Delicious Picnic Dishes for Outdoor Adventures

Jenny deRemer

Sep 04, 2025

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As the cooler fall temps make outdoor activities more enjoyable, these 25 classic picnic recipes are perfect for a crisp day out. From fresh salads and hearty sandwiches to sweet treats that travel well, these dishes will make your picnic spread both simple and satisfying. Whether you’re at the park or the beach, these recipes will ensure a memorable day outdoors.

Table of Contents

A Tasty and Kid-friendly Pickle Relish Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon.
A Tasty and Kid-friendly Pickle Relish Macaroni Salad. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Picnic party vibes only! Try this deliciously kid-friendly Pickle Relish Macaroni Salad – a tasty, sweet pickle version on a classic that’s appealing to kids for what’s NOT in it. Time to fire up the grill and get this picnic party started!

Get This Recipe:  Macaroni Salad

Bisquick Chocolate Chip Muffins

A wooden cake stand displaying several chocolate chip muffins. One muffin is cut in half, showing the inside filled with chocolate chips. In the background, a Bisquick baking mix box is visible. A glass of milk is partially seen on the left side.
Bisquick Chocolate Chip Muffins. Image Credit: xoxoBella.

Bisquick Chocolate Chip Muffins are easy to make and ideal for a picnic treat. They’re light, fluffy, and studded with melty chocolate chips that add a sweet surprise in every bite.
Get This Recipe: Bisquick Chocolate Chip Muffins

Southern Chicken Salad with Pineapple – Southern Luncheonette Recipes

a white plate, with chicken salad and croissant
Southern Chicken Salad with Pineapple – Southern Luncheonette Recipes. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Indulge in the flavors of the South with this scrumptious Southern Chicken Salad with Pineapple, bursting with the sweetness of pineapple and the crunch of Carolina peanuts. Perfect for a picnic in the park or a backyard gathering, this delightful dish will transport you to a sunny Southern afternoon, no matter where you are!

Get This Recipe:  Southern Chicken Salad with Pineapple

Easy Potato Salad

A white speckled ceramic bowl filled with creamy potato salad, garnished with a sprinkle of paprika, sits on a light-colored surface. Two additional bowls of potato salad and a brass spoon are partially visible in the background.
Easy Potato Salad. Image Credit: Culinary Hill.

Potato Salad is a picnic staple for a reason. This easy version combines tender potatoes with a creamy dressing and just the right amount of seasoning, making it essential for the best picnics.
Get This Recipe: Easy Potato Salad

Leftover Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches

A hoagie roll stuffed with roast beef and white sauce.
Leftover Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Transform last night’s roast into a picnic showstopper! Thinly sliced Leftover Beef Tenderloin makes for a mouthwatering sandwich that’s ready to impress, with minimal added fuss.

Get This Recipe:  Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches

Caprese Sandwich

A round wooden cutting board displaying a sliced sandwich filled with mozzarella, tomato, spinach, and basil leaves. A cup of dark dipping sauce is positioned nearby, and the arrangement is garnished with fresh basil. A textured cloth lies under the board.
Caprese Sandwich. Image Credit: Culinary Hill.

Caprese Sandwiches are a fresh and simple choice for any outdoor meal. Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil come together between slices of crisp bread.
Get This Recipe: Caprese Sandwich

Egg Salad Sandwiches with Cucumber Dill Spread – Southern Luncheonette Recipes

An open faced sandwich of egg salad on a plate with a radish.
Egg Salad Sandwiches with Cucumber Dill Spread – Southern Luncheonette Recipes. Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Perfect for a picturesque picnic, these Egg Salad Sandwiches with refreshing Cucumber Dill Spread are a classic Southern delight. Simple to prepare and packed with flavor, they’re an elegant and easy summer lunch option that are reasonable to prepare and easy to tote!

Get This Recipe: Egg Salad Sandwiches

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Close-up of peanut butter thumbprint cookies topped with strawberry jam, arranged on a cooling rack. The cookies have a golden-brown color and a slightly crumbly texture, with the red jam contrasting against the light-colored cookie base.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies. Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies bring the nostalgic flavors of a classic sandwich into cookie form. With soft, chewy peanut butter dough and sweet jam in the center, these cookies are both fun and delicious.
Get This Recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Cherry Crumble

A woman spooning cherry cobbler from a dish.
Cherry Crumble. Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen.

There’s truly something special about a freshly-baked Cherry Crumble. The combination of sweet and tart cherries with a crisp, crunchy topping comes together to form a delightful dessert. For an outing such as a picnic, it is a no brainer because of the ease of portability.

Get This Recipe: Cherry Crumble

Snickerdoodle Muffins with Apples

A hand holding a muffin with a bite taken from it.
Snickerdoodle Muffins with Apples. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Get ready for a picnic treat that’s the apple of everyone’s eye! Snickerdoodle Muffins with Apples are a delicious spinoff on the classic cookie, packed with sweet, juicy apples and baked to perfection. Whether you prefer standard-sized muffins or bite-sized mini treats, this recipe yields a harvest of flavor that’s sure to make your picnic spread a real showstopper!

