90 Delicious Picnic Food Ideas to Fill Your Basket With Flavor
Easy and fun picnic food ideas! These super delicious picnic foods are perfect to eat at the park, beach, or right in your backyard.
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There’s just something so enjoyable about a picnic.
Maybe it’s the novelty of eating outside, soaking in the sunshine and fresh air.
Or perhaps it’s all the fun picnic foods you can munch on!
Some foods work better than others, because you wouldn’t want anything messy or hard to eat.
I put together a list of the best picnic food ideas, so you have tons of inspiration for what to make and serve.
This list of easy picnic foods includes:
- Fun appetizers and snacks
- Easy meal ideas (that travel well)
- Salads and side dishes
- Desserts and delicious treats
There’s something for every kind of picnic, whether you’re taking the kids to the park, or are having a romantic date outdoors.
Simply pack up your classic picnic basket or fun backpack cooler bag, bring along your cute picnic blanket, and don’t forget the travel utensils.
Okay, let’s check out these tasty picnic food ideas!
(🌻 Stay tuned at the end of the post, because I share 5 essential tips for a successful picnic.)
Fun Picnic Food Ideas
Nashville Style Hot Fried Chicken
Nashville Style Hot Fried Chicken is famous for its spice and addicting flavor. One bite and you’ll be hooked!
It might just become your favorite fried chicken indulgence for every picnic from now on.
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Sometimes a pasta salad eats like a meal, and that’s the case with this amazing Antipasto Pasta Salad with Parmesan Herb Vinaigrette.
It has all the flavors of your favorite antipasto platter in one convenient dish.
Pinwheel Sandwiches
Pinwheel sandwiches are perfect for picnics because they’re so easy to make and eat!
No need to buy them pre-made when they’re better tasting and less expensive to make at home.
Plus, they’re totally customizable to your tastes and ingredients on hand.
Avocado Chicken Salad
Combining the delicious creaminess of avocado and flavorful chicken, Avocado Chicken Salad is the perfect addition to your picnic plans.
You’ll love the freshness and spectacular flavor on a croissant, sourdough, or your favorite bread or crackers.
Dill Pickle Dip
Cool and creamy and loaded with chopped pickles, herby dill, and spices, this Dill Pickle Dip is a must-have for summer picnics, parties, and potlucks.
It’s delicious with crackers, chips, or veggies.
Easy Bacon & Egg Picnic Slice
This SUPER easy Bacon and Egg Picnic Slice is a twist on the classic New Zealand bacon and egg pie.
It’s easier, quicker and has all the flavors of the original, with a few flavor-packed tweaks. Top with a dollop of basil pesto for a fresh, zingy finish.
Grinder Sandwich
You'll love this Grinder Sandwich Recipe that features Italian meats, provolone cheese, and a creamy grinder salad dressing.
It's one of those viral TikTok recipes you can't stop eating!
Classic BLT Sandwich
This classic BLT sandwich is one of those awesome summer foods everyone craves.
When the tomatoes from the garden are ripe, it is time to break out the bacon and lettuce and make this simple delicacy.
Mexican Street Corn Deviled Eggs
All your favorite Mexican Street Corn flavors, delivered in deviled eggs. Easy, elegant, and outright delicious, they’ll be the talk of the day!
Pretzel Dogs
Fresh, buttery, salty, warm, and just begging to be devoured, these pretzel dogs are a deliciously fun alternative to traditional picnic food.
You’ll feel like a kid again when you enjoy this fun recipe.
Orange Chicken Salad
Orange Chicken Salad is very filling and full of bright flavor. With just 9 simple ingredients, you can have this salad ready in 25 minutes or less.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
No picnic is complete without something sweet, and these Carrot Cake Cupcakes are much better than the traditional cake!
They’re wildly easy with impressive results. The extra special cream cheese frosting takes these cupcakes to another level.
Italian Pressed Sandwich
Italian Pressed Sandwiches are loaded with fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced prosciutto and salami, basil, peppers, and a balsamic vinaigrette.
They are a great easy, make-ahead cold sandwich for a crowd or summer picnic!
