21 Perfect Summer Picnic Recipes

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Going on a picnic? Let me tell you what to pack! These easy recipes are all ideal for bringing on a picnic. They are simple to make ahead, travel well, and are absolutely delicious. The perfect picnic starts here!

Summer Salad

Bursting with seasonal flavor, this Summer Salad Recipe makes the most of summer’s fresh produce! Peppery arugula is tossed with fresh, buttery corn, strawberries, cucumber, and more to make a refreshing hot-weather dish.

Go to the recipe: Summer Salad

Ham & Cheese Sliders

These ham and cheese sliders are the perfect picnic food! Made with sweet Hawaiian bread, thinly sliced ham, and baby Swiss cheese, this 25-minute baked ham and Swiss cheese sliders recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Wrap them up while warm or serve them cold!

Go to the recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders

Chicken Salad Sandwich

This copycat Chick-fil-A chicken Salad sandwich will satisfy your craving for the classic sandwich that’s no longer served in restaurants! You can use homemade chicken, or pick up a few grilled Chick-fil-A chicken breasts for authentic flavor.

Go to the recipe: Chicken Salad Sandwich

The Best Potato Salad

This is literally the best potato salad recipe, ever. Packed full of flavor, you’re going to love how simple this summer side dish recipe is and it’s perfect for packing up and taking on a picnic.

Go to the recipe: The Best Potato Salad

These 7-layer Magic Cookie Bars are made with seven delicious layers – crushed graham cracker crumbs, butter, sweetened condensed milk, butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans. This 7-layer cookie recipe is a classic that everyone loves any time of year!

Go to the recipe: 7 Layer Magic Cookie Bars

Mac and Cheese Bites

These mac and cheese bites transform your favorite comfort dish into an easy appetizer. The bite-sized app is super easy to eat while hanging by the pool or chatting with friends around a picnic table.

Get the recipe: Mac and Cheese Bites

Italian Pasta Salad

Italian pasta salad is loaded with flavorful ingredients, tossed in a tangy dressing, and it’s a cinch to make! It’s a favorite for picnics, potlucks, and weekday lunches!

Go to the recipe: Italian Pasta Salad

Summer Pasta Salad

As its name suggests, this is an amazing pasta salad full of summer flavors! Rotini pasta is loaded with fresh tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and salty feta cheese, and tossed with Italian dressing. As a result, you get a satisfying one-bowl meal that can be served at room temperature. I love this Summer Pasta Salad for picnics!

Go to the recipe: Summer Pasta Salad

Cheesesteak Egg Rolls

Since there is always a lot going on at a picnic, I like to keep the food portable and easy to eat. These Philly cheesesteak egg rolls fit that requirement to a tee. They pack everything you love about a classic Philly cheesesteak into an egg roll wrapper that is easy to eat.

Get the recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

My Cream Cheese Pound Cake recipe is rich, decadent, and packed with sour cream and cream cheese to create a perfectly dense, moist crumb.

Go to the recipe: Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Classic Deviled Eggs

When thinking about picnic essentials, deviled eggs always come to mind. They are a classic dish that always hits, no matter what else is on the menu. Plus, they are nice and easy to pack and eat!

Get the recipe: Deviled Eggs

PBJ Sushi Rolls

Picnic foods can be easy and fun for kids when you turn something normal into something extraordinary like these Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi Rolls! These are exciting but still a classic!

Go to the recipe: PBJ Sushi Rolls

Tomato Salad

Tuck the ripest, juiciest tomatoes into this Tomato Salad to celebrate the best of summer’s produce! Simple ingredients shine in this flavorful recipe that’s welcome at BBQs and picnics!

Go to the recipe: Tomato Salad

Zucchini Muffins

These sweet and fluffy muffins load up on the veggies by adding zucchini into the mix. Even if you don’t love zucchini, you will fall in love with these muffins. The veggies add more to the texture than the taste, making them an excellent and healthy snack.

Go to the recipe: Zucchini Muffins

Turkey & Cheese Ranch Pinwheel

Fill up on protein and veggies with these turkey and cheese ranch pinwheels. The bite-sized wraps are loaded up with protein and veggies and dressed with a creamy avocado ranch dressing.

Go to the recipe: Turkey & Cheese Ranch Pinwheel

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Here’s another super flavorful and filling summer salad that will go fast when you bring it to a picnic! It’s hard to go wrong when you toss pasta with Ranch dressing, smoky bacon, black olives, and sharp Cheddar cheese. Serve this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad as a side with hot dogs. Or, enjoy it as a standalone for a lighter dinner option.

Go to the recipe: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Ramen Noodle Salad

This Asian-inspired ramen noodle salad has so much sweet and tangy flavor. The bright, bold colors also make it a true show-stopper!

Go to the recipe: Ramen Noodle Salad

Cool Whip Cake Mix Cookies

These tasty Cool Whip Cake Mix Cookies have just four ingredients and are ready to eat in less than 20 minutes. The cookies melt in your mouth and are perfect for any occasion!

Go to the recipe: Cool Whip Cake Mix Cookies

Copycat KFC Coleslaw

Copycat KFC coleslaw is one of those rare copycat recipes that really matches the taste of the original! The secret is the creamy KFC coleslaw dressing recipe, which is made with tangy buttermilk, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and sugar to balance out the acid.

Go to the recipe: Copycat KFC Coleslaw

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad combines tender elbow macaroni noodles, hard-boiled eggs, and crunchy bacon in creamy seasoned dressing for a summer picnic side dish!

Go to the recipe: Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups are an easy bite-sized dessert made with just two ingredients: refrigerated cookie dough and peanut butter cups. Featuring a golden cookie exterior with a gooey chocolate peanut butter center, they’re soft, chewy, and completely irresistible!

Go to the recipe: Peanut Butter Cookie Cups