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Planning a road trip? It’s important to keep up your energy, and avoid the lows of sugar crashes by bringing along some easy to pack road trip foods and snacks. We’ve rounded up the best healthy road trip snack recipes to make your trip planning a breeze.
From energy balls and granola bars, to cookies, muffins, salty mixes, and heartier savoury snack foods we’ve got it all. Making our own road trip snacks are a family tradition for all our road trips. These are all kid and adult approved travel snacks.
Satisfy all your travel companions cravings (and your own). A lot of these homemade road trip snack recipes also have gluten free, vegan, or low carb options. So no matter what your dietary requirements are, there’s something specially for you.
Are you ready for some quick, healthy road trip snacks to make? Grab your car cooler and Let’s go!
Table of Contents
How to Eat Healthy on Road Trips
First things first is to plan out your travel snacks and meals.
The times we’ve not prepped ahead, inevitably we’d end up starving in the middle of nowhere, with only a gas station for food. And end up feeling low energy or tired afterward.
Bring a cooler and shop at your local market / grocery store.
When driving long distance you should bring and eat a combination of proteins, fats, fibre, textures and tastes. As well as nutrient dense whole foods to curb your cravings, and satisfy your hunger.
Delicious and healthy homemade road trip snacks will help make sure you and your family stay nourished and energized. Use our free Road trip templates to make things easier.
Some of the best road trip snacks include:
- Granola Bars
- Energy Balls / Energy Bites
- Sweet and Savoury Muffins
- Granola
- Salty or sweet crunchy snacks: Roasted Chickpeas, Kale Chips, Dried Fruit
- Trail Mix
- Dips / Spreads & Veggies, Crackers or Pretzels
- Jerky
- Veggie Fritters
- Fresh Spring Rolls
- Chicken Kabobs or Poppers
Easy, Healthy Road Trip Snack Recipes
Prepping your road trip snacks, and meals is just as important as finding a great deal on your car rental, and booking your accommodations.
We’ve gathered easy & tasty recipes together to make this easier for you.
Homemade Road Trip Snacks
While it may take a bit of extra time, bringing homemade road trip snacks can save you time, and money on your journey with family or friends.
We’ve broken these DIY road trip snacks into the following categories:
- Energy Balls / Bites and Protein Bites Recipes
- Healthy Snack Bar Recipes
- Healthy Cookie Recipes
- Sweet and Salty Road Trip Snack Recipes
- Dried Fruit and Veggie Chips
- Roasted Chickpea Recipes
- Road Trip Muffin Recipes – Sweet and Savoury
- Granola and Overnight Oats Recipes
- Savoury Make Ahead Road Trip Snacks
We’ve rounded up some delicious, healthy and easy to make recipes for you to try. Let us know which ones are your favourites!
Please note: All the photos you see in this post belong to the website / bloggers the recipes are from.
Grab your Free Road Trip & Meal Planner HERE:
More road trip snack ideas here.
Quick Road Trip Snack Recipes: Energy Balls, Energy Bites, Protein Bites
Whether you call them energy balls, bites, bliss balls or protein bites, they all have something in common. They are super quick and easy to make, nutritious and versatile enough to fit all your travel companions road trip snack preferences and dietary needs.
Plus they are no-bake and can be made in under 15 minutes.
Sweet, salty, protein filled bites of goodness, these one bite wonders are easy to pack and store in your cooler.The perfect quick road trip snack recipes for busy parents.
1. Coconut Date Balls | Healy Eats Real
Easy No Bake Coconut Date Balls have only three ingredients, and are a naturally sweet paleo and vegan snack. Crunchy coconut taste on the outside combined with creamy, soft inside = bliss in one bite. Plus no nuts!
2. Dried Fruits Ladoo – Easy Energy Balls | Dassana’s Veg Recipes
Dry Fruits Laddu is an easy, nutritious recipe of energy balls that are healthy and tasty. Packed with nutrients, good fats and fibre, these energy balls are made with dates, figs and various nuts. An ideal long road trip snack.
3. Lemon Coconut Chia Balls | Cathy’s Gluten Free
Lemon Coconut Chia balls are a refreshing and sweet snack. With only 5 nutrient packed ingredients, they are easy to make and bring along for the day.
If you want a little more protein, check out this similar recipe for Coconut Protein Balls
4. Pumpkin Energy Balls | Plant Powered Cooking
Looking for a unique energy ball recipe? You’ve found it. Pumpkin Energy balls are made with inexpensive chickpeas, lots of spices, and are gently sweetened with dates. Pumpkin pie in hand held form.
