26 Delicious Picnic Finger Food Ideas That Look Fancy
I love a good picnic with friends on a warm spring day when the weather is just right. But finding the perfect picnic finger food can be tricky, especially if you want to impress everyone with something fancy. I’ve searched far and wide for recipes, and these 26 are some of my favorites. 26 Delicious Picnic Finger Food Ideas That Look Fancy 1. Creamy Asparagus Puffs These creamy asparagus puffs are perfect for a picnic, and they’re so easy to make. Adorable carrot-shaped puff pastries are stuffed with asparagus tips, slices of smoked turkey and a creamy spread. You’ll need pastry horns to give these treats their shape. I also recommend using ready-to-bake puff pastry sheets, but feel free to make your own if you want. 2. French Pressed Sandwich Bites These French pressed sandwich bites have ultra-fresh ingredients and are full of flavor. They’re perfect for picnics, and you can substitute any ingredients you want. This recipe uses smoked salmon, radishes, hummus, pesto, baby spinach, beets, cucumber, red onion and other tasty sandwich ingredients. I recommend getting fresh ciabatta from a local bakery if you can. 3. Mini Lasagna Roll-Ups Who says lasagna can’t be picnic finger food? These little roll-ups are kept together with small skewers, making the perfect little bite-sized appetizers. The addition of tiny fresh basil leaves makes them look so fancy. I recommend making your own tomato sauce, but if you’re in a hurry, quality jarred sauce will work perfectly. 4. Italian Pinwheel Sandwiches These little pinwheel sandwiches are so simple but the way they’re rolled makes them look fancy. The Italian cream cheese spread is divine and loaded with flavor. The rest of the ingredients are simple. Use your favorite cold cuts (salami, ham, capicola, etc.) and toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.). Related: 23 Low Carb Lunch Ideas You Can Meal Prep 5. Mini Pancake Skewers with Strawberries These mini pancakes are the perfect picnic food because they taste great cold, and you don’t have to worry about anything spoiling. These skewers are loaded with mini pancake rounds, Nutella and strawberry slices. If you’re not a fan of Nutella, you can use peanut butter or apple butter. 6. Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Sundried Tomatoes These gourmet-style grilled cheese sandwiches are loaded with flavor, thanks to the sundried tomatoes. Instead of the usual cheddar cheese, these sandwich bites are stuffed with cream cheese and topped with melted Parmesan cheese. Add a toothpick to each bite-sized slice to keep everything together. 7. Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels Portable. Fancy. Pizza. Need I say more? These pizza pinwheels are the perfect picnic finger food, and they use puff pastry sheets to save time. Top the sheets with a good marinara sauce, pepperoni (optional) and mozzarella cheese. Roll it all up, cut it into 2-inch slices, bake it, and enjoy. 8. Cold Tortellini Salad Kabobs Fresh tortellini, juicy tomatoes and cheese – all on a stick. These kabobs are great for picnics because they’re easy to pack and transport. All you need are tortellini, pesto (jarred or homemade), balsamic vinegar, grape tomatoes, mozzarella balls and wooden skewers. Facebook Pinterest Get our free printable meal planner delivered to your inbox! Grab your copy of our 42-page meal planner to track your meals and sign up for our newsletter for more updates! 9. Watermelon Feta Bites If you want to pack something light and refreshing, these watermelon feta bites are perfect. You’ll need about two cups of cubed watermelon for this recipe. If you want to make it extra fancy, you can use cookie cutters to make your bites into fancy shapes. 10. Cucumber Tea Sandwiches Cucumber tea sandwiches are a classic picnic food, and with the right toothpicks and fresh herbs, you can make them look extra-fancy. To make these sandwiches, you’ll need fresh bread (crust removed), mayo, cream cheese, English cucumber, chives, dill and a few spices. 11. Greek Salad Skewers Here’s a picnic finger food that everyone is sure to love. I love that it’s such a simple dish, but the presentation makes it look so fancy. For this recipe, you’ll need fresh feta sliced into chunks, oregano, black olives, tomatoes and mini cucumbers. Slide each ingredient onto a skewer and serve. 12. Mini Cannoli Cups If you want to pack a dessert for your picnic, try these mini cannoli cups. Use pre-made refrigerated pie crusts and a mini muffin pan to shape and bake your cups. The filling is super simple (ricotta cheese, sugar, lemon zest and vanilla). Related: 17 Best Camping Meal Prep Ideas 13. Pink Deviled Eggs These pink deviled eggs look so fancy, but that’s all thanks to the pink food coloring and garnishes (sprouts and baby’s breath). The trickiest part here is removing the yolks, but the rest of the steps are super simple. Use a pastry piping bag to make the filling look perfect. 