ComScore

68 Picnic Food Ideas to Pack in Your Basket

Lunch made portable

picnic food ideas: summer millet salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

When the weather is warm, there’s only one place I want to be: outside, in shorts, eating pasta salad. Might I suggest laying off the store-bought stuff this year in favor of something just as convenient, but twice as delicious and impressive? Dust off your wicker basket for one of these picnic food ideas that are beginner-friendly and total crowd-pleasers.

They’re all easy to transport, even easier to make and, most importantly, delicious. My favorites include Italian pinwheel sandwiches, rainbow collard wraps and chocolate-stuffed brownie bites. I’ll bring the gingham blanket—you take care of the rest.

65 Cookout Side Dishes to Serve at Every Alfresco Gathering


1. Classic Banana Bread

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
  • Serves: one 9-inch loaf

If banana bread isn't a picnic staple yet, I'm making it one now. It's simple to bake, easy to wrap up and always bowls over the crowd. If you don't have sour cream, don't sweat. It can be swapped in equal amounts for plain yogurt, mascarpone cheese or even buttermilk.

2. Cast Iron Cornbread

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 12 to 16

It's important to have something to soak up all those vinegary coleslaw juices. The brown butter means you don't have to grease the skillet before pouring in the batter. You'll want to keep an eye on it once it starts to melt, because it can go from toasty, nutty and golden to charred in a matter of seconds. Just keep swirling the pan until the foaming subsides and the butter solids start to turn golden.

3. Corn and Tomato Salad with Feta and Lime

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, make ahead
  • Serves: 6

Corn on the cob is a summer staple, but corn off the cob is a picnic must. This time, pair it with briny feta and sweet, ripe tomatoes (and serve it room temp or cold). While you could certainly use frozen corn any time of year for this recipe, I highly recommend seeking out fresh corn on the cob. It's sweeter and more flavorful, and will caramelize when it hits the hot skillet.

4. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad-Stuffed Peppers

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6

To make these cuties picnic-friendly, wait until you’ve staked out a spot and laid out your blanket to assemble everything. (Less mess in that basket, you know.) The recipe calls for the meat from a rotisserie chicken, but since chicken sizes can vary, I would aim for about three cups of cubed chicken, whether you use a rotisserie chicken or cook it yourself.

5. Five-Minute Bean Salad

  • Time Commitment: 5 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 6

What’s the secret to a portable salad that’s ready in practically no time? Canned beans, of course. Any type of white bean is fair game, but take this tip from recipe creator Heidi Swanson: "When I have extra time and gigante or corona beans on hand, I like to pan-fry them in a bit of olive oil until they're golden-crusted, then proceed with the recipe from there."

6. Caesar Pasta Salad

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4 to 6

When worlds collide—and by worlds, I mean two of my all-time favorite types of salad. "While pasta salad popularity tends to skew toward summer months, this five-star-rated recipe has become a year-round hit," recipe creator Kelly Senyei writes. "I've updated it to include omega-rich avocado in place of eggs, which yields an even creamier consistency than the classic dressing."

7. Chilled Cucumber Salad

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
  • Serves: 6

Soaring temperatures call for something crunchy and refreshing. This will do quite nicely. Don't let the longer time commitment deter you: Most of it is hands-off while the cucumber marinates in the herby, vinegary dressing.

8. Melon Salad with Chili Powder, Mint, Lime and Flaky Sea Salt

  • Time Commitment: 5 minutes
  • Why I Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

I know—fruit salad can be a bit of a snooze. But not when you sprinkle it with chili powder. Want to riff on this picnic food idea? Trade the mint for fresh basil and the chili powder for crushed red pepper flakes, or add a drizzle of honey, mozzarella or prosciutto to the mix.

9. Summer Millet Salad

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 8

Since they don't necessarily need to be chilled, grain salads are a picnic basket no-brainer. If you're tired of quinoa, it's time to try millet, a satisfying, gluten-free grain that cooks in a flash due to its small size. Here, it's paired with Havarti cheese and cherry tomatoes.

