Planning the perfect picnic? We’ve rounded up our 20 best picnic recipes that will make your picnics a little more special - and a lot more delicious! From hearty sandwiches and wraps to refreshing salads, tasty sides, and moreish desserts & sweet treats, these plant-based recipes are easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Whether you're hosting a family gathering or a casual lunch in the park, these dishes celebrate the best of summery plant-based eating, and will certainly take your picnic up a notch.
A sandwich is a classic component of any picnic, but these options will make soggy or boring sandwiches a thing of the past. Our Rainbow Veg Wraps are colourful, crunchy, and full of flavour from the tangy dressing and plenty of hummus. For alternatives to classic sandwich fillings, the Spiced Chickpea Sandwich and Aubergine BLT are perfect plant-based options for a picnic. Pack in some protein with a spicy Harissa Tofu Wrap, or switch out your standard sandwich for a stuffed pitta full of roasted mushrooms, salad, and yoghurt.
Want a fresh, crunchy, veg-packed lunch in only 5 minutes? These wraps are perfect when time is tight, but you don’t want to compromise on nutrition. Plus, they taste as good as they look! The veg is tossed in a deliciously tangy apple cider vinegar & maple dressing for maximum flavour. Feel free to get creative too, adding any extras you have in the fridge — avocado or sliced cucumber are particularly delicious!
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Inspired by a classic coronation-style sandwich, this spiced chickpea option got rave reviews in DE HQ. With creamy coconut yoghurt, curry powder and turmeric, the chickpea mix is full on flavour, and is absolutely delicious packed into soft sourdough with avocado and crispy salad.
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Pittas that pack a flavour punch. It’s amazing what you can make in just 15 minutes! Crunchy, creamy, and full of fragrant spice and veggies, they make a perfect weekday lunch. If you prefer, you can swap the pittas for flatbreads or cooked grains.
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This is one of my favourite recipes; I love its simplicity and the mix of flavours. The yoghurt with fresh mint is light and creamy, while the pan-fried harissa tofu adds real depth and spice. Adding a squeeze of lemon brings it all together.
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Whether for a summer picnic or tasty lunchbox, this hearty, satisfying sandwich makes the perfect lunch — use our no-knead sandwich flats or any bread you like.
View RecipeAnother great option for a picnic is to pack up a simple salad, meaning you have something fresh and easy to transport, which is also full of nutritious ingredients to ensure a picnic is still a satisfying meal. We’re currently loving orzo salads, and our Mediterranean version couldn’t be more perfect for summer as it’s full of seasonal veg. You can’t go wrong with a potato salad at a picnic, and we add lentils for an extra boost of plant protein, as well as a zingy mustard dressing. You can throw together our Simple Tomato & Chickpea Salad in only 10 minutes, while the Creamy Guacamole Salad is delicious and balanced thanks to its mixture of beans, fresh summery veg, and tangy avocado dressing. Finally, pack in 9 plants in one dish with our Super Veg Salad, with a mix of roasted and pickled vegetables.
We know how much you all love our orzo recipes, so wanted to make you a super summery, veggie-packed version full of delicious Mediterranean flavours. It makes a perfect simple summer supper, and the leftovers work great for lunch the next day. We’ve added tofu for extra protein, but feel free to swap it for beans or lentils.
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This salad is so much more than the sum of its parts. The lentils, capers and potatoes, tossed in a zingy mustard dressing, make this fresh, flavourful meal a hearty working lunch or summer dinner.
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This is such a simple salad to make for lunch during a busy week. The balsamic and olive oil bring the flavours together and taste delicious with the fresh tomatoes and parsley. We love to enjoy this with a side of fresh rocket drizzled in balsamic vinegar and our butter bean and artichoke dip.
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This vibrant, crowd-pleasing salad is a textural delight and perfect for any gathering. Avocado is featured chopped in the salad and blitzed through the sauce, adding an extra creamy element.
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Crunchy, tangy, super healthy and ready in 15 minutes. This is just the thing when you want to load up on nutrition and feel good about your day! The salty, sweet, sour taste of the pickled veggies combined with chickpeas, celery and cauliflower coated in warm spices, will keep you coming back for more.
View RecipeA picnic isn’t complete without a few extra snacks to dip into. Once you make your own falafel, you’ll never go back, and this herby recipe is our favourite. Pair it with a creamy dip like our Beetroot Hummus or Artichoke & Butter Bean Dip, which would also be perfect to go with some crunchy crudites. For something a little special, try our Summer Rolls or Smashed Cucumbers. Both are fresh and summery, an ideal plant-based addition to your picnic spread.
These flavour-filled herby falafel balls are a guaranteed firm favourite for picnics or make-ahead weekday lunches. We use dried chickpeas as although they take a little time to soak, they give the falafel a fluffier texture.
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Showcase beetroot at its best with this creamy, vibrant hummus. A great twist on the traditional dip, it's packed with flavour and ready in just 10 minutes.
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Simple, healthy and fun to make, these Vietnamese summer rolls are crammed with crunchy raw veggies, fresh herbs and soft noodles, all tucked inside a delicate rice paper wrapper. Make sure to serve with the creamy peanut sauce for dipping.
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This is one of those dishes that is fun to make as well as being packed with spicy, sweet, tangy deliciousness. Smashing up the cucumbers helps them marinate better and take on more of the pickling flavour in a short amount of time. Turn them into a quick and delicious lunch by spreading some creamy coconut yoghurt onto a slice of toast and topping with the pickled cucumber, a sprinkle of coriander and crack of pepper.
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Packed with flavour and ready in minutes, this dip is perfect for a picnic, BBQ or served with lots of fresh veggies, crackers or as part of a spread when you have friends round. It also keeps in a sealed container for up to 5 days, so enjoy the leftovers in sandwiches or on the side of salads and traybakes.
View RecipeWhat better way to round off a picnic than with something sweet? This selection of cookies, brownies and flapjacks are all easy to make and will transport well, making them perfect for a picnic. Choose from something fruity like our Berry Flapjacks or PB&J cookies, or something a little more indulgent like Pecan, Vanilla & Dark Chocolate Cookies, or brownies with the most delicious raspberry topping.
Easy baking is our forte at Deliciously Ella. We’re all about simple bakes packed with plants — here that’s a nourishing mix of oats, nuts, seeds — that come together with little time and effort. These Miso & Macadamia Oat Bites might sound fancy but they couldn’t be more foolproof and contain loads of plant-based goodness.
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Minimal effort for maximum pleasure, these irresistible chocolate cookies are so simple — no need for chilling or rolling into balls. Make them in just 20 minutes and enjoy with a cup of tea.
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Dense, squidgy and moreish, this fruity, chocolatey brownie is an irresistible anytime treat. The creamy, coconut and raspberry icing pairs perfectly with the fudgy brownie base — enjoy for afternoon tea or as a decadent dessert.
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Easy to make and ready in half an hour, these fruity flapjacks are the perfect afternoon treat or lunchbox snack for the week ahead. Top tip: make sure you do use porridge oats for these, if you use jumbo oats they won’t stick together
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If you’re a fan of the classic combo of PB&J, you’ll love these cute quick-bake cookies. Turning the all-American lunchbox tradition into a fun new treat, they come together in just 20 minutes. Switch up the jammy centre to whatever flavour takes your fancy.
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