14. Pickled Peach, Mozzarella & Prosciutto Skewers Here’s a unique finger food to serve as your picnic. Homemade pickled peaches with mozzarella pearls, fresh basil and spices, all wrapped in prosciutto slices and assembled on cocktail skewers. The pickled peaches are the star of the show here, and your guests are sure to devour them. 15. 10-minute Pickle Roll Ups If pickles wrapped up in deli ham and ranch-flavored cream cheese sound good to you, then you’ll love this 10-minute recipe. I Am Homesteader shares this recipe with us and it uses just four ingredients. Dry ranch seasoning is the one ingredient you’ll likely not have in your pantry. 16. Strawberry Brownie Kabobs Four ingredients and a handful of skewers are all you need to make these kabobs. You can either use premade brownie bites or make your own. And then, you’ll put one strawberry, a brownie, a marshmallow, a brownie and finally a strawberry (all in this order) onto the kabob and serve. 17. Spinach Puffs Do you have a muffin tin? If so, you’re going to love these spinach puffs because they’re filled with flavor and not overpowering like some of the spinach puffs on the market. You’ll need some frozen puff pastry, feta cheese, scallions, garlic, eggs, parsley and some chopped spinach. And the hardest part is ringing all of the water out of the spinach before adding it in to keep the shell from getting too soggy. 18. Cheesy Bruschetta Bites Bruschetta is so easy to make, and with this recipe, it takes maybe 15 – 20 minutes to make. You’ll need phyllo shells, which you’ll find in most grocery stores, along with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, Roma tomatoes and a soft cheese spread. 19. Mini Pimento BLT Cheddar Biscuits If you don’t mind a heavier snack, I can’t recommend this picnic finger food enough. You’re mixing pimento cheese, strips of bacon, lettuce and tomato on cheddar biscuits for your own little slices of BLT bliss. And, like with most of the recipes on our list, you’ll need a few toothpicks. 20. Mini Quiche Bacon and Cheese Mini quiche is something my aunt served at one of her parties long ago, and I’ve had an affinity for them ever since. You will need ready-made puff pastry, cheese, bacon, spring onion, eggs, heavy cream, milk and a few spices. A round cookie cutter will help you shape your quiche perfectly. 21. Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs Bacon. Meatballs. Melted cheese? Sign me up. You can add a pickle, lettuce and a tomato and make little skewers with toothpicks for this delicious treat. You’ll stack all of your favorite ingredients of a hamburger onto your toothpick, and you can skip the bread to keep this a low-carb finger food – if you like. 22. Mashed Avocado Finger Sandwiches These mashed avocado sandwiches are filled with healthy fats and take 15 minutes total to make over a dozen. You’ll need to be an avocado-lover for this food, which includes fresh herbs, lime juice, tahini, cucumber, microgreens, avocadoes and sandwich bread. Related: 23 Mouthwatering Finger Food Desserts We Love the Most 23. Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwich I’m a sucker for any picnic finger food that includes grilled cheese. And with fresh melted cheese and a few additions, this flavor-filled treat will definitely hit the spot. You’ll need to use a French baguette cut into small slices, aged cheddar cheese, mushrooms, basil, arugula and sundried tomatoes. And if you don’t like some of these ingredients, you can easily omit them. 24. Peach Caprese Bites Fresh, delicious and good for you? I never would have thought of making this recipe on my own, but I’m so happy that I found it. You’ll need basil leaves, balsamic glaze, mozzarella balls and peaches for this recipe. And I love how Homemade Hooplah has neat additions that you can add, such as black pepper, fresh mint and prosciutto. 25. Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rolls Twenty minutes is all it takes to make smoked salmon rolls for ten people. But I promise you, these are different from any other rolls that you’ve tried. With your large vegetable peeler, you’ll create wraps from the cucumbers and then roll in your smoked salmon, cream cheese, arugula leaves and a handful of other ingredients. 26. Strawberry Shortcake Delectable doesn’t even begin to describe these sweet buttermilk biscuits. You can bake these in just 35 minutes, and with eight servings, there’s more than enough for everyone to enjoy. All you need are a few basic ingredients, such as strawberries, sugar, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, heavy whipping cream, butter and eggs.
