Planning the perfect picnic starts with one important thing… the food. Whether you’re heading to the park, the beach, a summer concert or a relaxing afternoon outdoors, these easy picnic snacks and picnic food ideas are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
This collection of picnic recipes includes everything from finger foods and make ahead snacks to refreshing summer sides, sandwiches, dips and sweet treats. No matter what kind of outdoor gathering you’re planning, you’ll find plenty of easy picnic foods that travel well, taste delicious and help make your picnic stress free.
One of the best things about picnic food is how simple it can be. Many of these picnic snack ideas can be made ahead of time, packed into coolers or containers and enjoyed anywhere. From classic comfort foods to light summer bites, there’s something here for everyone.
Why You’ll Love These Picnic Food Ideas
Easy to transport and serve
Perfect for parks, beaches and outdoor gatherings
Great for summer parties and family outings
Includes make ahead picnic snacks
Features both savory and sweet picnic recipes
Perfect for feeding a crowd
Tips for Packing the Perfect Picnic
A little planning can make your outdoor picnic even easier and more enjoyable.
Keep Cold Foods Chilled
Use a cooler with ice packs to keep dips, salads, sandwiches and other cold picnic foods fresh and safe during warmer weather.
Choose Portable Finger Foods
Finger foods and bite sized snacks are ideal for picnics because they are easy to serve and require very little cleanup.
Bring Easy Serving Supplies
Don’t forget napkins, utensils, serving spoons and extra containers for leftovers.
Pick Make Ahead Recipes
Preparing picnic foods ahead of time helps reduce stress on the day of your outing and gives flavors time to blend together even better.
Best Types of Foods for a Picnic
Some foods work especially well for outdoor meals because they travel easily and hold up well in coolers or containers.
Popular picnic foods include:
Pasta salads
Sandwiches and wraps
Fruit salads
Chips and dips
Cheese and crackers
Pinwheels
Cookies and bars
Chicken salads
Fresh vegetables and dip
Snack mixes
Deviled eggs
Potato salads
30+ Easy Picnic Snacks Everyone Will Love
Picnic Finger Foods
These picnic finger foods are perfect for outdoor gatherings, summer parties and easy family picnics. From sliders and spring rolls to cheesy snacks, wraps and bite sized appetizers, these easy picnic food ideas are simple to pack, easy to serve and always crowd pleasing. Whether you need make ahead picnic snacks, picnic appetizers or portable finger foods for your next outdoor adventure, these delicious recipes are perfect for warm weather entertaining.
1
Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls
Who doesn't love Buffalo Chicken? Wrap it up in Spring Rolls and you get these incredible Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls. A healthy, hearty lunch on it's own, but feel free to add a little ranch or blue cheese to cool it all off.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Shrimp with Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Shrimp with Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce full of flavor, sitting on the tongue with an exciting contrast of hot and sweet and savory. From the book Valerie’s Home Cooking by Valerie Bertinelli.
Jalapeno Bacon Deviled Eggs combine some of our favorite flavors for a twist on a classic deviled eggs. A great addition to tailgating, super bowl parties and picnics!
This chunky, full flavor dip is fantastic with veggies sticks, bread slices, chips, pretzels and so much more. Cheddar Bacon Ranch is an easy to make dip for any occasion!
Loaded with flavorful spices, and an easy process to make, this Alabama Firecracker Recipe is a true favorite! Crispy crackers, red pepper and other spices marinate these crackers into the ultimate snack food!
These picnic side dishes are perfect for summer cookouts, outdoor gatherings and easy family picnics. From creamy pasta salads and potato salads to fresh fruit salads and cold side dishes, these easy picnic recipes are simple to make, easy to transport and full of fresh flavor. Whether you need make ahead picnic sides, BBQ side dishes or refreshing summer salads, these crowd pleasing recipes are perfect for any outdoor meal.
11
The Best Creamy Pasta Salad
This is the Best Creamy Pasta Salad for a BBQ. It is one of our favorite summer recipes. It’s a great pasta salad to serve at bbq’s, picnics, and pool parties.
