35 Indian Picnic Food Ideas: Picnicking The Indian Way

Looking to elevate your picnicking experience? Ditch the same old sandwiches and chips for a flavorful Indian-inspired spread instead! India’s cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors and aromas, making it the perfect fit for an outdoor adventure. From crispy samosas and savory pakoras to refreshing glasses of mango lassi, there’s something for every palate. And don’t worry if you’re a vegetarian – Indian cuisine has plenty of mouth-watering meat-free options that are just as satisfying.

35 Indian Picnic Food Ideas

When venturing outdoors for a meal, meticulous planning is key. Whether your outdoor dining experience involves a casual gathering or a grand celebration, it’s essential to prepare accordingly. This includes selecting mouthwatering snacks that are easy to transport and enjoy in an alfresco setting.

Spinach wrap

Combining simplicity with nutritional value, the spinach wrap boasts a mere four ingredients: cold water, flour, baby spinach, and table salt. This vegan delight not only tantalizes the taste buds but also caters to dietary restrictions. Among various spinach wrap options, the whole-wheat variety stands out as the healthiest choice. With its increased nutritional profile compared to plain flour wraps, this option provides a satisfying and wholesome snacking experience.

Sexy spinach

Combining spinach with chia seeds, mint, lime, cucumber, and green grapes creates a nutrient-dense blend that’s not only delicious but also packed with benefits. The addition of lime injects freshness, while cucumber contributes to hydration. Chia seeds provide an extra boost of protein. This ‘super green food’ earns its name due to the essential role spinach plays in our lives, offering low calories and a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. As a result, it’s an ideal choice for those seeking to build muscle, lose weight, or maintain overall well-being. Furthermore, this blend is rich in skin-friendly nutrients like vitamins A and C, which help to refine skin tone and facilitate repair.

Vegan Palak Patta Chaat

In Indian cuisine, palak patta chaat is a beloved snack that’s easy to elevate for vegans. This delightful treat makes for an excellent picnic addition, satisfying both taste buds and dietary requirements. With the onset of winter, most street food stalls and markets come alive with the crispy spinach crackers, generously topped with creamy dahi, tangy chutney, and a medley of other flavors.

Spiced Almond Banana Jaggery Cake

The inclusion of this cake recipe in the list is largely due to the impressive nutritional profile of jaggery, a type of sugar that’s often referred to as a ‘superfood’ owing to its rich mineral and vitamin content. What sets jaggery apart from white sugar is its significantly lower sucrose content. For those prioritizing their health, this cake offers an array of super benefits making it an excellent choice.

Paneer Tikka Sandwich

The paneer tikka sandwich is an explosion of flavors, combining the spicy kick of mint chutney with the richness of coriander, cheese, and vegetables, all wrapped around a tender paneer core. This mouthwatering creation is not only a treat for the taste buds but also provides a valuable boost to our bodily functions.

Interestingly, research suggests that consuming protein-rich foods like paneer at least an hour prior to sleeping can have beneficial effects on our overall health. As we slumber, our body works tirelessly to repair and rejuvenate our muscles, bones, and other tissues, requiring essential proteins to facilitate the process. Paneer, with its high protein content, is an excellent option for meeting these needs.

While paneer can be enjoyed during lunchtime as well, it’s best to avoid overindulging in this nutritious food during the day to allow your body to properly digest and utilize its benefits.

Greek Honey Cake

When planning a picnic, indulging in sweet treats is a must, but maintaining a healthy approach is crucial. Greek honey cake offers the perfect solution. This delectable dessert relies solely on honey as its sweetener, eliminating the need for refined sugar. The result is a scrumptious and nutritious treat that’s both moist and crunchy, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious picnickers.

Rainbow Sandwich

The rainbow vegetable sandwich is more than just a visually appealing creation – its unique layered design offers numerous health benefits. Not only does it contribute to maintaining a healthy weight and boosting immunity by fighting off bacterial infections, but it also plays a crucial role in preventing serious illnesses like colon cancer. The high fiber content, courtesy of the generous helping of vegetables, is another significant advantage. By incorporating an array of colorful vegetables into this sandwich, you’ll be indulging in a nutrient-rich meal that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.

Mile High Chocolate Pastry

Indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience with this decadent six-layered masterpiece. The moist chocolate sponge is perfectly balanced by rich layers of creamy chocolate, finished with a satisfying crunch from the garnishing crumbs. This show-stopping dessert is an absolute must-try for any self-proclaimed chocoholic seeking to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Kerala-Style Soya Roast

This savory condiment boasts a pungent aroma and a bold flavor profile, courtesy of its carefully crafted blend of tomato, onion, and other spices. The soya chunks at the heart of this dish have gained widespread acclaim as an innovative meat substitute. Not only are they remarkably flavorful, but also nutritious and versatile enough to pair seamlessly with a wide range of meals.