Taco Salad
Everyone loves a great Taco Salad recipe and this version is definitely a crowd favorite!
Seasoned ground beef, fresh lettuce, pinto beans, veggies and chips, all sauced up with a zingy dressing.
Lebanese Chicken Shawarma
Homemade Lebanese Chicken Shawarma brings the authentic taste of this Middle Eastern street food to your kitchen.
It is packed with exotic flavors, extremely easy to make with a few simple ingredients, and ready in just 20 minutes!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad! Packed with flavorful diced chicken, crispy bacon, tender pasta, French Fried Onions, and creamy Ranch dressing.
This cold salad is perfect for warm weather picnics, and hearty enough to serve as a main dish.
Salmon Sandwiches with Dijon Sauce
This tasty Salmon Sandwich is made with seared pink salmon and a quick Dijon yogurt sauce, and is ready in 15 minutes!
Avocado Egg Salad
Easy and creamy Avocado Egg Salad provides a delicious twist on the traditional recipe.
Made with a simple mayonnaise mixture, hard-boiled eggs, and cubed avocado, it can be enjoyed in just 20 minutes alongside your favorite crackers, spread over toast, or as a filling!
Roast Beef Sliders
Roast Beef Sliders are oh so delicious and incredibly versatile. They’re a breeze to throw together with a punchy horseradish and green onion sauce and melty provolone cheese.
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad comes together quickly and easily!
The flavors of deviled eggs and pasta salad come together perfectly in this recipe, making it an ideal summer side dish.
Yellow Squash Tots with Garlicky Yogurt Dip
Looking for a fun summer squash recipe? Make these Yellow Squash Tots! They’re perfect little veggie tots that use up a lot of yellow squash (or zucchini!).
They're so tasty, snackable, and are a great way to eat more veggies.
Corndog Bites
These delightful corn dog bites are so fun to eat and even easier to make!
Popular with kids and adults alike, they’re also very budget-friendly because all you need is a couple of pantry and fridge staples and hot dogs.
Pecan Chicken Salad with Apples and Goat Cheese
Pecan Chicken Salad with apples, cranberries and goat cheese is crazy delicious! The real magic is in the quick Maple-Balsamic Dressing.
It’s all a breeze to throw together and is completely adaptable.
Japanese Fried Chicken Sliders
Karaage Chicken Sliders are savory mini sandwiches featuring crispy Japanese fried chicken, spicy mayo, and tangy slaw on a sweet Hawaiian roll.
They are the perfect combination of savory and sweet with a hint of spice.
Easy Lemon Brownies
Chewy, soft, and fudgy Lemon Brownies are so refreshing in the spring and summer.
Made with a box of cake mix and topped with a lemon glaze, they only have a few ingredients, and come together fast.
Everything Bagel Cream Cheese Peppers
This quick and easy travel-friendly appetizer has all the flavors of your favorite everything bagel with cream cheese.
With just 4 ingredients, they’re also inexpensive and healthy, but always a crowd-pleaser.
Caprese Sandwiches
Caprese Sandwiches with Truffle Salt are a show-stopping panino that's perfect for picnics.
This easy recipe takes only a few minutes to make and calls for a handful of simple fresh ingredients.
Easy Creamy Coleslaw
This Easy Coleslaw recipe is the ultimate quick, creamy, delicious side dish that pairs with any picnic sandwich.
It uses honey rather than sugar to balance the vinegar, and gives the dressing a bit of thickness without being overly sweet.
Sausage Braid with Bacon, Apple and Caramelized Onions
This classic British Sausage Plait recipe, or 'Poor Man's Wellington,' is the kind of dish that will make you feel like you’re picnicking in the English countryside.
With slowly caramelized onions, apple and crispy-fried smoked bacon, it’s no ordinary, run-of-the-mill picnic food!
Pimento Cheese Spread
Pimento Cheese Spread is the ultimate in Southern comfort food!
A zesty blend of two sharp cheddar cheeses, tangy pimentos, mayo and just the right amount of spice, this dip will elevate your picnic outing to the next level.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Mexican Street Corn Salad is an off-the-cob version of the popular Mexican street food, Elotes.
