19 Fourth of July Picnic Ideas for a Delightful Outdoor Celebration

Italian Veggie Heroes

Skip the deli shop sandwiches and add these veggie subs to your 4th of July menu. This vegetarian 4th of July recipe starts with freshly roasted vegetables like zucchini, sweet peppers, and eggplant. Then, layer the ingredients into buns and top with tangy Italian salad dressing.

Swirled Fourth of July Bundt Cake

Inspired by the colorful show in the sky, this 4th of July cake is worthy of the space at the center of your holiday table. The cream cheese frosting and star sprinkles will spark everyone's interest. Then they'll be blown away by the swirled cake batter hiding below!

Patriotic Candy Bark

"Fun and easy! A great hit at home," says one BHG.com reader. Don't just take their word for it, though. Taste and see, then dress up your all-American picnic with the cheery red, white, and blue dessert. This colorful candy bark comes together with only six ingredients and is the perfect end to a festive Fourth of July picnic.

Strawberry Hand Pies

When it comes to 4th of July dessert recipes, who doesn't love a slice of fresh, juicy pie? Take the hassle out of serving the crowd-pleasing dessert by making individual hand pies instead.

Blondie Sticks

Food on a stick is the quintessential picnic fare since it requires no utensils or plates. Soft and chewy bars dipped in melted chocolate and nuts are a perfect summer dessert (especially if you have a large crowd).

Test Kitchen Tip: Wrap each individual blondie in waxed paper, then put them in a resealable bag for easy and cool transport.

Roasted Garlic and Bean Dip

Easy to make and even easier to tote, this roasted garlic and bean dip will most likely be the first item to disappear at your July 4th picnic. Think of it as a fresh twist on hummus! Serve this party appetizer with fresh veggie dippers such as broccoli, cauliflower, sweet pepper strips, and more.

French Chopped Salad

Found: The ultimate quick and easy side dish if you can't decide between potato salad, egg salad, or a fresh green salad. This easy summer recipe takes less than 25 minutes from start to finish, so you can easily make it for a last-minute July picnic. Fresh veggies add a satisfying crunch that pairs nicely with hard-cooked eggs and fingerling potatoes.

Smoky Pineapple Guacamole

Take this chip-dipping favorite to a new level with fruity and smoky flavors, thanks to chopped pineapple and chipotle peppers. The avocado and pineapple are grilled before making the guacamole, allowing their flavors to shine even more. Serve with tortilla chips and strips of bell pepper so everyone can scoop up a serving—even if they're counting carbs.

Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad

Step up your pasta salad game with light vinaigrette instead of the mayo dressing. To summer it up even more, a medley of seasonal veggies goes into this easily-shareable favorite. The 4th of July picnic recipe makes enough for 16, but if you have fewer people at your event, it can easily transition into the main dish if you fold in a can of beans or grilled chicken for protein. Pack it up in a glass dish with a lid for easy transport.

Creamy BLT Coleslaw

You can never have too much bacon! Load up this creamy coleslaw with four crisped and crumbled slices, along with carrots, cherry tomatoes, and green onions.

Test Kitchen Tip: Once you remove the coleslaw from the cooler, serve within two hours and discard any leftovers. Keep the dish out of the sun at the picnic site, so it doesn't spoil.

Garden Sliders

Hosting some vegetarian or vegan diners? These meatless variations on slider sandwiches are the perfect choice for a 4th of July appetizer. Make the bean spread a few days ahead, and prep the veggies the night before. Then let everyone stack their sandwiches on-site.

Watermelon Salad

Keep your 4th of July picnic ideas simple by sticking to crowd favorites, like juicy watermelon. This festive fruit salad makes for a fast and fresh 4th of July dessert. Mix chopped fruit, such as peeled peaches, nectarines, pears, and grapes, with watermelon juice and gelatin for a refreshingly sweet treat.

Basil-Tomato Salad

If you like Caprese salad or bruschetta, you'll love this super-seasonal (and super-tasty) salad. The ready-in-30-minutes 4th of July side dish is a good picnic food idea because the ingredients are mixed in a large, portable Mason jar.

Test Kitchen Tip: Keep the dressing in a separate jar, and add it when you're ready to eat the salad.

Watermelon-Berry Lemonade

Talk about the perfect patio punch! Classic summer lemonade gets a new twist with watermelon and strawberries. Plan for at least 8 hours of chill time to allow the fruit flavors to infuse the lemonade.

Paleo Avocado Deviled Eggs

These stuffed eggs are devilishly good. Mayo and avocado are packed with healthy fats, so even one serving will keep 4th of July party guests satisfied as you put the finishing touches on the main dish. Finish the eggs with a sprinkle of snipped chives.

Chipotle-Ranch Egg Salad Wraps

Ranch flavoring is rarely wrong. Here, it peps up the tasty egg salad filling in these wraps. Since the 4th of July entrée calls for a lettuce leaf to separate the tortilla from the egg mix, they'll arrive at the party in mint condition and not a bit soggy.

Raspberry and Rhubarb Swiss Roll

This summer cake roll recipe is filled with a homemade raspberry compote and cream cheese. We'll show you the easy way to roll your own. At your picnic, serve up chilled slices right from your cooler.

Poached Veggies with Walnut Relish

Instead of a classic raw crudites platter, try lightly poaching seasonal vegetables like snap peas, carrots, and asparagus. Serve the tender veggies with a lemony walnut relish.

Shrimp and Mango Rice Paper Rolls

Put a twist on classic picnic food! These fresh rice paper rolls are filled with shrimp, unripe mango, and plenty of fresh herbs. Make them at home and wrap them with plastic wrap to keep them moist. Serve them at your picnic straight from the cooler.