Get This Recipe:  Snickerdoodle Muffins

Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwiches

Close-up of a large sandwich with layers of meats, cheese, and pickled toppings, garnished with an olive on top. The sandwich is placed on a red and white checkered paper, with a whole green pepper and a jar of chopped vegetables in the background.
Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwiches. Image Credit: xoxoBella.

These Pressed Italian Sandwiches are perfect for any picnic. Loaded with layers of meats, cheeses, and veggies between a crunchy ciabatta roll, this sandwich only gets better as it sits.
Get This Recipe: Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwiches

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Fluffy biscuits.
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits. Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen.

This recipe delivers on flaky, Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits that boast a beautifully golden exterior paired with a soft, fluffy inside. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven, slathered with butter, or use them as the base for a savory biscuit sandwich.

Get This Recipe:  Buttermilk Biscuits

County Fair Lemon Pie

A lemon pie with whipped cream and lemon slices.
County Fair Lemon Pie. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Win the picnic prize with this show-stopping No-Bake County Fair Lemon Pie! Whether it’s a summer celebration or a family gathering, this sweet treat will be the star of the show – and the perfect way to make your picnic spread a champion!

Get This Recipe:  No-bake Lemon Pie

Healthy Fried Chicken

Fried chicken on a cutting board.
Healthy Fried Chicken. Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen.

Chill out with a picnic twist on a classic comfort food! This refreshing cold Fried Chicken is baked to crispy perfection, not deep-fried, making it a guilt-free delight for your outdoor gathering.

Get This Recipe:  Healthy Fried Chicken

Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Cornbread muffins on a wire cooling rack.
Easy Homemade Corn Muffins. Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen.

This Easy Homemade Corn Muffins recipe is truly a standout! These muffins boast a delightfully crusty exterior while maintaining a soft, tender cornbread interior, striking the perfect balance of textures.

Get This Recipe:  Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Apple pie bars lined up on a counter top.
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Gather ’round, picnic pals! Introducing Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars, the effortless answer to your outdoor gathering needs. Plus, they pack all the flavor of a homemade apple pie into a convenient, crowd-pleasing treat that’s perfect for your next picnic or potluck!

Get This Recipe:  Apple Pie Bars

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake

A pound cake with sugar glaze.
Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Serve a slice of nostalgia with Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake, a timeless recipe that delivers a big, beautiful, moist cake perfect for any occasion!

Get This Recipe:  Pound Cake

New York Club Sandwich

a wedge of a sandwich, with potato chips
New York Club Sandwich. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

The ultimate picnic powerhouse: the Turkey Club Sandwich! Building on the classic BLT, this satisfying showstopper stacks on cheese, sliced meats, and an extra layer of bread for a hearty, handheld masterpiece.

Get This Recipe:  Turkey Club

Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

A caprese salad on a platter with strawberries, blueberries, and basil leaves.
Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Welcome the warmth of spring and summer with a refreshing picnic perfect salad! The Strawberry Blueberry Salad is a vibrant mix of fresh greens, juicy fruit, and creamy mozzarella, all coming together in a light and lively dish that’s ideal for outdoor gatherings and cookouts.

Get This Recipe:  Strawberry Salad

Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese

Deviled eggs with creamy yolk filling, topped with herbs and paprika, set on a wooden surface.
Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Add a touch of Southern charm to your picnic spread with Deviled Eggs featuring the creamy, dreamy twist of Pimento Cheese! These aren’t your average deviled eggs – the addition of savory aromatics and tangy pickled fixins’ takes this classic to new heights.

Get This Recipe:  Deviled Eggs

Fig Bars with Oatmeal and Walnuts

A stack of oatmeal bars with a fig jam middle.
Fig Bars with Oatmeal and Walnuts. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Sweet summer memories in every bite! These scrumptious Fig Bars with Oatmeal and Walnuts were inspired by the sweetness of preserved summer figs. Perfect for a picnic or outdoor adventure, they’re easy to make, packed with wholesome goodness, and transport beautifully.

Get This Recipe:  Fruit and Oatmeal Bars

Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

A strawberry shortcake.
Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits. Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen.

This easy Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits recipe is a game-changer, made completely from scratch that promises to outshine any store-bought version.

Get This Recipe:  Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

Sweet and Savory Chicken Salad

A plate of chicken salad with an array of fresh fruit including apple slices, blueberries, Ritz crackers, and tomatoes.
Sweet and Savory Chicken Salad. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Elevate your picnic spread with this show-stopping Sweet and Savory Chicken Salad, fit for a church social! Toasted pecans add a satisfying crunch, while sweet champagne grapes provide a pop of juicy flavor.

Get This Recipe:  Sweet Chicken Salad

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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