easy snacks to travel with

33 Easy Travel Snacks for your Airplane Carry-On Bag

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When I travel, the foodie in me always has to bring snacks for the trip. I always plan for easy travel snacks for a few reasons. For starters I’m not always sure what terminal I’ll be in at the airport so the food choices might get dicey once I get past security. Next, depending on the airline I’m flying there might not be great options once I board the plane (we’ve all been there). Lastly, I like to be prepared when I’m traveling even when I arrive at my final destination to have quick portable fuel sources on hand for when *hangry* hits in the form of easy travel snacks.

In this blog post I’ve compiled all of my favorite easy travel snacks into one ultimate packing list for your carry-on bag and I’ll walk you through my process for what to consider when selecting the best snacks to bring on a plane.

How to Pack Easy Travel Snacks for your Carry-On Bag

Depending on the length of my trip I usually bring a variety of snacks intended to carry-on a plane. I consider these easy to pack snacks, snacks that travel well, and also snacks that fall into the healthy(ish) convenience food category following these guidelines: 

• Food I can’t find at my final travel destination

Drink Mixers

• Airport Snacks (snacks to bring on a plane and at the airport terminal)
• Emergency snacks (for when I’m super hungry)
• Perishables
• Non-Perishables
• Sweet Treats/Comfort Items

These categories might look a little different for you but it helps to determine what you might need at least a week before your trip so that you have time to shop around. This will also help to keep your trip planning a little less stressful so that you can spend your time concentrating on the last minute things you need to do before you go out of town.

To verify what easy travel snacks you can and cannot carry on flights check out TSA’s security guidelines and the rules of each country for International flights. Keep in mind that TSA considers foods like yogurts and cooked oatmeal as “gels” and they will be confiscated at security (I learned this the hard way). For any other liquids review the guidelines but generally speaking most liquids and gels are allowed if they are less than 3.4oz/100 ml.

How to Transport your Easy Travel Snacks

My last consideration for packing easy travel snacks are the containers the food will travel in. For the most part I lean towards things that are easy to dispose of like foil, wax paper, plastic baggies, and repurposed takeout containers. However, in consideration of the environment I often try to lean to more sustainable options if I can, such as: silicon bags, collapsible cups, collapsible bowls, insulated containers, and beeswax paper. 

The con to these items is you will have to carry them in your luggage throughout your trip. But the pro of these items is being environmentally responsible, having a vessel you can reuse throughout your trip for something else, and some of these containers can keep your snacks from getting crushed, hot, or cold (triple bonus). 

I like Stasher Bags and Zip Top Bags for a reusable bag option. Both of these brands are super durable, always hold up really well for traveling, and are great to repurpose for other easy travel snacks on a trip. 

Silicone Bags

Stasher Bags

These are great reusable bags for packing your travel snacks on the go.

Zip Top Bags

We love these bags for items that can’t lay flat! The structure of the bag makes it easy to carry your snacks and keep them from being crushed in your carry-on luggage.

Collapsible bowls have also been one of my favorites for eating things like oatmeal on the go and pre-made meals I might travel with (in an effort to clean out my fridge before I head out of town). I also like these collapsible cups from Stojo to make drinks portable and they don’t take up much room. If you have space for something bigger I like using the Snack Swell thermos containers for some travel foods on my trips since its a small insulated container to keep food hot or cold.

Bowls and Cups

Stojo Collapsible Bowl

We are loving the STOJO Collapsible Bowl. This holds 36oz and is a reusable silicone bowl for hot and cold food which makes it perfect for travel, meal prep, to-go Lunch, camping, and hiking. This is also microwave & dishwasher safe.

S’well S’nack Food Container

We love the S’well S’nack Stainless Steel Food Container. It’s 24 ounces and great for holding food you are traveling with that you want to keep hot or cold. This will keep your food for 8 Hours Hot for 6 Hours Cold.

This is a smaller version of the bigger S’nack by S’well Food Container. Its 10oz and has Double-Layered Insulated walls to keep food and drinks cold for 10 hours and hot for 4 hours!

Stojo Collapsible Travel Cup

This collapsible travel cup comes with a straw and holds 16oz of liquid. Its reusable and pocket size for hot and cold drinks making it perfect for travel, camping, and hiking. Like the other Stojo products its microwave and dishwasher safe.

If you are traveling with any items that must stay at a colder temperature these PackIt Freezable pouches are a great option to transport your food. The PackIt Freezable pouch has groundbreaking cooling technology that includes freezable gel that is permanently built into the bag so that you don’t need to deal with separate ice packs.

To start collapse the bag flat and freeze in the freezer overnight until you are ready to use it. You can add any of the easy travel snacks that are perishable items in this post to store in this bag. You can also keep this item throughout your trip for other easy to pack snacks.

PackIt Freezable Pouch

This is our favorite travel product for traveling with items that are perishable and need to remain cold like yogurt and cheese. Simply pop the pouch in the freezer the night before your trip and it will keep your perishable snacks at the correct temperature for a few hours. This collapsible and folds up and comes in many colors!

My last favorite sustainable travel item is reusable wax paper. I like using the Bee’s Wrap brand. It takes a bit to get used to if you normally use regular wax paper. If you have a few baked goods, sandwiches etc. to carry while traveling it comes in handy to reuse a few times and store it completely flat in your carry on bag.

Bee’s Wrap

This Bee’s Wrap is an assorted 3 Pack great sustainable option. It’s plastic and silicone free reusable beeswax in 3 sizes great for traveling with sandwhiches.

Freezable Pouch

Freezable pouch

Order of Operations For Your Easy Travel Snacks

If you are planning to take some snacks to the airport for future travel plans my suggested cheat sheet of how to go about eating your easy travel snacks includes a simple order of consumption:

• Eat your perishable items first (for obvious reasons)
• Pack napkins and/or wet wipes (these are not always available as you are on the go)
• If you are bringing whole fruit wash these items before you get to the airport and use your napkin or paper towel as the vessel to carry the item (it also doubles as a napkin as you eat your fruit)
• Pack some travel utensils (for any snacks that require some deep diving or for complete meals)

Travel utensil set

Portable utensil set

Bamboo utensil set

My favorite snacks to bring on a plane.

