Updated: By Sara
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Are you looking for the best road trip snacks that’ll tide you over for hours on end? These tasty recipes are packed with wholesome ingredients, plenty of protein, and enough fiber to keep your stomach happy on those long journeys.
Is there anything worse than opening a travel cooler and realizing that you have nothing tasty to chow down on?
Well, that’s about to be a thing of the past!
Whether you need something reliable for lunchboxes or just love having portable treats on-hand, these snacks are easy to make AND keep well!
From tasty trail mixes to mouthwatering breakfast options, let’s uncover the healthy snacks that’ll get you through the longest of car journeys!
You can thank me later.
Also, check: 25 Camping Snacks for your Next Outdoor Adventure
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25 Road Trip Snack Recipes To Power Through The Miles
1
Healthy Trail Mix
This healthy trail mix is loaded with crunch and texture, making it the perfect sweet and salty snack for any road trip.
I love throwing in popcorn, almonds, chocolate, and goji berries for a hit of richness and a burst of fruity flavor!
2
Granola Bars
Who doesn’t love a fudgy, chewy, and satisfying granola bar when they’re several hours into a long drive?
Not only are these easy-peasy bars made with just 9 simple ingredients, but they’re bursting with interesting flavors.
Oh, and did I mention they’re packed with protein and fiber but contain no refined sugars?
3
Healthy Oatcakes
I’m always down for oatcakes, as you can eat them plain or pile them high with delicious toppings!
These dairy and gluten-free snacks are loaded with healthy ingredients like oats and extra virgin olive oil for a hit of antioxidants.
To top things off (literally!) you can pack a snack box with some fresh fruit, boiled eggs, or cheese for a multi-layered bite!
4
No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
No-bake peanut balls have been all the rage for years, and these bite-sized delights have still got it going on.
They’re ready in just minutes, and I love that they’re vegan, gluten-free, and packed with plant power.
And honestly, the fact that these energy bites store beautifully and are ready in just 10 minutes makes them unbeatable!
5
Healthy Rocky Road
Photo Credit: wholefoodsoulfoodkitchen.com
When it comes to healthy road trip snacks, you can’t do better than a few slabs of rocky road.
This variation on the classic recipe can be made 100% vegan, and it’s delightfully fudgy and crunchy.
The roasted hazelnuts bring tons of texture, while the candied orange peel and dark chocolate add a touch of tartness and sweetness.
6
Fruit Leather
Photo Credit: thebigmansworld.com
Like old-school roll-ups, you can customize these sheets of rubbery goodness with any piece of fruit you like.
Whether you’re craving a spot of strawberry or a mouthful of apricot or mango, it’s good to know this naturally-sweetened treat contains absolutely no nasties!
Plus, you can keep your roll-ups at room temperature or freeze them for months if you’re a regular road tripper.
7
Healthy Air-Popped Popcorn
This is one of my favorite road trip snacks if I’m in the mood for grazing, as you can have huge portions without racking up the calories!
You can eat it as-is (with a sprinkle of salt!) or throw in dark chocolate chips and sunflower seeds to create a makeshift trail mix.
Oh, and did I mention that this particular recipe requires absolutely no oil and is super rich in fiber?
8
Healthy Blueberry Muffins
Photo Credit: www.loveandlemons.com
There’s no need for an emergency stop at the gas station with these healthy blueberry muffins.
They’re better than anything you’ll find in convenience stores as they’re super-fluffy and bursting with juicy berries!
Pack a few for a grab-and-go breakfast during early starts or pair them with a cup of coffee for a midday boost while you’re filling up the tank.
9
Baked Beet Chips
Photo Credit: www.foodiecrush.com
It’s a bold claim, but these baked beet chips might be one of the best road trip snacks of all time.
They get ridiculously crispy from the oven, and they’re way lower in calories and fat than regular potato chips.
So, that means you can stuff twice as many stuffed into a portable Ziploc, right?!
10
Bounty Balls
Are you the person that jumps for joy when you pull a Bounty Bar out of a selection box?
If so, you’ll love these addictive balls of goodness!
