Easy picnic treats for all the family
Whether you’re planning a day out in the park or a picky tea in the garden, here are some ideas for easy, budget-friendly picnic food.
Pinwheel sandwiches
With their retro swirls, pinwheel sandwiches can brighten up an al-fresco feast. They’re simple to make using either sliced bread or tortillas.
Layer bread with mayonnaise or spread, right up to the edges, then sliced cheese, or meats and lettuce. Roll them up tightly like sausages in cling film and chill in the fridge for two hours or overnight, depending on how much time you have.
Remove from the fridge, unwrap each parcel and slice into pinwheel slices.
Try other fillings such as cream cheese, spinach and ham, pesto and chicken, grated Cheddar cheese and tomato ketchup or roasted veggies, ham or cheese.
Veggie Wraps
Fill whole wheat tortillas with hummus, chopped veggies, and a sprinkle of cheese.
Pasta Salad
A good one to make ahead. Cook your favourite pasta, add chopped veggies like peas, corn, or peppers, and mix with a simple vinaigrette or creamy Italian dressing. You can also add leftover cooked chicken or grated cheese.
Jam Jar Salads
Save up your empty glass jars and wash them thoroughly for this treat. Layer your favorite salad ingredients in a jar (greens on the bottom, dressing on top) for easy transport and shaking to combine when ready to eat.
Veggie and Dip Platter
Chop up veggies like carrots, cucumber, celery, cherry tomatoes or pitta bread. Pack with shop-bought hummus or make your own. For a simple dip mix plain yogurt with chopped herbs like dill or chives. Pack everything in separate containers to keep fresh.
Fruit Skewers
Thread colorful fruits like berries, grapes, melon chunks, or pineapple onto skewers for a refreshing and healthy treat.
No-Bake Cookies
There are lots of recipes online for no-bake cookies that take minutes to make and use pantry staples like oats, nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter and chocolate chips.
Yogurt Parfaits
Layer yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit in a container for a sweet and healthy treat.
Top Tips
Shop smart: Look for sales and store brands when grocery shopping.
Pack your food in containers that can be reused or recycled.
Take a cooler bag to keep things cold, especially if it’s a hot day.