16 picnic-perfect recipes to convert the “I don’t like that” crowd

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Picnics are a great way to enjoy the outdoors with delicious food, but pleasing everyone can be a challenge. These 16 picnic-perfect recipes are designed to win over even the pickiest eaters. Each dish is easy to pack, quick to prepare, and full of flavor that everyone will love. Get ready to make your next picnic a hit with these crowd-pleasing recipes.

Drop Biscuits with Orange Honey Butter. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet

A serving of creamy balsamic chicken skillet next to a serving of green salad.
Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This creamy balsamic chicken skillet features tender chicken breasts in a rich balsamic cream sauce, ready in 30 minutes. Main ingredients include chicken breasts, balsamic vinegar, heavy cream, and garlic. The taste is a savory blend of tangy balsamic and creamy goodness. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, try this flavorful dish today.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet

Charcuterie and Cheese Grazing Board

Charcuterie and Cheese Grazing Board. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

A charcuterie and cheese grazing board is a perfect picnic addition with assorted meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a mix of salty, sweet, and savory flavors. Ingredients typically include cured meats, various cheeses, fresh fruit, and nuts. Create your own board for a shareable, crowd-pleasing treat.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie and Cheese Grazing Board

Peach Crumble Bars

A stack of three peach crumble bars on a black plate.
Peach Crumble Bars. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Peach crumble bars offer a delightful mix of buttery crust, juicy peaches, and a crumbly topping, taking about an hour to prepare. Main ingredients are fresh peaches, oats, butter, and sugar. The taste is a balance of sweet and tangy with a crunchy texture. Enjoy these bars as a delicious dessert or picnic snack.
Get the Recipe: Peach Crumble Bars

Cranberry Orange Poppy Seed Bread

A loaf of cranberry orange poppy seed bread on a cutting board.
Cranberry Orange Poppy Seed Bread. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This cranberry orange poppy seed bread is a moist loaf bursting with citrus flavor, ready in an hour. Key ingredients include fresh cranberries, orange zest, poppy seeds, and buttermilk. The taste combines tart cranberries with sweet orange notes. Ideal for breakfast or a midday snack, give this bread a try.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Poppy Seed Bread

Pineapple Ice Cream Cakes

Pineapple Ice Cream Cake on a white plate next to a pool of sauce.
Pineapple Ice Cream Cakes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pineapple ice cream cakes are a refreshing treat with layers of pineapple and creamy ice cream, ready in 4 hours. Ingredients include crushed pineapple, vanilla ice cream, and graham crackers. The taste is a tropical mix of sweet pineapple and creamy vanilla. Perfect for hot days, these cakes will impress at your next picnic.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Ice Cream Cakes

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

Two servings of strawberry shortcake on a blue background.
Homemade Strawberry Shortcake. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Homemade strawberry shortcake features fluffy biscuits topped with sweet strawberries and whipped cream, ready in 30 minutes. Main ingredients are fresh strawberries, flour, sugar, and heavy cream. The taste is a delightful mix of sweet, juicy berries and light, creamy biscuits. Make this classic dessert for your next outdoor gathering.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

Argentinian Alfajores

Alfajores on marble plate with coffee.
Argentinian Alfajores. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Argentinian alfajores are delicate cookies filled with creamy dulce de leche, taking about 1 hour to make. Main ingredients include cornstarch, flour, butter, and dulce de leche. The taste is a perfect combination of buttery cookies and rich caramel filling. Enjoy these treats with coffee or as a sweet picnic treat.
Get the Recipe: Argentinian Alfajores

Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice

Cilantro lime chicken on a plate next to avocado and cilantro garnish.
Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cilantro lime chicken and rice is a flavorful dish featuring marinated chicken and zesty rice, ready in 40 minutes. Ingredients include chicken breasts, lime juice, cilantro, and rice. The taste is a refreshing blend of citrus and herbs. Perfect for a picnic or quick dinner, try this vibrant recipe today.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice

Apple Bacon Beer Bread

Apple Bacon Beer Bread. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Apple bacon beer bread combines the sweetness of apples, the saltiness of bacon, and the richness of beer, ready in 1 hour. Key ingredients are fresh apples, bacon, beer, and flour. The taste is a savory and slightly sweet bread with a hearty texture. This unique bread is a hit at any picnic or gathering.
Get the Recipe: Apple Bacon Beer Bread

Drop Biscuits with Orange Honey Butter

Drop Biscuits with Orange Honey Butter. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Drop biscuits with orange honey butter are light, fluffy biscuits served with a sweet citrus butter, ready in 30 minutes. Main ingredients include flour, butter, honey, and orange zest. The taste is a delightful mix of savory biscuits and sweet, tangy butter. Perfect for breakfast or as a picnic side, these biscuits are a must-try.
Get the Recipe: Drop Biscuits with Orange Honey Butter

Blueberry Muffins

Lemon and blueberry muffin halves with lemon and blueberries.
Blueberry Muffins. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Blueberry muffins are a classic treat featuring moist cake and juicy blueberries, ready in 30 minutes. Ingredients include fresh blueberries, flour, sugar, and butter. The taste is a balance of sweet muffin base and tart berries. Bake these muffins for a quick breakfast or a snack to enjoy on the go.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Muffins

Grandma’s Cornbread

Overhead shot of cornbread in a cast iron skillet with a single slice cut out.
Grandma’s Cornbread. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grandma’s cornbread is a traditional recipe with a moist, slightly sweet crumb, ready in 30 minutes. Main ingredients include cornmeal, flour, buttermilk, and honey. The taste is a comforting mix of sweet and savory with a light, fluffy texture. Serve this cornbread at picnics or alongside your favorite meal.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Cornbread

Mini Apple Pies

Mini Apple Pies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Mini apple pies are individual-sized desserts with a flaky crust and sweet apple filling, ready in 1 hour. Key ingredients are fresh apples, pie crust, sugar, and cinnamon. The taste is a classic apple pie flavor in a convenient mini size. Perfect for picnics, these pies are easy to share and enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Mini Apple Pies

Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

A lamb shepherd's pie served in a glass dish.
Lamb Shepherd’s Pie. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Lamb shepherd’s pie is a hearty dish with savory lamb and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes, ready in 1 hour. Ingredients include ground lamb, peas, carrots, and potatoes. The taste is a rich blend of savory meat and smooth potatoes. Ideal for a filling picnic meal, this pie is a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

Banana Bread Muffins

Banana Bread Muffins. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Banana bread muffins offer a moist and sweet treat with ripe bananas and a hint of vanilla, ready in 30 minutes. Main ingredients are bananas, flour, sugar, and eggs. The taste is a soft, banana-flavored muffin perfect for breakfast or a snack. Make these muffins for a delicious, on-the-go treat.
Get the Recipe: Banana Bread Muffins

Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

A stack of three lemon bars on a plate with more lemon bars in the background.
Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy lemon bars with shortbread crust feature a tangy lemon filling and buttery crust, ready in 1 hour. Ingredients include lemon juice, flour, sugar, and butter. The taste is a zesty lemon topping with a sweet, crumbly base. These bars are perfect for a refreshing picnic dessert.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

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