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August 5, 2021 | AMT PANS, INGREDIENTS, SMALLWARES
10 Best Finger Foods for Picnic Season
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
No one is immune to the simple charms of a picnic. It’s the perfect lowkey date, a midday kid-pleaser, and a leisurely get-together with friends. What other meal is this versatile? Picnics are a way to enjoy the nice weather with good food and better company. Make your next picnic one to remember with a spread that is a step up from macaroni salad and ham sandwiches. With just a bit more effort, you can serve easy picnic food like Italian-style sandwiches, crostini, and skewers at your next outdoor hangout.
These simple picnic finger foods recipes are delicious without requiring exceptional skill or time to make. Just in time for summer, we’ve created a full menu with the 10 best finger foods, including mains, sides and desserts, to make hosting your next picnic effortless yet elevated.
10 Best Finger Foods: Recipe List
- Pressed Italian Sandwich
- Cucumber Cream Cheese Crostini
- Egg Salad Crostini
- Pigs in an Everything Blanket
- Prosciutto and Melon Skewers
- Salad Skewers
- Caprese Skewers
- Maple Bacon Snack Mix
- Fruit Salad Skewers
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pressed Italian Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of focaccia bread
- Olive oil
- 3 red peppers roasted
- 1/2 cup of basil leaves
- 300 grams of assorted deli meats
- 100 grams of Provolone cheese
Directions
1. To roast peppers, cut sides of peppers and broil in the oven for 5-10 minutes until charred. Place in a Ziplock bag and cool for 30 minutes. Remove skin from peppers and slice into strips.
2. Cut focaccia loaf in half, brush each side with olive oil.
3. Layer meat, cheese, peppers, basil on bottom of the loaf. Top off sandwich with the other half of the bread.
4. Wrap in plastic wrap. Place in between 2 baking sheets and add something heavy to the top.
5. Refrigerate overnight.
6. Cut into portions and wrap in parchment paper.
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
Crostini
Cut a baguette into narrow strips, brush with olive oil and toast in the oven until toasted.
Cucumber Cream Cheese Crostinis
Ingredients
- Sliced cucumbers
- Half a package of cream cheese
- 2 TBS fresh chopped dill
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Directions
1. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, dill, garlic powder and salt and pepper until combined.
2. On toasted baguette, Spread 1 TBS of cream cheese mixture.
3. Top with 4 thinly sliced cucumbers.
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
Egg Salad Crostini
Ingredients
- 6 boiled eggs
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 green onion thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1. In a mixing bowl mash boiled eggs with a fork.
2. Add mayo, mustard, green onions and salt and pepper mix until combined
3. Top toasted baguette with mixture
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
Pigs in an “Everything” Blanket
Ingredients
- 6 hot dogs
- 1 can of Pillsbury Weiner wrap (or crescent rolls)
- 1 egg
- Everything bagel seasoning
Directions
1. Wrap hotdogs in dough and place seam side down in baking sheet.
2. Brush with egg wash.
3. Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on wrapped dogs. 4. Bake at 325°F on a baking sheet for 15 minutes or until golden brown. We like the AMT Gastronorm 1/1 baking tray for its durability, even heat retention and non-stick properties.
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
Maple Bacon Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 1 cup melted butter · 2 TBS + 1tsp maple bacon seasoning (available at FoodSupplies.ca)
- 3 TBS maple syrup
(A total of 16 cups of dry ingredients are needed, feel free to customize your snack mix by using other crackers, cereals, or nuts. The choices below are our suggestions.)
- 2 cup of nuts like almonds or peanuts
- 4 cups Chex
- 2 cups Shreddies
- 2 cup cheese nips or goldfish crackers
- 3 cups pretzels
- 3 cups Ringalos
Directions
1. In a large bowl, add all ingredients.
2. Melt butter and add seasoning and syrup. Stir until combined.
3. Combine butter and dry. Stir until coated.
4. Spread on baking sheet and bake at 325°F for 40 minutes, stirring halfway. Snack mix is done when toasted.
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
Prosciutto and Melon Skewers
Ingredients
- 100 grams prosciutto
- 2 cups of cubed cantaloupe
- 1 cup of bocconcini
Directions
1. On each 6" skewer, place 1 cube of cantaloupe, 1 bocconcini, a half a slice of prosciutto folded up and 1 more piece of cantaloupe. We suggest using our Food Supplies’ 6 inch bamboo skewers, with a thicker end for easier assembly and handling.
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
Salad Skewer
Ingredients
- Iceberg lettuce cut into 1.5" cubes
- 1 cup of Cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber cut into half long ways and then cut into 1" chunks
- Ranch dressing
Directions
1. On each 6" skewer place: 1 piece of lettuce, 1 cucumber cube, and 1 cherry tomato.
2. Drizzle with ranch dressing.
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
Caprese Salad Skewer
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cherry tomatoes
- 1 bunch of basil leaves
- 1 cup of bocconcini
- Balsamic glaze
Directions
1. On each 6" skewer, place: 1 cherry tomato, 1 basil leaf, 1 bocconcini, and 1 cherry tomato.
2. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
Fruit Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cubed watermelon
- 2 cups of cubed cantaloupe
- 1 cup green grapes
- 1 cup red grapes
- Honey (optional)
Directions
1. On each 6" skewer, place 1 watermelon, 1 cantaloupe, 1 green grape, and 1 red grape.
2. Drizzle with honey if desired.
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups of flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 TBS molasses
- 3/4 cups melted butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 whole egg and 1 egg yolk
- 1.5 cups chocolate chips
Directions
1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
2. In a mixer, combine sugar, molasses and butter and mix for 3 minutes.
3. Add vanilla and eggs.
4. Add dry ingredients slowly.
5. Once combined, add chocolate chips, and stir. 6. Scoop onto baking sheet using a #30 disher scoop and bake at 325°F for 15 minutes.
PHOTO: NICHOLE KELLY
Pack some drinks and a picnic blanket and you’re all set for a great outdoor meal!
