• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Kitchen Prep Blog

Easy Recipes with a Fresh Twist

  • Home
  • About Dianna
  • Recipe Index
  • Work With Me
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Dianna
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Snacks

    Healthy Road Trip Snacks

    Published: Jul 18, 2016 · Modified: May 25, 2021 by thekitchenprep · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Whether you're hitting the road for spring break or starting to think about summer travels, don't forget to pack up the car with road trip snacks! I'm sharing the best healthy road trip snacks (both store bought and homemade) that will keep your family fueled out on the open road! 

    IMG_0994

    Note: This post was originally published on July 18, 2016 and updated on March 3, 2021.

    I love to travel. Whether it's playing tourist in my own city, road tripping just a few hours away or hopping a plane and crossing the country, I'm always down to see the sites. But, if you're anything like me, you understand the need for a well-packed snack bag for any and all modes of travel.

    A thoughtfully planned snack strategy can truly make or break travel, if you ask me. There's nothing wrong with "junk food" or nostalgic favorites, but when it comes to a creating a car full of happy campers, there are certain foods that top the list in terms of both convenience and nutrients! Here are some of my absolute favorite snacks for curbing hangry meltdowns and keeping blood sugar in check for all involved! 

    Dried or Freeze-Dried Fruits

    As a toddler, my son was smitten with these and I always felt good about giving them to him because there is only one ingredient on the label: Fruit. As always, portion-watching is important because fruit packs a punch when it comes to sugar, but dried fruit can help satisfy a sweet tooth without involving refined sugars and artificial sweeteners.

    Collage of dried fruit and freeze dried fruit in packaging.

    Dried mango and freeze-dried bananas were two of his favorites. Dried apples, freeze-dried strawberries, chewy dried cherries and pineapple slices are also great options! Bonus points for being minimally messy.

    Granola & Granola Bars 

    Granola can be a great on-the-go snack food, but if you're looking to keep things on the more nutritionally dense side, you'll need to do some label reading as as many brands are closer to a dessert than a healthy snack. Luckily, these days there are tons of great, low-sugar and all-natural versions on the market.

    If you're not opposed to making your own so you can control the ingredients added, whip up some homemade granola! These are some of my favorite homemade granola recipes:

    • Cherry Vanilla Granola
    • Spiced Apple Pecan Granola
    • Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

    Collage of images of Cherry Vanilla Granola and Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.

    Apple Sauce & Yogurt Pouches

    I almost always have a pouch of banana applesauce in my purse in case of "hangry" meltdowns. (Both my child's and my own.) There are lots of varieties on the market featuring fruit blends; some even sneak in some vegetables! Applesauce pouches are great because they don't have to be refrigerated, but if you happen to be packing a cooler, yogurt pouches are an equally good choice. No need for a spoon, just uncap and slurp -- the ideal toddler snack, but not one that I'm opposed to enjoying as an adult! 

    Once Upon a Farm Fruit Blend & Stonyfield Organic Yogurt Pouches

    Nuts & Trail Mix

    Filled with healthy fats, nuts make a great on-the-road snack! Buy shelled peanuts and pistachios to keep messes at bay, or enjoy cashews, almonds, pecans or macadamia nuts. For a little extra flavor, try out premium mixes, seasoned or coated varieties. I can't keep my hands out of the bags of chocolate dusted almonds and spiced cashews when I'm noshy in the passenger seat! 

    Collage of images of trail mix and cashew snack mix.

    Trail mix is also an ideal snack that combines sweet and savory bits to appeal to all cravings. Make your own blend using your favorite crunchy snacks or pick up a pack or two from the store -- just beware of mixes that contain more candy and pretzels than fruit and nuts. Individually sized packs are a smart choice if you prefer portion controlled offerings.

    Jerky

    A quick, easy protein boost, jerky is a savory road trip snack worth packing! Whether you prefer traditional meat jerky (there are so many kinds out there -- beef, pork, chicken, bison, etc.) or are more inclined to enjoy a plant-based jerky (yes, it exists!), there are hundreds of chewy and satisfying meat snacks available for purchase in most health food grocers.

    Collage image of jerky for road trip snacks.

    Veggies & Hummus or Guacamole

    I love the ease of packing up raw veggies and store bought hummus or guacamole for trips. The fiber from the beans and raw vegetables, and the healthy fat from avocados helps to keep you full and satisfied between meals without diving head first into less-nutritious snacks. 

    We use reusable sealable bags like Stasher bags or other BPA-free, eco-friendly options, or Sistema food storage containers that are sectioned off to keep dip separate from veggies. You can also use small mason jars and package both dip and veggies together, as I did here in my Artichoke White Bean Veggie Dip! 

    Popcorn & Chips

    There is nothing quite as convenient as grab-and-go bags of popcorn or chips! Again, there are many better-for-you options on the market, but if the pull for brightly colored, artificially flavored varieties is strong, then I say go right ahead and enjoy your old favorites! 

    Collage of healthy road trip snacks - bags of Siete Tortilla Chips, Simply 7 Quinoa Chips, Harvest Snaps pea crisps, and Lesser Evil Popcorn.