5. Pistachio Energy Balls | Hoorah to Health
Pistachio energy balls are great for road trips, as they don’t need to be refrigerated and provide a nice energy boost so your travelers don’t get too cranky!
6. Low Carb Peanut Butter Balls | Cassidy’s Craveable Creations
Looking for an alternative to eating cookie dough straight from the bowl? This recipe has got you covered. These sweet, peanut butter cookie dough flavoured balls will satisfy your cravings and hunger.
7. Salted Caramel Bliss Balls | It’s Not Complicated
With just 5 ingredients, these delicious Salted Caramel Bliss Balls are so easy to make. A perfectly healthy sweet road trip snack or treat, they are vegan, gluten and refined sugar free.
8. Vanilla Coconut Bliss Balls | My Plantiful Cooking
Vanilla coconut bliss balls are a wonderful, healthy sweet treat to have on hand. Naturally sweetened with dates, they are perfect for a midday pick-me-up after a long hike or drive.
🚙 You may also like Simple Ways to Save Money on Road Trips
9. Apple Pie Oat Bliss Balls | Kidgredients
Yummy and portable, these apple pie bliss balls are the perfect road trip snack. Plus they are super kid-friendly, nut free, and no bake. When you are craving the apple pie taste, without all the work, or mess on the road, these will satisfy.
Healthy Snack Bar Recipes
These healthy snack bar recipes are easy to make, with minimal ingredients, so you can spend more time enjoying your trip, than preparing for it.Add these to your list of healthy snacks for road trips.
10. Low Carb Granola Bars | Wholesome Yum
These homemade Kind Bar copycats are the easiest low carb, gluten-free, sugar-free granola bars you can make at home. Plus they take only about 10 minutes to make, so you are ready to head out on your adventures in no time at all.
11. Coconut Candy Bars | A Sweet Alternative
If you are looking for an alternative to store bought chocolate bars, and love coconut, then you have found the right recipe!
These coconut candy bars are refined sugar free (sweetened with maple syrup, YES!) and made from simple, nutritious ingredients. They’re easy to make and so satisfying.
12. Homemade Protein Bars| Masala Herb
Homemade protein bars without protein powder are enriched with nuts and dried fruits. Know what’s in your protein bars!
13. Vegan Raspberry Rhubarb Bars | By The Forkful
Raspberry Rhubarb Bars are my dream breakfast snack on the go. Quick and easy to make, portable, and filled with fresh summery fruit. What more would you want?
14. No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars| Vegan Huggs
Five ingredients + fifteen minutes = No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars. A cross between a Rice Krispie treat and Nutty Buddy bars this portable snack is perfect for indulging any time of day.
🎒 Check out this Road Trip Packing List & tips too
15. Healthy Carrot Cake Protein Bars | Any Reasons Vegan
Carrot Cake Protein Bars are a perfect road trip snack made of carrots, dates and pistachios, a no bake dream. These nutritious bars are full of protein, vitamins and iron, but shhhhhh don’t tell the kids they’re healthy.
16. Peanut Butter, Banana Oatmeal Bars | My Plantiful Cooking
Peanut Butter, Banana, Oatmeal Bars have only three ingredients, are vegan and a wonderful on the go snack. Whether you are looking for breakfast to go, or a snack mid day these chewy moist bars will satisfy.
17. Two Ingredient Nutella Brownies| Momma Lew
Two ingredient fudgy, rich nutella brownies will satisfy your sweet tooth. Cooked in a muffin tin, they are easy to transport wherever you travel. Sometimes you just need to indulge a little.
18. Homemade Granola Bars | Ottawa Mommy Club
Homemade granola bar recipe is slightly different as it does not contain any oats. It is also a great snack for when you are hungry, but want an alternative to store bought bars.
19. Oat and Honey Granola Bars | Healthy Life Trainer
Chewy No-bake Oat and Honey Granola Bars are quick and easy to prepare in under 15 minutes. They are loaded with wholesome ingredients such as oats, almond, honey, butter, and cranberries.
Homemade Road Trip Snacks – Cookies
Cookies! Now who can resist a delicious cookie especially homemade ones. They are portable, easy to make and pack, and can be full of nutritious and delicious add ins, so are ideal for road trips.
20. Anzac Biscuits |Mama Loves To Cook
Tap into a tradition from Australia and New Zealand with some buttery, caramel flavoured Anzac Biscuits. These coconut oat cookies are quick and easy to make, travel well and last for ages.
21. Best Road Trip Breakfast Cookies | Boulder Locavore
The name says it all, but don’t be fooled by the title. You don’t have to be on a road trip or only eat them for breakfast. As the name suggests they are a great source of nutrition in a few bites without a crazy amount of sugar and processed ingredients. They pack a great amount of protein, fiber and essential fats into their two-bite form as well.