With roasted corn, fresh vegetables and herbs, creamy mayonnaise, and Mexican-style spices is guaranteed to be a hit.
Shortcut Fried Chicken
If you love crispy fried chicken, without all the work, you'll love this recipe.
Wait til you see the secret ingredient and unconventional method!
Homemade Potato Chips
It’s so fun to make your own Homemade potato chips, and they are SO GOOD! They’re flavorful, crispy, salty, and better than the store-bought version.
You'll never want to buy chips again after you try these.
Antipasto Salad with Lupini Beans
Italian antipasto salad recipe with lupini beans is packed with protein and bursting with Mediterranean flavors enveloped in a sweet and zesty balsamic & olive oil dressing.
It makes for a show-stopping centerpiece that requires minimal effort.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
You can have smoky, tender pulled pork without a smoker.
Your slow cooker can create the most flavorful pulled pork; just let it cook all day long for fork-tender pork that tastes amazing on a pretzel bun or sandwich roll.
Watermelon Basil Salad
Refreshing Watermelon and Basil Salad is perfect for a warm sunny day.
The juicy watermelon, salty feta cheese, crisp red onion, fresh basil, and mint create an irresistible combination.
And it's all drizzled with a sweet and tangy homemade honey vinaigrette.
Cheesy Bean and Rice Burritos
Cheesy Bean and Rice Burritos are easy to make and perfect for a picnic lunch on the go!
They're hearty, comforting, and made with simple ingredients you probably have on hand right now.
Mushroom Leek Quiche
Quiche is basically a short, fancy tart with a buttery crust and a rich, creamy filling.
Mushrooms and leeks make this recipe extraordinary, full of flavor, and a wonderful dish for brunch, potlucks, picnics and to have frozen at all times, just in case.
Ultimate Potato Salad
Ultimate Potato Salad is a classic potato salad that includes hard boiled eggs, crunchy celery, onion, and more tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing.
Prepare to be asked for the recipe, because it might just be the best potato salad they’ve ever had.
Marinated Olives with Feta
With just 7 ingredients, Marinated Olives with Feta has tangy Mediterranean flavors in every mouthful.
The green and kalamata olives, creamy feta, salty caper berries, and hints of garlic and red pepper flakes create a super flavorful Greek appetizer.
Pumpernickel Chicken Salad Sandwiches
This Chicken Salad Sandwich features a light, tangy Greek yogurt dressing and a burst of sweetness from some fresh red grapes.
A bit of diced cucumber adds crunch and texture, while hearty slices of pumpernickel bread give this sandwich a rich, cozy vibe.
Lemon Raspberry Cookies
Lemon Raspberry Cookies are soft, fluffy, buttery, and bursting with the delicious flavors of fresh lemon and raspberries. Super quick and easy to make and everyone loves them!
Easy Baked Falafel
Unlike traditional falafel, these baked falafel patties use canned chickpeas for midweek convenience.
The easy recipe delivers flavor-packed fluffy falafel centers with minimal effort, no overnight soaking, and no deep-frying.
Antipasto Skewers
Antipasto Skewers make such a great picnic food! Easy to make in advance, have all the classic antipasto flavors on an easy-to-eat kabob.
Ham and Cheese Croissant
Buttery croissants are stuffed with smoky ham and rich Swiss cheese, then spread with a tangy honey mustard sauce, these Ham and Cheese Croissant Sandwiches are simple yet so full of flavor.
Greek Shrimp Pasta Salad
Greek Shrimp Pasta Salad is full of bright citrus and Greek flavor. As pasta salads as a meal go, this one is definitely a winner!
Arayes (Meat Stuffed Pita)
Arayes is a popular dish in Middle Eastern cuisine that is loved by many around the world.
Basically a meat-stuffed pita, they consist of ground meat mixed with a blend of exotic spices, then stuffed inside pita bread before they are grilled or baked to perfection.
Summer Cheese Board
The variety of ingredients in this Summer Cheese Board create such a wonderful medley of flavors and textures. It’s such a fun and easy way to snack at a picnic.