READ MORE
How to Plan a Beach Picnic: Food, Games & Epic Setup Ideas
What better way to celebrate summer than with a beach picnic? Whether you’re spending time with friends or family, these beach picnic ideas will help you plan the most epic day. I’ll give you ideas for food, games and your picnic setup to help inspire your plans. What to Eat First on your agenda should be the food. Grab your beach cooler and load it up with these tasty treats. The Best Beach Sandwiches Simple yet satisfying, these beach sandwiches are the perfect lunch to pack for your picnic. The recipe calls for ciabatta bread, turkey, cheddar cheese, pickles, arugula, fresh basil, sundried tomato butter, avocado and spices Feel free to use any other type of deli meat you want. Salami, pepperoni or ham would be just as tasty. Want to make it vegetarian? Add thin slices of veggies instead of meat. Wrap your sandwiches in deli paper and pack them up. Watermelon When it comes to food, one of the best beach picnic ideas is watermelon. It’s the ultimate summer snack because it’s cool, refreshing and hydrating. You can buy a whole watermelon and slice it yourself, or you can buy pre-cubed watermelon. I recommend going the DIY route. Get the freshest watermelon you can find – it will be worth it. Moscato Strawberries For the adults, these moscato strawberries are perfect. Just pour some moscato over whole strawberries and let them soak for at least an hour. Drain and roll your berries in pink sanding sugar. If you want to skip the alcohol, you could just pack some fresh berries or dip them in chocolate. Related: 26 Delicious Picnic Finger Food Ideas That Look Fancy Snackle Box A snackle box is a tackle box filled with all your fave charcuterie snacks: deli meats, cheeses, crackers, olives, fruit, sweets, veggies – you name it. Grab a new tackle box (here’s a great one) and load it up with whatever ingredients you want. The compartments will make it easy to keep things separate. Load the box in your cooler, and you’re ready to go. Roasted Veggie Wraps These wraps are light and delicious, making them a great choice for a post-lunch snack. Stack roasted bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant and onions on a tortilla topped with hummus. It’s as easy as that! Feel free to use whatever vegetables you like for this. Peppers and squash are ideal because they can easily be sliced and rolled up. I also recommend packing drinks and some snacks that don’t need to be refrigerated, like crackers, nuts or chips. These are also great sides to eat with your sandwiches and charcuterie. What to Play You’ve got the food covered. But how will you stay entertained? I have some awesome beach picnic ideas for games that everyone will love. Paddleball Challenge each other to a fun game of paddleball. The goal is to volley the ball back and forth until someone misses and the ball hits the ground (a.k.a. beach tennis). You can find paddleball sets for two or more players on Amazon. Take turns challenging each other, or have a tournament to see which player can beat everyone else. If you have extra paddles on hand, ask other beach-goers to play along. You may even make some new friends. Scavenger Hunt One of our favorite beach picnic ideas is to have a scavenger hunt. If you have kids, they will love this idea. And you can even offer a little prize (or snack) to whoever can find everything on the list. You can make up your own hunt, or you can use a pre-made checklist like the one in this Pin. Be sure that your list contains items that everyone can find pretty easily. Otherwise, you’ll have some frustrated players on your hands. Charades Charades can be a fun game to play together, especially on the beach. There are a few ways to play. Buy a charades game, like this one or this one. These games often have 100+ cards with prompts, so you’ll never run out of ideas. Make up your own prompts. Write them on pieces of paper, toss them into a hat and have everyone pick one. Buy printable prompts, like the one in this Pin. The great thing about charades is that it forces everyone to relax and have a good time without worries or cares. DIY Classic Board Game If you love a good DIY project, this classic board game is perfect for your beach picnic. You only need a few supplies to get started: An old table runner Some fabric