22. Besan Ladoo – Chickpea Flour Sweet Cookies | So Yummy Recipes
Make these chickpea flour sweet treat balls for your next trip and enjoy them as your scrumptious sweets that offer an energy and protein boost.
23. Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies | Just As Tasty
Combining two of my favourite things into one is heavenly. Carrot Cake Breakfast cookies are soft, bursting with flavour, and can be eaten as a snack any time of the day.
24. Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies | Living Healthy With Chocolate
Amazing flourless, gooey and soft cookies, filled with chocolate chips that are super easy to make (and eat). This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and Paleo with Keto and Vegan options.
Road Trip Snack Ideas – Sweet and Salty Recipes
If you are looking for healthier, homemade road trip snack ideas to replace the frequent stops at gas stations, and grabbing a bag of chips and pop, then this section is for you.
Trail mix is a must bring travel snack for all our road trips, camping trips and adventures. Kids love it when you add a bit of smarties & gummy bears.
25. Smoky Trail Mix | Boulder Locavore
Snackers unite! Trail Mix is a perfect snack when on the go or for traveling. This version takes it up a flavor notch with smoked almonds as the central ingredient. The mix to sweet, salty and crunchy can’t be beat. If not a lover of the smoky almonds, regular almonds may be substituted.
26. Sweet and Salty Trail Mix | Neighbor Food
Curb your crunch craving with this sweet and salty trail mix. The beauty of homemade trail mix is you can mix and match your favourite nuts, seeds, dried fruits and extras to your liking.
27. Instant Pot Popcorn | Nourish Plate
This recipe just blew my mind. Popcorn in an instant pot is a brilliant idea. Cheap, easy to make, popcorn travels well and is a tasty snack, with many seasoning choices to try.
28. 3 Ingredient Popcorn Balls | Crave The Good
Delicious 3 ingredient popcorn balls are a sweet addition to your day. Technically the base recipe is 2 main ingredients, with customizable options. Popcorn + Honey + Seasonings = endless options for hand held snacks.
29. 5 Minute Cheese Snack Mix | Recipes From A Pantry
Need a quick last minute snack before heading out on your road trip? This 5 minute cheese snack mix will save the day. Plus it can also be used as last minute snacks for guests, holiday gifts, potlucks, so it’s a good one to keep in your back pocket.
30. Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies | The Short Order Cook
Chex sweet treat meets Snickerdoodle taste equals an addictive road trip snack. Plus it’s no bake, which is a bonus for prepping in the summer months.
31. Seasoned Ranch Pretzels| Budget Delicious
Nothing says road trips more than a pack of pretzels. Take your snacking up a notch with ranch seasoned pretzels. If you aren’t a fan of ranch, not to worry there are many other variations you can try as well.
32. Slow Cooker Candied Nuts | Casserole Chrissy
Poppable, sweet and crunchy, these candied nuts make the perfect on-the-go snack, any time of year. You can choose any combination of nuts that you like for a unique blend each time.
Need road trip ideas? Check out this One Day in Zion National Park or this 4 Day Itinerary in Acadia National Park, both are family friendly.
Easy Road Trip Snack Recipes: Dried Fruit & Veggie Chips
One of the simplest, whole food ways to prepare foods is by dehydrating. Dried fruit and veggie snacks make for some delicious crunchy, sweet and salty road trip snack ideas.
33. Easy Homemade Fruit Rollups | Amanda’s Cookin’
Plum fruit rollups have just 3 ingredients and are a fun and healthy snack that the whole family will love. Plus they’re easy to pack and carry around for all your family vacations.
34. Crispy Air Fryer Apple Chips | Recipes From A Pantry
Addictive, crunchy and healthy, cinnamon apple chips are the next best thing to add to your road trip snack list. Using an air fryer cuts down dehydrating time to a fraction of what you need for the oven so makes this snack even easier.
35. Chewy Dried Bananas | Healthy Green Savy
Sometimes you just want something a little sweet with a chewier texture. Dried bananas do just this. It’s a great way to use up those fast ripening bananas on your counter, and have an easy road trip snack to bring with you.
36. Dried Mango| Masala Herb
Dehydrated mangoes can turn into a food obsession. They are super good and ridiculously easy to make from scratch.
37. Dehydrated Pears | Emily Fabulous
Dehydrated pears are so easy to make and are a healthy snack, that’s perfect for kids, adults anytime, anywhere.
