The dogs are barking, the birds are chirping, and somehow we have finally emerged from the long, cold winter to a bright, sunshiney spring. It’s time to get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and make good use of the gorgeous weekends ahead. One of our favorite things to do in spring is gather the family and head to a local park for a relaxing picnic.
To pack for a picnic, you need a large bag or picnic basket, a comfortable blanket, activities, drinks, food, and portable phone speakers for some music. We are big fans of iced tea, lemonade, and water in sealable pitchers. Picnic food is usually easy to eat and doesn’t require a lot of cleanup. That’s why we came up with these great make-ahead sandwich ideas you can easily prepare in your Breakfast Sandwich Maker, which pair well with finger foods like berries, watermelon, grapes, and pretzels.
Kristel’s Tip: Make slushy drinks like frozen fruit slushes, frappé coffee, or refreshing lemon granita in a blender the day before your trip. Freeze them in plastic bags and use them as ice packs to keep your food cold. By the time you set out lunch, your beverage will be slushy and ready for drinking!
Warm Chocolate Croissant
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat Breakfast Sandwich Maker until green READY light comes on. Spread chocolate hazelnut spread over bottom half of croissant. Lift cover, top ring and cooking plate.
- Place bottom half of croissant, chocolate-side up in bottom ring of Breakfast Sandwich Maker.
- Lower cooking plate and top ring. Place top half of croissant on cooking plate.
- Close cover. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, just until chocolate and croissant are warm.
- Slide out cooking plate by rotating handle clockwise. Lift cover and rings; carefully remove sandwich with plastic spatula.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat Breakfast Sandwich Maker until green READY light comes on. Lightly butter one side of each bread circle. Lift cover, top ring and cooking plate.
- Place one bread circle, buttered-side down in bottom ring of Breakfast Sandwich Maker. Top with cheese.
- Lower cooking plate and top ring. Add bread circle, buttered-side up on cooking plate.
- Close cover. Cook 3 to 4 minutes.
- Slide out cooking plate by rotating handle clockwise. Lift cover and rings; carefully remove sandwich with plastic spatula.
Pepperoni and Veggie Pizza Sandwich
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat Breakfast Sandwich Maker until green READY light comes on. Spread sauce evenly on split sides of muffin. Lift cover, top ring and cooking plate.
- Place bottom half of muffin, sauce side up in bottom ring of Breakfast Sandwich Maker. Top with half of the cheese, pepperoni, green pepper, onion and black olives.
- Lower cooking plate and top ring. Place top half of muffin, sauce side up. Top with remaining ingredients.
- Close cover. Cook 4 to 5 minutes.
- Carefully lift cover and rings; remove bottom pizza with plastic spatula. Lower cooking plate and top ring down; slide out cooking plate by rotating handle clockwise. Lift rings; carefully remove remaining pizza with plastic spatula.
- Press pizza halfs together, sauced sides facing in, to create sandwich.
I would love to win one of these but gannot find where to enter?
Hi Shelley, thanks for commenting! Unfortunately, this contest has ended, but please check back soon for more giveaways! Additionally, you can follow the #slowcookermeals hashtag on Twitter to find slow cooker giveaways from our brand ambassadors during the month of October. Have a great day!