Autumn picnic recipes

Make sure you're kitted out with our round-up of the best picnic accessories, including a budget cool box, plus the best picnic hampers. Ensure you don’t forget any of the essentials by following our helpful guide on how to pack the perfect picnic.

See more of our finest seasonal recipes in our autumn recipe collection, as well as our healthy autumn recipes and autumn drinks and cocktails.

1. Pumpkin muffins

These easy cinnamon-spiced pumpkin muffins are a no-brainer for your autumn picnic, as they can be transported easily and make a great sweet snack. Pumpkin purée simplifies the recipe, making them great for last-minute Halloween and Bonfire Night gatherings, too. If you're struggling to say goodbye to summer, these are sure to get you into the cosy autumnal spirit.

For more pumpkin inspiration, see our pumpkin spice cupcakes or check out these healthy pumpkin muffins.

2. Caramel pear blondies

Bake these caramel pear blondies for an indulgent picnic treat. Brown butter provides biscuity flavour and a moreish, chewy texture. Trust us, the combination of dark chocolate, pear and caramel is a winner.

Discover more recipes in our blondie recipe collection.

3. Apple pie bars

Make the most of seasonal Bramley apples with these gorgeous apple pie bars. The best part is, you'll probably have most of the ingredients already to hand. Bring along a flask of tea so you can serve with a cuppa.

See more apple baking recipes, or our best toffee apple desserts.

4. Ploughman’s sandwich

A ploughman's sandwich is good all year round, and we've elevated this humble sarnie with added mustard-mayo, apple and smoked ham.

See more top-rated sandwich recipes and sandwich recipes from around the world.

5. Roast squash with goat’s cheese & puy lentils

Shine a spotlight on autumn produce with this bountiful salad packed with roast squash, soft goat's cheese, puy lentils and sage. Topped with fried seeds, amaretti biscuits and crispy sage leaves, it's rich in flavour and perfect for a sunny autumn day. The kale is fried, but you could use raw kale massaged with olive oil, if you like.

For more, try our puy lentils, squash & kale salad.

6. Pumpkin soup

If the weather is a little on the cooler side, warm up with a flask of pumpkin soup. It's a bowl of comfort with its silky texture, and is made with budget-friendly, accessible ingredients that are simply blitzed together.

Check out our autumn soup recipe collection for more ideas.

7. Butternut, sage & hazelnut quiche

Quiche isn't just for summer garden parties – this eye-catching recipe combines chilli-roasted butternut squash, crispy sage fried in butter and creamy chunks of feta, packing in plenty of autumnal flavours.

Discover our budget picnic recipes for wallet-friendly ideas, or discover more vegetarian quiche recipes.

8. Veggie olive wraps with mustard vinaigrette

Eat the rainbow all autumn long with this healthy, veg-packed wrap – it's a great way to use up end-of-summer courgettes. Ready in just 10 minutes, this no-cook sarnie is an easy, vegan, low-calorie option for your picnic.

Try more autumn vegan recipes as well as the best wrap recipes.

9. Kale caesar salad

Put kale centre stage in this seasonal caesar salad. Serve drizzled with a creamy dressing that has umami punch thanks to anchovies, and top with freshly made croutons.

See more autumnal salad recipes, as well as our best caesar salad recipes.

10. Roasted beets, plum & pecan salad

Celebrate autumn's arrival with this salad featuring plums, pecans and mint. The earthiness of beetroot complements the sweet yet tart plums and toasted pecans.

Try more roasted beetroot recipes, as well as our most popular autumn dishes.