Below is an easy travel snack list I’ve compiled of my favorite airport (and TSA) friendly snacks. I’ve grouped the items into perishable vs. non-perishable categories since I often will travel with a few perishable items that I strategize to eat first and then work my way through the rest of my snack stash either on the trip or eat other items during a longer flight to tide me over until I reach my destination. 

Perishable Easy Travel Snacks

For perishable easy travel snacks I always tend to pack food that can last a while at room temperature. Regardless of the length of your flight you’ll want items that won’t go bad in case it takes a while to get through security or to the airport (we’ve all been there!). Or even worse if your flight is delayed (done that!). On my list I usually include:

Cured Meats and Deli Meats

This includes salami, pastrami, pepperoni, ham, and turkey. These are great options because they can travel well at room temperature for short periods of time.

I think everyone loves cheese (even us lactose intolerant folks) and it travels well for short periods of time at room temperature. Some of my favorite cheese options are the Babybel Gouda Semisoft Cheeses. I like these because they have their own carrying case with the wax they are packaged in which qualifies the product as easy travel snack in my book.

My next favorite is Trader Joe’s Tapas cheese (it’s amazing! Grab it if you have a TJs near you). This includes several slices of three types of cheese including: Iberico, Cabra Al Vino (a.k.a. “ Drunken Goat “), and Manchengo. I really enjoy how the flavors in this set are so different and it feels very fancy while you are enjoying them.

Boiled Eggs

Boiled eggs are one of the best snacks for traveling. I typically boil eggs once a week so I’ll grab 2-4 for a flight or whatever is left over in my fridge for the week (this is also a good way to clean out your fridge before you head out of town). You can also purchase eggs that are already boiled from almost any local grocery store for an easy travel snack on an airplane.

Another fun option for hard boiled eggs is from a brand called Perfectly Peckish which sells hard boiled eggs in packs with a fun crunchy dip. Their selection includes:

• PECKISH Snackable Eggs & EVERYTHING Dip
• PECKISH Snackable Eggs & FRIED RICE Dip
• PECKISH Snackable Eggs & RANCHEROS Dip
• PECKISH Snackable Eggs & SALT & PEPITAS Dip
• PECKISH Snackable Eggs & RANCH Dip

Check out their store locator to find a store that sells these near you .

Crackers and/or Bread

I personally can’t have cheese and cured/deli meat without crackers or bread! These are easy to transport and can be stored at various temperatures which make them a great addition to your carry-on bag for an easy snack pairing (and crunch)!

I love fruit for an easy snack that travels well. The fruit that travels the best are apples, bananas, oranges, kiwi, and grapes. I like these fruits because they have their own “skin” which can serve as its own carrying case so that they don’t get squashed (thanks mother nature!).

For oranges you can even pre-slice these and add them to a travel container or baggie to eat right out of the peel (or peel them later). And for kiwi I like slicing these in half and using a spoon to scoop out the insides for easy eating. If you have never tried Golden Kiwi its a real treat (they taste like a cross between a mango and a strawberry)!

Putting It Together

Combining these items also creates a nice balance for traveling to ensure you have enough protein, fat, and carbohydrates for fuel while on the go. You can also pair the meats, cheese, and crackers or bread and make a makeshift sandwich in a pinch (great easy travel snack idea!). You can also grab some pre-made snack boxes for a perishable option to take through security.

Non-Perishable Travel Snacks

My favorite non-perishable easy travel snack list is a bit longer. I group these by foods I might eat on the plane or at my final destination as I get hungry or peckish.

I eat oatmeal almost daily when I’m home for breakfast so it’s an item I always travel with especially internationally since it’s not something that all countries will provide for breakfast. It’s also a really nice snack on a plane since you just need water to make it. You can use one of the collapsible bowls or cups I mentioned above as the vessel to make these in or any disposable cup at the airport. I typically use the McCann Irish Oatmeal brand because it’s very hearty as a travel snack or the Unsweetened Individual Oatmeal packets from Trader Joe’s .

Bringing nuts on a flight can be controversial so be sure to read your airline’s individual rules regarding what is allowed. I like going for the individually portioned nuts that are completely sealed in case I can’t eat them on a particular flight due to restrictions or nut allergies. If that’s the case I can always have them as a snack at my final destination.

My favorite nut options for an easy travel snack include: 

• Macadamia Nuts
• Trail Mix (for something different)

Crunchy Snacks

Personally I’m a big fan of crunchy snacks in general but definitely when I travel. I think it’s nice to have a variety of items on hand. For this category I pack:

I usually air pop popcorn and bring it in my reusable silicon bag for trips. Did you know that you can air pop popcorn in a brown paper bag in the microwave? I also like these individually wrapped White Cheddar Popcorn bags from Smartfood .

Peanut Butter Crackers

I also like bringing Peanut Butter Crackers as easy travel snacks for my final destination. These have saved me many times while traveling to have something to tide me over until my next meal.

There’s something nostalgic about Chex Mix that just makes it a travel staple! I use to have these all the time as a kid on trips. I usually will grab the individual baggies for my carry-on bag.

I also always grab Cheez-Its for a fun crunchy cheesy snack.

Moon Cheese

These are a newer to me product. I saw them once at Starbucks and then purchased them last year from Target and I’m a fan! These are little cheese balls that come in different flavors. If you like cheese and something with a crunch you’ll like these little cheese balls as a snack.

Anytime I think of pretzels I think of that Seinfeld episode “these pretzels are making me thirsty” but they still make for a great easy travel snack!

Veggie Straws

Veggie straws are the perfect easy travel snack to take on the go! They are both crunchy and salty which you is always needed on the road.

Marinated Vegetables

This might be an odder pick but eating vegetables on the go is hard so I love this option. POSHI Vegetable Snacks offers a marinated steamed portable snack option. If you like pickled vegetables you will like these! Plus you can add a little fiber to you day while in transit.

Snack Olives

If you’ve never had olives while on an airplane you are missing out! Something about eating olives at 42,000 feet cruising in the air is a totally different experience. I like buying these Olives to Go from the grocery store and Trader Joe’s also sells individually packed Olive packs which are so yummy. I was inspired to add Olives to my easy travel snack list after having the Mediterranean Travel Snack box on a United Flight which has a great mix of olives, bruschetta, hummus, and chocolate almonds as a great snack mix.

