Late summer is an ideal time for picnics. You can beat the heat by kicking back under a shady tree, the kids can enjoy one last hurrah before the school year starts, and you don’t have to sweat over a hot stove to prepare for the event. There is something truly magical about gathering friends and family together for an outdoor feast of easy summer picnic recipes. The only question is: what’s for dinner?

Perfect Picnic Recipes

Everyone has their own opinion on the perfect picnic foods, ranging from a quick PB&J to an intricate, totable three-course meal. For those who like their outdoor picnic food fare to sit somewhere in the middle, these simple and healthy picnic recipes are juuust right. Also, all of the dishes below are plant-based, leaving a smaller footprint on the planet. Throw in some machine-washable cloth napkins and reusable bamboo plates, and you’ll have an eco-friendly event that will create memories for seasons to come.

Dippables

Dips and spreads are some of the easiest fare for any type of social gathering. They also travel well and don’t require cutlery! Pack up some crudités, tortilla chips, or pita bread and dip into these savory spreads.

• Indian Char-Roasted Eggplant Dip
• White Bean and Sun-Dried Tomato Pâté
• 5-Ingredient Perfect Guacamole
• Sunflower Lentil Spread
• Homemade Salsa Verde

Simple Salads

Imaginative salads make up the core of a great picnic. Whether vegetable or fruit-based, savory or sweet, these scoopable sides pack a ton of flavor and nutrition into a popular package. Whip up one of these plant-based creations and you won’t have to worry about any eggy mayo spoiling in the sun.

• Potato Salad with Cilantro, Dill, and Raw Vegan Mayo
• Mediterranean Orzo Salad
• Black Bean and Corn Salad
• Cucumber, Watermelon, and Basil Salad
• Sweet Carrot and Raisin Salad

Sandwiches and Wraps

For lounging under the sun, handheld lunch options are a must! For these savory sammys, you can either wrap them up for on-the-go eats or package the ingredients separately so they don’t get soggy en route to your favorite summery spot.

• Chickpea “Tuna” Salad Sandwiches
• Baked Falafel Wraps
• BBQ Pulled Sweet Potato Sandwiches
• Asian Collard Wraps with Peanut Sauce
• Pesto, Hummus, and Avocado Sandwiches

Snacks by the Handful

No one likes using a knife and fork at a picnic. True outdoorsy gatherings require only the utensils nature gave us: our hands! These sweet, salty, and savory snacks will cut down on clean-up time and keep everyone’s tummy happy at the same time.

• Super-Simple Baked Veggie Chips
• Popcorn Trail Mix
• Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
• Spicy Garlic Kale Chips
• Banana Bread Granola

Easy Desserts

Every meal — whether indoors or out — is made complete by satisfying the old sweet tooth. These tasty treats are healthy and easy to make at home. They pack up for picnics well so you aren’t left feeling that familiar, sugary lethargy that accompanies many of the typical decadent desserts.

• Sweet Potato Brownies
• Raw Spiced Orange Thumbprint Cookies
• Chocolate Pumpkin Truffle Pops
• Raspberry Peach Fruit Leather
• Thin Oat and Ginger Snaps

Katie Medlock is a writer, mental health counselor, and educator on a quest to make the world a better place. Her writing has appeared on Headspace, Inhabitat, Care2, Ravishly, and Chic Vegan. On her days off, you will find her cooking, catching up on nerdy podcasts, blogging at The Offbeat Herbivore (https://offbeatherbivore.com), or lounging with her partner and rescue dachshund.

Which of these simple and healthy picnic recipes will you try this summer? Let us know below or share your favorite picnic recipe on Facebook and Twitter.