paint Sponge brush Duct tape A few boxes to hold your game pieces When you’re done, you’ll have three different games to play: tic-tac-toe, checkers and mancala. Of course, you can also customize this to create any board game you want. Kojo Designs walks you through the steps of making this fun project, which you can easily roll up and take to the beach. These are games that will keep the older kids (or even the adults) occupied for hours. Plus, I love the idea of using seashells for game pieces. You can collect new pieces to play with, and there are no worries if a few pieces get lost. Related: 10+ Picnic Date Ideas That Are Cheap, Fun & Totally Romantic Cards Card games are a classic choice for picnic games, and there are unlimited options out there: Skip-Bo Uno Phase 10 Traditional card games Card games are more fitting for smaller groups or if you need to keep older kids entertained. But they’re a great way to have some laughs and friendly competition while soaking up the sun. Beach Volleyball A classic beach game that you can play with groups of all sizes. If your local beach doesn’t have volleyball nets set up, you could bring your own. Split into teams and compete to see who wins. Try getting other beach-goers in on the game. Aesthetics & Setup You have so many great beach picnic ideas that we’ve walked through so far. But, you need to also think about the setup and aesthetics, too. You’re on the beach, the sun is beating down on you and whoever goes on the picnic with you. A little prep time can make it more comfortable. Small changes, such as adding shade, are almost a must-have during mid-summer and add so much comfort to your outing. I’ll share some of my aesthetic and setup ideas below. Shade A boho beach shade is always a good idea. You can still work on your tan by moving out of the shade, but the space will make it far more comfortable for you. Plus, you can keep your drinks and food cool, which is a bonus. You can use a beach canopy, like this one, for the boho vibes and shade. While your shade may be the focal point of the setup, you should add in cute totes and blankets to complete the look. The Ultimate Comfort Setup Comfort is important on the beach, especially with the way sand seems to get everywhere. A small gust of wind is enough to blow sand right on your sandwich, which is a fast way to ruin a picnic. But with this comfortable setup on the beach, it’s almost like you’re glamping on the beach with: Portable beach tent Inflatable foot bath Portable beach tent fan Cooler You can bring any beach chairs you like, or you can also sit on the floor of the tent. If you like, the Pin setup also has a wireless speaker for you to listen to your favorite music while relaxing on the beach. I have to say that the portable foot bath is a complete game-changer and will help you keep the inside of your tent much cleaner. Luxury Boho Setup Luxury is in style at this year’s beach picnics, and this certainly checks all of the boxes. You’ll start with a boho beach umbrella, which will protect you from UV rays and offer some much-needed shade on a hot summer’s day. Bamboo beach mats (who even knew these existed?) are perfect for your trays or to sit on. You’ll put all of your picnic food on tiered trays. And you’ll even notice that this Pin has candles. Any beach that I’ve ever been to, and it’s been a lot, is too windy for me to trust candles. I am just envisioning the candles falling on the wooden mat or my towel and catching fire. A nice compromise is these LED candles that offer the same ambiance without real flames. Related: 25+ Picnic Food Ideas That’ll Make You The MVP of Any Picnic Simple and Romantic All of these setups have been rather complex, and even over the top, for many people. For me, this idea is the most realistic because I just know that I’m not going to want to lug a huge umbrella, mats, tents or portable fans around if it’s a hot, muggy day. But this idea is the classic “movie-inspired” picnic with a: Beach towel Woven picnic basket on top Small flower vase Of course, the Pin also has a super cute heart drawn into the sand with flowers in the middle, but this is something that everyone can do. Plan for the perfect picnic, but don’t stress too much. Enjoy the waves crashing on the beach and the beautiful sunsets (if you’re staying for one).