38. Oven Baked Beet Chips | Pink Fortitude
Crispy, curled beet chips, are a slightly sweet and salty chip alternative, that adds a little colour to your palate. Plus beets are high in vitamin C, fiber, potassium, protein, folate, and manganese, so you’re getting your vitamins and satisfying your crunchy salty tooth.
39. Baked Kale Chips | Healthy Green Savy
Kale chips are a delicious new fad, that I hope doesn’t go outta style. Kale chips are a great way to get your kids, or partners in to travel to eat more veggies. Easy to make and very addictive, they help curb your salty-crunchy cravings. The only problem is trying not to eat them all right away. They may not make it into your car for the road trip.
Roasted Chickpea Snacks
Roasted chickpeas are a crunchy, salty alternative to too many potato chips on the road. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my salt n’ vinegar chips, but sometimes you need something a little heartier that packs a protein punch.
Not to mention roasted chickpea snacks are vegan, full of fibre, iron and folate.
40. Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas | Little Sunny Kitchen
Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas are spicy, crunchy, and packed with plant protein. Using an Air Fryer makes sure that every single chickpea is perfectly crunchy.
41. Curried Air Fryer Chickpeas | That Girl Cooks Healthy
This easy to make recipe is packed with protein and flavour from herbs and spices. Plus they are easy to make in large batches, right in your air-fryer. The hard part will be not eating them all before you pack them away for your road trip.
42. Healthy Roasted Chickpeas with Seasonings | Amy Gorin Nutrition
If you don’t have an air fryer try this general roasted chickpea recipe with over 10 seasoning options. Packed with all the tips you’ll need on how to make a grab-and-go chickpea snack that keeps it’s crunchy texture.
Healthy Snacks for Road Trips: Muffin Recipes
I have a confession to make. Muffins are not my favourite. There I said it, don’t judge me too harshly. Mostly because I find commercially they are made too sweet, and taste more like cake.
But muffins are super handy to have on hand for long (or short road trips), especially with kids. Which is why I often tend to make and pack savoury muffins or lean towards recipes that use alternatives to white sugar.
We’ve rounded up some yummy, healthier road trip ideas with these muffin recipes to expand your snack offerings. My favourite “sweet” recipe is below:
43. Packed for Life’s Kid Favourite Muffin Recipe – The Best Banana Muffin Recipe
This is my favourite muffin recipe by Chocolate Covered Katie. I make it 2-3 times a month, and everyone I’ve fed them to have loved them. So if you are looking for an easy recipe, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Sweetened only with ripe bananas, easy to make, they are kid-friendly and delicious. To make them gluten-free I use GF oat flour, plus add my own spin by adding ½ tsp to 1 tsp each of ground cinnamon, and ginger and about ¼ tsp of ground cardamom.
I am excited to add some of these next sweet and savoury muffin recipes below to my regular muffin rotation.
Savoury Road Trip Muffin Recipes
44. Broccoli and Cheese Breakfast Muffins | End Of The Fork
Savoury muffins filled with broccoli and cheesy goodness. These muffins are delicious warmed up at breakfast time or for an on-the go road trip snack. Light, fluffy, fits in your hand and so easy to make, your kids can help you.
45. Greek Breakfast Egg Muffin | Always Use Butter
Not just for breakfast, these greek egg muffins are packed with feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and black olives. Savoury goodness in a couple of bites, to fill your belly on the road.
46. Air Fryer Pizza Rolls | Crave The Good
Ok, so these are not technically a muffin, but air fryer pizza rolls would be soooooo good for a road trip snack, or an afternoon snack, or breakfast, or anytime really. Stretch, gooey mozzarella cheese, and delicious tomato sauce wrapped in pizza dough cooked to perfection in an air fryer, can’t be beat.
Road Trip Snack Ideas: Sweet Muffin Recipes
47. Peanut Butter Banana Muffins | Wholesome Family Living
Peanut Butter and Banana muffins are versatile, packed with protein, and are delicious any time of day. Plus this recipe makes a big batch, so whether you’re road tripping with hungry kids or friends, there will be more than enough to share.
48. Vegan Blueberry Lemon Muffins | Get Set Vegan
Not just for vegans! These Blueberry Lemon Muffins combine the best things, fresh berries and lemon for a moist, delicious portable snack.
49. Banana Pear Muffins| Mrs. Jones’s Kitchen
Banana Pear Muffins will be well loved by the kids in your life, big and small. With no added sugar, they are naturally sweetened with banana and pear, and travel really well.
Healthy Road Trip Snacks: Granola & Overnight Oats Recipes
50. Cocoa Fig Granola | Healy Eats Real
Cocoa Fig homemade granola is a flavour explosion filled with crunchy clusters of chocolatey goodness. Sugar free, paleo and vegan, pack this granola snack for the road and don’t look back. It’s ok if you don’t want to share.