Best Homemade Biscuits
Homemade biscuits, made completely from scratch are so much better than store-bought and are actually easy to make.
This recipe uses 6-ingredients and yields soft, flaky, layers of goodness that are ready in less than 30 minutes!
Spinach, Sundried Tomato and Pesto Quiche
Spinach, Sundried Tomato and Pesto Quiche is a delicious combination of sweet and tart sun-dried tomatoes and the fresh flavors of basil pesto and spinach.
It has lots of bright summer flavor, and is filling but never heavy.
Easy Fresh Fruit Salad
This easy recipe for Fruit Salad is full of fresh fruit all tossed in a simple vanilla-kissed fruit salad dressing. It’s completely versatile, and can be prepped well in advance!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders feature tender chicken and bacon, plus a boost from tangy ranch dressing. There’s a reason why this flavor combination is so popular - it’s totally tasty!
Everything comes together on soft and sweet Hawaiian bread to create some of the best sandwiches you’ll ever try.
Easy Salmon Patties
These easy salmon patties are made with canned salmon, yogurt, breadcrumbs, and a few easy-to-find seasonings.
Serve them with a quick and easy mustard sauce, and you’ll want to make them again right away!
Cowboy Caviar
This easy Cowboy Caviar is a colorful bean salad made with a mix of black beans, black-eyed peas, fresh veggies, and a tangy lime dressing.
Eat it with a spoon or scoop it onto a chip for the perfect bite!
Maple Sausage Brunch Bites
If you’re looking for food for a brunch picnic, these cheesy hashbrown casserole-inspired Maple Sausage Brunch Bites are the perfect solution!
Made with hashbrowns, sour cream, cheese, onions and maple sausage, it's a make-ahead, portable, finger food that can be eaten warm or cold.
Pesto Chicken Pressed Sandwich
This impressive sandwich can feed a crowd! It uses an entire loaf of bread that gets piled high with fresh ingredients.
What really makes this guy stand out is the technique. It gets weighted down and transformed into a perfectly pressed sandwich - no heat or fancy appliance required!
Lentil Salad with Tuna
Lentil Salad with Tuna packs a protein punch that will keep you satisfied for hours. It's full of warm weather goodies like carrots and kale.
Dress it with a simple lemon and olive oil dressing and you are good to go.
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies taste just like shortcakes in cookie form!
With fresh juicy strawberries and buttery shortbread crumbs, these strawberry cookies are perfect for any occasion from spring to summer and beyond.
Cheese Hotteok (Savory Korean Pancake)
Cheese Hotteok is pure picnic comfort food. This recipe puts a spin on the popular Korean street food by filling it with delicious mozzarella cheese.
Easy to make, and easier to eat!
Chicken Macaroni Salad
Chicken Macaroni Salad is filling, easy to make, contains plenty of vegetables, and you can easily customize the recipe to suit your dietary requirements or preferences.
Burrata Caprese
Burrata Caprese is bright, fresh, and full of flavor. Made with creamy burrata instead of mozzarella, it's a delicious twist on the traditional caprese salad.
It's ready in just 15 minutes and perfect for an easy picnic appetizer or snack!
Vietnamese Grilled Pork Sandwich
Banh Mi Thit Nuong is a Vietnamese Grilled Pork Sandwich that effortlessly combines smoky grilled pork, tangy pickled veggies, and crisp, fresh herbs all nestled within a soft, airy baguette.
It’s an amazing medley of flavors packed into a single, handheld masterpiece.
Vegan Couscous Salad
This easy and quick vegan pearl Couscous Salad with a lemon vinaigrette is perfect for picnics and potlucks with plant-based eaters.
It's light yet satisfying, blending fresh veggies like beets and asparagus with nutty couscous and a zesty, herby lemon dressing.
Frittata Primavera
Frittata Primavera is a filling-but-still-light vegetarian dish that uses those delicious spring and summer veggies. It’s perfect hot or cold, and looks incredible too!
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is an easy-to-make authentic Hawaiian side dish that’s cool and creamy with a tangy and subtly sweet taste!