This incredibly creamy, full of flavor creamy potato salad with bacon is perfect for a Budget Friendly BBQ! It is the perfect solution when you are looking to feed a large group, want a truly tasty dish and want to save a little money along the way.
A tangy, spicy, combination of all the things you love about buffalo chicken, tossed into a pasta salad. Grilled chicken coated in creamy blue cheese dressing and spicy hot sauce, tossed with onions and celery for a cold pasta salad perfect for any tailgating or picnic adventure.
A simple summer salad starts with blended yogurt and fresh blueberries tossed with fresh spinach. Add anything you like after that, but enjoy this Easy Blueberry Spinach Salad just as it is.
Pineapples, Rum, Marshmallows, Coconut & more combine to make this delicious Pineapple Rum Coconut Fluff Salad-the perfect sweet addition to any BBQ or cookout!
These picnic sandwiches and sliders are perfect for easy outdoor meals, summer picnics and family gatherings. From pinwheel sandwiches and wraps to chicken salad sandwiches and easy sliders, these picnic sandwich ideas are simple to pack, easy to serve and full of flavor. Whether you need make ahead picnic sandwiches, portable lunch ideas or crowd pleasing picnic food for your next outdoor adventure, these easy recipes are always a favorite.
21
Easy Sandwich Pinwheels
Want to know how to make Easy Sandwich Pinwheels? This recipe makes it easy, put everything together, roll and slice! Such a great appetizer!
Classic Shrimp Roll Sliders take a classic shrimp roll recipe, and make it slider-style which make them the perfect summer recipe for any get together! Can there be any more of a nostalgic summer recipe?
This dill pickle chicken salad sandwich is bursting with flavor and ready in minutes. Simply combine shredded chicken, chopped dill pickles, red onion, and a creamy dill pickle juice dressing.
These Easy Oven Baked Italian Sliders are so perfect for any fun weekend meal, snack time, game day or when you need a delicious party food! Very popular they go fast! Make extras!
This Mediterranean Turkey Salad recipe is fantastic for using up leftover turkey or chicken and this sandwich is flavorful and filling! Full of plenty of delicious vegetables and turkey, this savory salad can be used in many ways.
Fully loaded with wonderful fresh vegetables, creamy avocado and savory turkey and bacon, these Lunchbox Easy California Wraps are the perfect solution to lunch!
These saucy Roast Beef and Swiss Sliders are melt in your mouth delicious. From their buttery savory outsides to their melty cheese and beef insides, every bite is bursting with flavor!
These picnic desserts are the perfect sweet treats for summer picnics, BBQs and outdoor gatherings. From fudgy brownies and soft cookies to lemon bars, creamy parfaits and easy handheld desserts, these picnic dessert ideas are simple to transport and perfect for sharing. Whether you need make ahead desserts for a picnic, easy summer desserts or crowd pleasing sweet snacks, these delicious recipes are the perfect ending to any outdoor meal.
31
Chocolate Chip Mocha Brownies
A hot cup of coffee and some Chocolate Chip Mocha Brownies pair beautifully anytime of day or night. These brownies are rich, decadent and decidedly moist!
Take a basic chocolate chip cookie and simply take it up a notch by loading it with lots of kinds of chips and festive M&M's and you've got Christmas Chippity Chip Cookies. These always go fast and great anytime of year!
A decadent S’mores Mousse Parfait with layers of graham cracker, rich chocolate mousse, and marshmallows. Topped with toasted marshmallows, mini chocolate chips and a dusting of fine graham cracker powder. So wonderfully summer and absolutely delicious! The essential summer dessert recipe!
A light fluffy pastry, filled with delicious Meyer Lemon Cheesecake Filling and brushed with a light lemon Glaze, these Lemon Cheesecake Rolls will quickly become your favorite breakfast!
Lemon Key Lime Layer Snack Cakes are a citrus lovers dream. Each creamy, bite is filled with a slightly tart, but traditionally sweet flavor! Delicious! A super fun, summer treat! (or anytime really!)
Cotton Candy Cupcakes begin with a moist fluffy vanilla cotton candy cupcake, and are then topped with a creamy cotton candy buttercream frosting, festive cotton candy sprinkle sugar pieces and tufts of real cotton candy floss.
