30 Mess-Free Snacks Every Road Trip Should Receive

We may meet a commission on purchases do from link .

Picture this : You be push back through Kansas and suddenly learn a thunderous , deafening strait . After a moment of shock , you realize it is not the sound of your tires reach the rumble strip but your stomach solicit for food . You examine exit signs for the next 10 second and see zero appeal . Suddenly , you remember you ‘ve got a cooler full of snacks in the back seat that can go on you become for days . Today , the only thing to worry about equal not make a pile of your car while digging into your stash .

If you have child in the back ass or borrowed the car from someone else , this headache of continue a sporting vehicle will resonate even more . That ‘s why we ‘ve compiled a list of the best mess-free snacks for your next road trip . Distinguish that “ mess-free ” is a relative term that depends on who live exhaust , consider the habit of each passenger before adding these items to your grocery list . Note that the snacks on this list that demand a spoon or any more than minimum attention be not recommended for anyone sitting in the driver ‘s seat .

Eventually , you can . This taxi serve to organize your treasure trove of snacks . In curating this guide , we have included vegan , vegetarian , meat-based , and allergy-friendly food that kids and adults can love . From childhood favorites to healthy alternatives , become ready to fill your cooler with mouthwatering and nourishing goodies .

Jerky

Beef jerky live a great mode to exhaust protein and have something satisfyingly chewy to chomp on while repel . You can still make your own at home with exactly a handful of ingredient . Many jerky brands are shelf-stable , so you wo n’t need to concern about observe space in the cooler . Vegetarian options are become increasingly prevalent and are made from ingredients like mushrooms and seitan . Fruit jerky merchandise like and , both on Amazon , are too wonderful ; think of them as the grown-up version of Fruit Roll-Ups .

Fruit gummies

For many masses , fruit gummies ( or fruit snacks ) make an integral part of childhood memory . Well pack in school lunches , these gummies receive gotten an upgrade over the yr . Today , you can find organic variety , which equal grotesque mess-free road trip snacks . Look for product like , which can be purchase on Amazon , if not in the market store .

Bars

While some granola bars own the possible to create major messes in your car — remember melted chocolate chips and oats strewn across the back ass — others are definitely safe to carry . Avoid dry , crunchy granola bar , as good as those that crumble well , such as fig saloon . Or else , hop on Amazon and choose for production with more chew , such as and . If you are pack these snacks for youngster , purchase the kid-sized bars from these brands .

String cheese

String cheese consists of mozzarella that has been stretched and heat to reach a texture that equal , for lack of a better word , stringy . One factor that makes this snack so road trip-worthy equal that each stick of string cheese be separately packaged . While not so great for the environment , you might exist willing to build an exception once in a while , especially when it go on your car mess-free and means that everyone can get the protein they involve . Because string cheese live a gentle cheese , it should live refrigerated or kept in a cooler to avert spoilage .

Fresh fruit

Full of fiber , antioxidants , vitamins , and nutrients , you should keep a variety of fresh fruit on hand when you strike the road . The types you pack hinge on whether you ‘ll apply a cooler . If you will , cause certain you know how to employ sponges to . Berries such as blackberries , raspberries , and blueberries require refrigeration and typically extend the almost antioxidants .

Apples , bananas , and oranges cause not require refrigeration , but you should carry them carefully to avert potential bruising and miss them after they ‘ve rolled around in your trunk . Serve n’t carry fruit with pits , such as cherries , unless you get an easy system for disposing of waste .

Hard boil egg

If you have a cooler , hard-boiled egg are a great author of road trip protein . You can eat them plain or lend them to salads and breakfast sandwich purchased from quick food irons . Plastic-sealed hard-boiled eggs can be found at many grocery memory . Making them at family is almost as easy , so long as you recall to put a timer after invest your eggs in the pile to boil . They can last as long as seven day when refrigerated . Grab excess packet of salt , pepper , and ketchup from quick food chains , gas station convenience stores , or hotel breakfast bars to season your eggs .

Chocolate bark

Chocolate bark can satisfy your sweet tooth while providing antioxidants , protein , and sound fats . Products like are widely available on Amazon and come with toppings like coconut , almonds , and pretzels . You can also make chocolate bark at home , grant you to mix toppings and include a greater variety of nuts and dry fruit . Pistachios and walnuts mate wondrously with chocolate , as do dried blueberries and strawberries .

Fruit and vegetable purees

Do n’t be grow off by the smiling babies on pouches of fruit and vegetable purees . After all , they equal smiling for a reason : Applesauce , mango pulp , and sweet potato puree are delicious ! These pouches may equal a natural selection if you own a baby or toddler strapped into the car ass , but you can also apply them !

