A picnic can be as simple or elaborate as you like. We've sourced our favourite kid-friendly picnic recipes so the whole family can enjoy dining al fresco. Or in the living room when winter feels never ending and you need a harbinger that spring, in fact, will rise again. You choose.
Pita Grilled Cheese With Gouda And Honey
Fancy up sandwiches a bit with some nigella and sesame seeds and finished with a little honey for some of sweet-salty goodness. But if you wanted to scrap all that and just go for cheese in a pita? No one’s gonna be mad at a grilled cheese. Get the recipe: Pita Grilled Cheese With Gouda And Honey
BLT Hot Dog
Consider this fun hybrid of classic sandwich toppings on iconic wiener and bun. Pack your shredded iceberg, crumbled bacon and diced tomato separately and pour some mayo in that squeeze bottle you've been stashing away in the cabinet for ages. Get the recipe: BLT Hot Dogs
Think you can't be bougie on a picnic? Think again. A charcuterie board is a friend you want by your side at every park hang. We have tips on choosing the right kind of cheese to round out your board (maybe yours is cheese string-only if you pack a picky crew and that's OK). Load all your goodies up and assemble on-site. Don't forget crusty bread. Seriously. Cheese board tips here >
Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Who doesn't want to sneak a bite, or 12, of cookie dough? Whether you make this recipe and simply store it in a jar in the fridge for a sweet snack or roll it into dough balls to carry with you for little bites of energy, this grain-free, refined sugar–free, dairy-free recipe will give you that cookie dough experience without all the stuff your body doesn’t need. Plus, the kids will be thrilled to help. Get the recipe: Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Zucchini and Quinoa Fritters with Tzatziki
Meet a hand-sized, dippable hit. Grated zucchini is mixed with herbs, eggs, and spices, shaped into small patties, and lightly fried. Adding quinoa and feta to the batter makes these classic fritters heartier and adds more nutritional value, too. Get the recipe: Zucchini and Quinoa Fritters with Tzatziki
Ranch Chicken Tenders
Show us a kid who doesn't want to slam dunk a crispy, breaded chicken tender into some creamy cool ranch dressing. The air fryer makes these super simple, but baking in the oven works, too. Get the recipe: Ranch Chicken Tenders
Muffuletta
Have you met muffuletta? It's a stuffed-to-the-brim Italian sandwich that can stay in your fridge for several days; so grab a wedge when you need a little nosh. The longer it sits, the better it tastes. Get the recipe: Muffuletta
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs have so much potential beyond the usual mayo and sprinkle of paprika; try dressing them up with our list of add-ons, like smoked salmon, curry paste or bacon. Get the recipe: Deviled Eggs
Strawberry Shortcake Crunch Bars With Coconut Whipped Cream
The shortcake crust on these strawberry bars has turbinado sugar, which provides a delightful crunch, while the pecans help out with the butteriness (they can’t help it, that’s just what they do). And what could be a better vehicle for shovelling whipped coconut cream studded with juicy strawberries into your mouth? Get the recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Crunch Bars With Coconut Whipped Cream
Picnic Pasta Salad
Anything goes when it comes to pasta salad, so feel free to swap for ingredients you prefer or already have on hand. But don't discount this recipe, it's pretty tasty and veggie-packed. Get the recipe: Picnic Pasta Salad
Simple Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
If you love the rich flavour of tomatoes, you will love this simple sun–dried tomato hummus. It's infused with oregano and fresh lemon for flavour and a kick of brightness. Bring it to parties, picnics, road trips, and everywhere in between. Get the recipe: Simple Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Balls
No-bake, chewy, chocolatey and loaded with peanut butter? Yep, it's happening. These little balls taste like cookies without all the work (and extra sugar). Get the recipe: No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Balls
Roasted Chickpeas
These tasty treats are easy to make in minutes. All you need is an inexpensive can of chickpeas, a bit of oil and some spices. They're addictive as a snack and are great in place of croutons in a salad or to top a bowl of soup. Get the recipe: Roasted Chickpeas
The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie
There is always time for cookies, but most especially at picnics. This is the only chocolate chip cookie recipe you will ever need. They are soft, chewy and just a little bit crisp around the edges. Finish it off with a little sprinkle of sea salt. Get the recipe: The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie
Fudgy Beet Brownies
A word of warning: once you enlist the help of the kids on these brownies, they'll be in on your hidden veggie secret. You wouldn't know it by looking at them—or tasting them—but this fudgy stack has grated beets. Hard to believe, but we're not lying. Get the recipe: Fudgy Beet Brownies
Published in May 2021. Updated in March 2024.