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is a really fun easy travel snack! My favorite picks are dried apples and mangoes. They make such a sweet treat and they are also crunchy (or chewy).

When traveling with dips always choose brands that are shelf stable so that they can fall into the perishable category. If you go this route you should plan to consume the entire package in your trip since they will need to be refrigerated once opened.

Something Sweet

Honey stinger organic waffles.

Honey Stinger Organic Waffles are sweet yummy waffles that double as a healthy(ish) treat. These pack really easily in your carry-on or a day pack on your trip and make them one the best snacks for traveling.

Brownies & Cookies

Brownies and Cookies fall into a comfort item category for me. It’s nice to always have a sweet treat on hand but also something you are familiar with. I like the Nature’s Bakery brand Brownies and old faithful Nabisco Cookies like Oreos.

Fruit Snacks

Pink panda/snack owl.

I recently discovered a new brand called Pink Panda which offers high fiber fruit snacks. Why high fiber fruit snacks? Because fiber is such a hard micro nutrient to consume when you are traveling and I like that these snacks trade the sugar for fiber when it comes to carbohydrates in the snack. These come in two varieties: Astro Blasters and Treasure Chews. I’ve had both and think they taste yummy (you’d really never know there is no sugar in these)! And it’s only 90 calories for the entire bag.

If you are interested in trying out this new brand use our code “BREADANDBUTTERPANDA10” for 10% off if you order directly on their website . Pink Panda fruit snacks are also available on Amazon below.

Smart Sweets

I’ve been eating SmartSweets for years! They are similar to the Pink Panda brand but I’m not really sure which I like more. These are also high fiber fruit snacks and I really enjoy them for traveling. My favorites to date have been the Sour Blast Buddies and the Peach Rings.

Other Fruit Snacks

As you can tell I really love fruit snacks! My other favorites for travel and just as a general comfort item are Gushers and Fruit by the Foot. I also really like fruit leather and the “That’s It” brand is a great option for something healthy(ish) when it comes to fruit snacking.

Honey Stinger Energy Chews

Honey Stinger Energy Chews is an organic candy that’s great to chew and eat before, during, or after activity (especially when flying if your ears ring at high altitudes). It has multiple carbohydrate sources including glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose.

I discovered this candy while on vacation in Hawaii. I think the best way to describe these are somewhere between candy and a gummy since they are chewy. I like Mango as my favorite flavor. Amazon offers a variety box if you want to check these out.

Protein Snacks

Protein is always hard for me to get in even when I’m not traveling so I always like to bring some protein snacks with me just in case. These are really great to cure hangry when you need some  stabilizing energy.

Pepperoni Sticks

These are new to me but I started eating Pepperoni sticks last year as a quick snack when I was out doing errands. That makes them perfect for an easy travel snack! The two brands I’ve liked so far are Vermont and Applegate Naturals. To me the flavors of these taste the most neutral for dried meat and come in a casing so it’s easy to eat and move on to the next thing.

Protein Bars

Protein Bars can sometimes leave an aftertaste in my opinion so there are not too many tasty ones that have a balanced calorie to protein ratio. My favorite pick so far as been Barebells Protein Bars which come in a variety of flavors and have 20 grams of protein per bar. I’ve been able to find these on Amazon and at Trader Joe’s so far. If you don’t typically like protein bars give these a try for something a bit different.

Protein Powders

I like to travel with protein powders that are individually wrapped since protein is often difficult to fit in when on the go. Most protein powder servings will have at least 18 grams of protein which is a great boost to hold you over until your next meal.

You can mix your protein powder in with some bottled water at the airport. As a great hack you can also find a bistro, Starbucks, or Dunkin Donuts in the airport and request a milk of your choice in a bigger cup to add your protein powder for an easy travel snack.

Collagen Peptides

I’m also a big fan of collagen peptides! Collagen is not a complete protein but it works well in a pinch to supplement other sources of protein for the day. It’s not completely tasteless but the flavor isn’t too strong. I prefer to dissolve these packets in water or hot coffee while traveling. They come in individual sticks which make them easy to transport. Collagen is also really great for nail and hair growth and has really helped my joints.

Granola and Fruit Bars

Something about granola bars are so nostalgic to me and I love to bring them as an easy travel snack. They travel really well on planes and are also great for in your day bag at your final destination.

I like the Nature Valley, Made Good, and Nature Bakery brands.

Peanut Butter

Again, a controversial pick for travel since usually peanuts are not allowed on all flights but I must have peanut butter with me as a basic comfort food while traveling! If I can’t have these on the plane I just eat them at my final destination. I like the JIF To Go Natural Peanut Butter cups that come individually packaged and will eat them as is, or with something I buy at the airport for some extra fat and protein. My second pick is the Justin’s Honey Peanut Butter brand which comes in a packet making it one of the best snacks for traveling.

Dehydration is real when you travel! I have two easy solutions to stay hydrated when you are on the go. These are not exactly an easy travel snack but they will come in handy while on the go.

I recently started using GoHydrate this spring as a way to stop my leg muscles from cramping and get my water levels up. GoHydrate is a water enhancer which makes it a great option if you are not particularly a fan of drinking water. I started thinking that this would also be excellent for travel due to the individual packets which make them great for on-the-go. GoHydrate provides almost instant hydration by delivering 5 electrolytes immediately to your body. Those electrolytes are: calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium.

This water enhancer also provides 40%+ of the recommended daily Vitamin D dose that most of of are deficient in due to sitting inside so often. To use GoHydrate just pour the pre-packaged stick into 20-24oz of water and drink. If you’d like to order GoHydrate I suggest ordering their mixed 10 stick sample box or their 30 stick sample box to see which flavor you like before stocking up on their 30 box sets of one flavor. My favorite flavors so far have been Lemon Citrus , Kiwi Strawberry , and Fruit Punch if you need a flavor recommendation.

