Nothing signals the arrival of warmer weather quite like a table piled high with M&S picky bits. It’s almost a British tradition now, and nobody does the art of grazing quite like the Marks and Spencer Foodhall.
Whether you’re organising an al fresco night with friends or an intimate evening with the family, here are our tried-and-tested favourites every guest will love. To save you the guesswork, here are 20 of the best M&S picky bits to buy in 2026, from charcuterie staples to game-changing salads.
This is an independent review by the editor. Northern Luxury has not been compensated for this review, nor have we been gifted any products from the brands. All opinions are entirely our own.
M&S Picky Bits Deli and Tapas
M&S Suino Nero Selection Platter
Choosing the right meats for a crowd can be tough, especially with so much choice. Make your life easier by heading for the Collection range. The Suino Nero Platter features a premium range of salsiccia, salame, capocollo and lombo.
Serving Tip: These can be layered out on a wooden board or marble slate instantly, offering sweet and spicy Calabrian flavours. Leave the platter out of the fridge for 15 minutes or so for the fats to reach room temperature before serving.
Array of Cheeses
To satisfy the needs of the many, a selection of different cheeses is a must. M&S has one of the best cheese aisles out of any supermarket we’ve ever been to. While you’ve got your standard mature cheddars and mozzarella, their speciality cheeses are next level.
For our cheese board, we’d always suggest a mix of the De la Huz Queso Manchego Curado, French Mature Ripening Brie, Cornish Cove Vintage Cheddar Cheese, Goat’s Cheese, and Bavarian Smoked Cheese.
Serving Tip: In a small ramekin to the side, pop some soft figs and grapes, as well as a jar of the Single Apiary Pure British Honey for drizzling.
Spanish Style Butter Beans
As part of the 3 for £8 Deli/Tapas range, these tasty butter beans are a no-brainer for a modern M&S picky tea. If you’re setting up your very own tapas night, these are a guaranteed winner. Guests can grab a spoonful each and soak up the sauce with some crusty sourdough.
The dish features creamy butter beans in a rich tomato and onion sauce. It’s enhanced by ingredients such as garlic puree and sherry vinegar that cut the richness perfectly.
Serving Tip: We highly recommend heating these in the microwave for a few minutes rather than serving them cold. Transfer them to a ceramic tapas bowl with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
Spanish Style Prawn Pil Pil
Another Spanish classic sure to impress any seafood lover. This dish is a masterclass in convenience and also part of the deli deal. Juicy prawns are bathed in an aromatic oil of garlic and chilli, with a hint of paprika and fresh parsley. Supermarket seafood can be a gamble, but this is a winner eaten both hot and cold.
Serving Tip: If you do choose to heat these, avoid the microwave. It’s best prepared in a piping hot pan to get the oil sizzling, before serving in a tapas dish. Don’t skimp on bread either, since the oil is almost the best part. The M&S Pan de Cristal works beautifully with the dish, but sourdough will also do the job.
Turkish Grilled Pepperoncini
The ultimate palate cleanser for your feast. These chunky peppers are lightly charred and intensely tangy. They are spicier than you’d think, so it’s worth giving your guests a heads up. A great addition to a charcuterie board, they add a pop of bright green and a briny taste for the perfect balance.
Serving Tip: No cooking is needed here. Simply arrange them with the stalks still attached in a small ramekin. Or scatter them across your meat and cheese platter. Only bring them out if the fridge 15 minutes or so before serving. This gives the oils a chance to loosen up and allows the peppers to reach room temperature slightly.
M&S Picky Bits Oven and Air Fryer Food
Potato Rosti Cakes
Why serve boring old chips when you can instead level up your potato game? These rosti cakes feature crispy shredded potatoes with fried onions and a touch of butter. Texture-wise, they are both crunchy and soft, almost breaking apart in your mouth.
Serving Tip: You may wish to plate them up whole or cut them into segments for your guests to dip in the sauces. All you need to do is bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 180°C. Or you can do them in the air fryer for around 14 minutes at 200°C.