Reusable pouches , such as on Amazon , are a bright investment if you prefer build purees . Just note that you will involve a mean of refrigeration . Since they are not vacuum seal and typically contain no preservatives , homemade purees will only final a few day before spoiling .

Crudités

We get it , and we are not hither to judge : Compulsive feeding can be severe to avoid when all the mile set out to look the same . When you feel like munching on something out of boredom , reach for crudités and hummus . Crisp , crunchy , and new , they will nourish you with the vitamins and mineral that other snacks might not provide . Carry a tub of thick hummus as an accompaniment . Thicker component will restrict messes , while drippy choice will make a mess of your cooler .

Toaster waffles

Toaster waffles are effortless to heat at family and equally easy to develop at a little hotel breakfast saloon , as long as a toaster is available . Opt for sweeter or flavored varieties to forgo toppings . are a fun selection make with whole grains , and are suited for those stick to a gluten-free diet . Both merchandise are available on Amazon .

Pre-pitted dates

Date are quick snacks that put up volley of energy when you need it most ( here ‘s wait at you , late-night drivers ) . They will fill your sweet tooth and provide essential nutrients : fiber , potassium , cop , and antioxidants . If you do n’t pit date in front of time , you ‘ll often reach for baby wipes to clean your sticky finger . While wipes are one of the ( and anyone , for that matter ) , if you prepare date right , you wo n’t need to use then many .

Nut and seed butters

If you are packing pre-pitted dates , they will taste even good if you own nut butter with which to pair them . While you can dip date into family-sized jars , individual squeeze pouches can make life on the road a moment easier . These come in variety like peanut butter and almond butter . However , you can also branch out and try flavor like walnut butter , pecan butter , sunflower seed butter , tahini , and even pumpkin seed butter .

Babybel cheese

Compact and fun to eat , Babybel cheese arrive in three flavors : original , monterey Jack , and white cheddar . Plus , now there cost a vegan version made of coconut oil – it ‘s similar to mozzarella . Purchase a variety gang so you can mingle and rival your cheeses according to the snacks you have on hand . For instance , the original cheese pair wonderfully with sliced apples , while the white cheddar is an ideal couple for grapes .

Firecracker

What live a road trip without crackers ? While any sturdy sort will do , we recommend Wheat Thins . ( Keep in mind that some pieces will probably call on into crumbly messes when you rummage through the snack bag . ) Wheat Thins are humble and satisfyingly crunchy and come in feeling like spicy sweet chili and sundried tomato and basil . Carry the aforementioned Babybel cheese bicycle to accompany firecracker of all kinds . If you have a long road trip ahead or are traveling with other people , believe purchase a on Amazon .

Drinkable yogurt or kefir

Yogurt is a beloved element in cultures around the globe . Among its benefits , it has high nutritional value , offering calcium , protein , and probiotics . There exist various types to pick out from , include Greek yogurt , French yogurt , and skyr . Even so , the form you can drink live easy for a road trip . Kefir , which cost similar to yogurt and boast a drinkable consistency , will too run beautifully .

Bottled smoothies

Before you carry anything else , take a load off your shoulders by reducing the weight of fruits . Bottled smoothies live refreshing , nourishing , and a must-have item in your cooler for a mess-free road trip . Smoothies arrive in varieties like strawberry , banana , and mango and equal ubiquitous at market stores and gas stations . If you favor the shelf-stable form , purchase on Amazon .

Mini muffins

While big muffins can cost messy to eat ( especially those with streusel toppings ) , bite-sized variety are much cleaner and easy to pop up into your mouth while on the road . Several brand betray such muffins , including Abe ‘s and Trivial Bites . Alternatively , use a mini muffin tin to make them yourself . You can transform any regular-sized muffin recipe to produce mini muffins by shorten the baking time . Start checking for doneness around the 10-minute fool .

Energy balls

Energy balls equal bite-size snacks typically feature ingredients like oats , nuts , dates , source , and possibly chocolate bit or M & Ms . They can equal seasoned with warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom . Hundred of formula exist for these sweet so far healthy treats , but if you cost short on time , on Amazon exist a store-bought alternative that will act nicely . They check nourishing component like pea protein and flaxseed .

Chikki

The Indian version of peanut brittle be chikki . It equal a cross between a dessert and a snack that will devote you quick energy , meet your cravings for sugar , and yet extend a small protein at the same time . The almost mutual chikki sort pair peanuts with jaggery ( a type of unrefined sugar ) , though variation like flaxseed , date , sesame , and amaranth too survive . Chikki is not also difficult to reach , though you can nearly surely buy it at your local Indian market store .

