When you’re on the go, it can be tough to find healthy snack options that are convenient, filling, and keeps both adults and kids happy. Having a stash of good travel snacks can make all the difference between family fun or multiple meltdowns. I’ve got you covered with this list of travel snacks from homemade granola bars and energy bites to fresh fruit and veggies.
Tips for Healthy Snacks on the Go
Whether you’re out and about running errands or taking a family road trip, finding healthy travel snacks can be tough. Roadside food options are often less than desirable. Before I give you that long list of travel snack ideas, here are a few tips for keeping a steady supply of healthy travel snacks for adults and kids.
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Stay Hydrated
Juice and carbonated beverages are a nice treat, but water is another one of those road trip essentials. You need to stay hydrated, and a refillable, spill-proof water bottle like a Hydroflask or a Klean Kanteen will do the trick. Drinking water help you feel full which means less unnecessary snacking.
Fresh is Best
Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great choice. They are packed with vitamins, fiber, and also have hydrating powers. They don’t need to be refrigerated and can be eaten anywhere. Wash fruits and veggies at home before you go. Choose hardier options such as apples, oranges, grapes, celery, carrots as these will last longer in the car.
Portion Control
Store-bought serving size snacks are more expensive than buying in bulk and have excess packing. Save some money AND keep easy to eat snacks on hand by buying your ingredients in larger packages and then divvying out smaller portion sizes. Sometimes kids (and adults) just want to eat when they are bored in the car, not because they are actually hungry. Small silicone bags and bento boxes with small compartments are perfect for limiting portions and messes.
Limit Sugars and Add Protein Punches
If you’re reading an article about my favorite road trip snacks, you’re most likely aware just how much added sugar is in conventional snacks. Protein bars, store bought dried fruit, yogurt cups, etc. contain added sugar. Read your labels and limit added sugar when and where you can.
Instead of added sugars, focus on punches of protein which increase energy levels and keeps everyone’s tummies fuller longer. For example add a dab of peanut butter to celery or apples for added protein.
Easy to Pack Road Trip Snacks
Here are our favorite kid-tested and Mom approved travel snacks that will help you eat healthier on the road.
- Dried Fruit – banana chips, pineapple, apples, cherries, chile mango, and raisins. (Tip: Avoid chocolate or yogurt covered dried fruit as it is messy as it melts.)
- Grass-Fed Beef Jerky
- Nuts – Get your healthy fat, protein, AND fiber when you’re hitting the road by adding nuts to your snack box. Cashews are my favorite. The kids like almonds or these Glazed Pecans. (Tip: Stay away from nuts that are greasy, like salted peanuts. The oils will end up on clothing and upholstery, something you definitely do NOT want.)
- Animal Crackers
- Yogurt Tubes – Even as teenagers my kids love these. They are just the right amount to satisfy cravings and are easier to eat in the car versus yogurt cups. (Tip: You can freeze the night before and store it in an ice cooler or a large double-insulated water bottle. I usually use this Hydroflask for the task.)
- Cheese Cubes and String Cheese – buy pre-prepped cheese cubes or cheese sticks. To save money, buy a block of cheese and then cut the cubes or slices yourself. Store in a silicone bag.
- Trail Mix – Our favorite combination is one we make at home with chopped dried dates, dried cherries, almonds, and shredded coconut. (Tip: During warmer summer months, avoid chocolate or dried yogurt dots because they’ll melt.)
- Fruit Leather or Roll-Ups
- Dry Cereal– Choose options that have plenty of whole grains and fiber. Avoid the super-sugary cerreals.
- Snack Bars – Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars are favorite store-bought options as well as these homemade Samoas Larabar
- Stroopwafels – I look forward to them when I fly on Delta, so why shouldn’t I bring them on a road trip?
- Fresh Finger Vegetables – Sugar Snap Peas, celery, green beans
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- Pita chips and homemade hummus – here’s my classic hummus recipe
- Baby Carrots
- Fresh Fruit – Whole apples, grapes, and mandarins travel really well and make for sweet snacks without added sugar.Eat the more fragile fruits, like bananas, early on when traveling with kids.
- Granola/Protein Bars – Whether store-bought or Homemade Granola Bars, both are great road trip snack ideas and easy breakfasts on the go. Just watch the sugar content and focus on protein and fiber
- Pureed Fruit Pouches – applesauce pouches are our favorite.
- Popcorn – Pop your own at home with favorite flavors and then put in individual serving bags. For store bought options, I love the sweet and slightly salty kettle corn from Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop. Here’s one of my favorite homemade varieties: Chia Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn
- Seaweed Sheets – There are lots of flavors available from brands like gimMe and others. These make for an easy gluten-free, healthy snack.
- Favorite crackers – top with your preferred nut butter or cream cheeseand cucumbers
- Apple Straws – chips that taste like an apple churro
- Hippeas Chickpea Puffs – We like these better than Cheetos because they are high in protein and don’t leave orange stained fingers.
- Goldfish or Cheddar Bunny Crackers – A classic when it comes to travel snacks for kids.
- No Bake Coconut Energy Bites
- Yogurt Dip – Kids and adults both love dipping their foods in different condiments. Yogurt dip is great for fruits, vegetables, and even crackers!
- Boiled Eggs – These are a power house for protein and go perfectly with a fruit, vegetable and cracker in a bento box. Shell them before leaving the house to minimize mess.
- Snacking Rounds with Nut Butter or all by themselves (more detailed review and another travel snack idea below)
Snacking Rounds
Ozery Bakery is a Canadian company that makes the most delicious fruit and grain bread rounds around. Best of all, they contain NO artificial ingredients or preservatives.
They offer all-natural fruit and grain bunsin two sizes: Morning Rounds (4 1/2″) and Snacking Rounds (2 1/2″). Each variety uses unbleached wheat flour, organic evaporated cane sugar, dried fruit, seeds, rolled oats, yeast, and other natural ingredients. Flavors include muesli, date chia, apple cinnamon, and cranberry orange.
Refrigerate or freeze the snacking rounds until you are ready to use them. Top the rounds with your favorite jam, make them into French Toast, or just enjoy them plain.
Yield: 2
Healthy Snacks with Snacking Rounds from Ozery Bakery - Review & Giveaway
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 Snacking Rounds from Ozery Bakery, any flavor
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- Organic apple, 1/4 inch thick slices
Instructions
- Lightly toast the snacking round in a toaster oven.
- Remove from toaster and spread almond butter to each round.
- Top with an apple slice.
- Enjoy
Did you make this recipe?
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Finding easy ways to snack healthy on the go can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Use the above ideas to enjoy healthy road trip snacks for kids (and adults!) that are both tasty and nutritious. From fresh fruit and veggies to trail mix and energy bars, the options are endless to keep you fueled and feeling your best! If you have a favorite travel snack, drop it in the comments and I’ll add it to this list!
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About Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.
