40+ Gluten Free Picnic Recipes

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The warm weather is here and it’s time to bring your meals outside. Yes, this is when you need ideas for Gluten Free Picnic Food! You’ll find over 40 recipes for an afternoon at the park, a backyard barbecue, and more with everything you need for a lovely lunch or delicious dinner in the fresh air!

collage of air fryer fried chicken, coleslaw, buffalo deviled eggs, potato salad, broccoli salad, and a fruit and veggie platter

Gluten Free Picnic Food

Picnics can mean so many things. Maybe you are going to pack sandwiches in a picnic basket. Or you’ve got a cooler full of salads and will use a grill or chafing dish to keep your main dishes hot. You might also have the grill fired up, but don’t want to worry about making dishes on the stove or in the oven. And let’s not forget about dishes that taste good at room temperature.

No matter the plan, there are plenty of picnic foods that you can easily transport and serve outdoors!

But, if you are gluten free, the word “picnic” might make you think of traditional sandwiches and macaroni salad and other items you might not be able to eat. So make it a gluten free picnic with these easy and tasty spring and summer dishes!

The Best Gluten Free Picnic Recipes

Let’s get planning that summer picnic menu with all of these ideas to make lunch and dinner that you can safely enjoy outside!

Summer Appetizers

Buffalo Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs

Buffalo Deviled Eggs

Make a big batch of hard boiled eggs because this spicy twist on the classic deviled egg recipe is the kicked-up appetizer your picnic needs. And they are made with Greek yogurt, so they are still super creamy, but still lighter, plus protein-packed and low carb.
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Chef Salad on a Stick appetizers on a wooden platter

Chef Salad on a Stick

Served with your favorite salad dressing or dip like Easy Honey Mustard, this easy finger food makes it more fun to eat a salad. Just roll up your favorite deli meats and cheese and skewer on a toothpick with lettuce, tomatoes, or any other salad toppings you love.
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Mango Avocado Salsa

Sweet and tangy, with just a bit of spice, this easy fruit salsa is totally family-friendly because it's made without raw onions or jalapenos. Scoop it up with chips, or spoon it into a gluten free wrap.
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A serving plate of Spinach Feta Appetizer Pinwheels.

Spinach Feta Pinwheels

This low carb appetizer is perfect picnic food because they are great warm, but also delicious at room temperature. So you can make them ahead and pack them for your outing.
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A closeup of a Deviled Egg garnished with paprika and dill with more blurred int he background on a platter.

Healthy Deviled Eggs

Enjoy a lighter version of the classic. Greek yogurt keeps them creamy with the mustard flavor you love from the original recipe.
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Baked BBQ Turkey Meatballs

BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Sassy and saucy and slathered in your favorite barbecue sauce (try Bourbon BBQ Sauce), these easy meatballs are perfect for snacking. And they have a simple substitute for bread crumbs to make them gluten free.
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Ants on a Log ingredients on a kids snack board

Ants on a Log Snacks and Veggie Platter

The classic snack makes a fun appetizer platter for your picnic lunch. And you can think outside the usual celery, peanut butter, and raisins combo and add other nut butters, spreads, dried fruit, and more.
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layered greek humus dip in a white ceramic dish

Layered Greek Hummus Dip

Start with your favorite hummus and layer it with simple and fresh ingredients for a cool and healthy dip for veggies, gluten free crackers, or chips.

