Picnics offer a fun and quick getaway from your busy daily life. It’s a chance to have some quality time with your loved ones. Likewise, you can truly enjoy each other’s company surrounded by beautiful nature. What’s more? It’s a perfect time to experiment with your picnic food ideas.
Indeed, no picnic is complete without delicious refreshments as company. Great food can uplift the mood and encourage warm conversations. That’s why you should be sure to bring only the best treats to your picnic.
For reference, here are five tasty finger foods for your picnic ideas! Also, discover their ingredients and easy ways to make them.
Kid-Friendly Picnic Food Ideas (and Enjoyable for Adults)
Before we start, let’s agree to decide that picnic foods should be nutritious and easy to pack. As for kids, they love simple yet fun, easy-to-grab foods that require minimal clean-up.
Popular favorites are pizza whirls, mini pinwheel sandwiches, fruit kabobs, mini sausage rolls, crunchy veggies with dip, and cheese sticks. They also enjoy bite-sized treats, such as mess-free brownies, mini muffins, or oat energy balls.
Still, the following are more inspiring picnic food ideas you can give a try.
5 Easy Finger Food Ideas for Your Next Outing
They don’t have to be complicated. So, here are some easy-to-make finger food ideas you can try for your next picnic:
1. Onigiri (Japanese Rice Ball)
Simple and customizable, onigiri is one finger food you can adjust according to everyone’s taste! The name comes from the Japanese word “nigiru,” which means “to grasp” or “to squeeze – it’s literally rice balls. Still, you can also find them in common triangular shapes.
It’s simple and balanced – no need to fry, no heavy sauces. One of the perfect picnic food ideas, it’s also a popular lunch for students or busy workers.
Onigiri is similar yet different from sushi rolls. Sushi adds vinegar to season its rice, while onigiri uses plain rice as its base. Here’s how to make this easy recipe:
Ingredients:
- Rice, preferably koshihikari rice (Japonica – a premium Japanese rice)
- nori or flat seaweed wrapper
- furikake (a dry, umami-rich Japanese seasoning intended for sprinkling on dishes)
How to Make Onigiri:
- Cook the rice. Once done, leave it to cool.
- Put the rice into a mixing bowl, add furikake, and mix evenly.
- Separate the rice into large handful portions.
- Wet your hands and rub a pinch of salt into the rice to stop it from sticking and keep it fresh.
- If you want to add fillings, take a portion of rice in your hands and make a dent for the ingredients. Then, fold the rice over the fillings.
- Press tightly into a ball. Use mainly your fingertips while resting the rice on your palm.
- Place a slice of nori on the bottom of the onigiri and fold it towards the middle of the onigiri.
2. Fruit Salad
If you’re going somewhere sunny, then you absolutely have to bring some fruit salad with you. Stay refreshed with your favorite fruits. What a brilliant option for your picnic food ideas – everyone loves it.
Besides, it’s super easy. Here’s how you can make one:
Ingredients:
- strawberries
- grapes
- blueberries
- raspberries
- blackberries
- or any other fruit of your choice
- yoghurt or honey
How to Make Fruit Salad
- Pack yoghurt or honey and pre-cut fruit in a container to bring with you.
- Once you arrive at the picnic site, you can mix in the fruits with the yogurt.
- If you prefer a stronger or sweeter taste, add some honey into the mix.
3. Sausage Rolls
This savory snack made of puff pastry and meaty fillings is a must-bring during every picnic. The bite-sized portion is perfect to enjoy with a dipping sauce.
The flaky pastry won’t get everywhere if you can eat it in just one bite, so that’s even better. Another great choice for your picnic food ideas, isn’t it?
You don’t have to rush to make it right before going on a picnic. Instead, you can start preparing it the day before. Refrigerate the unbaked rolls, then reheat them the next morning. Here are the ingredients and steps to make delicious sausage rolls:
Ingredients:
- puff pastry
- ground beef or sausage meat
- breadcrumbs
- eggs
- smoked paprika
- onion & garlic
- thyme
- cayenne pepper
- parsley
- salt
- cooking oil
How to Make Sausage Rolls:
- Heat oil and sauté onions in a medium saucepan for a minute. Add garlic, thyme, and cayenne pepper according to your spiciness tolerance.
- Stir for about another minute or two, be sure to not let it burn.
- Grab a medium bowl. Then put in beef or unseasoned sausage meat, parsley, salt, breadcrumbs, egg, and smoked paprika. After that, add the sautéed ingredients and mix everything thoroughly.
- Unroll the puff pastry onto a lightly floured board, cut in half lengthways.
- Spoon ¼ of the mixture and spread along the length of each pastry strip. Make sure to leave a 1 cm edge.
- Tightly roll the pastry around the mixture and secure it by brushing the ends with beaten egg. Repeat for the remaining strips.
- Let it rest in the fridge for about 10 minutes before cutting each roll into 8–10 pieces per roll.
- Place in a 205°C oven and cook for about 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp. You can choose your own selection of dipping sauce.