Soft, minty and deliciously chocolate with a real Andes Mint Chocolate in the center. These Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies are an absolute favorite and go quick!
These picnic drinks are perfect for summer picnics, backyard BBQs and outdoor parties. From fruity lemonades and refreshing mocktails to fun colorful drinks and easy party beverages, these picnic drink ideas are simple to make and perfect for warm weather entertaining. Whether you need refreshing summer drinks for a crowd, kid friendly picnic beverages or easy make ahead drinks for outdoor gatherings, these delicious recipes will help keep everyone cool all summer long.
41
Patriotic Drink Recipe (Citrus Punch)
Cool down these hot summer days with a pitcher of this patriotic drink! A fruity, refreshing and fizzy drink that is sure to wow your friends & family!
This Sonic Ocean Water Recipe Copycat, is an an easy summer drink to keep you refreshed on the hottest days. A nice tropical coconut drink, with a beautiful blue tint. With only 4 ingredients, you've got a great drink for a crowd.
The sweet taste of childhood. A unique, honey-esque taste, Honeysuckle Iced Tea is the perfect refreshing drink to cool off on a hot day. It’s a simple recipe, made similarly to traditional iced tea, but with Honeysuckle flowers instead.
A little bit tart, a little bit sweet, this refreshing Homemade Watermelon Lemonade is the perfect addition to your summer BBQ menu. It goes really well with anything you pull off the grill. Perfect for a hot day.
Creamy, juicy plum flavor and plenty of aromatic spices, chewy boba and just a hint of sweetness combine to make this delicious Plum Spice Bubble Milk Tea.
A cold tropical beverage with a small twist, this Grilled Spiced Blue Hawaiian Cocktail uses grilled pineapple turned into the juice for the cocktail. Delicious! A great cocktail recipe for any bbq or summer event!
This Easy Orange Creamsicle Cocktail has the sweet, creamy, orange creamsicle flavor from the popular summertime treat. Served up in a delicious cocktail that you can make today to enjoy with friends, family or an after dinner drink anytime.
Besides great food, a few simple picnic essentials can make the day even more enjoyable.
Consider bringing:
A large picnic blanket
Reusable water bottles
Cooler or insulated bag
Wet wipes or hand sanitizer
Paper towels or napkins
Portable speakers
Outdoor games or cards
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods are best for a picnic?
The best picnic foods are easy to transport, simple to serve and hold up well outdoors. Finger foods, sandwiches, pasta salads, chips, dips and easy desserts are all popular picnic choices.
What are easy make ahead picnic foods?
Pasta salads, wraps, pinwheels, snack mixes, cookies and fruit salads are great make ahead picnic recipes because they can be prepared in advance and stored until ready to serve.
How do you keep picnic food cold outside?
Use insulated coolers and ice packs to help keep cold foods chilled. Store picnic foods in airtight containers and avoid leaving perishable items out for long periods in hot weather.
What are good picnic snacks for kids?
Fruit, crackers, sandwiches, cheese cubes, chips, cookies and bite sized finger foods are all great picnic snack ideas for kids.
More Summer Recipe Ideas
If you love easy summer recipes and outdoor entertaining, be sure to check out these other reader favorites:
Summer Side Dishes
Pasta Salad Recipes
Easy Appetizers
Dip Recipes
BBQ Side Dishes
Easy Dessert Recipes
This collection of easy picnic snacks and picnic food ideas is perfect for summer gatherings, outdoor adventures and casual family meals. Whether you’re planning a simple afternoon at the park or a big summer picnic with friends, these delicious picnic recipes make outdoor entertaining easy and fun.
Nicole Cook is a professional food writer, recipe developer and baker as well as the main voice behind Daily Dish Recipes. Her family friendly and kitchen tested recipes are designed to help the home cook prepare delicious meals for their family and friends. Nicole has been featured on Today, HuffPost, Taste of Home, Buzz Feed and More. She writes and photographs alongside her daughter Brielle, and husband, Kreo, the other voices behind Daily Dish Recipes.
