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Breakfast Picnic Ideas to Get Up Early For

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I love a brunch picnic, but there’s something magical about starting your day with a breakfast picnic.

A breakfast picnic setup on a blanket with croissants, watermelon, melon, berries, pomegranate, juice, and two glasses of juice on grass.

Planning a morning at the park, beach, or backyard? You can easily pull together a portable and tasty picnic breakfast.

I’ve put together some breakfast picnic ideas, tips, and recipes to help you create a delicious and enjoyable alfresco breakfast.

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Breakfast Picnic Tips: See my tips for keeping picnic food hot, such as toasty tarts and pies, and keeping dishes cool, like breakfast puddings and yogurt. There may even be a bottle of bubbly to consider.

A person sitting on a blanket prepares avocado toast next to a picnic spread that includes salads, strawberries, orange juice, and glass bottles.

Breakfast Picnic Food Ideas

These are quick ideas for easy-to-make breakfast foods for a picnic. The best breakfast picnic food is easy to transport and can be eaten without much fuss. See some delicious recipes below.

  • Portable Yougurt Parfait Jars
  • Quiches
  • Breakfast Burritos or Tacos
  • Muffin Tin Frittatas
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Breakfast sandwiches
  • Overnight Oats
  • Fresh Fruit Salad or Fruit Skewers
  • Granola Bars and Cereal Bars
  • Baked Goods: Muffins, Croissants, and Banana Bread
  • Egg Muffins
  • French Toast Sticks

Beverage Options

  • Thermos of hot coffee or tea
  • Fresh-squeezed orange juice
  • Smoothies in insulated bottles