10. Minty-Fresh Zucchini Salad with Marinated Feta

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

This is your sign to try raw zucchini. The summer squash soaks up the mint-infused olive oil in a way that’s kinda magical. "Prepare the cheese in advance," recipe creator Charlotte Druckman encourages. "The longer it sits, the more flavor it—and the oil—picks up. The feta provides salt, while its marinade becomes a dressing, which is quite convenient and makes the raw zucchini sing."

11. Watermelon Salad with Almonds and Dill

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 6

I'll never say no to a plain ol’ watermelon wedge, but when I'm hosting a pinkies-out picnic, this gussied up, sweet-and-savory salad is more the vibe. Don't skip the step of toasting the almonds—it makes them a million times tastier.

12. Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Strawberries

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 8

Think of it as pasta salad with the volume turned up. And trust me on the strawberries, OK? The way their sweetness offsets the salty miso dressing is tastier than you might imagine.

13. BLT Pasta Salad

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, make ahead
  • Serves: 8

Not to play favorites, but the BLT is one of my top sandwiches of all time. So, it's no wonder I love it in pasta salad form. "Any small noodles will do, though elbows are arguably the gold standard for pasta salad," says PureWow food editor Taryn Pire. "I'd suggest using a type with ridges so the pasta can better hold the dressing."

14. Salami, Artichoke and Ricotta Pasta Salad

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
  • Serves: 6

Look! All the best items from an Italian deli got together and threw a pasta salad party. Pantry staples, like extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard, give the dressing all its zippy flavor.

15. Roasted Broccoli and Bacon Pasta Salad

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6

If your picnic involves little kids, watch out. They’ll gobble this one up before you even get a plate. Chalk it up to the peppery, crispy bacon and the buttery, crunchy breadcrumb topping.

16. Brussels Sprout Sliders

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 6 to 8

Brussels sprouts as buns? Yep, believe it. Stick this cheesy, savory picnic food idea with toothpicks so your guests can scarf 'em down at lightning speed without a mess.

17. Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Slaw

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
  • Serves: 8

The dressing is plant-based, so it won't get all weird as it sits outside. (No offense, mayo.) "The cheese can be left out or swapped for whatever blue or hard cheese you have, and you can use any soft herbs," recipe creator Anna Jones writes. "Seed and nut butters work instead of the soaked seeds and nuts if that's easier, but choose a gentle, ideally untoasted one."

18. Light and Tangy Coleslaw

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6

Alternatively, you can make this vinegar-based slaw, which is crunchy and tangy instead of creamy. "It comes together in a flash and can be made up to four hours in advance," former PureWow food editor Heath Goldman explains.

19. Cuban Sliders for a Crowd

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 15

Cuban sandwiches can be time consuming to make from scratch, which is why this version calls for a few time-saving shortcuts (like making them ahead and skipping the roast pork). As far as picnic food goes, this recipe is mostly assembly, besides briefly baking the sliders to melt the cheese.

20. 15-Minute Buffalo Chicken Sliders

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, high protein
  • Serves: 8

The trick is to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of roasting your own. I won’t tell if you don’t. (The prepared buffalo sauce can be our little secret too, and I fully support skipping the blue cheese in favor of ranch dressing, if you'd prefer.)

21. Chicken and Waffle Sandwiches

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, make ahead
  • Serves: 4

Fact: Cold fried chicken is the ultimate picnic food idea. Elevate it by turning it into a sandwich with cheese-infused waffles and the works. I'll take both maple syrup and hot sauce on mine, please.

22. Chicken Pesto Focaccia Sandwiches

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, high protein
  • Serves: 4

Is there anything pesto doesn’t improve? I think not. "The chicken is pounded paper-thin, then cooked to golden, crispy perfection," Goldman explains. "Flecks of sun-dried tomatoes and a smattering of feta add just enough brightness." Need I say more?

23. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, no cook
  • Serves: 6

When it comes to picnic food ideas, it doesn't get any more whimsical than pinwheels. This riff is just like the bite-size sandwiches you grew up with, but with kale and prosciutto for a grown-up spin. Serve them with pepperoncini and salad to make it a complete meal.

24. The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4

Complete with crunchy, breaded frizzled onions and a tangy, homemade dill sauce. Part of this sandwich's allure is the seasoned grilled chicken, but you can cut a few corners by using store-bought rotisserie chicken. It'll turn out just as satisfying.

25. Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

This version of the classic is just the right combo of creamy (hi there, entire diced avocado) and tangy, thanks to Dijon mustard and capers. Prepare the filling ahead, slice the produce, then assemble the sandwiches at the picnic so the bread doesn't turn soggy.

26. Watermelon-Feta Skewers

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4

You can either grill them in advance or skip that step entirely, but I think it's worth the extra effort for Instagram-ready char marks and a touch of smokiness. Either way, these skewers will end up the star of the picnic.

27. Lunch Kebabs with Mortadella, Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, no cook
  • Serves: 8

They're almost too cute to eat, but that mortadella is calling my name. Don't be deceived by their small size: These bite-size kebabs are packed with briny, punchy flavor, courtesy of olives, marinated artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes.

28. Watermelon Poke Bowls

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

You’re not sold on poke at a picnic—understood. But what if I told you there was no raw fish involved? Watermelon, seasoned with a zippy, nutty, umami-rich dressing, stands in its place for a more refreshing riff on the O.G.

29. Spring Roll Bowls

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion0-worthy
  • Serves: 4

Pack all the toppings in separate Tupperware containers and assemble the bowls tableside—or blanket-side, rather. "They're fully loaded with all the tasty ingredients that come in a spring roll minus the tricky wrappers," Goldman adds.

30. Radish Barbecue Bowls with Tangy Honey Mustard Dressing

  • Time Commitment: 4 hours (includes marinating time)
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, vegan, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

Definitive proof that you don’t need meat to barbecue. "Instead of throwing a big slab of chicken on top, I've subbed in some meaty brined, charred radishes," Goldman explains. Be sure to leave at least two hours for the radishes to marinate.

31. Green Beans with Garlicky Pistachio Vinaigrette

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

If you’ve only served green beans hot, this is your chance to switch things up. They’re blanched but still crunchy, then chilled and served in a punchy dressing. A quick cook in boiling salted water, followed by a quick ice bath, tenderizes the veggie's texture and preserves their color.

32. Veggie Niçoise Salad with Red Curry Green Beans

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4

Parisians typically crown this salad with canned tuna, but here, extra produce stands in for the tinned fish. Even better, all the elements are cooked separately, so you can easily set them out in individual containers for a customizable salad bar.

33. The Ultimate Party Sub

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook, make ahead
  • Serves: 4 to 6

No picnic would be complete without a giant sandwich overflowing with cold cuts. "In this recipe, I use some of my favorite toppings, but you can remix it to suit your tastes," Goldman writes. "Serve the sub with a few sides (potato salad, veggie chips and pickles should do the trick) and you’ll be sure to get the party started."

34. Green Goddess Wraps

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6

Think of these crisp, refreshing handhelds as salad tacos. The green goddess dip is homemade, but you won’t believe how easy it is to whip up. (Hint: It involves a blender.)

35. Rainbow Collard Wraps with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, vegan, dairy free
  • Serves: 4

The collard greens are hearty enough to withstand an afternoon of lawn games without wilting on you. Seriously—you can prepare them up to two days in advance and they won't go soggy. In the words of Ina Garten, how easy is that?

36. Beef Empanadas

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 24 pieces

FYI, these can be assembled and frozen up to three months in advance. Better make room in your freezer. None of your guests will clock the easy, store-bought pie crust wrappers.

37. Cold Sesame Noodles

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, no cook
  • Serves: 4

The tofu is optional, but it adds a welcome boost of protein. Feel free to use spiralized zucchini instead of cucumber (and you can save yourself some prep time by buying the store-bought kind instead of peeling your own).