M&S Crunchy Piri Piri Chicken Tenders
Having tried the entire M&S chicken tenders range, our favourite has to be the Piri Piri flavour. While the Southern-Fried, Katsu, and Fiery options are great, these offer a hit of citrus and spice you simply won’t get from other supermarkets.
The durum wheat semolina crumb is packed with cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, dried garlic, and concentrated lemon to provide that authentic Piri Piri flavour. We prefer popping them in the air fryer. Cook at 200°C for 10 to 12 minutes if fresh or 16 minutes if frozen. In the oven, you can bake them for 16 to 18 minutes at 200°C.
Serving Tip: The ideal choice for meat-lovers in your group. They work well with any spicy dipping sauce, like the M&S Buffalo Sauce. You could even provide some tortillas on the side to make wraps along with the side salads.
M&S Halloumi Fries
Every great picky tea needs a few vegetarian showstoppers to appease the whole table. Halloumi is the safest option, especially when battered and deep-fried. The halloumi fries from M&S are coated in a seasoned crumb that doesn’t leave you with a puddle of cheese by the end.
The best method here is the air fryer, which dries them out enough for that essential crunch while still providing a beautifully gooey middle. They only need 6 or 7 minutes at 200°C. You can also cook them in the oven at 210°C (190°C Fan) for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once.
Serving Tip: We highly advise serving alongside a pot of the Sweet Chilli Sauce for a sweet and spicy hit.
M&S Salads
Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Bean Salad
M&S absolutely dominates the salad scene. Their creative pots are a staple lunch or evening side dish, packed full of flavour. Impress your friends and family with the Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Bean Salad.
It ditches traditional heavy salads with a vibrant mix of roasted sweet potato, red onions, black beans, feta cheese, and pumpkin seeds. The dressing is nothing short of perfection, made up of a zesty Avocado Crema with lime and kefir.
Serving Tip: Make sure to toss the ingredients in the sauce before tipping them into a shallow bowl.
Orzo & Slow Roasted Tomatoes Salad
Available in both standard and family-sized tubs, this is the ultimate pasta salad for your grazing table. The Orzo & Roasted Tomatoes Salad from M&S blends the sweetness of semi-dried tomatoes and crisp red peppers with the tang from the basil vinaigrette.
Serving Tip: Pour the dressing directly onto the orzo once ready to serve, and transfer it into a shallow ceramic bowl. You’re then good to go. We highly recommend the larger size since it was so popular in our group, especially if you have vegetarian attendees.
M&S Greek Salad
Dial things back a little with a simple yet tasty Greek Salad. With fresh cucumber, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onions, and feta cubes, it’s a traditional Mediterranean combination to complement the richer dishes on your table.
Serving Tip: Everything is dressed with a light oregano and red wine vinaigrette that leaves a delicious juice that deserves to be dunked with plenty of crusty bread.
M&S Bread and Snacks
M&S Rosemary & Rock Salt Sourdough Focaccia
We can’t stress enough how important it is to have high-quality bread on your table. If you’re only considering one signature loaf, we can’t recommend the Sourdough Focaccia enough.
It’s the perfect addition to any grazing board, crunchy and golden on the outside and soft on the inside. Since it has those classic air pockets and a chewy texture, it perfectly soaks up any juices from the food.
Serving Tip: Simply pop your loaf into the oven for 5-7 minutes at 180°C and slice into individual pieces. Or let guests tear off a chunk to make picky tea sliders from your meats and cheeses.
Crafted Sourdough Baguette
The M&S bakery is nothing short of perfection, especially its sourdough range. Each piece is fermented and baked to perfection and packed with authentic flavour. And what better to soak up all your sauces?
Serving Tip: Opt for the long baguette that can be sliced into small diagonal chunks, so no one misses out. Place in a woven basket with a cloth to rival the top Parisian restaurants or layer on a long wooden board. Ensure it is within arm’s reach of your charcuterie and cheeses.
