The Perfect Picnic: Packable Bites for Outdoor Adventures

Easy, delicious foods that travel well for alfresco dining

When the Irish summer finally plays ball, and the skies clear for more than a few hours, there’s only one thing to do: pack up the essentials, gather whoever’s free and head outside for a picnic. Whether it’s the local park, a coastal walk, or just the back garden with a blanket on slightly lumpy grass, eating outside makes everything taste better - especially if you’ve done a bit of prep to make it all feel like a proper occasion.

This week’s recipes are all about embracing the joys of a sunny day with food that’s designed to travel well, taste great cold, and earn you hero status when it’s time to unpack the basket.

Picnic Quiche Slices

Let’s start with the Picnic Quiche Slices—a golden, cheesy number packed with shallots, tomatoes, crème fraîche and two of cheese (gruyère and parmesan, because it’s a picnic, not a punishment). Baked in a square tin and sliced into little slabs, this quiche is made for travelling. It holds its shape, it tastes just as good cold, and it’s got that just-fancy-enough vibe that makes your Tupperware look like a French café platter.

Really Good Roast Chicken Sandwich

Next up, the Really Good Roast Chicken Sandwich lives up to its name. Thick-cut white bread slathered with Dijon mayo, layered with juicy roast chicken, crispy bacon, gherkins, avocado, tomatoes, and crunchy gem lettuce. It’s a stacked, no-messing sandwich that somehow feels both comforting and completely indulgent. Wrap it tight in parchment paper and get ready for the “what’s in that?” glances when you unwrap it at the picnic.

Berry Hand Pies

And for a sweet finish that doesn’t require forks, plates or fuss, Berry Hand Pies are the dream. Buttery shortcrust pastry filled with a juicy mix of fresh and frozen berries, sealed, crimped, sugared and baked until golden. These are the kind of treats that feel homemade in the best possible way—slightly rustic, a little sticky, and very much worth making a double batch of.

So whether you’re off on an actual adventure or just making lunch feel a bit more special with a blanket in the garden, these recipes are proof that the perfect picnic isn’t about how far you travel—it’s about what’s inside the basket. Just don’t forget the flask of tea and the pack of cards, and you’re sorted.

Photography Credit: Donal Skehan & Tara Fisher

Food Styling Credit: Charlotte O’Connell