READ MORE
10+ Picnic Date Ideas That Are Cheap, Fun & Totally Romantic
Need picnic date ideas that are fun, romantic and budget-friendly? I have 10+ picnics you can plan that your partner will love. There’s something for every couple on this list, whether you enjoy hiking, sitting by the lake or gazing at the stars. 10+ Picnic Date Ideas That Are Cheap, Fun & Totally Romantic 1. Moon Picnic When is the next full moon? Every full moon is magical, so plan a picnic to celebrate. You can find full moon calculators online to plan properly. Remember to pack your: Outdoor blanket LED candles You can make this even more romantic if you choose a spot near any body of water, even a pond will work. The reflection of the moon on the water is nothing short of magical. 2. Switzerland Picnic I understand that it’s not possible to walk outside and be in Switzerland for 99% of you reading this (me included). But what you can do is search for magical spots near you to recreate this idea, such as: Mountain top views (my fave) Lake views City views You need to find the idyllic spot for this idea. If you have a waterfall, lake or mountain near you, these are the spots to choose. As for the food, bring some watermelon, grapes, apple slices, pears and any other fruits that you like. And many of these locations have walking trails that you can enjoy. Related: 25+ Picnic Food Ideas That’ll Make You The MVP of Any Picnic 3. Beach Picnic Beach picnics are always romantic. You can opt for a morning picnic when it’s cooler or a sunset picnic with spectacular colors filling the sky. If you have a beach near you with a sunrise, a good option is some coffee, bagels or pastries. Just set yourself up on a beach blanket with: Cute picnic basket Outdoor pillows Food trays If it’s a midday picnic on the beach, opt for fruit salad or potato salad. A nice cold lunch will help you keep cool if it’s hot outside. For dinner, sandwiches or even picking up a to-go order from your favorite restaurant and bringing it is a good option. For anyone who is lucky enough to live near the boardwalk, you can always grab food and walk it to the beach for your picnic. 4. Peaceful Lake Picnic Picnic date ideas that include a lake? Count me in. I try to choose a location that isn’t overrun by tourists or other people. It’s nice to have a secluded location for your outing, but this is 100% based on my own preferences. Find a nice park or lake near you and set yourself up with a picnic basket filled with water, tea, sandwiches, and an unforgettable view. I really like how this Pin makes the lake and tree the focal point. If it’s a warm summer’s day, the trees around you will provide the perfect amount of shade to keep you cool. 5. Picnic Date Catering I almost feel like this is “cheating,” but it’s still a good idea for anyone who is in a rush and wants to have a picnic. You can pick up your food from a restaurant before heading out to your picnic. If you don’t want to have catering, you can still pull this off with: Blackberries and blueberries Mozzarella cheese slices Bread Grapes and apple slices And for the drinks, bring anything you wish, from soda to alcoholic beverages. For this Pin, you’ll notice that they chose a spectacular waterfall as their location. You can find nearby waterfalls by searching Google. I tried Worldwaterfalldatabase.com, but it missed so many great options outside of the US. Related: 25 Easy Party Appetizers You Can Whip Up in No Time 6. Dinner on the Docks If you’re lucky enough to live on or near the water, a picnic on the docks is perfect. You can let your feet hang off of the deck in the water and then bring: Wine Olives and cheese Soup (keep it hot in a thermos) Bread to dip in the soup You can bring any food you like if you have a portable food warmer. 7. Fall Picnic Outing Fall is the perfect time to look for picnic date ideas because you can go to apple farms midday and it will still be cool enough for a picnic. During summer, it’s always a hit or miss when eating outside because it can quickly get uncomfortable. Bring your bottle of wine with you and a few foods: Sandwiches of your choice Apples or anything you can purchase at a local farm Chips or snacks that you prefer Brownies or cookies for dessert You can have a picnic near a waterfall or at your local farm if you have one. I remember going on picnics in the apple farms after going on an apple-picking date, and it was always so romantic and memorable. 