51. Cinnamon Vanilla Granola | Brooklyn Active Mama
Cinnamon Vanilla Granola is so full of dried cranberries, chia, flax seeds, nuts, and yummy goodness, this will quickly become your favourite on the go snack.
52. Chunky Peanut Butter Banana Protein Granola | My Plantiful Cooking
Peanut Butter and Banana is such a classic taste combo.This high protein granola is chunky, crispy & utterly delicious. Happens to also be naturally vegan & gluten-free. A portable snack to have on hand. Grab a handful whenever you are feeling snacky.
53. Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola | Aspen On Main
Chocolate and cherry are such a classic taste combination, that this granola is sure to please even the crankiest of road trip companions. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and includes other healthy ingredients like oats and flax seed, making it a great on the go snack with or without yogurt.
54. Banana Cinnamon Overnight Oats | Plant Powered Cooking
These banana cinnamon overnight oats are a well-balanced, easy to pack and eat breakfast that tastes like banana bread!
What I love about overnight oats are:
- They are easy to make even while on the road, as long as you have a few simple ingredients and a container.
- Versatile – don’t like bananas, switch them out for applesauce, or berries.
- Can be eaten any time of day, not just for breakfast.
- One of the best road trip snacks for kids as they can combine good fats, proteins, and other nutrients.
Road Trip Foods: Savoury Make Ahead Road Trip Snack Recipes
Sometimes you just want something a little more substantial than an energy bite, or a handful of trail mix. Take a look at these delicious, savoury make ahead road trip snack receipes. Easy to grab and eat as snacks on your next adventures.
55. Chicken Seekh Kabob | So Yummy Recipes
These succulent chicken seekh kebabs are delicious to have as they are. But you can have them rolled in tortilla wraps, naan bread, flatbread or just in hot dog buns. Making them easy to take with you for a quick snack or meal on the road.
56. Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken | Budget Delicious
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken is the perfect recipe for making an appetizer or a road trip snack that will be well loved by the whole family.
57. Cheesy Smashed Chickpea Spread | Veeg
Looking for a protein packed, delicious spread to dip your veggies, pretzels, or crackers on the road? This cheesy smashed chickpea spread is just the ticket and it’s kid approved.
58. Fresh Vegan Spring Rolls | Happy Kitchen
Fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce are a family favourite while being a healthy mess-free portable snack. Mix and match your favourite veggies, add in some tofu or tempeh if desired roll em’ up and away you go.
If you are wanting a non-vegan version we usually add cooked prawns/shrimp to ours.
59. Vegan Zucchini Corn Fritters | Happy Kitchen
Crispy, delicious and full of veggies such as zucchini and corn, these fritters are a perfect addition to your family road trip snack list.
60. Vegan Pinwheels | Get Set Vegan
If you are trying to avoid dairy, or just want to expand your recipe horizons, these vegan pinwheels are a great addition to your road trip. Full of beans, beets, avocado and veggies, these pinwheels will provide a delicious on the go snack or lunch.
Conclusion: Road Trip Foods: 50+ Easy, Healthy Road Trip Snack Recipes
Whether you are heading out for a day trip or an epic week long family road trip up Vancouver Island, there are 50+ easy, healthy road trip snack recipes to inspire your vacation planning and taste buds.
Enjoy the journey while munching on these scrumptious yet nutritious bites that’ll keep your energy levels high and your taste buds satisfied.
So, buckle up, hit the road, and let these wholesome goodies fuel your wanderlust.Don’t forget to bring a cooler, and share your favorites with friends and fellow travelers. Because great snacks and epic road trips are always better together!
Happy snacking, explorers!
What’s your favourite road trip snack recipe? Let us know in the comments below, or connect with us on social media. We’d love to hear from you.
ROAD TRIP IDEAS & RESOURCES
Here are our favourite resources we use to research and book our trips. They offer competitive deals, and good customer service. Plus itineraries and more travel ideas for Acadia area:
Bryce Canyon in One Day
Tips for Zion National Park with Kids
Road Trip Meals Ideas
Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary
Boston to Acadia: New England Road Trip
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150 Car Conversation starters to beat boredom
Essential road trip packing list
Simple ways to have a budget road trip
RV Travel gift ideas
Booking.com – Book your accomodations here. Excellent booking site for lowest lodging rates.
VRBO – Book family friendly accommodations here, but no cleaning!
Viator – Find & book even more experiences, tours & lessons world wide.
Discover Cars – Make finding the cheapest or best car for your trip easy (worldwide)
Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) – Find cheaper flights
Anything else?
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