Tandoori Chicken Nugget

The juiciness of tandoori chicken can be attributed to its marination process, which involves a blend of ingredients like lemon zest and Greek yogurt. This combination not only adds flavor but also yields the characteristic bright red color. Interestingly, the name ‘tandoori’ originates from the traditional clay oven known as a tandoor, in which this mouthwatering dish is cooked to perfection.

Corn Dogs

A corn dog is essentially a hot dog, typically deep-fried, skewered, and encased in a crunchy cornmeal batter. This humble American classic has gained widespread popularity globally due to its simplicity, versatility, and undeniable appeal. Whether served at a backyard barbecue or a casual picnic, the corn dog is sure to satisfy cravings and leave a lasting impression.

Cheddar Jalapeno Baked Samosa

For those who crave the bold flavors of spiced cuisine, I highly recommend giving this dish a try. Not only is it an excellent snack option on its own, but it also pairs incredibly well with popular items like sandwiches, burgers, and nachos. The cheddar jalapeno baked samosa strikes just the right balance between spicy pepper and rich cheese, making it a delightful treat that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.

Oats Dal Kebab

This innovative kebab recipe combines the wholesome goodness of dal and oats to create a remarkably simple yet nutritious dish. To begin, a roundel of moong dal mixture, previously soaked, is coated with a layer of corn flour before being rolled in a bed of crunchy oats. This delightful fusion not only makes for an effortless meal preparation but also yields a breakfast option that’s both healthy and satisfying.

Tandoori Chicken popcorn

While the process of preparing tandoori chicken popcorn may be straightforward, allowing you to easily create this dish from home, it’s also a great way to enjoy a flavorful and relatively healthy twist on traditional fried snacks. Unlike many deep-fried foods, tandoori chicken popcorn is a lower-calorie option that can help reduce your risk of weight gain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.

Dried Mango Bars

Crafted from dried mango and finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar, these sweet treats are both tasty and loved. As a healthy and convenient snack option, dried mango bars offer a nutritious respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Yet, it’s essential to maintain moderation in consumption, as even the healthiest snacks can have negative effects when overindulged. When enjoyed in balance, however, these bars become an excellent source of vital vitamins and bioactive compounds like antioxidants, which work to shield our bodies against the onset of anti-inflammatory diseases.

Plum-Ginger Juice

Beyond its refreshing properties, plum-ginger juice holds a treasure trove of health benefits. Its unique blend of nutrients not only aids digestion and stimulates appetite but also helps prevent the accumulation of lactic acid within the body. This natural elixir offers a multitude of advantages that can positively impact overall well-being.

Jackfruit Tacos with Dips

A delightful Indian-inspired picnic food that’s not only easy to prepare but also suitable for both vegans and non-vegans alike. This mouthwatering dish, comprising of jackfruit tacos served with a variety of dips, is sure to impress any crowd. What’s more, its flexibility allows it to be enjoyed at any time of the day. The recipe itself is straightforward, involving wraps filled with tender jackfruit and a tangy salsa. For an added layer of flavor, feel free to top it off with melted cheese for a delightful twist.

Cheese Burst Garlic Bread

For many, a popular rendition of garlic bread is often referred to as mild cow’s milk cheese seasoned with garlic powder and baked to a golden crisp. This gluten-free delight can be elevated even further by adding extra toppings, making it an ideal option for a fancy dinner. However, what truly sets this dish apart is the star of the show: the cheese itself.

Egg Lollipop

The versatility of eggs is remarkable, as they can be adapted to suit various tastes and moods. The simplicity of an egg-based lollipop recipe makes it a great starting point for exploring the possibilities of eggs in cooking. With its adaptable nature and accessible ingredients, this particular recipe lends itself well to pairing with a wide range of dishes.

Mango Bread

Mango bread recipes offer endless possibilities for experimentation and customization. With ease, you can modify any recipe to align with your personal taste preferences. One of the most delightful aspects is the incorporation of fresh mango into the bread, which yields a unique and tantalizing flavor profile that’s sure to please even the most discerning palates.

Roast Chicken Bagelwich

The Bagelwich stands out for its delightful combination of flavors and textures. A toasted bagel serves as the base, generously topped with tender pulled roast chicken. To add some crunch and freshness, it’s piled high with an assortment of veggies, creamy aioli, melted cheddar cheese, and a tangy Hawaiian salad. As a result, this unique breakfast treat is perfect for those seeking a nutritious morning meal.

Eggless Pav

The Indian-style eggless pav bread is characterized by its puffy and soft texture, set apart from other breads by the absence of a crisp crust. Its creation relies on dry yeast and plain flour, similar to dinner rolls but with a significantly softer consistency.

This versatile bread can be paired with a variety of popular Indian dishes, including misal pav, pav bhaji, and vada pav. Additionally, it can be served alongside any of your favorite bhurji recipes or curry options.