38. Skillet Blueberry Cornbread

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
  • Serves: 12

Yes, this skillet is packed with almost two cups of blueberries—if you’re going to go in, go all in. "It's sweet from the fruit, but it definitely doesn't taste like dessert," recipe creator Erin McDowell says. "Plus, it's easy to make—all in one skillet—and it has a really beautiful texture on top, thanks to the streusel."

39. Veggie Sushi

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, vegan
  • Serves: 2

As much as I adore it, traditional sushi isn’t really a picnic-friendly option. This kind, however, is all veggies, so go ahead and pack it. The rolls are assembled with toothpicks, but the toothpicks are removed after a few minutes for a less clunky presentation.

40. Buffalo Cauliflower Nuggets

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4

Chicken wings are tasty, but a bit of a project to prepare. Here, you have a veggie-rich take on boneless wings that are just as satiating, despite being baked instead of fried for convenience. Don’t forget the toothpicks (and the napkins).

41. Summer Rolls

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, dairy free, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 6

You can make this picnic food idea up to three days ahead of your outdoor soirée. If your shindig could use an activity, bring the wrappers and fillings and let your guests roll their own instead of assembling them all in advance.

42. 15-Minute Mezze Plate with Toasted Za’atar Pita Bread

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
  • Serves: 4

Picnic charcuterie recipes? Sign me up. The only "cooking" this dish requires is a quick toast of the pita bread. The rest is nothing but assembling store-bought condiments and snacks, like Greek yogurt and salami.

43. Scallion and Chive Flatbread

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
  • Serves: 12

Behold: the prettiest, easiest homemade bread you’ll ever make. The edible flower garnish is optional, but it adds an elegant touch. "It's a simple flatbread—a lot like making pizza dough or focaccia—and it only needs an hour to rise," McDowell writes. "It's just a few ingredients, but with some thoughtful arrangement of scallions and chives on top, you get this almost blooming garden effect."

44. Avocado Chicken Salad

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, high protein, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 4 to 6

Chicken salad is a classic picnic food idea, but this recipe gives it a little upgrade. Creamy avocado, rice vinegar and lots of fresh dill make it taste modern but still familiar. Enjoy it on toasted bread, crunchy crackers or straight out of the jar with a spoon (a glass of white wine wouldn't hurt, either).

45. Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwiches

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, high protein, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

These chicken salad sammies are jazzed up with homemade tarragon mayonnaise (!) and quick-pickled onions. You can make the filling and toppings in advance for easy assembly at the picnic, if you'd like.

46. Spicy Pineapple Prosciutto Tarts

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 8

These tiny tarts taste a lot like Hawaiian pizza…only better. "You caramelize the pineapple on the stovetop with lots of black pepper, bake it on store-bought puff pastry and once it's baked, top it with a pile of prosciutto and a bit of red-pepper flakes for spice," McDowell explains. "They have a little bit of protein, a little bit of richness and plenty of tartness from the pineapple."

47. Mini Peach Tarts with Goat Cheese and Honey

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 12

You can do a lot with in-season peaches and store-bought puff pastry. “With store-bought puff pastry, it's really easy, and since you cut them into squares, there's no waste or scraps,” McDowell notes. "This is something I would eat, two of these and a salad for lunch or dinner…or then lunch and dinner."

48. Asparagus, Pea and Ricotta Tarts

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6

You get a little bit of spring’s star produce in every bite. Finish them with a spritz of fresh lemon and crushed red pepper flakes, or crown them with crispy crumbled bacon or prosciutto for a touch of savoriness and protein.

49. Giant Brown Sugar Snickerdoodles

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, kid-friendly
  • Serves: 10

I heard you wanted a bigger cookie, and I heeded that call. "Extra brown sugar makes these cookies crackly and chewy," McDowell explains. "They're rolled in cinnamon and granulated sugar, which causes delicious caramelization to occur on the bottom."

50. Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 12

Coffee lovers are going to have a field day with these babies. "These are like a classic chocolate chip cookie, but they’re made with melted butter that's combined with instant espresso powder to give it a coffee flavor," McDowell reveals. "Because it uses melted butter, you can make it all in one bowl—you don't even have to use a mixer."

51. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 18

No flour, no problem. In fact, you probably have all the necessary ingredients for this picnic food idea in your kitchen right now. Either heed the advice in the recipe and use sugar-free peanut butter, or add a ½ teaspoon of salt to the batter if you want to use standard peanut butter. Even better, sprinkle the freshly baked cookies with flaky salt later.

52. Cheater’s Mini Rhubarb Galettes

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 9

Can you tell I love store-bought puff pastry? Because I really do. It’s the ingredient that makes these sweet-tart mini galettes such a breeze. Just roll out premade dough, pile the rhubarb slices in the middle and fold up the edges to hold it all together. Ta-da.

53. Jammy Shortbread Bars

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 16

The buttercream frosting sets up firm, so these can be stacked and stored in a picnic basket without an issue. "This starts with a very simple press-in brown sugar shortbread, followed by thin layers of seedless jam and frosting," McDowell explains. "On their own, all of those items are delicious, but together, they're extra special."

54. Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
  • Serves: 12

My inner fifth grader is so happy right now. "The key to getting a good swirl on top is to pipe on the jam," McDowell advises. "But if you don't have a piping bag, you can put the jam in a zip-top plastic bag, cut off one corner and make big, swirly swoops all over with the jam." The more you know.

55. Lemon-Raspberry Whoopie Pies

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 15

There’s something so satisfying about the way the frosting smooshes with the first bite. But honestly, these are just as visually appealing as they are in terms of texture and flavor. "Take care not to over bake the cakes, or they may dry out a bit," McDowell warns.

56. Black Sesame Shortbread

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 16

Attention bakers: These cookies don't require an electric mixer. Melting the butter eliminates the need for a stand mixer or electric beater, and because confectioners' sugar contains cornstarch, it lends a delicate texture to the shortbread without having to rely on the butter-creaming technique to achieve a tender crumb.

57. Chocolate-Stuffed Brownie Bites

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, make ahead
  • Serves: 35 pieces

When it comes to chocolate, more is more. These minis are stuffed with chunks of milk chocolate to contrast with the deep cocoa flavor of the brownie. "It bakes up into the ideal combination of chewy at the edges and fudgy in the center," McDowell claims.

58. Rocky Road Cookies

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
  • Serves: 24 cookies

The crunchy marshmallow bits around the edge of each molten cookie make it practically impossible to have just one. I apologize in advance. A word to the wise: Lay the marshmallows on a baking sheet to dry for a full day before baking, since dry marshmallows keep their shape better in the oven.

59. Itty-Bitty Sandwich Cookies

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
  • Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, make ahead
  • Serves: 36 cookies

They're meant to be eaten by the handful, so go ahead and dig in. "They're super small, and because they're so small, they bake quickly and have the ideal amount of creamy filling," McDowell raves. "If you're on a diet, you can eat one. If you're not on a diet…you can eat the whole batch."

60. Big Raspberry-Rye Cookies

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 12

I love a surprise-and-delight moment, and this time it’s brought to you by freeze-dried raspberries. "Paired with the rye flour, these cookies bake up crisp, golden and vibrating with tart-sweet raspberry intensity," Swanson gushes.

61. Blackberry Plum Upside-Down Cake

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
  • Serves: one 9-inch cake

The beauty of an upside-down cake is that it decorates itself. (That, and the juicy, caramelized fruit, of course.) "You can't beat the tartness and color of in-season plums, but combining them with blackberries adds texture and a berry flavor that makes a particularly good combination," McDowell says.

62. Texas Sheet Cake

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly make ahead
  • Serves: 12 to 16

It'll look like too much cake, but in reality, there's no such thing. Don't sweat it if you don't have buttermilk on hand for this picnic food idea, recipe creator Gaby Dalkin says. You can substitute regular milk, yogurt or kefir instead.

63. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, make ahead
  • Serves: 9

No one will realize they invited a professional baker to the picnic. The filling in these picturesque treats is equal parts sweet and tangy, thanks to a winning combination of marshmallow creme and cream cheese.

64. Blackberry Jam Pie Crust Straws

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, make ahead
  • Serves: 20 straws

If you're not up for assembling a full pie, these twists are the next best thing. "They're fun and easy to make, packing big pie-like flavor into a simple preparation that's easy to master," McDowell tells us. Use any flavor of jam—you can't go wrong.

65. Cherry Slab Pie

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 12

"People are so afraid of slicing pie, but there's no wrong way to slice this one," McDowell assures. "You can easily cut slivers or slabs, whatever portion your guests want." A slab pie also has a higher ratio of crust to filling, which is not only good news for crust-lovers, but for picnic-goers, too.

66. Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 6

Portability is key when you're cooking for a picnic. In terms of apples, err on the crisp-tart side so the slices hold their shape and aren’t cloyingly sweet. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady and Granny Smith varieties are all fair game.

67. Cherry Pie Bars

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
  • Serves: 18

They taste like pie, but it’s actually a simple pound cake that makes up the crust layers. Either way, this picnic food idea will only take you 45 minutes from start to finish, and your guests will surely ask for seconds.

68. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, no bake, kid-friendly
  • Serves: 16

It's summer—skip the oven and get outside. This no-bake delicacy checks all the right boxes with is salty and sweet toppings, its smooth filling and crunchy pretzel-crumb base. It's the ultimate hack for a lazy baker, if you ask me.



headshot

Former Senior Food Editor

  • Headed PureWow’s food vertical
  • Contributed original reporting, recipes and food styling
  • Studied English Literature at the University of Notre Dame and Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education

taryn pire

Food Editor

  • Spearheads PureWow's food vertical
  • Manages PureWow's recipe vertical and newsletter
  • Studied English and writing at Ithaca College

food
/ Taryn Pire
87 BBQ Side Dishes That Are Better Than the Main Event
food
/ Taryn Pire
This Retired Taco Bell Menu Item Is Back by Popular Demand (and It May Be for Good)
food
/ Taryn Pire
This Popular Fast Food Chain Is Offering $1 Double Smash Burgers—Here’s How to Get One
food
/ Taryn Pire
New York’s Carnegie Deli Just Launched Mother’s Day Gift Boxes—on Amazon
food
/ Candace Davison
This Under-the-Radar Chain Just Launched a Mac & Cheese Menu—& It's Not to Be Missed
food
/ Taryn Pire
Today in Random but Useful, I Bring You This Tool for Serious Snackers (and It’s on Sale)
food
/ Taryn Pire
Every Panera Bread Salad, Ranked and Reviewed by a Food Editor Who Tasted Them All
food
/ Emma Singer
14 Substitutes for Eggs That Totally Work (Because They’re Expensive Right Now)
food
/ Candace Davison
What to Order at Magnolia Bakery: Cupcakes, Banana Pudding & Desserts, Reviewed
food
/ Taryn Pire
25 Radish Recipes to Make While They’re in Season
food
/ Taryn Pire
36 BBQ Menu Ideas: Recipes That Will Transform Your Backyard Party
food
/ Candace Davison
Starbucks Has a 'Not-So-Secret' Menu & I Can't Stop Ordering Its Latest Creation
food
/ Taryn Pire
6 New Red Robin Menu Items, Ranked, Reviewed and Photographed by a Food Editor
food
/ Taryn Pire
Ina Garten Sells Cake on Goldbelly—but Is It Worth the Hamptons Price Tag? I Tasted It to Find Out
food
/ Katherine Gillen
The 70 Best Grilling Recipes to Cook and Eat All Summer
food
/ Taryn Pire
I Tried Panda Express’s New Spicy Twist on Surf and Turf—Is It Better Than the Orange Chicken?
See More