True Honey Tea

We found this brand True Honey Tea at a farmers market last year and its been our favorite tea! Based in Virginia these are tea bags that have honey granules already in the tea. We really like the Earl Gray (add some half and half to make a London Fog) and also the Peppermint tea for a really great non perishable travel snack.

My next favorite drink mixer to travel with is from Cusa Tea . This brand was recommended to me by a friend who uses them while hiking. The best part is you don’t have to walk around with a wet tea bag once you prepare your tea. The flavors Cusa Teas has are unreal. I started with their Iced or Hot Variety Pack and the flavors are so delicious, truly premium tea with no sugar or artificial ingredients. I’ve tried this both in iced and hot tea and they work great. You can use these just by ordering hot water while on at the airport, on the plane, or at your final travel destination. 

If iced tea is more your style I’ve used them in even room temperature water (though cold water is better) and they dissolve no problem with no grainy stuff at the bottom. They are not sweetened so if you like sweet tea I suggest adding a sugar packet or something like Truvia to lightly sweeten the drink. My favorite flavors so far have been Blueberry Chrysanthemum and Hibiscus Rose . I recommend starting with the variety pack so that you can figure out which flavor you like before committing to an entire pack.

I typically buy a large water bottle once I get through security to keep with me in the airport and on the plane. If you don’t like buying water I suggest traveling with a stainless steel water bottle that you can fill up at the airport and throughout your trip. Our favorite travel options include Swell , Iron Flask, Yeti, and Stanley water bottles as great options that close.

Travel Water Bottles

S’well Stainless Steel Traveler

This S’well Stainless Steel Traveler is 20 Fl Oz and is Triple-Layered Vacuum-Insulated to keep Coffee, Tea and Drinks Cold for 36 Hours and Hot for 15 Hours.

Stanley IceFlow Tumbler

Stanley IceFlow Stainless Steel Tumbler with Straw is a Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle for Travel, the Office or a road trip. Its a reusable cup with a straw Leakproof Flip. The Stanley IceFlow will keep your drink cold for 12 Hours or Iced for 2 Days. This comes in various colors!

YETI Rambler Bottle

The YETI Rambler Water Bottle holds 26 oz of liquid and is vacuum insulated with a Chug Cap.

Which Easy Travel Snacks Are Your Favorites?

What easy travel snacks do you like to bring on your trips ? Did I miss any easy to pack snacks that you would recommend? Keep these travel snacks in mind for your next trip to beat hangry.

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This post is perfect timing! We’re taking the family to Disney World in two weeks and I have “travel snacks” on my to-do list! I love the high fiber gummy options, my little one struggles while we travel, so these will be perfect! Oh, and I have both the Emerald Nut Packs and the Nature’s Bakery bars as my car snacks, they are perfect, so I never have to hit the drive-thru!

Disney World sounds so fun! Yes, any sort of extra fiber on a trip makes things so much easier for all of us. And in candy form even better. I hope you get to try them 🙂 -Monica

I often bring a small container (2-3 TBSP to 3.3 oz) of reconstituted PBfit (or other powdered peanut butter) with sugar snap peas or carrot sticks for a tasty healthy snack. Also bring small containers of the powdered peanut butter to mix with water later. Frozen grapes and frozen bean/veggie or egg and spinach wraps can be used to keep food cold and are healthy snacks when thawed.

Those are great ideas!

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Road Trip Food List: Easy to Pack Meals & Snacks

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

Are you looking for a road trip food list that includes the best road trip snacks and other food to bring on a road trip?

Road trips can range from being budget-friendly to out-of-this-world expensive if you do not plan ahead, especially when it comes to eating food.

The temptation to grab a snack at every gas station, as well as to eat out at restaurants or gorge on fast food, can really start to add up in terms of money and wasted time.

One way to save money and time while road tripping, however, is to bring your own food!

By making a road trip food list and packing fun road trip snacks, you’ll avoid having to stop and spend as much.

Our road trip food list includes easy road trip snacks, as well as portable breakfast, lunch, and dinner options – plus, a FREE Road Trip Food List printable to take with you to the grocery store.

The links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Road Trip Food List: Breakfast

One of our absolute best family road trip tips is to leave bright and early in the morning when starting a long road trip.

As the most important meal of the day, luckily, having breakfast on the road is the easiest meal to eat cold and on the go.

If you decide to hit the road early, or if your hotel en route doesn’t offer a free breakfast, plan ahead by bringing along these simple road trip breakfast foods.

Our tried-and-true road trip food list awaits!

Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

• Yogurt tubes and granola bars
• Muffins, donuts, and scones
• Bagels and cream cheese
• Squeezable applesauce
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Peanut butter, banana, and granola wrapped up in a tortilla
• Make-Ahead Fruit & Yogurt Breakfast Parfaits

Additional planning tip: For added morning fun, use the category “breakfast foods”, “brands or cereal”, or “types of fruit” while you play a road trip word game .

Road Trip Food List: Lunch

When it comes to planning for lunch and beyond, your road trip packing list should always include a reliable portable cooler .

Whether you chill made-ahead sandwiches, salami & cheese, fruits, or veggies, there are so many awesome road trip food ideas when it comes to having lunch on the go.

What we love about these road tip lunch ideas is that they keep us out of congested cities and fast-food drive-thrus during the busy noon hour.

Road Trip Lunch Ideas

• Premade sandwiches with deli meat and cheese (make them extra fun by using shaped sandwich cutters !)
• Peanut butter sandwiches (skip the jelly to avoid sogginess)
• Pita pocket with mozzarella, tomato, basil, turkey, cheese, hummus, cucumber, and/or tuna salad
• Home-ade Lunchables with summer sausage, cheese, and crackers
• Tortilla with cream cheese, sliced olives, and pepperoni
• Veggies and single-serve packs of ranch dressing, hummus, or guacamole
• Pre-assembled Salad In A Jar

Road Trip Food List: Dinner

If there is one meal that you choose to splurge on, I recommend stopping to have dinner at a roadside restaurant or cafe.

Though this may not be your final destination, experiencing another city in this way will help you check more places off of your family travel bucket list !

If you’re not keen on stopping, however, here are the road trip foods we enjoy that are tasty and hearty enough to serve as dinner.

