Life

11 Scrumptious Picnic Foods Because You Can Do Better Than Sandwiches

When we dream of picnics (which is often ), they always look like a Wes Anderson movie. We’re talking pastel skies and symmetrical landscapes, vintage wardrobes and quirky one-liners. As the sun sets, we feast to the sound of a sweeping, whimsical score.

So our real picnics are a lot less glamorous. And they don’t involve Owen Wilson. But this spring, we’re upping our game with a killer picnic basket — because eating al fresco doesn’t have to mean sandwiches and pasta salad. Dust off your checkered blanket and leave the PB&J at home. Here’s how to pack your picnic like a champ.

Image: Green Kitchen Stories

by Lisa Siva

Peanut Soba Spring Rolls

These sunny spring rolls from Love and Lemons get their kick from ponzu sauce and savory peanut noodles. And you were about to pack that sad pasta salad…

Image: Love and Lemons

Fried Brussels Sprouts

Put down the celery sticks. We’re doing picnic veggies right with fried Brussels sprouts — swapping the ranch dressing for smoky honey aioli, of course. Thanks, How Sweet Eats!

Image: How Sweet Eats

Roasted Grapes & Balsamic Reduction

Cheese and crackers are a picnic staple — but this time around, dress them up with Averie Cooks’ decadent grape and balsamic reduction.

Image: Averie Cooks

Corn & Basil Muffins

Crepes of Wrath whips up two of our favorite springtime ingredients in one, portable muffin. Yes, please.

Image: Crepes of Wrath

Baked Pancake with Spring Greens

Part frittata and part soufflé, this airy pancake from Green Kitchen Stories stars your beautiful spring greens.

Image: Green Kitchen Stories

Honey Bacon Onigiri

Rice balls are the ultimate picnic fare — they’re small, portable, and (of course) adorable. Top it off with honey and bacon, and we’re in heaven. Thanks, My Name Is Yeh!

Image: My Name Is Yeh

Vegetable Frittata

A picnic roundup without a frittata recipe would be the worst kind of heresy. Clean out your vegetable drawer with this everything-but-the-sink frittata from Damn Delicious.

Image: Damn Delicious

Thyme Lemonade

What’s a picnic without lemonade? Jelly Toast adds depth to this springtime staple with a hint of thyme. Bottoms up!

Image: Jelly Toast

Homemade Oreos

Oreos are all grown-up in Hummingbird High’s homemade recipe.

Image: Hummingbird High

Blueberry Hand PIes

They’re buttery! They’re flaky! They fit in tbe palm of your hand! These pies from Some Kitchen Stories are everything we ever wanted in dessert.

Image: Some Kitchen Stories

Tiramisu

When all else fails, put it in a glass. Half Baked Harvest blew our minds with this genius tiramisu recipe, which calls for beignets instead of lady fingers.

Image: Half Baked Harvest

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