8. Truck Bed Picnic Truck bed picnics will require you or your partner to have a pickup truck. And if you do, it is such a romantic idea with pillows propped up close to the truck windows and a soft, comfy blanket lining the bed of the truck. You’ll need a food tray, outdoor lights and then food. A few goodies that are perfect for a truck bed picnic are: Sandwich sliders Meats and cheeses Snacks (chips, cookies, etc.) You can bring wine or beer, and if you would rather have desserts, you can bring brownies, cakes or anything you like. 9. Enhanced Movie Night in the Garden You’ll obviously need the right space for this picnic, but it almost looks like something out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. It’s a romantic night with a lot going on that I’ll try breaking down for you below: Fairylights across the trees Projector screen and projector Outdoor lanterns Bean bags Outdoor rug And the food comes second to the ambiance and decor of this idea. Since you’ll be close to home, you can have a traditional picnic or even bring out something hot to eat. 10. Stargazing Picnic Can I just say that I adore this picnic idea? You’ll enjoy a night with some food and company while staring up at the stars. Of course, you need a telescope, but there are plenty of affordable ones to choose: Gskyer Telescope ToyerBee Telescope for Adults & Kids Of course, you can choose any telescope you like. This nighttime picnic will also include good snacks, such as pretzels, chips, popcorn, cookies – any goodies you like. A few “accessories” that will help include an outdoor blanket, hurricane lantern and a sheet to sit on while having your picnic. 11. Wine Tasting Picnic Wine and picnic date ideas go together naturally. You’ll need the wine(s) of your choice, along with the sides that you prefer. I recommend that you bring: Cheeses Grapes Bread If you don’t know much about wine and cheese pairing, don’t worry because most people don’t. You can pair Pinot Noir with Gruyete cheese or Moscato with Gorgonzola cheese. For anyone who likes Sauvignon Blanc, a good goat cheese will work. But I will say that you have to be cautious of where you bring your wine because of local laws. Otherwise, you can enjoy a relaxing weekend with a few bottles of wine and cheese. Anyone with a gazebo outside finally has a reason to break free from the daily motions and enjoy some time outside having a picnic. 12. Sunset Beach Picnic Sunsets. Picnics. It doesn’t get much more romantic than that, right? You can bring anything to this outing: wine (if you can drink on the beach), sodas, desserts, sandwiches, meats and cheeses. But the food comes second to the views with this idea. You’ll want the setup to be perfect: Large, comfy beach blankets Candles (if it’s not windy you can opt for real ones) Trays If this is your first date together or your 100th, sunset picnics are always unforgettable. 13. Breakfast Picnics For breakfast, you have a lot of options. Do you have a nice piece of land? You can bake a quiche, put it on a plate and then bring it out to your picnic location. It’s a fun idea for a hot meal. Of course, you can also bring out: Waffles Pancakes Breakfast picnics away from home can include fruit, berries, granola bars, croissants or bread with spreads. You can bring a cooler along with you if you want to have bagels or bread with cream cheese and jam, or any cold items. Related: 26 Delicious Picnic Finger Food Ideas That Look Fancy 14. Apple Orchard Picnic Apple orchards are so romantic, and if you’ve never lived near one, you’re missing out on one of the most idyllic picnic date ideas. Why? Every orchard is different, but the ones near me offer: Outdoor seating Picnic benches Some even let you relax on their land and have a picnic. But aside from picnicking, something that has always been very romantic, especially to younger couples, is to go apple picking. You can pick apples or sometimes seasonal fruits (strawberries, raspberries) and then have your own picnic with the items you hand-picked. It’s a fun little outing that shouldn’t break the bank. 15. Picnic in a Car I know – this sounds cramped and uncomfortable, but with the right car, it’s actually really comfortable and romantic. You can pull this off with an SUV, truck or if you have a car where the back seats fold down for extra space. Lay your comfy blanket down, set up your food tray and enjoy the scenery. If you can back up to a lakeside view or something similar, this idea works even better. You can bring along anything you like, such as drinks, small snacks, or sandwiches – the sky is the limit.
READ MORE
25+ Picnic Food Ideas That’ll Make You The MVP of Any Picnic
Planning a picnic with friends or family and don’t know what to bring? I have 25+ amazing picnic food ideas that will make you the MVP of the party. From creative sandwiches to grazing boxes and desserts, there’s something for every taste on this list. 25+ Picnic Food Ideas That’ll Make You the MVP of Any Picnic 1. Cheese and Tomato Tarts Shortcrust pastry tarts filled with a rich tomato ragu and béchamel sauce – who could ask for anything more? These are not quiche, so they are picnic-friendly. The filling is a mix of tomato, garlic, onion and a creamy, cheesy sauce. I recommend using ready-rolled shortcrust pastry to save time, but feel free to make your own if you’re not in a rush. 2. Italian Turkey Club Sandwiches Sandwiches are the quintessential picnic food, and these turkey clubs are delicious. They’re so simple to make, too. Each tasty sandwich is filled with slices of fresh