Road Trip Dinner Ideas

• Cold rotisserie chicken, chunked and served with a garden salad (package in a disposable salad container )
• Pre-made pasta salad, such as Pizza Pasta Salad
• StarKist ready-to-eat tuna salad in an avocado half or on a bun
• Chicken and pickled veggies in pitas
• Hummus veggie wrap

Additional planning tip: If you’re road tripping in the winter when driving conditions are much more unpredictable, packing extra road trip food is an essential component of your winter road trip packing list .

Road Trip Food List: Snacks

In my opinion, snacks   are the No. 1 way to keep everyone (including you!) happy on a family road trip.

Homemade snack mixes and individual pre-purchased snacks are also a great way to help cut costs associated with buying food on the road.

For this reason, I suggest assembling an entire tub filled with fun and appetizing snacks and surprises that you know your kids will love.

We use these  16-quart storage tubs from Sterilite  that are the perfect size, price, and durability!

Road Trip Snacks Ideas

• Chips and pretzels
• Animal crackers (Suprise them with Barnum’s Originals !)
• Filled crackers (peanut butter, cheese)
• Nuts (cashews, almonds, peanuts)
• String cheese, Babybel, Laughing Cow cheese wedges
• Fresh or dried fruit
• Healthy no-bake cookies
• Candy and gummy candy

Be extra organized for your family road trip by clicking the following image to get your FREE family vacation packing list that is both customizable and printable!

Travel Snacks for Toddlers

Road tripping with toddlers presents its own set of challenges and requires additional thought when it comes to toddler-friendly road trip activities and food.

(It’s much harder to keep a close eye on them when they’re in the backseat, and you’re in the front.)

When considering toddler road trip foods, the most important thing is to avoid giving them anything to eat that could be deemed a choking hazard.

In addition, opt for healthy versus overly sweet options that may give them a tummy ache.

Our favorite healthy toddler car snacks and road trip foods include:

• Graham crackers
• Snap pea crisps
• Applesauce and/or yogurt pouches
• Cheese sticks
• Soft mini muffins
• Whole-grain crackers
• Bananas and/or this apple slices

9 Essential Tips For Traveling With Food

As seasoned travelers, we’ve assembled a list of tips for traveling with road trip foods and make-ahead hotel room meals.

• Use up your most delicate fruit first when on long-haul road trips.

In other words, start by eating bananas and berries, then move on to more sturdy produce such as apples and oranges that don’t spoil as easily.

2. Every family needs an organized packing strategy !

When it comes to road trip food, tortillas, pitas, or other sturdy flatbreads work better to bring along than do loaves of bread. They take up a lot less room and do not risk getting smashed.

3. When packing a cooler with items that need to stay chilled, be sure to lay the ice on the top, versus the bottom of the cooler.

This is because cold air sinks and will, therefore, disperse itself more evenly if laid on top of the food.

4. Aim to open the cooler only 1 or 2 times a day in order to maintain its refrigeration and keep the ice from thawing.

5. Also, make all food, including snacks, easily accessible throughout the duration of your family road trip.

This prevents someone (likely mom or dad!) from having to constantly bend over the back seat or stop to open the trunk every time hunger or boredom hits.

6. Avoid bringing anything made of glass on your road trip, including glass food containers. Glass is heavy, bulky, and very dangerous when broken within the confines of your family vehicle.

7. Assemble and bring along a road trip kit with the following road trip essentials for spills, clean-ups, and car sickness:

• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Garbage bags
• Ziplock bags
• Napkins/paper towels
• Saltine crackers and motion sickness medicine

8. Each time you stop while on a road trip, don’t forget to pitch any garbage that has accumulated.

This prevents build-up and smelliness.

9. Head to the grocery store with our FREE printable checklist and purchase all of your road trip food in one shopping trip!

If you enjoyed reading our best Road Trip Food List , click here to check out our Related Posts:

• Top 10 Tips for Planning a Family Road Trip (And Enjoying it Too!)
• 7 Road Trip Word Games to Play in the Car With Kids
• 18 Amazing “Are We There Yet” Road Trip Activity Bags
• Top 16 Tips for Flying With Kids & Ways to Keep them Calm
• The Ultimate Guide for International Travel with Kids
• 8 (Unexpected) Benefits of Traveling With Kids

*Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find our exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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Thank you for the road trip food list and travel tips.

You’re welcome! Was there something you saw that you hadn’t thought of before? Happy travels!!

This is a great list as we also big in road trip. Snacks is so important especially to keep them from asking are we there yet. Haha… I myself like peanuts to keep me awake when it’s my turn to drive.

Thanks for reading and for sharing your favorite road trip snack!!

This is such a comprehensive list and it is so helpful as I predict a lot of us will be going on more road trips once we can. Prepping these meals will definitely save some money and help the kids feel less bored. I know that my kids are usually pleased munching stuffs during road trips. I also like that it is more likely for the road trip snack to be more healthier than what you’ll buy elsewhere.

Thank you! Yes, the health factor of pre-packing is a big one, as is the enormous cost savings 🙂

I like to have a good mix of healthy (kids like apples, those are easy to eat) and snacky/salty. I am also very particular. about road trip drinks. Big coffees, la croix, iced tea!

I like your ideas! We’d be good road trip buddies!

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THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP FOOD LIST: 50 Scrumptious Travel Snacks

Post Summary: The definitive road trip food list with 50 snack ideas and meals to keep you happy the entire car ride. Plus, tips for what else to bring and recommendations for the best road trip coolers.

Road trips are the classic adventure that everyone needs to do at least once in their life, whether you’re traveling solo, with your best buds, or packing in the whole family. What’s the secret to a great road trip? Besides having your maps already downloaded to your phone (travel must #1), it’s to have a collection of the best road trip food at your disposal. Being prepared with good travel food will ensure you don’t:

• Kill your travel mates because you’re hangry.
• Get killed by your travel mates because they’re hangry.
• Get lured in by every gasoline stop and somehow end up with bright orange Cheetos and Slim Jims.
• Waste your travel budget dining on Subway and Wendys road trip meals.

After road tripping with a toddler for half a year around the US, we’ve figured out the ultimate road trip food list so we can enjoy the journey together feeling nourished and happy. Our list includes road trip food ideas for adults and kids as well as healthy car snacks.