It takes just 20 minutes of hands-on time to prep and is perfect for summertime.
Reuben Roll-Ups
Reuben Rolls are an easy and portable version of the classic favorite. Crescent rolls are stuffed with swiss cheese, corned beef and sauerkraut and baked until golden brown.
This yummy twist on a classic Reuben is a match made in heaven!
Salmon Salad in a Jar
Packed with flavor, nutrients, and a delightful combination of textures, this Cold Salmon Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing will leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
It has tender, flaky pieces of cooked salmon layered atop crisp mixed greens, accompanied by a medley of capers, olives, tomato, onion, tangy goat cheese, crunchy pine nuts and creamy Avocado Lime Dressing.
Burrata Bruschetta
Burrata bruschetta is a fun twist on the traditional Italian appetizer. It's made with creamy burrata, sweet tomatoes, and a crusty bread that's toasted to perfection.
It's easy to assemble and made with simple, fresh ingredients!
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
With vegetables, chicken, and homemade dressing, this delicious Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is the perfect cross between your favorite Caesar salad and a traditional pasta salad.
It’s a meal in one simple, tasty, and filling salad.
Rosemary Chicken Sandwiches
Rosemary Chicken Sandwiches, filled with shredded chicken breast, freshly sliced celery and a rosemary dressing, are one of those hearty, satisfying dishes that will remind you of a sandwich spread you might find at your favorite deli.
Green Bean Potato Salad with Sundried Tomato Pesto
Easy Green Bean Potato Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto makes an outstanding side dish to take to a summer picnic or potluck because it has no mayo and only 5 ingredients.
Plus, it has amazing, bold flavor compared to traditional potato salad.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Air fryer fried chicken is crispy and delicious with only a fraction of the fat and calories.
Plus, it only requires a few spritzes of oil instead of an entire bottle, making cleanup a breeze.
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
Delicious Greek Chicken Pasta Salad is packed with juicy tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, zippy red onion, smoky kalamata olives, and tangy feta cheese.
Loaded with flavor and freshness, this crowd-pleaser is perfect to make ahead - it just gets better and better!
Easy Ham and Cheese Wrap
If you’re looking for a quick and easy picnic lunch idea, this simple Ham and Cheese Wrap recipe is hard to beat.
A few simple ingredients and 10 minutes is all you need to make these popular ham and cheese roll ups.
Chickpea Salmon Salad
Chickpea Salmon Salad is filled with a range of ingredients from savory and crunchy to soft and slightly sweet.
While the salmon and chickpeas are the main stars, the other toppings and dressings like red onion, garlic and apple cider vinegar give this salad layers of flavor.
Sunny Picnic Mini Quiches
Delicious Sunny Picnic Quiches are made with chorizo, pepper, and cheddar cheese. They totally look like happy little suns!
Homemade Egg Salad
Homemade Egg Salad, made with creamy mayo, crunchy celery, fresh chives, and a bite from two kinds of mustard is sure to be your new favorite sandwich!
It’s so budget-friendly, but always feels like a special treat.
Homemade Breaded Chicken Tenders
If you like chicken tenders from a restaurant, these will knock your socks off! Believe it or not, they’re not deep fried.
Eat them with your favorite dipping sauce, on top of a salad, or inside a sandwich or wrap.
BLT Pasta Salad
Get ready to dig into a delicious twist on the classic pasta salad!
BLT Pasta Salad is loaded with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, fresh lettuce, and tender pasta, all tossed in a creamy dressing.
Grilled Cheese Roll Ups
Yummy Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups are a fun twist on a classic grilled cheese sandwich that you can take on the go!
Cheese is rolled up into plain bread and then pan-fried in a little bit of butter! The cheese inside gets all melty and the bread on the outside gets all crispy…what’s not to love?
Rice and Shrimp Salad
Refreshing and brightly flavored, Chopped Shrimp Salad with Rice and Avocado has a base of briny shrimp, creamy avocado, crunchy cashews, tangy chopped green apple, and cooked rice with a bit of green onion.
The best part is the surprisingly simple, 3-ingredient dressing. The resulting combination is a cold salad with warm, peppy flavors that will make your taste buds dance!
