9 Types of Picnic Food Ideas

Have you never thought about creating picnic food ideas? Perhaps you might think it’s just a picnic, set up a tablecloth, and buy bread and drinks at the supermarket.

But there’s nothing quite like packing up your favorite foods, driving out to a scenic spot, and dining al fresco with family and friends. So why not create a creative picnic experience?

With these 9 types of picnic food ideas, you can curate a delicious, vibrant menu that suits any occasion.

From finger foods and appetizers to main dishes, sides, desserts, and drinks, this list has you covered for picnic perfection. Time to up your picnic game!

Finger foods and appetizers

Finger foods are picnic staples, letting you graze casually without utensils. They should be bite-sized, easy to eat on the go, and pair nicely with drinks. Some appetizing options include:

Deviled Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs filled with creamy, seasoned yolk make for tasty, protein-packed bites. Add your favorite spices and garnishes on top.

Veggie skewers

Assemble colorful veggie skewers using cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and more. Serve with a creamy Greek yogurt dip.

Fruit kabobs

Alternate bite-sized fruit pieces like pineapple, grapes, berries, and melon onto sticks for a refreshing treat.

Caprese skewers

Thread grape tomatoes, basil leaves, and mozzarella balls onto skewers for instant caprese salad. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic.

Pigs in a blanket

No picnic is complete without these tasty little sausages wrapped in pastry and cooked until golden brown.

Cheese and crackers

Pack a variety of cheeses, meat slices, nuts, and crisp crackers for easy self-assembly.

Sandwiches and wraps

Portable sandwiches and wraps are essential for satisfying picnic cravings. Load up crusty bread or tortillas with your favorite ingredients. Great options include:

Chicken salad sandwiches

Shredded chicken mixed with mayo, celery, peppers, and herbs makes for a protein-rich sandwich filling.

Caprese sandwiches

Packed with fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, basil, and pesto or olive spread on a crusty baguette or ciabatta.

Turkey and cheese wraps

Sliced turkey, cheddar, greens, tomato, onion, and avocado wrapped in a tortilla makes a complete meal.

Classic PB&J

Crunchy or creamy peanut butter with your preferred jelly never fails, especially cut into fun shapes!

Pesto chicken wraps

Grilled pesto chicken, veggies, feta, and hummus or tahini sauce in a fresh spinach wrap is delicious.

Roast beef and horseradish

Tender beef roasted by a wireless meat thermometer, paired with spicy horseradish sauce and sharp cheddar on rye, is a stellar combo.

Salads and sides

Balance out sandwiches and mains with fresh, flavorful salads and sides. Bring them in portable containers to toss and serve at your picnic site. Ideas include:

Pasta salad

Chill fun-shaped pasta with chopped veggies, cheese, herbs, and dressing for a hearty salad.

Potato salad

Mustard, mayo, hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and parsley are classic potato salad ingredients.

Coleslaw

Crunchy cabbage tossed in a cream dressing with carrots and onion is a perfect picnic side.

Fruit Salad

A medley of fresh, seasonal fruits like berries, pineapple, grapes, and melon makes a sweet salad.

Mixed greens

Pre-dress a salad of lettuce, spinach, vegetables, nuts and cheese to toss on site.

Couscous salad

This Mediterranean grain salad with cucumber, tomato, feta, and lemon is tasty and portable.

Main dishes

Picnics are often centered around a hearty main course dish that feeds the whole gang. Some top picks include:

Fried chicken

Pack homemade or store-bought fried chicken for a picnic classic with serious crowd appeal.

BBQ Pulled Pork/Chicken

Slow-cooked, saucy pulled pork or chicken easily feeds buffet-style from a crockpot or insulated bag. They are great to level the BBQ experience!

Chili

Warm, meaty chili ladled into cups or bowls satisfies picnics of all sizes. Top with cheese, onions, etc.

BBQ Ribs

Get messy with finger-licking sticky barbecue ribs – just pack plenty of napkins!

Hot Dogs/Burgers

These grillable classics require a park BBQ pit, but that makes them extra fun.

Kebabs

Curate personalized skewers of meat, veggies, shrimp, halloumi – anything that can be grilled!

Desserts

Desserts bring any meal together, so be sure to save room for these sweet picnic treats!

Pie Slices

An array of portable pies like apple, blueberry, strawberry, or pecan are picnic perfect.

Brownies and Blondies

Cut brownies or blondies into bars for easy serving and snacking.

Cookies

A cookie assortment like chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, sugar, or peanut butter pleases all tastes.

Fruit Crisp

Warm apple, peach, or berry crisps are easy to transport in tins for a picnic crowd.

Cheesecake Squares

Chilled cheesecake squares in all different flavors are make-ahead magic.

Cupcakes/Muffins

Fun paper wrappers make cupcakes and muffins great picnic sweets to grab and go.

Drinks

Picnics require plenty of thirst-quenching beverages along with the food. Options include:

Lemonade/Iced Tea

Make large batches of refreshing lemonade or sweet tea to pour over ice.

Wine/Sangria

Chilled white or rose wine adds sophistication. Fruity sangria includes fun garnishes.

Mocktails

Non-alcoholic “mocktails” like berry spritzers, ginger ale garnished drinks, etc.

Soda/Juice/Water

Offer a wide beverage selection – have plenty of ice on hand!

Coffee/Tea

Thermos of hot coffee or tea on chillier days will be welcomed.

Milkshakes

Pack a cooler of homemade milkshakes or stop for takeout on the way!

Condiments and extras

Don’t forget things like condiments, utensils, napkins, etc. to make your picnic complete.

Sauces and spreads

Ketchup, mustard, mayo, jam, and any other dipping sauces.

Salt and pepper

Essential for finishing and seasoning picnic dishes on site.

Utensils

Forks, knives, spoons, cutting boards, serving utensils, and can openers.

Napkins

Lots, for spills, sticky fingers, and wiping faces!

Plates and cutlery

Pack disposables or reusable plates, cutlery, and cups.

Tablecloth

A festive cloth adds personality wherever you picnic.

Food storage essentials

Proper storage containers, coolers, etc. ensure food stays fresh and safe.

Coolers and ice packs

Must-haves for transporting cold foods and preventing spoilage.

Insulated bags

For hot foods like soups, chilis, casseroles that need to retain heat.

Reusable containers

Great for salads, sides, fruits, desserts, and prevent leaks/spills.

Beverage dispensers

Large drink dispensers with spouts make serving easy and mess-free.

Foil and plastic wrap

Cover food platters and bowls to keep eats clean and bug-free.

Bottle openers/Corkscrews

Must-have tools for accessing beverages!

Non-Food picnic activities

Don’t forget fun entertainment to keep your crew busy before and after eating.

Yard games

Cornhole, ladder ball, croquet are great for all ages.

Bluetooth speaker

Music sets the mood! Create playlists for cooking, eating, and hanging out.

Frisbees/Football

Pick-up games in the picnic area are fun ways to burn off food.

Hiking

Walk off your meal on scenic local trails.

Portable hammocks

String up a hammock and relax in the shade after your feast.

Kites

Open fields make kite flying a blast for kids and adults.

Conclusion

The options are endless when planning a memorable picnic! Applying these picnic food ideas, activities, and essentials will help craft an afternoon your family and friends will talk about long after.

Get ready for your new favorite warmer weather pastime – the almost-perfect picnic. The company you share it with makes it perfect. Dazzle their taste buds, fill their hearts, and create new traditions around your thoughtfully curated picnic spreads. Dig in!