and perfect for outdoors. This includes dried fruit, nuts and seeds, granola bars, and jerky as they don’t require refrigeration. If you don’t have access to a cooler, avoid perishable foods like creamy salads made with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and meats that can spoil quickly in the heat.
Some of the easiest picnic foods that feed a crowd are those that you can make in large batches. This includes macaroni and pasta salads, dishes with beans and legumes, and picnic finger foods like pita chips with dip.
Whether you’re looking for healthy picnic foods for your immediate family or wondering what to bring to a picnic with friends and a large crowd, I hope this collection inspires you to enjoy delicious food outdoors more. Food just tastes better when out in nature, and these simple and tasty ideas make that experience more enjoyable.
For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Easy Muffin Recipes, Delicious Packed Lunch Ideas, Non-Boring Salad Recipes, and Easy No-Bake Summer Desserts.
If you found this recipe roundup for Picnic Food Recipes helpful or if you try any recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipes! It helps others who are thinking of trying out this tutorial and we would love to hear about your experience. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
