4 Easy Picnic Lunch Ideas for Kids: The Perfect Family Beach Day

Summer is here, and that means it’s time to head to the beach for a dip in the ocean. We all look forward to cooling down in the crystal blue water and relaxing in the warm, soft sand. Then your stomach starts to growl as your kids come looking for food. Don't worry! You remembered to air fry their favorite lunch, so everyone can keep enjoying the beach without any hangry moments spoiling the party. 

Here are some of our favorite air fryer recipes to make beach day a success.  

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

• ¼ cup basil pesto 

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes

• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls, drained

• 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze, for drizzling

Items Needed

• Wood or metal skewers

Instructions

1. Combine the chicken cubes, pesto, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and toss to combine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Add the cherry tomatoes to the bowl and toss to combine. Thread the marinated chicken pieces and cherry tomatoes onto skewers, alternating between each. 

3. Place the crisper plate into the COSORI Air Fryer basket.

4. Select the Preheat function, adjust temperature to 450°F, then tap Start/Pause.

5. Place the skewers onto the preheated crisper plate.

6. Select the Broil function, adjust time to 6 minutes, then tap Start/Pause.

7. Remove skewers when done, then place a fresh mozzarella ball onto the ends of each skewer. Arrange the skewers onto a serving dish, then drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve.

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 13 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon

• 4 slices whole grain bread 

• 2 tablespoons avocado-oil-based mayonnaise

• 4 slices butter lettuce

• 1 large vine ripe, beefsteak, or heirloom tomato, sliced ¼-inch thick

• Flaky sea salt, as needed 

• Black pepper, as needed 

Items Needed

• Toothpicks 

Instructions

1. Place the crisper plate into the COSORI Air Fryer basket.

2. Place the bacon slices onto the crisper plate, doing your best not to overlap them.

3. Select the Air Fry function, adjust temperature to 365°F and time to 10 minutes, then tap Start/Pause.

4. Flip the bacon over halfway through cooking.

5. Remove the bacon when golden brown and crispy to your liking, then place onto a paper towel-lined plate to catch any excess drippings.

6. Place the bread slices onto the crisper plate.

7. Select the Bake function, adjust temperature to 400°F and time to 3 minutes, then tap Start/Pause.

9. Remove the bread when lightly golden and toasted to your liking. 

9. Lay the bread on a work surface and spread ½ tablespoon of mayonnaise onto each slice. Place the butter lettuce leaves onto each slice of bread, then place tomato slices on top of 2 slices of bread and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and black pepper. Break the bacon slices in half and layer them on top of the tomato slices. 

10. Close the sandwiches and cut them each into fours. Insert a toothpick into each ¼ to hold it in place. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Roasted Chicken

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• Oil spray

Light Caesar Dressing

• 1 cup low-fat Greek Yogurt

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• ½ lemon zested

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

• ½ teaspoon fish sauce (optional)

• 3 garlic cloves, grated

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard

• ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar

• 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Wrap

• 4 cups romaine hearts, chopped

• 2 cups lacinato kale, chopped

• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shaved

• ½ cup croutons

• 4 large spinach wrap tortillas 

Instructions

1. Mix the salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl and season both sides of the chicken breasts. 

2. Place the crisper plate into the COSORI Air Fryer basket.

3. Select the Preheat function, adjust temperature to 380°F, then tap Start/Pause. 

4. Coat the preheated crisper plate with oil spray, then place the chicken onto the crisper plate. 

5. Coat the chicken lightly with oil spray. 

6. Select the Roast function, adjust temperature to 380°F and time for 20 minutes, then tap Start/Pause. 

7. Remove the chicken when done and set aside to completely cool.

8. Whisk together the ingredients for the Caesar dressing until well combined.

9. Cut the chicken breasts into ½-inch chunks and add to a large bowl. Add the romaine, kale, shaved Parmesan, and croutons. Pour ¾ of the dressing into the bowl and toss to combine. 

10. Divide the mixture between the spinach wraps. Fold the bottom upwards and tuck both sides in. Roll upwards tightly then slice in half. Serve with the remaining dressing on the side.

Yields: 9 servings

Prep Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Berry Filling:

• 2 ½ cup fresh berries of choice

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• 1 ½ teaspoon cornstarch

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Crust and Crumble:

• 1 ½ cup quick cooking oats

• 1 ¾ cup oat flour

• 1 cup light brown sugar

• 1 ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 cup plant-based butter, melted

• 1 ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Oil spray

Items Needed:

• Parchment paper cut 6x6-inch strips

• 8x8-inch square pan

Instructions:

1. Berry filling: Combine all the ingredients for the berry filling into a bowl and mix then set aside.

2. Crumble and crust: Mix the quick cooking oats, oat flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and kosher salt into a bowl. Stir until well combined. Add the vanilla to the melted butter then pour into the oat mixture. Fold until mixture comes together but is still crumbly.

3. Prepare the pan: Lightly coat square pan with oil spray and place sheets of parchment paper on top of each other but in opposite directions. Take 2/3 of the mixture and add to the bottom of the pan. Press the mixture into the pan making sure every corner is covered.

4. Fill then top: Pour the berry mixture on top then scatter the remaining oat mixture on top.

5. Time to bake: Place the crisper plate into the air fryer basket. Select Preheat function and adjust time to 330°F. Place the filled square pan onto the crisper plate. Select Bake function, adjust temperature to 330°F and time to 30 minutes, then press Start/Pause. 

6. Let it rest: Remove when done and set aside to cool before refrigerating for 2 hours before slicing then serving.

Once the food for the day is cooked, remember to pack it in an air tight container and pack it with a lunchbox or cooler with ice. It’ll also give you space to pack the second most important part of any beach day: cold, refreshing drinks. Water is a must, but sweeter drinks like fruit punch or lemonade will also hit the spot. Now that your cooler is packed and ready to go, it’s time to hit the beach.