4. Nachos
What’s next on your list of picnic food ideas? You should never miss out on nachos. Simple and tasty, these treats will keep you reaching for more during your picnic.
Originating in Northern Mexico, this Tex-Mex nibble is basically crunchy corn tortilla chips served with or without melted cheese. They usually come with extra toppings like jalapeños, meat, beans, and salsa.
Sound mouthwatering, aren’t they? Here’s all you need to make the best nachos for your picnic:
Ingredients:
- tortilla chips
- cheese (use cheddar, monterey jack, colby, american, pepper jack, mozzarella, or a combination of any of the mentioned cheeses)
- toppings of your choice (e.g., ground beef, shredded beef, shredded chicken, tomatoes, black olives, black beans, jalapeños)
- Sauce of your choice (e.g., sour cream, salsa, guacamole)
How to Make Nachos
- Put your tortilla chips on a standard-size baking sheet; be sure to spread evenly.
- For a standard-size bag of chips, grate one pound of a block of cheese.
- Add your toppings, preferably at room temperature. As for the meat, be sure to cook it beforehand.
- Bake the nachos in the oven at 177°C for around 13–15 minutes, until the cheese melts.
- Pack it in a tight container and bring your choice of sauce.
5. Beef Empanadas
Are you looking for a dish that provides both sweet and savory flavor for your picnic food ideas? Well, beef empanadas are definitely for you. Taste the soft, flaky crust and discover savory ground beef filling within!
Historically, this dish can be traced back to medieval Spain and Portugal. It drew its roots from the traditions of Moorish people – wrapping meats in pastry.
The term “empanada” itself originates from “empanar,” which means “to wrap or coat in bread.” Accordingly, people usually wrap or shape it like a crescent moon and then fry or bake it.
So, which one do you prefer? Here’s how you can make the most scrumptious empanadas as one of your picnic food ideas:
Ingredients:
For empanada dough, you’ll need:
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- sugar
- unsalted butter
- eggs
- distilled white vinegar
- cold water or milk
For empanada filling, you’ll need:
- ground beef
- onion and garlic
- vegetable oil
- oregano spice
- ground cumin
- paprika, tomatoes, red bell pepper
- tomato paste
- chicken stock
- salt & pepper
- cilantro
How to Make Beef Empanadas
- Mix together the flour, salt, and sugar until they blend well.
- Add butter and pulse in short bursts until it turns coarse.
- Pour in eggs, egg yolk, and vinegar. Then, add a small amount of water and mix until the dough holds together in a ball.
- Divide the dough in two and wrap it in plastic wrap. Then, set it in the fridge for around 30 minutes until it’s slightly firm.
- While you wait, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Put in ground beef and stir it so it doesn’t form large chunks, for approximately 3–5 minutes.
- Add onions, minced garlic, oregano spice, ground cumin, and paprika. Sauté for about 3–5 minutes until fragrant.
- Season with salt and pepper, then sauté for the same amount of time until the liquid dries up.
- Add some cilantro, mix, and set it aside to cool.
- Then, remove the dough from the fridge and flatten it on a floured surface.
- Cut out circles on the dough by using a biscuit cutter (3 inches) until there’s no more dough left.
- Fill each dough with 1–2 tablespoons of filling. Be sure to fold over and seal the edges of the empanadas.
- Preheat the oven to 190°C, then bake for about 25–30 minutes.
Night-Time BBQ Under the Stars at Bobocabin
Want to have a picnic and relax while enjoying Indonesia's scenic beauty? Bobocabin is the solution for your nature getaway with a modern glamping experience.
Indeed, Bobocabin allows you to experience the healing touch of Mother Nature. It lets you embrace tranquillity amid nature. Also, it offers treasured quality time to connect with your loved ones.
Alright, what will you get? A high-tech coziness. Each cabin features facilities unique to Bobocabin, such as Smart Window and B-Pad. Adjust the window tint according to your liking for maximum privacy and comfort.
Bobocabin is a perfect retreat to spend some quality time with your family, partner, or friends. What about a nighttime BBQ beneath the stars? Or, you know, real camping is not complete without a campfire.
Worry not. Bobocabin has it all for you, even for the daytime experience. Enjoy a pleasant full set of mini picnics. An official add-on, it is an aesthetic, relaxing outdoor picnic package. It usually comes with a mat, basket, and a selection of meals or light snacks.
Wait, there's more. You can order meals, drinks, or snacks, as well as BBQ packages directly from your phone. Want fresh, warm meals delivered to your cabin door? Try the Bobodeli service at select locations.
ALSO READ:
- Indonesia's Most Popular Dishes: A Traveler's Essential Food Guide
- 10 Best Cafes in Yogyakarta for Great Coffee, Food, and Visual Vibes!
- 10 Best Foods in Jakarta You Must Try at Least Once
- Medan Food Guide: 9 Must-Try Local Dishes for First-Time Visitors
Who knows, they can be inspiration for your next picnic food ideas? All you need to do is find your favorite Bobocabin location first. Download the Bobobox app on the Play Store or App Store for booking and more information!
Featured Photo: WyteShot via Pexels