Salsa Potatoes

Once you’ve tried this recipe, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever settle for another option. In fact, the ease and flavor of these salsa potatoes will ensure they become a staple at all future gatherings – whether that’s a family picnic or a gathering with friends. Not only are they simple to prepare, but they’re also sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

Salt and Pepper Chicken

Salt and pepper chicken is a beloved dish that has gained immense popularity. To prepare this mouthwatering treat, the chicken is first coated in a savory corn flour mixture infused with a delicate blend of spices. The coating process not only adds texture but also elevates the flavor profile of the dish. Traditionally, Sichuan peppercorns are used to give it that distinctive zing, however, black peppercorns can be substituted if they’re unavailable. To take it to the next level, marinating the chicken in a mixture of oil, acid, salt, and other seasoning spices such as natural sugar, crushed garlic, herbs, and more allows for an unparalleled depth of flavor.

Coconut Popsicles

Indulge in the delightful coconut popsicles, a healthy treat that effortlessly elevates your picnic experience. This versatile food can seamlessly fit into your mealtime routine, whether it’s dessert, lunch, or even breakfast. What’s more, its low-carb profile and refined sugar content make it an attractive option for those monitoring their carb intake. With only eggs as the other notable ingredient and no dairy in sight, these popsicles present a guilt-free indulgence that’s sure to leave you hooked once you take a bite.

Roti Pizza

Are you craving a delectable homemade picnic pizza that’s quick and easy to prepare? Look no further than the roti pizza, a game-changer in the world of casual dining. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility, as it allows you to utilize any leftover or pre-cooked roti from previous meals, making it an ideal solution for reducing food waste.

Mango Phalsa Chaat

Indulge in this revitalizing chaat recipe that’s perfect for your next outdoor gathering. Its tangy flavor and refreshing quality make it an excellent choice to combat the effects of humid weather. This versatile snack can be enjoyed at any time of day, whether you’re looking for a satisfying breakfast or a mid-day pick-me-up.

Suji Cheese Balls

The world of cheese balls offers numerous recipe options, yet the Suji variation consistently draws in most people’s interest. This is largely due to its simplicity, making it an ideal starting point for those new to the art of creating cheese balls. Moreover, the Suji cheese ball recipe has a broad appeal, being enjoyed by individuals across all age groups.

Cheese Chips

With its exceptional thinness, extra crunchiness, and crispy texture, the cheese chips are a snack that’s hard to put down. What’s more impressive is that they’re made with just two simple ingredients – no eggs, potatoes, or flour in sight! And yet, despite their humble composition, these chips have a surprisingly addictive taste that will leave you craving more.

Egg Chapati

When planning a picnic, one of the most sought-after items on the menu are stuffed egg chapatis, filled with a savory mixture of eggs, minced meat, and an array of spices including chilies, coriander, onions, and more. What sets these chapatis apart is their ease of preparation, requiring only a few minutes of your time to whip up a batch.

Methi Ka Bhajiya

With a preparation time of just 10 minutes, these flavorful fritters are a quick and delicious treat to enjoy. Made with a gram flour batter, fresh herbs, spices, and fragrant fenugreek leaves, they’re perfect for satisfying your cravings. When paired with a warm cup of chai, this snack is sure to please. And the best part? You can indulge without adding bananas – just pure, unadulterated flavor.

Bite-Size Chicken Balls

While there are numerous chicken ball recipes to explore, this particular one stands out for its exceptional flavor profile and versatility. Not only is it a crowd-pleaser among adults, but its tender and crispy texture also makes it an ideal choice for special events like picnics and gatherings. The dish’s juicy and succulent nature adds an extra layer of appeal, making it a great option for any occasion that calls for a satisfying and delicious meal.

Keema Roll

Keema, a delectable dish composed of minced meat, tomatoes, onions, herbs, and spices, requires minimal effort to prepare. The process begins with rolling out a ball of dough, cooking it on a tawa, and finishing it off by adding oil until both sides are perfectly cooked. This humble keema roll makes for an ideal picnic fare due to its portability and ease of packing.

Mango Chili Chicken

The Asian-inspired delight of crispy fried chicken, succulent mango, and colorful bell peppers, all harmoniously combined with crunchy onions, is a culinary masterpiece that never fails to tantalize the taste buds. When these flavors are further elevated by a rich, spicy-sweet sauce, the result is a truly mouth-watering experience that’s sure to elevate any outdoor gathering or picnic into an unforgettable adventure.

Minced Chicken Lollipop

The humble minced chicken lollipop is an ideal Indian-inspired picnic fare that requires minimal effort in the kitchen. By combining minced chicken with aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger, and others, you’ll be rewarded with a succulent and satisfying snack that’s sure to please.

Conclusion

Embark on an exciting outdoor adventure with Indian-inspired picnic delights! When it comes to planning a family gathering, romantic escapade, or friendly outing, incorporating authentic Indian flavors into your spread is sure to impress. With its rich cultural heritage and diverse regional cuisines, India offers a veritable feast of sensory experiences. So, gather your loved ones, load up the basket with a medley of mouthwatering dishes, and head out to a picturesque setting for a day filled with laughter, good food, and memories to cherish.