Last Updated on July 3, 2025 by Jennifer Osborn
When the grill's hot, the sun is high in the sky and there's no refrigeration in sight, dessert needs to be heatproof and simple.
These easy, make-ahead treats hold up in the heat, travel well and are of course, delicious.
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If you're heading to a barbecue or hosting one, you want a sweet treat to finish off the saucy, smoky meal.
But it should be a dessert that won't melt in the heat. That means no key lime pie or lemon squares.
And, it should also be easily eaten with fingers.
S'mores Desserts
S’mores Dip
Ooey-gooey, chocolatey-marshmallow bliss in skillet form. No sticks, no flames, no camping required. Just grab some crackers or pretzels and enjoy.
S’mores Bars
Layers of graham cracker, melty chocolate, and marshmallow baked into easy-to-serve bars. All the fun of a campfire without the smoky hair.
S’mores Without Graham Crackers
Short on grahams? No problem. This version swaps in cookies and still delivers that classic combo we all love.
Crispy Rice Desserts
Heat resistant, portable, lightweight, chewy. These are perfect picnic desserts.
Oreo Rice Krispie Treats
A no-bake treat that blends crispy cereal and crushed Oreos for maximum crunch and creamy goodness.
Your basic crispy rice treats only coated with a layer of chocolate. Throw a layer of sprinkles on top for party vibes.
Give everyone a choice with a sheet pan of different flavored treats.
Cookies to Take to a Barbecue
Cookies Made From A Brownie Mix
The ultimate fudgy, chewy portable dessert.
Or make brownie cookies studded with colorful mini M&M candies.
Inspired by the giant, powdered sugar covered lemon cookies at Panera, this chewy citrus cookie is just the thing after eating a bunch of barbecue.
Lemon Poke Cake
The only cake in my list of desserts for a barbecue. Moist lemon cake with a light lemon glaze, this cake can easily be eaten with a napkin and your fingers.
From mixing to baking, this easy citrus pie is done in 20 minutes and very portable.
Key Lime Bars
Just like the pie only in bar form so its more portable and easier to eat with your fingers.
Portable Fruit Dessert Ideas
Fruit Skewers
An eye-popping lineup of fresh fruit on a stick. They’re juicy, sweet, and kinda healthy (but we won’t tell).
These are a fun outdoor treat, especially if you can keep them frozen in a cooler. Just don't eat them if you're driving.
Dessert Squares and Bars for a Picnic
Congo Bars
Thick, chewy blondies loaded with chocolate chips and walnuts. These babies travel well and vanish even faster.
A graham cracker crust with a layer of chocolate and lightly toasted marshmallows is just the thing after you've eaten a smoked chicken. All by yourself.
These are chewy and colorful and easier than scooping individual balls of dough for M&M cookies.
Bonus Treat: How to Make Classic S’mores
Feeling nostalgic? Here’s your refresher on how to make perfect s’mores the old-fashioned way.
PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER
Food Safety Tips for a Cookout
You might also find Desserts to Take to a Funeral helpful as well as Desserts to Make with Almost Nothing.
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