With the weather finally warming up and the flowers beginning to bloom, it’s officially picnic season. So whether you’re planning a romantic date under a flowing willow tree, having a casual lunch at the park with your friends, or even having a solo date with your favorite book in hand, there’s one thing we know for sure: the right types of food to bring on a picnic makes all the difference. Sure, you can just grab a pizza and call it a day, but there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of variety!
Here are a handful of picnic-friendly recipes that’ll satisfy your savory and sweet tooth and are easy to pack, mess-free, and 100% delicious! Stick around until the end of this article – we’ve also thrown in a few tips on how to create the perfect picnic basket so that you’ll be fully prepared for your special lunch.
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Think of these as a deconstructed Caprese salad – juicy cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil on a wooden skewer, drizzled with balsamic glaze. Truly a fresh and portable twist on the original recipe!
Ingredients:
- 24 cherry tomatoes
- 12 mini mozzarella balls
- 24 basil leaves
- Olive oil
- Balsamic glaze
- Sea salt and black pepper
Steps:
- Thread a cherry tomato, a basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball onto a skewer. Repeat and assemble all skewers.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Enjoy!
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Whether you like spinach and feta or ham and cheese, mini quiches are easy to make the night before, still taste great at room temperature, and can satisfy anyone’s appetite.
Ingredients:
- 1 pie crust
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped spinach
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup diced ham
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the pie crust and cut into circles to fit mini muffin tins. Press into the tins.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir in spinach, onion, ham, and cheese.
- Fill each crust with the egg mixture.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until set and golden.
- Enjoy!
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Time for a pasta salad that strays away from the traditional mayonnaise-heavy bases! This pesto tortellini pasta salad would also be great tossed with some sun-dried tomatoes and a handful of zingy arugula.
Ingredients:
- 1 (20 oz) package cheese tortellini
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup mozzarella balls
Steps:
- Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and cool.
- In a large bowl, combine tortellini, pesto, tomatoes, onion, and mozzarella.
- Toss to coat.
- Enjoy!
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Tart, sweet, and easy to transport, these lemon blueberry bars are the perfect balance of refreshing and rich. Keep them chilled before you head out and they make the perfect picnic dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- For the crust, mix butter, flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Press into a greased 9×13-inch pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
- For the filling, whisk eggs, granulated sugar, flour, baking powder, lemon juice, and zest. Fold in blueberries.
- Pour over the crust and bake for 25–30 minutes. Cool before slicing.
- Enjoy!
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CHOCOLATE-COVERED STRAWBERRIES
Short, sweet, romantic, and always a crowd-pleaser! Prep these the night before and keep them stored in a container lined with parchment paper to keep them from sticking.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of fresh strawberries
- 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
Steps:
- Wash and thoroughly dry strawberries.
- Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Dip each strawberry into the chocolate, allowing excess to drip off.
- Place on a parchment-lined tray and let them set.
- Enjoy!
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Gooey apple cinnamon, tangy strawberry, and even indulgent Nutella and banana – the filling options are endless when it comes to mini hand pies!
Ingredients:
- 1 batch of pie dough
- 1 cup of fruit filling
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the dough and cut into circles.
- Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each circle.
- Fold over and seal edges with a fork.
- Brush with egg wash and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
- Enjoy!
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PACKING THE PERFECT PICNIC BASKET
Now that you’ve got your menu sorted out, let’s talk about how you can pack the perfect picnic basket.
- Use a sturdy basket or insulated bag: it should have enough room to separate hot and cold items.
- Use mason jars or leak-proof containers for anything liquid-y (salads, dips, or drinks).
- Pack a small cutting board, reusable utensils, and a blanket big enough for everyone to sit on comfortably.
- Pack napkins, trash bags, and wet wipes, especially if most of your menu has finger foods.
- Chill your drinks the night before and keep them in a small cooler or an insulated pouch.
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DON’T PANIC, PICNIC!
A nice picnic isn’t just about the setting, it’s about the small components that make it a true experience: a perfectly chilled pasta salad, a tangy lemon-blueberry bar that’ll make your lips pucker, a refreshing juice box, sunshine, and good company.
With these picnic-friendly recipes and a few tips to help you out, you’re all set to create a spread that’ll be so charming and satisfying you’ll make all your Instagram followers jealous. What are you waiting for? Pack your basket, find a nice shady spot under a tree, and let your picnic feast begin!