Sweet Chilli Crunch Mix
The most addictive part of any party table. Having a snack bowl for guests to graze on throughout the evening is a must. The Sweet Chilli Crunch Mix is the perfect addition to your table, containing a mix of corn, chickpeas, edamame soybeans, and corn hoops infused in a flavourful seasoning.
It still offers that nutty taste but without any major allergens, and a sweeter hit that requires no preparation.
Serving Tip: Rip open the sachets and pour into a bowl in the centre of your dishes so guests can dip in and out as required. That’s it.
Black Olive Italian Flatbreads
Savoury biscuits are essential if you are serving cheeses and dips. These artisanal deli flatbreads are made in Italy with premium olive oil, black olives, and sea salt. They snap so satisfyingly and are baked, so they make a great healthy addition to your platter.
Serving Tip: We’d recommend serving in a tall glass close to the Whipped Feta dip or a block of goat’s cheese. They don’t go soggy either, so they can be left out throughout the evening and saved for future use.
Sweet Treats
CHOC Marks Caramel, Shortbread & Chocolate Crispies Bar
M&S’s CHOC range is one to rival high-end chocolate brands. The bars are chunky and creative, with gorgeous, bright packaging. While the line-up includes candy beans and pretzels alternatives, the caramel, shortbread, and crispies bar is a cut above the rest.
Within the thick Swiss milk chocolate bar, you get hits of crumbly biscuit and the salty caramel. It’s one of those products you can eat in one sitting without realising, and each piece offers something entirely different.
Serving Tip: For ease when sharing, consider breaking up into bite-sized pieces or cutting up into triangles.
Mini Bites Tubs
The iconic mini bites tubs from M&S are made to share, for both large and small groups. Not only are they morish but also require little to no preparation. You can even leave them in the designer packaging.
It’s difficult to choose just one for our list, and we’d advise picking yourself a few anyway. You’d be surprised by how fast they disappear, particularly if you have anyone with a sweet tooth in the room.
Our Top Picks: You can’t go wrong with a selection of Chocolate and Orange Mini Bites, Caramel Crispy Mini Bites, Fully Loaded Millionaire’s Brownie Bites, and Extremely Chocolatey Double Chocolate Mini Bites.
Collection Chocolate and Guérande Sea Salted Caramel Tart
A signature centrepiece dessert is non-negotiable. Serve the Chocolate and Sea Salt Tart as your grand finale and trick your guests into thinking you spent hours on a luxury sweet treat from scratch. It features a buttery pastry case with a smooth layer of caramel and sea salt. This is finished with a velvety layer of chocolate ganache.
Serving Tip: As the dessert lives in the fridge up until your get-together, all you need to do is defrost it in the fridge six hours before. Like a pro, place on your table along with smaller side plates and a sharp knife. You can also accompany this with a few scoops of the M&S Collection West Country Madagascan Vanilla Ice Cream.
Soft Drinks and Alcohol
Collection Red Diamond Strawberry Still Lemonade
You’ll have likely seen viral videos of M&S’s famous Red Diamond strawberries. Well, they have turned those exact strawberries into a lemonade that is the perfect balance of sweet and sour. Soft drinks and juices are a must in the summer, and this is one of the most refreshing drinks that the brand does.
Serving Tip: Grab yourself a glass carafe filled with ice and serve chilled, or pour a few bottles into a dispenser.
Crémant de Bordeaux
If you want some fizz to go with your snacks, we couldn’t recommend the Crémant from M&S more. Similar to Prosecco and Cava, this sparkling French wine is leaps and bounds above the rest. You can taste notes of green apple, leaning on the dry side, rather than being overly sweet.
Serving Tip: Keep chilled in the fridge for a few hours before your guests arrive and top up champagne flutes throughout the night. At just £11, it’s a deal you can’t pass up and pairs seamlessly with the rich charcuterie and cheese.