turkey, prosciutto and provolone cheese. Top with pesto, a homemade vinaigrette, sundried tomatoes and arugula. This recipe calls for ciabatta bread, but you can use whatever type of bread you want. 3. Corn Pasta Salad Salads are always a great choice for a picnic, and this tasty pasta salad has all the flavors of summer: corn, red bell peppers and fresh cilantro. The dressing is a mix of pesto, Greek yogurt, mayo and lime juice, but I recommend just using a simple vinaigrette instead. Orecchiette pasta is perfect for this dish, and you can opt not to add bacon if you’re worried about it spoiling. Related: 20 Delicious Finger Food Appetizers for Your Next Party 4. Chickpea Salad Sandwich Need vegetarian picnic food ideas? This chickpea salad sandwich will impress everyone. Mashed chickpeas have a similar taste and texture to chicken, making them perfect for this type of sandwich. This recipe adds green onion, celery, shredded carrots, bell pepper, dill pickles, mustard, mayo and fresh herbs for a garden flavor everyone will love. We like to serve this on wholegrain bread, but feel free to use whatever you like. Be sure to add some extra basil and tomatoes on top. Facebook Pinterest Get our free printable meal planner delivered to your inbox! Grab your copy of our 42-page meal planner to track your meals and sign up for our newsletter for more updates! 5. A Full-Course Picnic How gorgeous is this picnic? If you’re in charge of hosting and bringing all the food, this spread will impress everyone. Start by preparing croissant sandwiches. Add whatever deli meats and cheeses you want to them. I recommend using a mix of different flavors and maybe even a vegetarian option. Then prepare a tray of fresh fruit: melons, raspberries and strawberries are perfect. And don’t forget the charcuterie board. This board has fresh cheese wedges, crackers, chocolate-covered pretzels, more fresh berries, macarons, deli meats and grapes. Finish off with a basket of breadsticks. 6. Dill Pickle Tortilla Roll-Ups Simple yet delicious! These roll-ups will be the talk of your picnic, and they take just a few minutes to make. Spread cream cheese onto a tortilla and top with chopped ham and pickles. Roll up and slice your tortilla. If you’re not a fan of ham, you can use turkey or even pepperoni. Sliced veggies would work well for a vegetarian option. 7. Antipasto Skewers Simple and easy to enjoy on a picnic! These antipasto skewers are so flavorful, and you can customize them however you want. The recipe calls for salami, basil, grape tomatoes, black olives, pepperoncini and mozzarella pearls. You can marinate these ingredients in a vinaigrette or leave them plain. They’ll be less messy plain but not quite as flavorful. 8. Tomato Tartlets with Puff Pastry Flaky pastry dough baked with fresh tomatoes, herbs and cheese. It’s the perfect picnic food, especially paired with fresh fruit and sparkling wine or juice. You can easily bake these ahead of time and pack them in deli paper sheets. Don’t forget to top each tartlet with fresh basil before packing them up. 9. Summer Dessert Board I love the idea of packing trays of food for a picnic, and this summer board is ideal. You can never go wrong with sweet treats, and this dessert board has something for every taste. Fill a wooden tray with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blackberries, lemon cake, pound cake, yogurt-covered pretzels and cranberries, powdered donut holes and pastries. Add creme fraiche and berry cream cheese for the cake slices and to dip the berries. I love the idea of adding fresh chamomile flowers as a garnish, but you can skip this step if you can’t find any. 10. Individual Charcuterie Boxes Here’s a fun idea that everyone at the picnic will love – individual charcuterie boxes. Fill small charcuterie boxes with sliced cheese, crackers, nuts, olives, fresh veggies and fruit, and a dipping sauce (hummus is a great choice). You could also add fresh deli meats if you want. The beauty of this idea is that there’s so much room for creativity. Use fresh herbs to create a pretty presentation, or remove or add ingredients as you see fit. 11. Summer Watermelon Goat Cheese Appetizer These watermelon cups are adorable and the perfect addition to any picnic. You’ll need to slice the watermelon and hollow out each cup, which may be a little tricky. But from here, it’s easy: use a piping bag to fill each cup with goat cheese, garnish with a cucumber slice and add a squeeze of lime juice over the top. 12. Prosciutto Cups with Pear and Goat Cheese Crispy prosciutto cups filled with fresh pear, savory goat cheese and thyme. Your guests will love the flavors of this appetizer, and you can even make them up to a day in advance. 13. Individual No-Bake Berry Cheesecakes I love dessert picnic food ideas, and these berry cheesecakes are perfect. Fill mini mason jars with a biscuit base and then layer with cheesecake filling and top with a homemade berry compote. Pack some spoons and be sure to add the lids to make these transport-friendly. 