Outdoor gatherings equal fun, food and memories. Whether you are headed to a summer BBQ, pool party or family picnic, make sure to there is delicious food waiting to be enjoyed. These recipes can all be made in advance so that you have less to do the day of your event. In fact, some of these healthy and flavorful make-ahead recipes are even better the next day!
If you are looking for a killer recipe that everyone is going to rave about OR just want to make your life a little bit easier, these are the recipes for you.
And they are all created by foodie dietitians who believe that flavor is just as important as nutrition.
Chocolate Chip Blondie Bars
by Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD
These drool-worthy blondie bars have a flavor resembling chocolate chip cookie dough! While this dessert tastes decadent, these heavenly squares have no refined carbohydrates or processed fats AND they are sweetened with dates (and a bit of chocolate!).
Zucchini Noodle Spaghetti Salad
by Emily Cooper, RDN
A garden in a bowl, this bright and colorful zucchini noodle salad is full of flavor and textures with a big dose of nutrition! Top with diced avocado to make it entirely plant-based and vegan-friendly.
Everything White Bean Dip
by Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD
Perfect with a platter of crudites, pretzels or even some homemade pita chips! If you have been curious about how else to use the “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning you have sitting there in your spice cabinet, this is the recipe for you!
Curried Chickpea Salad Cups
by Leanne Ray, MS, RDN
These curried chickpea salad cups are as flavorful as they are beautiful. They would make for the perfect plant-powered appetizer at your next backyard party. No silverware required!
Quinoa Edamame Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
by Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD
Vibrant and flavorful, this hearty grain and veggie salad is the perfect complete meal or side dish for a picnic. Toss it together in a matter of minutes! And it is delicious the next day too!
Easy Chocolate Fudge Brownies
by Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD
No one will believe that this sweet treat is packed with fiber and doesn’t have a bit of added sugar! This is for all you chocolate lovers, aka 98% of you!
Carrot Cake Snack Balls
by Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD
Perfectly portable, these Carrot Cake Snack Balls are filled with good-for-you foods and super easy to make! Make ahead and refrigerate or freeze for a 2-bite treat!
Avocado Deviled Eggs with Smoked Paprika
by Amy Gorin, RDN
Knock out the mayo and replace with some healthy fats from avocado in these flavorful deviled eggs. And get a protein punch that will appeal to vegetarians and meat eaters alike!
No Bake Cereal Bars
by Josten Fish, RD
These fun bite-sized bars are made with wholesome ingredients and a lot less sugar than many traditional recipes. But don’t be fooled, they will satisfy every granola bar lover, young and old!
Citrus Asian Coleslaw
by Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD
The perfect fresh salad for your summer BBQ or to pack up in your lunch box! This coleslaw is perfect to make a day in advance to save you time!
Raspberry Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
by Brittany Poulson, RDN, CDE
These Raspberry Lemon Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect small-bite summer treat!
Pesto Pasta Salad
by Brittany Poulson, RDN, CDE
This Pesto Pasta Salad with asparagus is a flavorful, healthy side dish perfect for picnics, potlucks or other family gatherings!
Oatmeal Date Balls
by Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD
Blend up these perfectly sweet Oatmeal Date Balls in 5 minutes and have them ready to go when you are! It’s the perfect bite (or 2!) after a yummy meal.
Instant Pot Whole Wheat Bread No Knead
by Kara Lydon Evancho, RD, LDN, RYT
This Instant Pot Whole Wheat Bread is crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, with just the right amount of nuttiness. Proofing in the Instant Pot saves you hours and hours of time and there’s no kneading involved!
Buffalo Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs
by Many Enright, MS, RDN, RYT
Spice up your deviled eggs with the help of Buffalo seasoning blend and blue cheese crumbles. Spicy, savory and flavorful are what these buffalo deviled eggs are all about!
Fiesta Lime Black Bean Salsa
by Josten Fish, RD
Sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, salty feta and zesty lime juice are combined with canned black beans to make this an easy salsa that you can enjoy with tortilla chips, spoon into a lettuce wrap or use as a topping for grilled chicken.
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
by Nicole Stevens, MScFN, RD
This bright and fresh Mediterranean Couscous Salad requires just a handful of pantry staples with a few farmers’ market finds. Get creative and use the produce you have on hand to make it even easier to throw together!
No Mayo Orange Poppy Seed Chicken Salad
by Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN
This is a fun mayo-free twist on a classic chicken salad. Enjoy with crackers or serve in bell pepper boats or pita pockets!
Mexican Street Corn Salad
by Jodie Danen, RDN
Scoop, wrap or serve as a side, this Mexican Street Corn Salad delivers on flavor and color!
Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches
by Rebecca Clyde, RDN
Allow your instant pot to do all the work for these pulled pork sandwiches. Top with your favorite coleslaw for a mouth-dripping bite of flavor and texture!
Summer Zoodle Salad with Avocado Miso Dressing
by Chelsey Amer, RDN
Grab your spiralizer for a fun spin on pasta salad! Prep the ingredients in advance but wait to dress the salad until you are ready to serve.
Sweet Potato Hummus
by Stephanie Van’t Zelfden, RDN
Surprise and delight your guests with with ‘sweet’ hummus that has a cinnamon kick! Serve with toasted pita, sliced apples or graham crackers.
Healthier Spinach Artichoke Dip
by Autumn Enloe, MS, RD, LD, CLT
A lightened up version that doesn’t disappoint, this Spinach Artichoke Dip is rich, creamy and savory.
Which one of these 23 healthy and flavorful make-ahead picnic recipes are you going to make first?! It’s sure to be a hit at your next outdoor gathering!
