What to take on a picnic: picnic checklist

A general rule of thumb for good finger food is to avoid messiness. Finger foods should be easy to hold, free of runny, drippy sauces and fillings, and easy to portion out to multiple people. Think wraps cut into pinwheels, mini sausage rolls, cheese cubes paired with crackers. If you can grab it with two fingers or pick it up with a toothpick, it’s probably a good picnic food option.

For adults, aim for fuss-free finger food that feels filling. Think antipasti-style bits like olives, cheese and crackers, tortilla chips with dip, halved wraps, pasta salad pots, and fruit chunks. If your menu for the day includes anything chilled like dairy, cooked meats, or prepared salads, pack them in a cool bag with ice packs and keep the bag closed as much as possible until serving.

Picnic-friendly foods include washed whole (uncut, with the skin on) fruit, crackers, crisps, popcorn, biscuits, flapjacks, and sealed drinks. If you’re not sure whether something needs chilling, it’s best to assume that if you would store it in the fridge at home, then it needs to stay cool on your picnic too.

If you’re planning a car picnic, bring a small tray for serving, lots of napkins, and pack drinks in a separate bag so you don’t have to open the food cooling bag too frequently. Choose low-mess foods that are easy to eat without doing a balancing act, like wraps, pasta salad pots, fruit, and snacks. Keep chilled foods in a cool bag with ice packs and store it in a dark, cool area of the car, such as the boot.

A “posh picnic” is more about presentation than complicated recipes. Pack a few sharers like a grain salad, a quiche or savoury tart (kept chilled), fresh berries, and a simple dessert like brownies. Bring cloth napkins, reusable cups, and a small board or tray for serving. If you are taking prepared foods, keep them chilled in a cool bag with ice packs and do not leave them sitting out in warm weather.

A good picnic snack is sturdy, shareable, and not too messy. Think snacks that that aren’t sticky, dripping in sauce or likely to crumble, like crisps, popcorn, flapjacks, fruit, and veggie sticks. If you want something more filling, try yoghurt pouches or cheese snacks, but always remember to keep dairy chilled in a cool bag with ice packs. Washing fruit and veg before you leave also makes outdoor snacking easier.

The best picnic food is whatever suits your day out and is safe to pack. Many people go for a simple mix: one main (wraps or sandwiches), something fresh (fruit or salad pots), and a few treats (biscuits or flapjacks). If you are bringing foods that need chilling, keep them in a cool bag with ice packs and keep the bag in the shade. Food safety guidance can vary with weather, so check the Food Standards Agency advice if you are packing perishables.

Good finger foods include wrap halves, mini muffins, cheese and crackers, crudités, fruit, and snack bars. To keep things easy, pack a mix of savoury and sweet, and use small tubs so people can grab what they want. Pro tip: Keep a box of toothpicks handy, so people can pick up smaller snacks from shared containers without directly touching the food. If you’re comfortable using them, chopsticks are great for hygienic sharing of finger foods, so pack a few pairs of those too. If your finger foods include chilled items like cooked meats, dairy, or prepared salads, keep them cold in a cool bag with ice packs and limit how often you open it.

No-cook picnic options include ready-to-eat wraps, salad pots, dips with pitta chips, tortilla chips, nachos, fruit, crisps, and bakery snacks. You can also assemble simple sandwiches at home. Pack wet wipes, hand sanitiser, napkins, and a bin bag so you can eat comfortably anywhere. If you are taking chilled foods, keep them cool with ice packs and try to eat them sooner rather than later, especially on warm days.