They’re perfect for prepping and packing as they require just 5 ingredients and won’t go bad if they’re kept out of the fridge.
But I’ve got to warn you – the flavorful desiccated coconut, divine dark chocolate coating, and hit of sweet maple syrup are seriously addictive.
11
Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters
Photo Credit: sallysbakingaddiction.com
These dark chocolate almond clusters are the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors.
Not only are they made with just 4 ingredients (hello, easy snack prep!), but toasting the almonds makes each bite gloriously crunchy.
12
Roasted Chickpeas
If you don’t feel like snacking on edamame or a few nori chips, these roasted chickpeas are a super crunchy alternative.
They’re salty and slightly spicy thanks to the smoked paprika and cumin!
As these tiny morsels are delicious at room temperature for up to 3 days, you’ll have no trouble keeping them fresh during any trip.
13
Chickpea Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
Photo Credit: www.ambitiouskitchen.com
There’s a new sheriff in town for gluten-free snackers with these chickpea flour-based chocolate chip cookies!
The chocolate balances the slight nuttiness of the flour, and you get tons of natural moisture and flavor from the coconut oil.
Throw in the molasses-like sweetness from the brown sugar, and you’ll see why these are my go-to gluten and grain-free treats!
14
Fruit and Nut Chocolate Bark
Photo Credit: saltandlavender.com
If you’re driving home for the holidays, then this fruit and nut chocolate bark is a great addition to any travel food bag.
It’s packed with festive flavors and combines sweet milk chocolate with sliced almonds, chopped pecans, dried apricots, and raisins.
Talk about a texture sensation!
15
Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
Photo Credit: www.ambitiouskitchen.com
Do you want to know a secret?
These pocket-sized peanut butter banana muffins blow traditional, sugar-loaded options out of the water!
They combine rich natural peanut butter with ripe bananas, milk, eggs, and flour to create a light gluten-free base that’s oh-so-tasty.
16
Superfood Snack Bites
Photo Credit: choosingchia.com
These superfood snack bites deserve a place on anyone’s road trip food list as they’re healthy, energizing, and super colorful!
I love that they’re gluten-free, vegan, and free of refined sugars.
And they’re compact enough that you won’t make a mess if you’re snacking in the backseat.
17
Peanut Butter Cookies
Photo Credit: choosingchia.com
If you want a change from regular chocolate chip cookies, why not dig into these chewy peanut butter gems?
They’re made with just 5 basic ingredients and are ready to rumble in just 20 minutes if you need travel snacks for a last-minute vacay!
18
Black Bean Brownies
You’ll usually find me curling up with black bean brownies and a cup of coffee during the cooler months.
But did you know that these super-moist and fiber-rich treats are also ideal for long road trips as they hold up well in cooler bags?
Oh, and the flax seeds and dates will give you a burst of energy if you’re behind the wheel and feeling sluggish!
19
Spelt Crackers
Photo Credit: www.lazycatkitchen.com
Tasty spelt crackers that work well with virtually any topping? Where do I sign up?!
I’ve been known to go through an entire trayful of these healthy snacks in the car as they’re light and packed with flavor.
They hold up excellently in a plastic container, and you can always pack a flavored cream cheese or some healthy hummus for more oomph!
20
No-Bake Granola Balls
These no-bake granola bars are an easy way to get a quick carb boost when driving long distances.
You won’t get the typical sugar rush you get from other sweet snacks as these balls are well-balanced with oats, dates, and almond butter.
And if the vitamins and minerals in these chewy treats weren’t enough to convince you, prepare to be wowed by the antioxidant-rich goji berries!
21
Coconut Date Bars
Attention road trippers who are looking for snack bars that are ready in a flash – this one’s for you!
These coconut date bars are completely no-bake, which means you can involve the kiddos and have an energy-rich snack ready to go in minutes.
I can’t get over the crunch you get from the almonds, cashews, and flaxseeds.
But it’s the sweetness from the dates and almond butter that make these bars the perfect snack!
22
Everything Ranch Crackers and Pretzels
Photo Credit: www.halfbakedharvest.com
Who doesn’t love pretzels and crackers?
