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Food & Wine
Best food and snack ideas for the perfect picnic
Jacinta Costanzo
October 11, 2022
Picnic season and warmer weather have finally arrived. Here are some top picks for foods and snacks to bring to a picnic.
We’re lucky to have beautiful picnic spots across Victoria to suit any group, couple or individual. From national parks and rugged coastlines in regional Victoria to manicured gardens in metro Melbourne, you’ll be wanting to pack a rug, basket and delicious snacks wherever you venture.
Preparing for a picnic shouldn't be an overly stressful or expensive exercise. Picnic food choices only need to be simple – classic, healthy and sweet nibbles are sure to please the crowd and cater to a variety of different tastes and dietary requirements.
Also keep in mind that you don’t want to be carrying loads of containers to your picnic spot. After all, picnics are supposed to be a relaxing outing - enjoying nature and warmer weather with those closest to you.
RACV Members can save money on snacks and ingredients for picnic recipes with discounted Woolworths Store eGift Cards. Before heading out, download the arevo by RACV app to find the cheapest fuel available in your local area and plan the most efficient route to your picnic spot.
Best recipes and ideas for your next picnic
Easy picnic recipes
Grazing board
Bring everyone together to share a grazing board, which might include your favourite cheeses, cold meats, dips, fruits and crackers. Not only are grazing boards easy to put together, but they can be adapted to suit various dietary requirements.
Draw some inspiration from Sojourn, one of Melbourne's top rooftop restaurants, which has an antipasto dish combining prosciutto, wagyu bresaola and fennel, and garlic salami from Istra in Daylesford. Team these types of smallgoods with Mount Zero olives for a luxe picnic. For your cheese platter, add some quince paste and grapes for that gourmet touch.
Time and time again, the humble sausage roll proves its popularity at gatherings and events. Not only are homemade sausage rolls relatively simple to make (and even quicker and easier with an air fryer), they're also easy to share around at a picnic.
See this easy sausage roll recipe created by Le Petit Gateau Executive Pastry Chef Amit Sinha, to create a juicy and flavoursome sausage roll wrapped in golden flaky pastry.
Barbeque
Your next picnic doesn’t have to be an over-the-top affair requiring lots of cooking beforehand. Why not find a picnic spot that has a public barbeque available? Picnic-goers simply bring their own choice of meats or foods to cook on the barbeque – eliminating over-catering and waste by cooking only what's needed.
What do you get when you combine apple juice, lime, mint leaves and cucumber? A delicious non-alcoholic refreshment to pair with tasty snacks on your next afternoon picnic. With few ingredients, you can easily make mojito mocktails to share and refresh your fellow picnic-goers.
You can also enhance the flavour and fizz of your warm-weather picnic with this summer mocktail.
Try a delicious non-alcoholic mojito for a picnic refreshment
Healthy picnic food recipes
Zucchini muffin
For a healthy, vegetarian-friendly picnic snack, a zucchini muffin might just be what you’re looking for. This savoury option is flavoursome and perfect for a morning or afternoon picnic snack, and even easy enough to make that you can get the kids involved.
There’s no simpler picnic recipe (or crowd pleaser) than cutting up your favourite fruit that’s in season to make a delicious and healthy fruit salad. Grapes, mangoes and peaches are back in season and ready to refresh guests when the afternoon sun hits.
Sandwiches are the ideal addition to a picnic – easy to transport and simple to make.
For a substantial and refreshing picnic bite, there’s not much better than fresh lettuce, cucumber and bread paired with flavoursome grilled chicken. Remember to store the sandwich in a portable cooler to prevent bacterial growth.
Sausage rolls are easy to make and share at a picnic. Image: Getty
Share delicious fresh meats, cheeses and fillers with a grazing board. Image: Getty
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Sweet picnic food recipes
Scones
A traditional favourite for picnic-goers, scones are light and fluffy, easy to carry and able to be enjoyed with jam or honey, or even plain. The best part is that baking fresh scones isn’t a difficult process and can be done in the morning before an afternoon picnic.
Rocky road is easy to make and will be a talking point of your picnic – long after it’s finished. You can even put your own spin on rocky road and add different textures to the slice with your favourite lollies or nuts.
Do you have bananas on your countertop that are starting to look a bit bruised? Luckily, these bananas are perfect to use in a delicious banana bread for your next picnic. Check your pantry, you may already have the necessary ingredients required as banana bread is a simple treat to make.
Get the kids involved and bake homemade rocky road before your picnic. Image: Getty
Sponge cake
Have you been delegated dessert duties for the next picnic, but not sure where to start? You don’t need to be a masterchef to bake a light and fluffy sponge cake, which is perfect for a picnic (or special occasion).
Homemade cookies are always a crowd favourite. The gooey caramel, delicious chocolate and moreish texture of salted caramel cookies will win the tastebuds of everyone - even those who say they don’t have a sweet tooth.
Vegans and non-vegans alike can get their chocolate fix and satisfy their sweet tooth with this egg-free, dairy-free vegan chocolate cake recipe from RACV Executive Chef Himanshu Sharda. It's sure to be a picnic dessert sensation.
Alternatively, try this classic (and flourless) chocolate cake using use high-quality couverture chocolate that will leave chocolate lovers swooning. Pair with coffee and summer berries to elevate your picnic dessert to the next level of indulgence.
Lemon tart
Bake mini lemon tarts for your next picnic to add a touch of decadence. This classic dessert is the ideal mix of citrus and sweet flavours, and perfect for a warm summer outing. For those extra special occasions, pair the lemon tarts with your favourite champagne or dessert wine (be sure to check with the local council about public alcohol consumption rules).