After the road trip food list, we’ve included non-food items you’ll want to bring and some tips on choosing the best road trip cooler.

Need More Road Trip Tips? Check out our other articles below:

The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 41 Essentials For The Road 160 Fun, Deep, and Sometimes Silly Road Trip Questions 41 Fun and Challenging Road Trip Trivia Questions 17+ Fun Things To Do On A Road Trip How To Survive A Road Trip With A Toddler 40 Must Have Items To Have In Your Camper

*This road trip food list post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely think are helpful.

The Ultimate Road Trip Food List

Healthy snacks for a road trip

We’ll start with healthy snacks for the road. I don’t know about you, but when we go on road trips, we tend to fall back on fast food and junk food. In an effort to have a quasi healthy road trip we make sure to include some healthy options so we can at least feel like we’ve balanced out all our snickers bars and Wendy’s frosties. Here’s our list of the best road trip foods that won’t leave you feeling sluggish at the end of the day. We also added in a few recommendations of some of our favorite brands.

Healthy Snacks For Car Rides 1. Fruit: Bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, apples, oranges 2. Sliced veggies: carrots, cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, pickles, radishes 3. Cherry tomatoes 4. Olives (buy the pitted kinds) 5. Salsa 6. Deli sandwiches or wraps (already made from home or pre-purchased) 7. A simple charcuterie spread (summer sausage, pepperoni, sliced cheese, dried apricots, olives, crackers, etc.) 8. Popcorn 9. Yellow corn chips, blue corn chips, kale chips 10. Granola Bars and Energy Bars ( Munk Bars are our favorite! ) 11. Dried Fruit 12. Crackers (cheese crackers, saltines, whole wheat crackers, these almond crackers are my favorite!) 13. Pretzels 14. Nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews, macadamia, walnuts, pecans) 15. Trail mix 16. Tuna (Get the kind that doesn’t need to be refrigerated! It can become a snack on crackers, a sandwich, or added to a salad) 17. Coconut chips ( Dang chips are our favorite. ) 18. Dark chocolate 19. Wasabi peas 20. Fruit leather 21. Whole-grain muffins 22. Bread (pretzel rolls, pita bread) 23. Water (Preferably in a water bottle like a Hydro Flask that will keep your water cold for hours.) *The following are all still healthy snacks for a road trip but will require a cooler. Skip them if you are going sans cooler. Further down, we’ll talk about the best road trip coolers. 23. Hard-boiled eggs 24. Small yogurt containers or drinkable yogurts 25. Humus 26. Guacamole 27. Pasta salad 28. Lentil salad 29. Grocery store salad kits (Can be eaten out of the bag! Just cut the top, pour in the salad dressing, and shake it away. You can also opt to do salads in a jar) 30. Cheese

Essential Road Trip Snacks

These road trip snacks might not be the healthiest, but look…you can’t always be perfect!

Road Trip Snack List 32. Beef Jerky 33. Chips 34. Fun candy (Any kind of candy that brings you joy for your road trip. Gummy bears, reeses pieces, airheads) 35. Ranch dip to go with your healthy veggies 36. Fun drinks (Just make sure the drink is able to be resealed or small enough that you’ll drink it all quickly. My favorite road trip drink is coconut water!) 37. Cookies

Road Trip Snacks For Kids And Toddlers

While we don’t put a distinction between road trip food for the adults and road trip food for kids, here are some fun ideas you can add in addition to the travel food listed above. We found that allowing for leniency with what we let our kid snack on will mean a more fun time for everyone in the car.

Road Trip Snacks For Toddlers and Kids 38. String Cheese or Babybels 39. Peanut butter pretzels 40. Clementines 41. Squeezable applesauce 42. Squeezable nut butters (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter) 43. Graham crackers 44. Goldfish 45. Fruit snacks 46. Fruit roll ups 47. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich 48. Dry cereal 49. Nutella 50. Snap pea crisps ( I love the wasabi ones from Harvest Snaps . I can only get them online because my grocery store never has them!)

Essential Non Food Items

Now that you’ve got your travel food and made your road trip food list, let’s talk about non food items to have on your road trip packing list. We are both advocates for minimal waste living so we do advise using reusable items like real utensils, glass containers, and reusable straws rather than single-use items. I know it can feel like a nuisance, but once you get used to doing it, it’s easy to integrate it into your habits. We’ve provided links to different products, so you can check out some good options.

-Trash bags (old shopping bags work well) – Stackable glass or plastic containers (While glass may feel like a hazard, I find that most of them are built for endurance and would require some extreme throwing around to actually break. Either way, bringing containers rather than an entire bag of snacks is a great space saver.) -Reusable straws (we like this multipack option here ) -Bento boxes (another option is to make individual bento boxes with everyone’s preferred snacks put in. It’s essentially a healthier version of a Lunchable. Great option if you’re traveling with kids.) Check out these cute bento boxes here . -Utensils -Plates -Paper towels -Hand sanitizer -Ziplock bags -Wipes -Cups if you want to share drinks -Ice packs for the cooler (We prefer to use reusable ice packs like these , but frozen water bottles or ice cubes in a ziplock back will do the job as well.) -Reusable grocery bag to carry your non-perishable stuff -Plastic tub (If you’re going on a long road trip and will have lots of snacks, a good option is to pack all your non-perishable items in a tub like this .) -Cooler

Related : A Comprehensive Guide To the Best Toddler Carriers For Traveling

Best Road Trip Coolers

If you’re going on a long road trip, you’ll definitely want to bring a cooler so you can have more options for the journey. Things to consider when deciding what kind of road trip cooler to bring.

• How much space will you have in your car?
• How many days will you be driving and subsequently how much food will you need?
• Cost of the cooler
• If you road trip or camp a lot and will use a cooler several times a year.

Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler

Our choice for the best road trip cooler is the Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler . It’s a mid-sized cooler that can fit a bottle of wine standing upright. We like its lightweight design and that its compact size can fit on the ground behind the passenger seat.

It has a mid-range price point, so if you are wanting something more economical, you’ll probably want our next pick.