    If you prefer more natural options, air-popped (or microwave-popped) kernels flavored with your favorite seasonings are a great treat with endless flavor combinations (even sweet ones like Tiramisu Popcorn)!. There are also fantastic store-bought grain-free tortilla chips, plantain chips, green pea puffs, quinoa puffs, crunchy chickpeas and an assortment of other naturally nutrient-rich choices that are easily found both regular and natural grocery stores. 

    Energy Balls & Bites

    These easy, no-bake, pint-sized powerhouses can be made with just about anything you have in your pantry -- oats, flax, chia, dried fruit, nut butters, protein powder, etc. -- so the flavor possibilities are endless!

    Collage with images of hazelnut energy bites and tropical energy bites.

    Here are a few of my favorite energy ball recipes:

    • Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Snacks  
    • Tropical Energy Bites
    • No Bake Energy Bites
    • Energy Balls, 7 Ways

    Hydration

    I am the worst about drinking enough water throughout the day. On a road trip, you can easily forget to hydrate unless you keep your water bottle right next to you in the cup holder and maybe add something that will entice you to take more sips. Personally, I enjoy adding a splash of detoxifying apple cider vinegar for a kick -- like a DIY version of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks. If you're not into ACV, you can add fruit or herbs to your water to give it a pleasant fruity flavor that will make hydrating fun! 

    What kinds of snacks do you pack for the road? Comment below on your favorites!

    More Snacks

    • Southern Cheese Straws in a clear glass dish with decorative elements surrounding.
      Southern Cheese Straws
    • Pantry essentials overhead photo with Publix tote.
      Pantry Snack Essentials For the Family
    • Two breakfast cookies on a small plate with a bowl of fruit on the side.
      Jumbo Breakfast Cookies
    • Easy Cheese-Stuffed Pretzel Bites! Store-bought pizza dough shaves precious prep time off of this deliciously simple pretzel bites recipe! Stuffed with gooey cheese, they're perfect for game day snacking! 
      Easy Cheese-Stuffed Pretzel Bites

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Dianna. I used to think cooking had to be complicated to be good, so I never considered it "my thing." Now I know that's far from true, and my mission is to create & share easy, mouthwatering recipes - from weeknight dinners to simple bites for entertaining - that anyone can make! Join me in my South Florida kitchen and let's get cooking!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Fork and knife cutting into a stuffed cubanelle pepper.
      Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers

    • Benedictine Spread for Kentucky Derby in a white bowl with a piece of pumpernickel toast in the foreground slathered with spread.
      Benedictine Spread - A Derby Classic

    • Close up of Italian Knot Cookies on a white cake plate.
      Italian Knot Cookies

    • A large skillet filled with Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta with a yellow and white striped dish towel underneath.
      Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta

    Welcome!

    I'm Dianna and I've been creating & sharing easy recipes with a fresh twist for 14 years!

    More about me

    Popular

    • A large skillet filled with Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta with a yellow and white striped dish towel underneath.
      Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta
    • Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Soup via The Kitchen Prep. An easy and flavorful meal for a cold day!
      Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Soup with Couscous
    • Irish Cheddar & Cabbage Hash Brown Skillet on a dark green surface with a striped kitchen towel beside it.
      Irish Cheddar & Cabbage Hash Brown Skillet
    • A pavlova nest with coconut custard filling sprinkled with coconut flakes and drizzled with chocolate.
      Mini Pavlova Nests

    Seasonal

    • Orange-Avocado Salad
      Orange-Avocado Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
    • Sausage & Squash Soup in a white mug with ingredients around it.
      Sausage & Squash Soup
    • A stack of sweet corn and black bean fritters in a mini cast iron skillet with fresh sweet corn in the background.
      Sweet Corn & Black Bean Fritters
    • Vanilla Bean Citrus Bars! A crisp, shortbread crust is topped with a layer of sweet, citrusy filling speckled with fragrant vanilla beans. These are the stuff of potluck dreams!
      Vanilla Bean Citrus Bars
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Follow Me on Facebook

    Welcome!

    I'm Dianna and I've been creating & sharing easy recipes with a fresh twist for 14 years!

    More about me

    Popular

    • A large skillet filled with Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta with a yellow and white striped dish towel underneath.
      Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta
    • Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Soup via The Kitchen Prep. An easy and flavorful meal for a cold day!
      Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Soup with Couscous
    • Irish Cheddar & Cabbage Hash Brown Skillet on a dark green surface with a striped kitchen towel beside it.
      Irish Cheddar & Cabbage Hash Brown Skillet
    • A pavlova nest with coconut custard filling sprinkled with coconut flakes and drizzled with chocolate.
      Mini Pavlova Nests

    Seasonal

    • Orange-Avocado Salad
      Orange-Avocado Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
    • Sausage & Squash Soup in a white mug with ingredients around it.
      Sausage & Squash Soup
    • A stack of sweet corn and black bean fritters in a mini cast iron skillet with fresh sweet corn in the background.
      Sweet Corn & Black Bean Fritters
    • Vanilla Bean Citrus Bars! A crisp, shortbread crust is topped with a layer of sweet, citrusy filling speckled with fragrant vanilla beans. These are the stuff of potluck dreams!
      Vanilla Bean Citrus Bars

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy

    Subscribe

    • Sign Up! and get recipes delivered to your inbox.

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me

    Copyright © 2025 · The Kitchen Prep ·