Picnics are one of the simplest joys of sunny days. With a little planning and the right picnic ideas and recipes, you can pack up delicious, easy-to-make food that everyone will enjoy without any last-minute stress.
Planning Your Perfect Picnic
A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to enjoying a sunny day outdoors. Keep these simple tips in mind to make your picnic a crowd-pleaser!
-
Choose a good spot – A local park, beach, or your own garden can work well. Look for shade, open space, and convenient facilities.
-
Pack the essentials – Bring a blanket, reusable cutlery, plates, napkins, and plenty of water. Tupperware or baskets help keep things organised.
-
Keep food fresh – Use insulated bags or cool boxes with ice packs to prevent spoiling and choose dishes that travel well.
-
Consider dietary needs – Include a variety of picnic recipe ideas options, like vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free choices, so everyone has something to enjoy.
Picnic Food Ideas for Every Taste
Picnics are all about sharing good food in good company, with the sun shining and everyone gathered outdoors. Whether you’re planning a family afternoon in the park or a beach day with friends, it helps to have a mix of sweet treats and savoury picnic bites ready to go.
Sweet Picnic Foods That Travel Well
-
Curiously Cinnamon No-Churn Ice Cream - This no-churn ice cream is easy to prepare ahead of time and brings a fun cinnamon crunch to your picnic spread, thanks to Curiously Cinnamon® Original Cereal. Simply mix, freeze, and it’s ready to go.
For easy transport, freeze it in a sturdy, lidded container. Before you set off, pack it into an insulated bag or cool box with ice packs to help keep it firm until you’re ready to serve. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing treat to share outdoors.
-
No-Bake Shreddies® Carrot Cake Balls Recipe - These no-bake carrot cake balls are a picnic-friendly treat that combine the crunch of Original Shreddies® Cereal with sweet dates, grated carrot, warming spices, and a hint of coconut. Easy to prepare ahead of time, they’re rolled into bite-sized portions for simple, mess-free sharing.
-
Cheerios® Summer Raspberry & Peach Pops Recipe - These fruity ice pops are a fun, refreshing treat for sunny days. Made with creamy Greek yoghurt, sweet raspberries, juicy peaches, and a gentle crunch of Multigrain Cheerios® Cereal, they’re simple to prepare ahead of time and bring a cool, colourful twist to any picnic.
For easy transport, store them in a sealed container with ice packs until you’re ready to enjoy.
Savoury, Picnic-Perfect Main Courses
These savoury chicken recipes are great for picnics. Just remember to store in a cool box with ice packs to keep them fresh until its time to tuck in!
-
Gluten Free Chicken Burgers Recipe - Go Free® - These flavourful chicken burgers are a picnic-friendly option that everyone can enjoy. Made with tender chicken mince, herbs, garlic, and a crunchy Go Free® Free Corn Flakes coating, they’re naturally gluten free and full of taste. Serve with fresh gluten free buns, crisp lettuce, sliced tomato, and your favourite toppings for a crowd-pleasing outdoor meal.
-
Cheerios® Crunchy Chicken Nuggets Recipe - These crunchy chicken nuggets are a tasty addition to any picnic spread. Coated in finely crushed Cheerios® Multigrain Cereal for extra texture, they’re lightly seasoned with honey and mustard for a subtle hint of sweetness and spice. Easy to make ahead, they’re made for sharing and sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Portable, Delicious Bites Great for Sharing
-
Nesquik® Cereal Coconut Energy Balls Recipe - These coconut energy balls are a tasty, fuss-free treat that’s easy to share outdoors. Made with Nesquik® Original Cereal, dates, almond butter, and plenty of coconut, they deliver a chocolatey hint in every bite. Simple to prepare ahead of time and bite-sized portions for easy, mess-free sharing—perfect for adding a little boost of fun to any picnic.
-
Cheerios® Apple & Berry Cereal Bars Recipe - These homemade cereal bars are a picnic-ready treat packed with fruity flavour and a gentle crunch from Cheerios®. Made with grated apple, dried berries, and a hint of spice, they’re easy to bake ahead and slice into portions for simple, no-fuss sharing.
-
Shredded Wheat® Cereal Bars Recipe - A picnic-friendly option made with simple ingredients. Crumbled Shredded Wheat®, oats, dried fruits, nuts, and seeds are mixed with a splash of juice for natural sweetness. Easy to make ahead and cut into bars, they’re great for sharing and enjoying on the go.
-
Peanut Butter Cheerios® Bars Recipe - A no-bake option that’s convenient for picnics and easy to make ahead. Cheerios® are mixed with smooth nut butter, syrup, and a hint of salt for a chewy, flavourful bar, with optional dark chocolate on top. Once prepared and cut into portions, they’re simple to pack and share wherever you choose to picnic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these picnic snacks the day before?
Yes! Most of these picnic recipes can be prepared ahead and stored. Be sure to store correctly - in airtight containers refrigerated or frozen as needed - until you’re ready to go.
How do I pack a balanced picnic for kids and adults?
Include a variety of different foods – why not try a mix of fresh fruit and veg, savoury bites, and a sweet treat for a picnic dessert. Bring plenty of water to keep everyone refreshed.