Igloo MaxCold Cooler

If all you need is a no-frills cooler to keep your food cold, the Igloo Maxcold Cooler is a great option. The thin design also makes it a great choice for someone wanting to save room in the car.

Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze

If you like a soft cooler, the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze consistently offers the best bang for your buck.

Yeti Tundra 45

Lastly, if you are wanting a high-end cooler that will be great for camping and can take the wear and tear of consistent use, the Yeti Tundra 45 is your best bet. Yeti is the reigning champion of coolers and you can’t go wrong with anything you purchase from them.

Before you head out on your epic road trip, we suggest packing the night before. Alleviating as much stress as possible on the day you leave, especially when you’re doing a road trip with a toddler , is key to enjoying the road trip journey. We find that the night before, it’s best to:

• Wash, cut, and peel all vegetables and fruit.
• Pack up all non perishable food and supplies.
• Prepare any road trip sandwiches you plan to eat.

Lastly, don’t forget to make sure all your tasty road trip snacks are within reaching distance in the car.

We hope you enjoyed our complete road trip food list. Happy road tripping!

** For more road trip inspiration follow us on Instagram . We travel… a lot.

NEED SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION? A Complete Guide To A Utah National Parks Road Trip How To Plan A Cross Country Road Trip + Fun Routes To Take 10 National Parks To Visit In The East 50 Family Bucket List Experiences In The US

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Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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21 Top Healthy Travel Snacks (Dietitian Approved)

Wondering what a registered dietitian brings to eat while traveling to stay healthy? I’m sharing my favorite dietitian approved healthy travel snacks that are nutrient dense and low in added sugar.

I love traveling but it quickly becomes no fun when I don’t feel my best (aka my digestion is off) or come home with a cold. These healthy travel snack ideas will help you fuel you up for any adventure, plus, they’re packed with the good nutrition you need to feel your best while traveling.

I’m sure there will be no shortage of delicious where ever you’re going, however it’s important to pack some strategic, nutrient dense snacks for planes, trains and all those other moments when you just need something in between meals.

I was also recently quoted with my picks for the best things for a quick travel breakfast in this Huffington Post article “ Best Breakfast Foods To Eat When You’re Traveling, And Why It Matters .”

Healthy Airport Dining Options

Being hangry with a delayed flight and limited food options is no way to kick off a trip or vacation. While you can’t control what curveballs might come your way while traveling, you can control what snacks you pack to have on hand for any travel situation! A little planning a head of time to pack snacks is to key to fueling up and feeling your best while traveling.

Airports have definitely come a long way when it comes to food choices. At O’Hare airport there are a few different local Chicago restaurants and a couple of Cibo Express locations throughout the airport that stock many of the snacks on my list of healthy travel snacks below and I know a lot of other airports are expanding their options which is great.

4 Key things to Look For in a Healthy Travel Snack

1. protein content.

Snacks with protein take longer for our body to digest vs. carbs. That’s the reason eating a snack that is all carbs doesn’t work to keep us full for that long. Packing high protein snacks will help ensure that the snack will keep you fuller for longer and fueled up for travel and activities.

2. Fiber Content

When you’re reading a nutrition label check the fiber content. Why? Fiber helps to keep us fuller for longer and is needed for healthy digestion. I would say it’s even more important while traveling because long flights and adjusting to new time zones can mess with our digestion and cause constipation.

To prevent constipation while traveling make it a point to incorporate fibrous foods like fruits, veggies and nuts and seeds. And for packaged snacks, anything above 3 grams of fiber is considered a good source of fiber, and 5 or more is considered “high in fiber”.

3. Sugar Content

Sugar content will vary from snack to snack. Fruit, veggies and dried fruits contain natural sugars, whereas some packaged snacks can contain a lot of added sugar. Bars are notorious for their sugar content, which is why you want to pick ones that are lower in sugar and contain protein and fiber.

4. Portability

Simple, mess free and easy to pull out of your bag when you’re running from gate to gate! This is a must for snacks which is why I like all of packaged items on the list below or packing fruits/veggies from home in a reusable stasher bag !

21 Dietitian Approved Healthy Travel Snacks

These 20 dietitian approved travel snacks include ones that are high in protein, low in sugar, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo-friendly options. They’re easy to stash in your bag and take with you whenever your travels take you!

• Nut Butter Packets
• Purely Elizabeth Individual Oatmeal Cups or Plain Oatmeal Packets
• CHOMPS Meat Sticks
• KIND Zero Added Sugar Bars
• That’s It Fruit Bars
• Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers Snack Packs
• Nuts or Low-Sugar Trail Mix
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Portable Fruit & Veggie Slices
• Olive Pouches
• Dried Fruit
• Air Popped Popcorn
• Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Ella’s Flats
• Low Sugar Yogurt
• Homemade Wrap/Sandwich
• Low Sugar Granola
• Nut Butter Stuffed Dates
• Roasted Chickpeas
• Baked Cheese Crisps
• Tuna Pouches

1. Nut Butter Packets

A good source of plant-based protein and fat for staying power, I love stashing these in my bag for a quick snack. Pair with a piece of fruit or add to oatmeal to make it a bigger snack / smaller meal.

2. Purely Elizabeth individual oatmeal cups or plain oatmeal pouches

Great for breakfast or a snack in between flights, oatmeal will give you extra fiber (extra important for digestion when you’re off your routine!) Get plain pouches and add your own fruit and nut butter or opt for these from Purely Elizabeth that are low in sugar and high in fiber.

3. CHOMPS meat sticks

A great on-the-go source of protein that you can eat while walking, each stick has 9-10 grams of protein per stick, no added fillers and no added sugar — it doesn’t get much better than that! They’re also gluten free, dairy free, AIP friendly, whole30 approved and low carb.

4. KIND Zero Added Sugar Bars

With around 7 grams of fiber per bar and 5 grams of protein these are a no brainer to stash in your bag for any type of travel. I love the caramel almond sea salt flavor!

5. That’s It Fruit Bars

Made from fruit, these bars are a good option to pair with a snack that contains protein like nuts or a meat stick for a well rounded snack that’s bright and flavorful from the fruit bar.

6. Simple Mills almond flour crackers

These are my favorite crackers because they’re made with nutrient dense ingredients and nothing artificial. They’re gluten free and perfect for pairing with any kind of dip or hummus.

