Picnic food ideas for every occasion: From family outings to dates

Picnic food ideas for every occasion: From family outings to dates

Spending your free time enjoying a relaxing picnic is a terrific idea for all occasions, from a romantic date idea to quality time with the family. With all of the delicious picnic snacks to choose from, what are the best options? Here, we discuss the most popular picnic food ideas for all occasions.

Picnic food ideas
Picnic food ideas for every occasion: From family outings to dates. Photo: Canva (Modified by editor)
Source: UGC

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Although leisurely eating food outside has been a known concept since human existence, picnics as we know them today only began to thrive in the 18th century. Fast-forward to today and picnics have become one of the most popular pastimes.

The ideal picnic snacks are delicious yet easy to eat, making the experience as hassle-free as possible. Finger snacks are the most popular choice, but you can also shake it up and make other snacks easier for the occasion.

10 mouthwatering picnic food ideas

What are the top choices for tasty picnic snacks? Here are ten delicious snack picnic food ideas for everyone, with something for various tastebuds.

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10. Finger sandwiches

Picnic food ideas for large groups
Finger sandwiches are always a popular choice thanks to their versatility. Photo: Kate Stoupas
Source: Getty Images

Finger sandwiches are among the top picnic lunch ideas because they are easy to prepare and eat. There is a variety of cheese and ham, cucumber and cottage cheese, and chicken mayo sandwiches.

9. Spring rolls

Picnic food ideas for lunch
Spring rolls add a delicious crunch element to the spread. Photo: Westend61
Source: Getty Images

Fresh, crispy spring rolls are an irresistible picnic choice thanks to their affordability, speedy preparation time, and taste. It takes only a few minutes to fry up some store-bought spring rolls, and you can choose a variety of flavours, including vegetables, cheese, potato, chicken, mince, and lamb.

8. Minature wraps

Picnic dinner ideas
Miniature wraps are for those who want something slightly fancier than finger sandwiches. Photo: Mariha kitchen
Source: Getty Images

Spice things up with a mouthwatering miniature wrap to go above the standard finger sandwich options. You can choose a light, refreshing summer wrap in rice paper filled with various fresh vegetables or indulge in a heartier option with a traditional wrap filled with a flavourful homemade meat filling.

7. Meatballs

Simple picnic food ideas for family
Meatballs are a great basket filler. Photo: Flavio Massari
Source: Getty Images

Fresh homemade meatballs make for a great picnic basket filler for all occasions. You can buy freshly packed ground beef from your local supermarket and create your own, adding ingredients such as spring onion and chilli, or buy readymade meatballs from any supermarket.

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6. Deviled eggs

Picnic food ideas for breakfast
Deviled eggs can be made from scratch at home within minutes. Photo: Jatrax
Source: Getty Images

Deviled eggs, also known as stuffed or dressed eggs, are an easy picnic food that provides the benefit of quick food but does not skip out on taste. Boiled eggs are cut in half, and the yolk is mixed with mayonnaise or mustard. The paste mixture is then placed into the gap where the yolk initially was.

5. Cut vegetables and hummus

Picnic food ideas for family
Add some delicious vegetables for a healthier snacking option. Photo: Yummy pic
Source: Getty Images

Those looking to incorporate fresh veggies into their picnic pack can turn to freshly cut, thin vegetables, such as cucumbers, carrots, red onion, or thinly sliced radishes. Add some hummus for the perfect dip to complement your preferred freshly cut veggies.

4. Samoosas

Simple picnic food ideas
Samoosas are a delicious, simple addition. Photo: DronG
Source: Getty Images

Samoosas add an extra crunch and flavour to your picnic spread and can be enjoyed warm or cold as long as they are freshly made. Purchase some from your preferred Indian shop, or purchase some in-store and fry them up shortly before packing your picnic back for your relaxing day out.

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3. Various cheeses and crackers

picnic food
Create a simplistic charcuterie board in the comfort of your own home. Photo: Milosradinovic
Source: Getty Images

If you are a fan of charcuterie boards, create a delicious cheese platter by buying some of your favourite cheeses and crackers. This is a simple yet delightful take on a classic snack favourite. Some famous cheeses include brie, camembert, and goat's cheese.

2. Cold meats

Picnic lunch ideas
A selection of cold meats is a tasty place filler. Photo: Yongsung Jung
Source: Getty Images

Cold meats make for another popular filler to a picnic spread, an affordable option that can be eaten hassle-free. You can include your chosen cold meats within your cheese spread or keep it as a separate snack. Options including beef pastrami or smoked ham and chicken are popular choices.

1. Sweet treats

Simple picnic food ideas
Finish off the delicious spread with fresh fruit or chocolates. Photo: Israel Sebastian
Source: Getty Images

Finish off your picnic date with a tasty, sweet treat. This can range from fruits like cut watermelon and grapes to other popular store-bought options like nuts, dried fruits, or sweets and chocolates. You should also include refreshments to stay hydrated, and champagne should be added for any special occasion.

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What food should you take on a picnic?

Picnic food should be tasty yet quick to make and easy to snack on. Finger foods are the most popular picnic food ideas, thanks to their flavourful taste and practical nature.

What is the number one picnic food?

Finger sandwiches are considered the top picnic food for all occasions. These snacks are practical to make and require minimal effort. The endless variety of fillings you can include makes it a great choice, as you can make something for all tastebuds and preferences.

What can you take in a picnic instead of sandwiches?

Although finger sandwiches are usually a massive hit, other bite-sized snacks are also great for a delicious yet simplistic casual dining experience. Among these include fruits, cold meats, cheeses, and spring rolls.

What is a good picnic food that does not need refrigeration?

The simple picnic food ideas mentioned above usually do not require staying cool for shorter periods. However, foods that do not contain meat or dairy can remain fresh for extended periods, and food made freshly before the picnic can also go a few hours without refrigeration, provided it is protected from direct sunlight or excessive heat.

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What can you make for a romantic picnic?

Picnic food ideas for couples do not require elaborate snack ideas to be considered thoughtful or romantic. Choosing the person's favourite snacks will ensure a joyful date, but including delicious chocolates, strawberries and cream, and champagne is usually a hit on a romantic picnic date.

The top picnic food ideas include delicious snacks that are practical to eat and quick to make. Providing those joining you in your relaxing picnic experience with various snacks ensures they have options and will enjoy some of their favourite snacks and potentially new bites.

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What is the difference between sushi and sashimi? This article highlights the difference and how to choose which option will suit your tastebuds best.

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Authors:
Justine De Lange avatar

Justine De Lange (Lifestyle writer) Justine De Lange has over 6 years of experience in lifestyle, corporate and freelance writing. She started at Now Media for their lifestyle publication 'Let's Go', then joined 'travSIM' and 'Metavaro'. She now writes for Briefly News as a content writer, working with beats such as studies, services, business tips, and celebrity biographies (joined in 2022). In 2023, Justine finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can contact her directly via JustinedeLange14@gmail.com.

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