14. Vegan Pesto Cheese Twists A tasty vegan addition to your picnic that takes less than 40 minutes to make. Top half of a rolled-out puff pastry dough with vegan pesto. Add pine nuts and vegan mozzarella, and fold over. Slice, twist, bake and enjoy. 15. Easy Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs Kabobs make the list a lot, but this recipe is one of the most unforgettable. You’ll use cubes of shortcake, strawberries and whipped cream to make your kabobs. If you like, you can even melt some white chocolate chips and pour them on top before cooling the refrigerator. 16. Goat Cheese and Fig Jam Sandwiches Goat cheese and fig jam are so tasty. Add them to a sandwich, and you have the perfect picnic food. You’ll need cream cheese, parsley, pecans and multi-grain bread for this recipe. Toast the pecans for added flavor. 17. Dessert Kabobs Kabob desserts are always a good choice for a sweet treat during a picnic. Start by adding strawberries to a kabob stick, followed by a marshmallow, rice Krispies, brownie and another strawberry. You can also add in little cake bites if you like and drizzle with chocolate. Related: 23 Mouthwatering Finger Food Desserts We Love the Most 18. Carrot Cheddar Curry Tea Sandwiches I bet you didn’t think a curry tea sandwich would be on this list of picnic food ideas. But this recipe is delish and has sharp cheddar cheese, grated carrots, mincemeat pie filling, mayo, curry powder and ground black pepper. You’ll combine all of the ingredients together before making them into mini finger sandwiches by spreading the mixture on your bread. 19. Raspberry Hand Pies Six ingredients are all you need for these adorable hand pies. You’ll use a premade pie crust to save time, but you’ll also need fresh raspberries, granulated sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch and lemon zest. Creating the raspberry filling is the most time-consuming part, but even then, this recipe is so easy to follow. You will need a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make your pies, but you can also make them into little pockets if you don’t have one. 20. Lavender Lemon Bars If you don’t mind a recipe that is just a little bit more complex, you’ll love these lavender lemon bars. You’ll need about 20 minutes of prep time for these. Start by mixing cream butter and confectioner’s sugar together in a small bowl. Add in your lemon zest, lavender, flour and almonds. Continue beating the mixture together until it’s crumbly, and then put it in a 13×9-inch baking dish. While baking, you’ll make a pour-over that you’ll add on top. 21. Salad Sticks You’ll need long kabobs for this one, but it’s very simple to put together. Start with a slice of carrot, followed by cucumber, lettuce and a cherry tomato. Repeat until you fill up the entire kabob. Drizzle with ranch dressing, or any dressing you like, and enjoy. 22. Graze Boxes Graze boxes are always a favorite of mine because you randomly add food and snacks people will love, such as crackers, dried fruit, grapes, hard cheeses, olives, pickles and cured meats. The best part? You can just do your own thing and add any items you like to your box – there’s no right or wrong way to assemble them. 23. Haloumi and Corn Fritter Bites Mini cheese and corn fritters like these are simple to make and delish. You’ll spend about 30 minutes making these (with prep) and it’s as simple as combining your corn, egg, flour, lemon rind, chives and halloumi together, and then placing it in mini muffin pan cups. You’ll then bake it until it is golden brown while making a dip from avocado, coriander, garlic powder, lemon juice and yogurt. 24. Watermelon Canapés Picnic food ideas for the hot summer months can be simple and refreshing, just like these watermelon canapes. You’ll need some fresh mint, blueberries, cucumbers and watermelon. Start by cutting your watermelon into cubes. Using a vegetable peeler, slice the cucumber into thin slices that you can wrap around the watermelon. Place the two on a toothpick, place down your mint, cucumber and then put your blueberry on top. Related: 26 Delicious Picnic Finger Food Ideas That Look Fancy 25. Easy Strawberry Tea Sandwiches Strawberries. Tea sandwiches. What’s not to love? And all you need are the simple ingredients to make these: 8 fresh strawberries, or any number you like 12-ounce strawberry cream cheese spread 6 slices of fresh white bread Spread the cream cheese on your bread, use a cookie cutter to make the heart shapes (I like this one) and arrange your strawberry slices on top. You can serve as an open-faced sandwich, or if you like, a closed-face sandwich. 26. Easy Modern Relish Tray Grab your favorite tray and dive in with this super simple, modern relish tray. Perfect for any party, all you need to do is add your favorite ingredients. The author recommends black olives, picked corn and okra, pepperoncini, giardiniera, pickles, stuffed olives, brussel sprouts and asparagus.
READ MORE