As the weather warms up and the sun starts to shine, it’s the perfect time to head outdoors and enjoy a fun and delicious vegan picnic. Here is my top 21 Easy vegan picnic recipe ideas 2023: Perfect for everyone
Whether you’re planning a day at the beach, a picnic in the park, or a barbecue in your own backyard with friends and family, there are plenty of vegan options that are both nutritious and satisfying and will fill your picnic basket.
Vegan Dips
1. Vegan Hummus
A classic dip that never disappoints, hummus is a creamy and flavourful spread that’s perfect for dipping fresh vegetables, pitta bread, or tortilla chips. Plus, it’s high in protein, fibre, and healthy fats. Try making your own hummus at home or shop bought will do.
2. Vegan Guacamole
Another tasty dip that’s full of healthy fats and nutrients, guacamole is a great addition to any vegan picnic. Simply mash avocado with lime juice, a little salt, and garlic. You could also try and add in some diced tomatoes and red onion for some extra flavour.
Everyday Homemade has a great recipe for Easy 4 Ingredient Guacamole
3. Crudites
Take your picnic to the next level with a colourful array of fresh veggies, such as carrots, cucumber, peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Serve with your hummus or guacamole for a healthy and satisfying plant-based recipe.
4. Pitta Bread
For a soft and fluffy accompaniment to your dips and veggies, pitta bread is a great choice. Don’t worry about making this yourself (unless you want to) just grab it from your local store. Gluten-free bread will also work perfectly with these finger foods. Make sure you pack the wet wipes as it can get a little messy.
Main Courses
5. Coronation Chickpea Sandwich
This vegan spin on the traditional is packed with tons of flavour and nutrition. Mix up some chickpeas with curry powder, vegan mayo, and dried fruit, and spread it on your favourite bread.
Link to my recipe here.
6. Falafel
These flavorful balls made from chickpeas, herbs, and spices are perfect for munching on during a vegan picnic. Made from chickpeas, garlic, onion, some fresh herbs and a little flour these are quick and easy to make. Serve them with a dollop of hummus or tahini and you’ve got a protein-packed snack that’s both tasty and filling.
7. Easy & Delicious Veggie Wraps
Forget the vegan sandwiches, try these veggie wraps. They are a great source of protein and are packed with edamame, spinach, avocado, carrot, and cucumber slices, plus I like to add a little sweet corn for that extra crunch.
8. Roasted Vegetable Skewers
Add some colour and flavour to your summer picnic with some roasted veggie skewers. Dice up your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, courgette (aubergine) and onions, and roast them in the oven with some olive oil and spices. Thread them onto skewers and pack them up for your picnic.
9. High Protein Pasta with Broccoli & Red Peppers
This nutritious recipe is the perfect addition to any picnic. Packed with protein and nutrients and simple to make.
My favourite recipe can be found at Melissa Traub – Plant based Nutrition
10. Vegan Summer Salad
A vegan picnic isn’t complete is it without a salad? This Meditteranean bean salad is just perfect. With black beans, chickpeas, pepper, cucumber and red onion this is just delicious. Check out the recipe from The Mediterranean Dish.
Perfect Accompaniment
11. Vegan Minty Potato Salad
This delicious and creamy potato salad is a must-have at any vegan picnic. Simply boil some potatoes, mix them with vegan mayo mixed with chopped mint and red onion and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing side dish.
12. Crisps
For the best picnic potato chips (crisps) are an obvious choice.
Some of my favourites are:
- Pringles BBQ, Plain and Paprika.
- Kettle Chips – Salt & Vinegar, Lightly Salted
- Lays – Classic, Barbeque, Salt & Vinegar, Limon
- Walkers – a lot of their Crisps don’t include animal products in the ingredients list but aren’t marked as Vegan but Vegetarian.
Just be sure to read the ingredients label to make sure they’re free from animal products as the manufacturers can change the ingredients as they are naughty like that!
13. Fruit Salad
Fresh fruit is always a hit at picnics, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Slice up some watermelon, pack some juicy strawberries, or bring a bunch of grapes to share.
You could even get the kids involved and make sure fruit kebabs. Little tip, to stop fruit going brown, especially chopped apple, squeeze over a little orange or lemon juice.
14. Vegan Cheese
Vegan cheese is a great addition to any picnic spread or can be served as a main dish.
Try sprinkling some on top of your falafels or spreading it on a slice of bread. It is always best to make sure that the cheese you choose had added calcium and iodine.
Here are some of my favourites which are also a hit with my kids and fortified.
- Tesco Plant Chef Soft Cheese – delicious on celery
- Applewood Vegan Smoked Hard Cheese
- Sheese – for the adults the Danish Blue is delicious, for the kids the mild cheddar
15. Vegan Cheese Scones
For a savoury treat that’s perfect for sharing, try making some vegan cheese scones at home. They’re easy to customise with your favourite flavours, and pair perfectly with many meals. Check out my recipe for more info
Vegan Sweet Treat
16. Chickpea Cookie Dough Bites
For a sweet treat that is simple, delicious and easy to make these chickpea cookie dough bites will hit the spot. Packed with fibre and healthy fats from peanut butter they are a great vegan picnic food to share with the whole family.
You can find my recipe here
17. Vegan Gingersnap Cookies
These cookies are so quick and easy to make and should definitely feature on your vegan picnic menu. I love the recipe from easy chickpeasy.
18. Vegan Chocolate
As always a little vegan chocolate bar must feature at a vegan picnic. Choose your fave and pop it in the basket! This is sure to be a hit with the kids.
19. Vegan Lemon Loaf Cake
How delicious does this look? This is honestly such as easy recipe and is perfect for al fresco dining. The recipe by a fellow dietitian Debbie is just delicious!
20. Easy Vegan Brownies
Who doesn’t love a chocolatey treat.
21. Don’t forget the drinks!
Stay hydrated during them long days in the warm weather by packing plenty of water, sugar-free juices, refreshing iced tea or even a little sugar-free, non-alcoholic fizz. Here’s a great round-up post that will definitely get your taste buds going. Remember to omit any alcohol for children or if pregnant.
Wow, what a round up! With these perfect picnic ideas, you’ll be able to enjoy some delicious foods on those hot summer days. So grab your picnic blanket, your wicker basket and ice packs and find the ideal spot.
Whether you choose to some colourful veggies and dips, some protein-packed falafels, or some sweet and satisfying treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on your next picnic in the great outdoors.
Don’t forget, you can get a copy of this blog straight to your inbox. Just click on the link below
Hannah x
Hannah is an Expert Registered Dietitian specialising in Vegan Family Nutrition and Cows Milk Protein Allergy.
She is a respected figure in the field of nutrition and a captivating speaker and sought after media spokesperson being featured in esteemed publications including the Sunday Times, Independent and Huffington Post.
Credentials
- Registered Dietitian
- First Class Degree in Nutrition
Experience
- Over 15 years experience working in the field of nutrition
- Respected Media Spokesperson both in the UK & USA; quoted online, TV and in local and international news
- Writer & Researcher, supporting the BDA and PEN Nutrition