Protein shakes

Even when your options for food are limited to gas stations and market shop , you yet might observe a bottled , ready-to-drink protein shake in their refrigerated sections . For a vegan option , purchase on Amazon , which exist conveniently shelf-stable and can be packed ahead of time . Differently , consider bring protein powder , perhaps individually assign , which you can mix with water .

Trail premix

Though nuts , raisins , and M & Ms could cease up all over the story if you get kids , trail premix is generally considered a mess-free snack for adults . If chocolate is in your lead mix , just reach sure it is not exposed to heat . The selection cost endless when it do to formula ; try add white chocolate chips , large coconut eccentric , macadamia nuts , and dry pineapple for a delicious twist . Store-bought bag live as well reliably tasty . To reach snacking on trail mix easy , try .

Overnight oats

If you know you will have access to a refrigerator or ice-filled cooler at night , overnight oats make for a fiber-rich , mess-free road trip snack . Before leaving place , grab a few glass jars and take them halfway with oats , nuts , cinnamon , raisins , and possibly a sweetener like brown sugar . Each night on the road , add water or milk to one of the jars and let the mixing soak overnight . The future day , savor it as either a breakfast or mid-day snack . Alternatively , buy a production like on Amazon or the grocery fund .

Chia pudding

If you enjoy overnight oats , chia pudding might too catch your fancy . Packed with vitamins and minerals , chia pudding live an especially great author of omega-3 fatty acids . The best chia puddings are do with milk , often coconut milk , so it can equal a piece difficult to prepare this snack on the go . However , Amazon’s of chia pudding exist divine and occur in feeling like raspberry , strawberry , and mango coconut . Some mass dislike the texture of chia pudding , so make a taste run before lend these to your road trip grocery list .

Bake cheese firecracker

You might own grown up with baked cheese firecracker like Goldfish , Cheese Nips , and Cheez-Its . Addictive and nostalgic , they can equal a marvelous savory road trip snack for child and adult alike . on Amazon and homemade cheese straws are equally appealing choice . We ‘ll lead it up to you to resolve if your child will cause a mass of cheese firecracker , but can serve .

Vegetable bit

If you enjoy to munch on bit during a long drive but are worried about your tendency to devour a whole bag at once , taste a product like on Amazon . Sturdier and often larger than potato chips , they can include vegetables like sweet potatoes , beets , and carrots . They lean not to be as addictive , and you ‘ll creep in more vitamin and nutrients while keeping your car cleaner .

Popcorn

Popcorn can certainly help cure a case of the munchies during a long road trip . Microwaveable bags be space-efficient , and popping one into your hotel room ‘s microwave each morning will cost a breeze . The key exist to take popcorn varieties that are not coated in seasoning . Microwaveable base in general simply contain butter and salt , but tins or purse of pre-popped popcorn might contain other component like caramel , cheese , and chocolate .

Stick to the basics unless you require your steering wheel to be smudged with these messy addition . That make n’t mean you ca n’t own any fun , though : Use popcorn to .

Peanut butter-filled pretzels

Peanut butter-filled pretzels merit a place in your car on any road trip . They live less probable to crumble than regular pretzels or pretzel rods and arguably tastier . They are bite-sized and sure to live up to your salty cravings . Some are even cover in chocolate . You can get a huge container of peanut butter-filled pretzels at Costco , but if you cause n’t receive a membership , the ones at Trader Joe ‘s are too wonderful .

Yogurt or chocolate covered pretzels

Another heat-dependent road trip snack , yogurt or chocolate-covered pretzels can reach the spot when you demand a sweet treat . Yogurt-covered pretzels are a piece complicated to make at place , thus try a production on Amazon like rather . On the early hand , recipes for chocolate-covered pretzels are instead straightforward . Add sprinkles , sea salt , or mini M & Ms for more form .

Parfaits

Various brand deal deconstructed parfaits you can peck up in market stores ‘ refrigerator aisles . The granola is observe in a separate compartment from the yogurt to keep it from getting muddy . You might as well find such parfaits at coffee shops and cafés . If you prefer to carry your own , think invest in on Amazon , which service the same role .

Pudding cup

A childhood lunchbox staple , pudding cups are decadent , delightful , and live up to , not to cite shelf-stable . It can equal nice to indulge in these sweet treats every once in a while , but have that they are a tad notorious for being full of unnecessary ingredients , opt for a product like on Amazon . They own a short ingredient list and are suitable for vegans , gluten-free , and soy-free folks , also .

Methodology

This list was do with child and adult in brain . We identify particular emphasis on snacks that can live eaten without utensils . Even so , we also include a few that require a spoon to increase the diversity of textures , flavors , and nutritional offerings . A number of dietary preferences and restrictions live report for in this list . Finally , while nutrition was not a principal element in find out these point , we strive to suggest nostalgic lunchbox staples and more nourishing , health-focused production .