Turkey Bacon Grinders
Turkey Bacon Grinders are a flavor packed, filling sandwich that’ll satisfy even the heartiest eaters. Be sure to bring extra napkins!
Mediterranean Arugula Quinoa Salad
Flavor-packed Mediterranean ingredients like kalamata olives and feta cheese combined with arugula, chickpeas, and quinoa all tossed in a homemade sun-dried tomato vinaigrette making this Mediterranean Arugula Quinoa Salad a totally delectable and healthy salad.
BBQ Pulled Chicken
This Smoky BBQ Pulled Chicken makes the best BBQ chicken sandwich.
No oven and no competing for grill space though, because this pulled chicken is fully done up in the slow cooker. It could not be easier!
Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad
Summer Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad is the easiest, quickest and most delicious main dish pasta salad. It has chicken, fresh mozzarella, sweet tomatoes, and delicious homemade basil pesto.
All of these colorful and fresh ingredients get mixed together with a pretty twisted pasta shape for a lovely presentation.
Easy Turkey Wraps
Turkey Wraps are the perfect meal on the go and can be made with turkey from the deli or even leftover roast turkey.
Add in your favorite veggies, cheese, a smear of sauce and roll it all up!
Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kabobs
Chicken Pineapple Kabobs are the best of sweet and savory. Chicken is marinated in a Hawaiian BBQ sauce with pineapple and veggies on skewers and grilled to perfection.
They’re as tasty cold as they are warm, and you can bring along some pita to make delicious sandwiches.
TexMex Cucumber and Corn Salad
This simple and refreshing TexMex Cucumber Corn Salad is so easy to prepare and packed with flavor!
A refreshing twist on a Mexican elote corn salad, this dish combines cucumbers and corn with jalapenos, red onion, cilantro and a sour cream dressing you will love.
Curried Chicken or Turkey Salad
Let curry help you use up leftover turkey or chicken with a unique spin, transforming leftovers (or rotisserie chicken) into something decidedly brand new.
This recipe is made healthier with Greek yogurt, honey, mango, and raisins to give the salad a welcoming sweetness.
Roasted cashews contribute a wonderful crunch for texture.
Greek Orzo Salad with Shrimp & Feta
This flavorful Greek Orzo Salad with shrimp and feta is perfect for summer picnics!
The Greek-inspired flavors of dill, lemon, cucumber, and feta mingle for a fresh and tasty combination.
The crunch of the cucumbers and the brightness of the lemon are so refreshing, especially on a warm day!
5 Tips for a successful picnic
1. Don’t forget the essentials
Once you have your picnic recipes planned, you’ll need somewhere to put the food, and something to sit on.
Here are the essential picnic supplies:
- Pretty picnic basket – to hold everything you’ll need
- Backpack cooler bag – easy to carry and keeps food cold
- Picnic blanket or mat – with easy to carry handle
- Unbreakable travel utensils and plates
- Small foldable picnic tray or table to set everything out
2. Be prepared for the end
Bring along wet naps – or at least plenty of napkins – to ensure no one is annoyed by sticky fingers after the meal.
A small grocery or garbage bag will come in handy for trash as well.
3. Consider the wind
A blowing wind can get annoying fast at a picnic.
If your picnic mat or blanket is super light, consider bringing or placing a few heavier objects on the corners so it doesn’t flap about.
An extra sweater or blanket will be helpful if the day could turn cooler as you sit and relax.
4. Plan the spot in advance
Take the stress out of picnic arrival by choosing a spot you’re familiar with.
If it has a pretty view, all the better!
Having an alternate idea is helpful too, in case someone has already chosen your favorite spot.
5. Bring something to do
Packing a little game or two can make your picnic extra memorable.
Outdoor games and travel games work really well.
Conversation cards help to inspire fun discussions, and can help you get to know each other better.
Ready to try some new picnic foods?
I hope this list of easy picnic food ideas and recipes has given you tons of inspiration for what to serve at your fun outing.
Remember not to overthink it – even the simple act of eating outdoors is novel enough to make the day fun!
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