Breakfast Picnic Recipes

Roast Pumpkin and Feta Mini Frittata
These bite-sized pumpkin and feta frittatas are perfect for a fall picnic breakfast. They're easy to make; prep them the night before and serve hot or cold for a simple addition to your breakfast spread.
Get the Pumpkin and Feta Mini Frittata Recipe
Mini pumpkin frittata with thyme on a plate.
Breakfast Charcuterie Board
Create a delicious breakfast charcuterie board with French toast, bagels, pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, waffles, bacon, or any of your favorite breakfast items for an easy, delicious picnic breakfast spread.
Get the Breakfast Charcuterie Board Recipe
Photo credit: britneybreaksbread.com
A colorful assortment of breakfast items, including bagels, fruits, cheeses, waffles, avocado, boiled eggs, and various spreads arranged on a surface.
Sweet and Healthy Spinach Banana Muffin Recipe
These sweet spinach muffins with bananas are the perfect blend of moist banana muffins, nutrient-packed spinach, and heart-healthy oats. They're a delicious sugar-free baking idea that’s healthy enough for breakfast.
Get the Spinach and Banana Muffin Recipe
Spinach and banana muffins on a plate.
French Toast Bites
When you want a portable solution to French Toast, these bite-sized wonders are it. A cross between cinnamon toast and traditional French toast, these French Toast Bites are perfect for cozy picnic breakfasts.
Get the French Toast Bites Recipe
Photo credit: gritsandpinecones.com
Close-up of three pieces of fried bread with a cinnamon sugar coating on a plate, being drizzled with syrup.
Vegetarian Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms
I love mushrooms for breakfast, and these bite-size stuffed morsels make the perfect breakfast picnic companion. Serve them hot or cold as a breakfast snack or as part of a platter.
Get the Stuffed Mushroom Recipe
Stuffed mushrooms with spinach and cheese on a plate.
Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds
For a quick, healthy picnic breakfast, try Overnight Oats with Yogurt. This no-cook meal softens oats overnight, creating a creamy, grab-and-go option for your morning.
Get the Overnight Oats Recipe
Photo credit: aline-made.com
Two glass jars filled with chia seed pudding topped with sliced strawberries, bananas, and raspberries. A honey dipper and a jar of oats are nearby on a light surface.
Ricotta Asparagus Tartlets
These quick, easy, and elegant Ricotta Asparagus Tartlets are a gorgeous breakfast idea for spring picnics. Like my Asparagus Galette, this charmingly rustic dish has all spring vibes but hits the right notes for an easy-to-eat breakfast tart.
Get the Ricotta Asparagus Tartlet Recipe
Slices of asparagus and prosciutto tart on a wooden board with a jar of balsamic sauce.
Cauliflower Hash Browns
Cauliflower hashbrowns are a healthy picnic snack for toppings like boiled eggs, avocado, ham, whipped feta and roasted tomatoes, or salmon. Make them ahead and customize with your favorite savory breakfast additions.
Get the Cauliflower Hash Browns Recipe
Four cauliflower cakes on a cutting board.
Granola Berry Cups
Granola berry cups combine crunchy oats, creamy yogurt, fresh strawberries, and blueberries for a satisfying, wholesome breakfast. Easy to make and delicious, they’re also perfectly portable for a picnic.
Get the Granola Berry Cup Recipe
Photo credit: creamcheeseandlemonsqueeze.com
Granola cups filled with yogurt and topped with fresh blueberries and strawberry slices.
Smoked Salmon and Avocado Heart Shaped Sandwich
These open-faced sandwiches, topped with lightly spiced avocado, smoked salmon, and sliced egg, are an elegant breakfast option. These are cut into heart shapes for a Valentine's Day picnic, but you can make any size or shaped open sandwich you like.
Get the Smoked Salmon and Avocado Sandwich Recipe
Avocado and smoked salmon heart shaped sandwich topped with sprouts on a wooden cutting board.
Asparagus and Leek Tart
This Asparagus and Leek Tart has a light, creamy egg filling with seasonal vegetables and gorgeous flaky phyllo crust. It’s a stunning centerpiece for a breakfast gathering that you can make in advance.
Get the Asparagus and Leek Tart Recipe
Photo credit: nataliemarblecooks.com
A savory pie with a golden-brown crust is garnished with chopped herbs. Plates, napkins, and glasses are set in the background, suggesting preparation for a meal.
Strawberry Banana Oat Bars
These Strawberry Banana Oat Bars, naturally sweetened and packed with bananas, strawberries, and peanut butter, are the perfect make-ahead, portable breakfast.
Get the Strawberry Banana Oat Bar Recipe
Photo credit: littlehealthybites.com
Close-up of strawberry oatmeal bars on a cooling rack with parchment paper. Fresh strawberries are seen in the background and foreground.
Crispy Scotch Eggs
You can make these crispy Scotch Eggs in under an hourld picnic breakfast snack in under an hour. I give you the recipe for both traditional deep fried and air fryer scotch eggs.
Get the Scotch Eggs Recipe
A plate with scotch eggs, one is cut in half showing the yolk.
Banana Chocolate Chia Pudding
This delicious and healthy Banana Chocolate Chia Pudding is a fantastic make-ahead breakfast for a picnic. Prep it overnight for a grab-and-go breakfast with rich chocolate flavor, fiber, and protein.
Get the Banana Chocolate Chia Pudding Recipe
Photo credit: earthtoveg.com
Three glass jars filled with chocolate chia pudding, topped with banana slices, granola, and chocolate chips, with bananas and a checkered cloth in the background.
Salmon Avacado Cucumber Roll Ups
These avocado and salmon cucumber roll-ups are a very fresh and dainty way to incorporate avocado and salmon into a picnic breakfast menu. I love these for a summer picnic breakfast.
Get the Cucumber Roll Up Recipe
Cucumber roll-ups filled with cream cheese, smoked salmon, and herbs, garnished with chili flakes on a plate.
No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars
For a delicious and healthy breakfast treat, these No-Bake Chocolate Oat Bars prove homemade is best. They’re also one of the easiest no-bake granola bars, so there are no excuses.
Get the No Bake Granola Bar Recipe
Homemade chocolate oat bars with almonds and oats on a wooden cutting board.
Breakfast Tacos
Mexican picnic foods are delicious and portable, and breakfast tacos are a perfect example. Easy to make and customize, just bundle your favorite ingredients for a fantastic DIY breakfast.
Get the Breakfast Taco Recipe
Photo credit: jaroflemons.com
A tortilla topped with scrambled eggs, sliced avocado, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro. A lime half is placed next to it on a gray surface.
Mushroom Quiche
This gorgeously simple breakfast quiche has a buttery, flaky puff pastry crust, a cheesy egg custard filling, and savory sautéed mushrooms and onions.
Get the Mushroom Quiche Recipe
Photo credit: amycaseycooks.com
A baked quiche with a golden-brown crust, filled with mushrooms, cheese, and herbs, displayed on a white wooden surface.
Ham and Egg Cups
A portable breakfast has never been easier. These Ham and Egg Cups, made with just three ingredients, are a deliciously quick and portable breakfast picnic idea.
Get the Ham Egg Cups Recipe
Photo credit: amycaseycooks.com
Two bacon-wrapped egg muffins garnished with chopped herbs on a white plate, with a muffin tray in the background.
Bacon and Egg Pie
This bacon and egg pie with puff pastry is an all-in-one breakfast dish that is easy to whip up. The perfect dish when you want to have your bacon and eggs on the go.
Get the Bacon and Egg Pie Recipe
Photo credit: aussiehomecook.com
Bacon and Egg Pie
Ham and Cheese Frittata
A rich and fluffy ham and cheese frittata is perfect for breakfast and so simple to make. Serve this classic hot or cold. Either way, it’s a winner.
Get the Ham and Cheese Frittata Recipe
Photo credit: thefeatherednester.com
A baked frittata garnished with herbs in a cast iron skillet, placed on a wooden board next to a glass of orange juice and a parsley bunch.
Pain Suisse au Chocolat
I love a buttery pastry with hot coffee for breakfast, and this Pain Suisse ticks all the boxes. It’s the decadent French pastry you can make at home—buttery, golden brioche dough filled with vanilla pastry cream and studded with chocolate chips.
Get the Pain Suisse au Chocolat Recipe
Photo credit: anediblemosaic.com
A close-up of several freshly baked bread rolls filled with chocolate chips, arranged on a plate.

