The Best Picnic Food Ideas Using Easy Fall Recipes (2024)

21 Genius Ideas for an Effortless Outdoor Party

Caramelized Onion Tart With Apples

Upgrade the basic picnic spread with a fancy tart that only looks tricky to make (and just 20 minutes of active prep work!). This tasty snack can be a sandwich replacement at a fall picnic, with autumnal flavors like caramelized onions, and apples lending it a touch of sweetness. Pair it with a fall salad for a gourmet tailgate or apple-picking picnic.

Tapas-Style Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is practically a picnic requirement. This hearty version features the bold flavors associated with Spanish tapas—toasted Marcona almonds, dried chorizo, olives, and Manchego cheese. Plus, this pasta dish comes together in just under a half hour, so it's an easy addition ot your picnic menu.

Brussels Sprouts Salad

Sure, we love them roasted, but Brussels sprouts also make a tasty centerpiece to this fall-flavored salad. Pair them with cranberries, radicchio, pecans, and parmesan for the perfect sweet-bitter-salty-sour combo. Bonus: You can prep the whole salad a few days ahead—just wait until the last minute to pour on the dressing and top with cheese.

Crispy Mushroom Reuben Sandwiches

Fall picnic menus call for heartier fare. These tasty, plant-based takes on the classic Reuben sandwich feature mushrooms in lieu of the traditional corned beef. (They still pack in so much flavor from the sauerkraut and cheese that you definitely won't miss the meat.)

Apple Cider Donuts

A fall classic as iconic as pumpkin spice, apple cider donuts will be a tasty addition to your fall parties. While this apple cider donut recipe calls for deep frying, you may also be able to make these in the air fryer—try at 350 degrees, turning them over after a few minutes of cooking,

Hazelnut Swirl Blondies

Blondies are a fan-favorite picnic dessert. This decadent recipe features swirls of hazelnut spread to satisfy chocolate-loving fans, and elevate the basic blondie to new heights.

Kale Salad With Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples

Kale is not only a superfood—it's a super addition to picnic salads, since it can be pre-dressed without worrying about wilting. This hearty salad practically screams fall, thanks to the apples, parmesan, almonds, and sweet potatoes that round out the dish.

P.S. If you're looking for a healthy addition to your fall picnic, this is the one, with several superfoods on the ingredient list.

Pumpkin Caramel Pie Bars With Toasted Coconut

Get a jump on Thanksgiving with these decadent pumpkin pie bars. They'll be a definite crowd pleaser at fall picnics. The bars feature two of the favorite flavors of fall—creamy pumpkin and salted caramel—along with a topping of smoky toasted coconut.

Pumpkin Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese is always a crowd pleaser. Adding in some creamy pumpkin puree not only gives the grilled cheese more creaminess and a touch of autumnal flavor—it also packs a nutritional punch. Using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter takes it to the next level.

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots with Sage

These delicious appetizers taste just as delicious at room temperature. And if you're not a fan of dried apricots, this would also be delicious with dates or dried figs instead.

Gorgonzola Cream and Prosciutto Endives

Looking for a tasty appetizer? Look no further! You don't have to cook these assembly-only treats, which feature peak fall produce like endive and apples.

Grinder Sandwiches

You definitely want heartier fare for fall picnics, and this hefty, meaty sandwich completely fits the bill. Choose your favorite fixings—or bring an array of ingredients to your picnic or tailgate and let each guest create their own TikTok-worthy grinder masterpiece.

Pears With Blue Cheese and Prosciutto

There's no law that says you have to have sandwiches or salads at a picnic. So why not opt for an easy snack-filled spread that requires a bare minimum of utensils?

Pears may get less attention than apples, but this fall fruit is a perfect sweet foil for peppery arugula and salty prosciutto in this easy-to-make appetizer.

Farro Bowl With Pomegranate Vinaigrette

This tasty picnic dish packs plenty of flavor into every bite. Salty feta is the perfect accompaniment to tart pomegranate, sweet potatoes, and fennel.

Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Seeds

Save aside all those pumpkin seeds when you're carving your pumpkins to create this picnic-friendly snack. The fall-favorite sugar-and-spice combo of cinnamon and sugar give this easy-to-make treat flavor.

Carrot Apple Slaw

This sweet-tart take on the classic cole slaw features granny smith apples and carrots alongside sauerkraut-laced onions. It's the perfect pairing for sausages if you're grilling out at a fall tailgate, or with a hearty fall sandwich. (Don't skip the raisins for an extra touch of sweetness.)

Bonus: If you're picnicking on a particularly warm fall day, this slaw doesn't feature mayo or other perishable ingredients, so it's easy to pack.

Caramelized Veggies With Poppy Seed Dressing

A salad doesn't have to mean raw veggies. Roasting the veggies gives them a sweetness that's perfectly balanced by the creamy, tart poppy seed dressing. (If you're not a fan of beets or parsnips, making this dish with just carrots is delicious, too.)

Turkey Pumpkin Chili

If you're planning a fall tailgate (or a picnic somewhere with a plug!), this tasty take on chili will be a hearty addition to the menu. It takes just a half hour to make, and you can bring it along in a thermos or a slow cooker set on warm to keep it toasty all picnic long.

Apple Cheddar Quesadillas

Fall apples and sharp cheddar are a perfect flavor match. Pack these easy-to-eat quesadillas for a picnic. They're less messy (and much less likely to fall apart) than an overstuffed sandwich.

Spicy Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a picnic and potluck classic dish. Give the classic deviled egg extra kick with this recipe, which features plenty of cayenne and some pimento to bring the heat.

Pumpkin Cream Sandwiches

These impressive-looking goodies actually take just a half-hour to whip up for your fall picnic or tailgate. (And they definitely help you satisfy your pumpkin spice craving, too!)

Mexican Hot Chocolate

For a cozier picnic, a hot beverage is a must—and this take on the classic features cinnamon and a hint of spice. (Bring it in a thermos to keep it piping hot throughout the picnic.)

Carrot-Ginger Dip

This vibrant dip is made with some of our favorite fall flavors: carrots, ginger and maple syrup. This picnic food idea tastes great cold or room temperature, which means it won't suffer from fridge to picnic blanket. Serve it with chips, breadsticks, or other veggies.

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars

These bars are the cheesecake-pumpkin-pie love child we've been dreaming of all summer. If you ask us, you can keep your PSL and just bake us a batch of these. For the easiest transport, let this fall recipe cool completely in the baking dish, wrap it up, and pack a knife to slice when you get to your picnic spot.

Spiked Hot Apple Cider With Molasses

With a potential swing of 20 degrees, fall afternoons can be unpredictable. Best come prepared with a thermos full of warmly spiced, molasses-sweetened apple cider. Make the fall classic without the bourbon and bring a bottle along instead: Keep it virgin for the kiddos and spike it for the grownups.