This heavily seasoned snack mix gets its incredible flavor from herbs and spices, seeds, and smoked paprika (which is crucial!).
Your breath might put off your driving buddies, but these rich ranch bites are worth being shunned for!
23
Roasted Spicy Cashews
When I'm in the mood for a hit of spice and a mouthful of crunch, I'll pack a handful of these roasted spicy cashews in my bag!
They contain an incredible balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you satisfied on extended road trips.
As they stay fresh in a Ziploc bag for up to 2 weeks, you can snack on them on the return journey too!
24
Healthy Peanut Butter Jelly Muffins
Photo Credit: nourishedbynutrition.com
If you’re looking for easy road trip snacks that the whole family will appreciate, then you need to try these grab-and-go muffins.
They’re loaded with 3 grams of fiber and plenty of protein and healthy fats to keep you feeling full.
Oh, and the low sugar content will prevent young kids from getting an unpleasant sugar spike that can lead to tricky tantrums in the back!
25
Polenta Fries
You might think that polenta fries need to be piping hot to be delicious.
But with a little planning, these crispy and golden fries can be paired with your favorite dips to create a creamy road trip hunger-buster!
You can store them in simple snack bags for easy access or stuff them in a cooler to enjoy at lunchtime.
ROAD TRIP SNACKS FAQ
How do I keep snacks fresh on a road trip?
So, you’re hitting the road and want your snacks to stay tasty?
Coolers or insulated bags ( I love this backpack!) are your friends for perishables like fruits or dairy goodies. For dry snacks like chips or cookies, zip them up in airtight bags or containers to keep them from going stale.
If you’re traveling in hot weather, stash your snacks somewhere they won’t bake in the sun.
How do I pack snacks for a road trip?
Packaging road trip snacks is all about making it easy on yourself.
Use a cooler for the chilly items and a separate bag or box for things that don’t need cooling. Pre-portion your snacks into single servings for an easy grab-and-go.
Also, a small garbage bag comes in handy to keep the car tidy.
What are some no-mess snacks for a road trip?
No one wants to turn their car into a snack battlefield, right?
Opt for things that won’t crumble, melt, or drip. Think trail mix, granola bars, pre-sliced fruits, veggies, cheese sticks, and sandwiches.
Pass on anything that leaves a lot of crumbs or could melt all over your seats.
What snacks will help keep me alert during a road trip?
Want to keep your energy levels up while driving?
Snacks that pack protein and complex carbs are your allies. Try almonds, apples, bananas, whole grain crackers, or cheese.
Drink plenty of water, too – staying hydrated keeps you alert. But dodge high-sugar snacks – they can lead to a quick energy burst followed by a slump.
How to choose snacks for a road trip that won’t lead to car sickness?
Stick to light, non-greasy foods that go easy on your stomach.
Dry crackers, pretzels, and rice cakes are safe bets. Spicy or fatty foods? Not so much.
Also, ginger candies or tea can help keep nausea at bay, as ginger has some pretty neat anti-nausea properties.
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25 Best Road Trip Snacks
Are you looking for the best road trip snacks that’ll tide you over for hours on end? These tasty recipes are packed with wholesome ingredients, plenty of protein, and enough fiber to keep your stomach happy on those long journeys.
Course: Snack
Author: Sara Trezzi
Ingredients
- Healthy Trail Mix
- Granola Bars
- Healthy Oatcakes
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
- Healthy Rocky Road
- Fruit Leather
- Healthy Air-Popped Popcorn
- Healthy Blueberry Muffins
- Baked Beet Chips
- Bounty Balls
- Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters
- Roasted Chickpeas
- Chickpea Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
- Fruit and Nut Chocolate Bark
- Black Bean Brownies
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Spelt Crackers
- No-Bake Granola Balls
- Coconut Date Bars
- Superfood Snack Bites
- Roasted Spicy Cashews
- Healthy Peanut Butter Jelly Muffins
- Polenta Fries
- Everything Ranch Crackers and Pretzels
Instructions
Select your favorite recipe from the list above.
Pick all the ingredients you'll need.
Prep the best road trip snacks in no time!
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