12 Easy Picnic and Packed Lunch Recipes for Summer

This collection of 12 easy picnic and packed lunch recipes for summer days out is perfect for lazy weekends, days at the beach, or family trips to the park when you want food that travels well. It brings together British picnic classics like mini sausage rolls and pigs in blankets, a tangy Turkish potato salad, herby Lebanese hand pies, and a few crispy air fryer snacks for the cooler bag, ideal for parents packing lunchboxes or anyone planning a long summer day out. Don't forget to save this list for your next picnic hamper.

Shortcrust Pastry Mini Sausage Rolls

Flaky shop-bought pastry wraps around herby, home-seasoned sausage meat for a British picnic classic that is just as good served warm as it is cold from the cool bag. They freeze well, so it is worth making a double batch to keep on hand for lunchboxes and impromptu outings.

To learn more: Shortcrust Pastry Mini Sausage Rolls

Homemade Mini Pigs in a Blanket

Cocktail sausages wrapped in crispy streaky bacon and glazed with honey and mustard make an easy, no-fuss finger food that travels well in a picnic box. They taste just as good at room temperature as they do warm from the oven.

To learn more: Homemade Mini Pigs in a Blanket

Avocado Deviled Eggs Without Mayo

Creamy mashed avocado stands in for mayonnaise in these zesty deviled eggs, flavoured with lime, chives and a little chilli. They are naturally gluten-free and make a light, protein-packed addition to any picnic spread.

To learn more: Avocado Deviled Eggs Without Mayo

Patates Salatasi - Turkish Potato Salad (No Mayo)

Boiled potatoes are tossed with fresh herbs, spring onions and a lemony olive oil dressing for a tangy, mayo-free salad that holds up well in warm weather. It is a firm favourite in Turkey as a summer picnic side and pairs nicely with almost anything from the cool box.

To learn more: Patates Salatasi - Turkish Potato Salad (No Mayo)

Fatayer Recipe

These small Lebanese hand pies come with two fillings, a herby cheese mix and a spiced spinach and beef filling, baked in a soft homemade dough until golden. They are just as good at room temperature as warm, making them a natural fit for lunchboxes and picnics.

To learn more: Fatayer Recipe

Whipped Brie Cheese with Honey and Thyme

Brie is whipped until light and airy, then finished with a drizzle of honey and fresh thyme for a simple, elegant addition to any sharing board. Pack it in a small container with crackers and fruit for an easy picnic starter.

To learn more: Whipped Brie Cheese with Honey and Thyme

Healthy Egg Salad Without Mayo

Chopped boiled eggs are tossed with fresh herbs, spring onions and sun-dried tomatoes for a light, mayo-free salad that works spooned onto toast, into flatbread or straight from a lunchbox. It keeps well in the fridge, making it handy for meal prep ahead of a day out.

To learn more: Healthy Egg Salad Without Mayo

Lebanese Fattoush Salad

Crisp lettuce, cucumber, radish and tomatoes are tossed with a tangy sumac and pomegranate molasses dressing, then finished with crunchy pita chips. It is a refreshing, colourful salad that holds up well for a few hours out of the fridge.

To learn more: Lebanese Fattoush Salad

Easy Chicken Macaroni Salad

Shredded chicken, macaroni and crunchy vegetables come together in a creamy mustard and pesto dressing for a filling pasta salad that is a proper crowd-pleaser at potlucks and picnics alike. It can be made ahead and keeps well chilled until you are ready to eat.

To learn more: Easy Chicken Macaroni Salad

Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs

Tender chicken meatballs cook in the air fryer in about ten minutes and are just as good served cold in a wrap or lunchbox as they are warm with rice or pasta. They reheat well too, so leftovers make an easy next-day lunch.

To learn more: Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

Sticky, smoky chicken wings get a crisp skin from the air fryer and a glossy glaze from barbecue sauce brushed on right at the end. They are proper finger food, so pack them in an airtight container and eat them straight from the picnic blanket, no cutlery required.

To learn more: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

Beet Hummus Recipe

Roasted beetroot blends into the classic chickpea and tahini base for a vibrant pink hummus that tastes as good as it looks. Spoon it into a small tub with pita, crudités or crackers for an easy make-ahead dip to round out the spread.

To learn more: Beet Hummus Recipe