No matter where you're headed, the ultimate road trip snacks don't come from gas stations—instead, they are homemade. Avoid making too many pitstops by stocking up on the types of sweet treats, crunchy snack mixes, healthy bites (like the Vegan Granola Bars shown here), and portable meals you love to enjoy on the road before you get in the car. The general idea? Pack foods that don't just fill you up, but rather options that keep you satisfied for the long haul. Sure, they require a little advanced preparation, but it all pays off when you set off stocked with a pleasing snack arsenal in your car.
From a food perspective, road tripping starts with a good cooler and a designated snack bag—we suggest repurposing any tote or grocery bag, to keep everything contained and easy-to-find. Then, select smart snacks to make and stock up on before you go. When it comes to long car rides and keeping every passenger in the car feeling satisfied, variety is the key. Select a few recipes, each with different flavors and textures.
Beyond keeping you and your crew stocked with cold drinks, bringing a cooler opens up a world of eating as you can keep your goodies fresh for longer. Pack everything from incredible dips and sliced vegetables to deli meats and cheeses—they're sure to stay cold! Toss in a few yogurts for breakfast on the go. Just make sure to bring utensils and napkins.
Whether you're driving for four hours or 14, our easy to make snacks will fuel everyone in the car so you can make it to your destination on a full stomach.
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Maple Bran Muffins
Eager to get on the road? Take breakfast to go. We've made over the bran muffin and created a better-for-your breakfast option that's packed with plain yogurt, two forms of bran cereal, and maple syrup for sweetness.
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Crispy Chickpea Snack
If you're not super hungry but still want something healthy to snack on, reach for our crispy chickpeas. Flavored with garam masala, salt, and pepper, they're a protein-packed alternative to nuts.
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Peanut-Butter Granola Balls
This low-maintenance recipe is simple to make and requires just five ingredients: honey, peanut butter, rice cereal, rolled oats, and dried fruit (plus salt). The mixture is formed into tablespoon bites and served in paper cups, making them easy to eat on the road.
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Whole-Grain Breakfast Cookies
Cookies for breakfast? Yes, please! With quick-cooking oats as the base, and a mixture of buckwheat flour, millet, cashew butter, and fresh raspberries, these cinnamon-spiced treats will keep you fueled all morning long.
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Spanish Gazpacho
Thermoses aren't just for keeping beverages cool; they also work great for keeping soup. Pull over at a rest stop or site and enjoy chilled gazpacho with a spoon topped with hard boiled egg or slices of Spanish ham. You can also skip the toppings and sip while you go.
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Toffee-Nut Snack Mix
Turn up the music! This party-friendly snack mix is as fun to eat during a car dance party as one at home. The toffee bits melt right into the crunchy snack mix for an addictive sweet-and-savory snack.
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Chocolate-Cherry Granola Bars
There's no fighting over the last bar with these portable chewy chocolate chip and cherry studded granola bars. This recipe makes enough to get you there and back, no matter which way you're going.
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Crunchy Ramen Snack Mix
Long road trips can get mundane, so keep it interesting with an unexpected snack mix. This snack mix coated in golden curry powder, features everyone's favorite instant soup star in its crunchiest form, ramen noodles.
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Red Lentil Hummus
Take advantage of cooler space and add this fresh, healthy snack into the mix. Pack a container of homemade lentil hummus and bags of pre-cut vegetable dippers like celery and carrot sticks.
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Rosemary-Cayenne Snack Mix
Rest-stop snacks are a thing of the past thanks to this satisfying snack mix. Puff corn cereal is baked in a blend of butter, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and a few dashes of rosemary and cayenne. It's sweet, spicy, and so satisfying.
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Hazelnut Puppy Chow
When it's time for a sweet treat, bring out our decadent take on Muddy Buddies. A finger friendly way to get your chocolate-hazelnut fix, Chex are coated in the spread and then dusted with cocoa powder.
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Elote-Style Popcorn
Not just a movie snack, popcorn is also perfect for snacking on the road. Bring out a bag of our Mexican street corn inspired popcorn—made with Pecorino Romano cheese, Tajín seasoning, and a pinch of cayenne pepper—and enjoy both the flavor and the view.
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Fig-and-Almond Crackers
Crackers are the perfect vehicle—no pun intended—for a variety of toppings, including pre-sliced meats and cheese and dip. Ours are made by pulsing almonds, flour, and salt until crumbly and forming the mixture into discs with finely chopped figs before baking to crispy, golden brown perfection.
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On-the-Go Trail Mix
Here is a snack that will please any passenger and was pretty much invented for journeys of all sorts: trail mix. Make one big bag with your choice of mixed dried fruit (think apricots, cherries, and raisins), pecans, and candy-coated chocolate.
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Regarding the concepts mentioned in this article, let's break them down and provide information on each one:
Road Trip Snacks
When going on a road trip, it's important to have snacks that are convenient, tasty, and satisfying. Homemade snacks are often a better option than those found at gas stations. They can be prepared in advance and tailored to your preferences. Some popular road trip snacks include sweet treats, crunchy snack mixes, healthy bites, and portable meals.
Sweet Treats
Sweet treats are a popular choice for road trips. They can provide a quick energy boost and satisfy cravings for something sugary. Some examples of sweet treats that can be prepared at home and taken on a road trip include maple bran muffins, peanut butter granola balls, chocolate-cherry granola bars, hazelnut puppy chow, and fig-and-almond crackers.
Crunchy Snack Mixes
Crunchy snack mixes are a great option for road trips as they provide a satisfying crunch and can be easily eaten on the go. They often combine a variety of ingredients like nuts, pretzels, and cereal. One example of a crunchy snack mix mentioned in the article is the toffee-nut snack mix.
Healthy Bites
For those looking for healthier options, there are plenty of homemade snacks that can be prepared for a road trip. These snacks often include nutritious ingredients like fruits, nuts, and whole grains. The article mentions vegan granola bars as an example of a healthy bite that can be enjoyed on the road.
Portable Meals
In addition to snacks, it's also a good idea to pack some portable meals for longer road trips. These meals can be prepared in advance and stored in a cooler. Some examples mentioned in the article include Spanish gazpacho, whole-grain breakfast cookies, red lentil hummus with vegetable dippers, and elote-style popcorn.
Cooler and Snack Bag
To keep your snacks and meals fresh during the road trip, it's recommended to have a good cooler and a designated snack bag. The cooler will help keep perishable items cold, while the snack bag will keep everything organized and easily accessible. You can repurpose any tote or grocery bag as a snack bag.
Variety and Preparation
When selecting snacks for a road trip, it's important to consider variety. Choose snacks with different flavors and textures to keep everyone satisfied. It's also recommended to prepare the snacks in advance to save time and ensure you have a good supply of snacks for the entire trip.
Utensils and Napkins
When packing snacks and meals for a road trip, don't forget to bring utensils and napkins. These items will come in handy when eating on the go. Make sure to pack enough for everyone in the car.
Remember, these are just some examples of road trip snacks and tips mentioned in the article. There are many other options and variations you can explore based on your preferences and dietary restrictions. Enjoy your road trip and have a great time snacking along the way!