More Picnic Appetizers and Snacks:

Party Sides and Salads

striped napkin on a white picnic table with a blue bowl of mexican macaroni salad

Mexican Pasta Salad

Creamy and so full of colors, flavors, and textures, everyone will be begging for the recipe at your next picnic or potluck. It's perfect with gluten free pasta too.
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healthy coleslaw in a bowl

Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw

A healthy, sweet and savory twist on the classic picnic salad made with Greek yogurt. So crisp and tasty, even those that say they don't like coleslaw will love this recipe.
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Instant Pot potato salad in a serving bowl garnished with parsley

Instant Pot Potato Salad

Make this classic food entirely in your pressure cooker. Cook the potatoes and eggs together, then toss with crisp veggie in a simple and creamy Greek yogurt Dijon dressing.
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A white serving bowl of Healthy Apple Broccoli Salad with Walnuts and Cheddar

Healthy Apple Broccoli Salad

A creamy, crunchy summertime favorite with crisp apples and sweet dried cranberries that pair so well with the savory cheddar cheese and crunchy walnuts. So good with sandwiches or barbecue.
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Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Family-favorite flavors come together in a creamy potato salad. Simple to make but it doesn't use bottled dressing or a powdered mix, just spices in your pantry.
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A spoonful of semi homemade baked beans scooped out of a white corningware dish

Easy Baked Beans

This recipe was kept top secret for years, and it's a simple hack that makes them taste like you let them soak and simmer for hours and days. You'll never make baked beans another way once you try it.
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slice of cornbread with honey being drizzled on top

Gluten Free Cornbread

So tender and flavorful, you'll want to slather a slice with butter or honey or both. Great with that air fryer fried chicken, ribs, or even a grilled steak.
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A white bowl of Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad on a table with red cloth napkins.

Tomato Cucumber Salad with Feta

Simple and fresh, but made with simple ingredients that give it bright Mediterranean flavors. It's a true taste of summer.
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Three bean salad in a blue bowl with a wooden spoon.

Three Bean Salad

This classic salad is so fresh and tangy that it's the perfect side in the summertime. And all those beans make it healthy and satisfying too.
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More Picnic Salads and Sides:

Picnic Main Dishes

Six Pieces of Fried Chicken in a Serving Bowl Lined with Parchment Paper

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

All the crispy, juicy goodness you love, but made without oil, and it's gluten free! And fried chicken is so perfect for a picnic because you can wrap it in foil and keep it warm or enjoy it at room temperature.
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No Bread Sandwich on apple slices with turkey, ham and cheese on a green plate

Turkey, Ham and Cheddar Apple Sandwiches

Sure, you can make sandwiches on gluten free bread or even Gluten Free Biscuits, but you can also change it up and use apple sliced. It even works for PB&J or try sweetened cream cheese and gluten free granola.
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Sundried Tomato Rosemary Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak

Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak

If you are picnicking in the backyard, throw a deliciously-marinated steak on the grill. Or make it in advance and bring it chilled to put on a sandwich or salad, or just snack on the slices.
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Chef Salad Lettuce Wraps

Turn a classic salad into food you can pick up and eat with your hands. Stuff lettuce leaves with veggies and deli meats, then dip or drizzle with your favorite dressing. Creamy Southwestern Dressing or Greek Yogurt Ranch are great options.
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barbecue chicken sausage salad

Smoky BBQ Grilled Sausage Salad

Or turn your picnic into a big salad bar. Grill the sausage, corn, and pineapple in advance, cook bacon, and package up all of your toppings, then let everyone make their own.
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Tzatziki Chicken Salad in a bowl topped with a sprig of fresh dill

Tzatziki Chicken Salad

Grab your lettuce wraps, or gluten free bread, wraps, or crackers for this Greek-inspired chicken salad. Make sure you grab a rotisserie chicken at Costco to make it even easier to prepare.
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Overhead view of Asian grilled chicken breasts on a rectangular plate garnished with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds.

Asian Grilled Chicken

This simple marinade packs a flavor punch. Toss the chicken in the marinade in advance, and you can either cook it ahead of time or use a grill at your picnic site.
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Barbecue Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad

BBQ Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad

Hearty and healthy, but filled with those summertime indulgent flavors everyone loves. Spoon it onto a plate or into lettuce wraps for a whole grain and satisfying cool meal.
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More summer main dishes:

And if you need desserts, try some of these:

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