Planning Tips for a Breakfast Picnic

  1. Location: If you can get out early enough, look for a spot with a nice sunrise view. Parks, beaches, or even your backyard can be perfect for a sunrise picnic. If you’re heading to the beach, see my tips for the best beach picnic set-up.
  2. Time it right: If you’re going to head out early, you may as well make it count. Check the weather forecast and sunrise times. Aim to set up at your spot about 30 minutes before sunrise for a sunrise picnic if you can.
  3. Pack smart: Depending on how early you are heading out, the location, and the season, you may need a blanket, bug spray, or even a torch. Pack the essentials the night before so you don’t get caught out. Download my Picnic Checklist to make sure you have everything.
  4. Prepare in advance: Do as much prep work as possible the night before to make your morning smoother. I have included loads of recipes that are easy to prep in advance.

Use Individual Drink Thermoses

Individual Insulated Thermoses are very handy for transporting hot and cold drinks. You can pre-make individual tea or coffee to reduce the equipment you need to carry.

Buy on Amazon

Use Insulated Food Bowls

S’well Insulated Food Bowls are great for transporting single-serve overnight oats, yogurt parfaits, and fruit salads.

Buy on Amazon

FAQs

How do I keep food warm for a breakfast picnic?

See my tips on how to keep food warm for a picnic, but here are some basic tips:
Use insulated containers or thermoses for items like oatmeal or scrambled eggs.
Wrap hot sandwiches or burritos in aluminum foil, then in a towel.
Use a small cooler or insulated bag designed to keep food hot.
Transport items like quiche in a thermal bag with hot packs.

What time is best for a breakfast picnic?

The best time for a breakfast picnic depends on your preferences, but generally:
Early morning (6-8 AM): Perfect for watching the sunrise and enjoying cooler temperatures.
Mid-morning (8-10 AM): Good for those who prefer a slightly later start but still want to enjoy morning freshness.
Brunch time (10 AM-12 PM): Ideal for combining breakfast and lunch items and a more relaxed pace. The beauty of a brunch picnic is a broader choice of food.

How do I set up a romantic breakfast picnic?

I have loads of tips to set up a romantic picnic, including picnic date food ideas, but these are some fundamentals:
Choose a scenic, private location.
Bring a comfortable blanket and cushions.
Use real plates, cutlery, and glasses instead of disposables.
Include special touches like fresh flowers or candles.
Pack a variety of tasty, easy-to-share foods.

What should I pack for a family breakfast picnic?

For a family breakfast picnic, consider packing:
A variety of foods to suit different tastes.
Kid-friendly items like fruit cups or mini muffins. (See my ideas for kids’ picnic foods for more ideas).
Easy-to-eat foods that won’t create much mess.
Games or activities to keep children entertained (See my tips for the best picnic games for kids and adults).
Extra napkins and wet wipes for clean-up.
A large blanket or multiple blankets for seating.
Sunscreen and insect repellent for outdoor comfort,

Remember, the key to a successful breakfast picnic is preparation and choosing delicious and practical foods for outdoor eating. With these tips and recipes, you can plan the perfect morning outing.


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