7. Nut packets or low-sugar trail mix

Think pistachios, almonds, or walnuts. You can find Wonderful Pistachios at most airports and I really like these pistachio snack packs that are easy to stash in any purse.

Trail mix is another great option, but be sure to check the ingredient label as many contain added sugars and extra oils. If you have the time, throw one together at home with nuts and seeds!

8. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of plant-based protein, fiber and magnesium. Magnesium also known as the calming mineral can help with calmness and relaxation which we could all use while traveling, you know?!

9. Portable Fruit & Veggie Slices

Think apple slices, berries, or a banana. Cut them up ahead of time and store in a stasher bag to snack on in flight or in any other on-the-go travel situation. Prepare some carrots, celery, or pepper slices in a bag ahead of time to snack on on-the-go.

10. Olive Pouches

If you love a salty snack these olive pouches are perfect plus they’re a good source of healthy fat. Pair with crackers and cheese for the start of an adult lunchable.

11. Dried Fruit

Think dried mango, apple rings, prunes, unsweetened banana chips. Here again it’s important to look at the label because there can be added sugar included. Dried fruit is sweet enough as is, so just make sure you see one ingredient (the fruit) only! Target has a great selection of dried fruit from their Good & Gather line.

12. Air Popped Popcorn

Popcorn contains about 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein per serving depending on the type and is another easy one to pack to satisfy the taste for something a little salty. I like these individual bags from Pipcorn .

13. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Eating hard-boiled eggs on a plain might be controversial (!!) but if you’re in a travel situation where you feel like you can bust them out, go for it because they’re a great source of protein (around 7 grams per large egg) and other essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and B vitamins to help you feel your best.

14. Ella’s Flats

Getting enough fiber while traveling can be hard, plus it’s normal for our digestion to be off after a long flight, little sleep and time zone changes. These high fiber seed crackers are great to have on hand when travel constipation strikes. Dress them with hummus or avocado for a good high fiber snack.

15. Low Sugar Yogurt

Grab this on the other side of security (yogurt is not TSA approved) and opt for one that’s low in sugar and contains simple ingredients like siggi’s or fage.

16. Homemade Wrap/Sandwich

This is one of the best ways to make sure you have a snack/meal that is balanced and will keep you full for most of your travel. I recommend using a whole-grain bread, adding a source of protein like turkey, a veggie or two, and hummus.

17. Low Sugar Granola

Granola can make for a good snack but it’s important to be aware that many are packed with added sugar. I love Purely Elizabeth granola because it’s lower in sugar than most.

18. Nut Butter Stuffed Dates

Dates make for a great travel snack because they’re high in fiber and easy to take on-the-go. Opt for pitted dates, and fill with almond or peanut butter for a balanced snack with staying power.

19. Roasted Chickpeas

A good snack that contains plant-based protein and fiber if you’re sick of nuts are roasted chickpeas . They’re also easy to make at home, so you can make a big batch and share with your travel partner.

20. Baked Cheese Crisps

With 9 grams of protein per serving, these baked cheese crips are a fun snack with staying power. Perfect to pair with a meat stick for a savory snack situation or toss into a homemade trail mix for some flavor and texture diversity.

21. Tuna Pouches

I recently discovered these very inexpensive and convenient tuna pouches that make for a great pantry staple and travel snack. Pair with some crackers for a quick, protein packed snack (15 grams of protein per pouch!) and I didn’t find that these omitted a fishy smell when opened so that’s a plus!

High Protein Snacks for Travel

Out of all of these snacks, if you’re looking specifically for higher protein snacks for travel (or at least more than 5g per serving), I recommend the following:

• CHOMPS meat sticks
• Pistachio Packets

More Healthy Snack Suggestions

• 25 Healthy Road Trip Snacks Nutritionists Swear By
• Best Protein Packed Snacks for Women
• 20 Healthy Dairy-Free Snacks Approved By Dietitians
• 13 Healthy Crackers Approved By Dietitian

Hydration Essentials for Healthy Travel

• Electrolyte packets. For international travel, I recommend one packet per day plus a couple extra. I cannot stress enough how important it is to travel with these to help prevent dehydration and in case you start to not feel good while traveling. The European sun is no joke in the summer and when you’re walking around all day dehydration can definitely happen. I recommend this brand and this brand .
• Empty Water Bottle. BYO bottle to refill at the airport to help with hydration. Sometimes it’s hard to drink enough water especially after a long flight and when your first adjusting to a new time zone so having a water bottle with you is a great way to help keep hydration up.

This post contains affiliate links which means I may get a commission if you click one of the links and end up buying something.

This article has been updated and edited. Originally Posted: June 20, 2019

 How to Build a Snack Board 

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105+ Easy Road Trip Meals & Snacks: Best Road Trip Food

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Road trips are exciting adventures to take with your friends, family or solo. However coming up with a list of the best road trip food & easy road trip meals and snacks can be hard.

Which is where our ultimate list of the best food for road trips comes in handy. To help you avoid hangry companions, outrageous food costs, and unhealthy gas station food stops.

We’ve taken our share of cross country & multi-day road trips over the years, both as adults, and with kids from months old to teenagers. So we know quite a few tricks when it comes to road trip meal planning.

Our list includes easy ideas for healthy snacks, breakfasts, lunches & dinners, for all ages we love. As well as gluten-free, and vegetarian options too.

Plus we provide essential packing tips and a list of non-food items to bring along, at the end of this post. Hop in the car, & let’s go!

ULTIMATE HEALTHY ROAD TRIP MEALS LIST

If you plan ahead and pre-make some yummy snacks and meals, your family will be well fed on the road. Whether you are heading on a Southwest USA road trip or a coastal road trip from Boston to Acadia National Park or elsewhere.

Healthy road trip food & easy meals the whole family will love.

Why Bring Make Ahead Meals For Road Trips?

Before I get into our epic food list, I’ll quickly go over a few reasons why we bring our own make-ahead road trip meals and snacks. And why you should too:

• Road trip meal planning is a great way to reduce fast food temptation, junk food and save money for your family road trip .
• Bringing good food for road trips frees up some of your hard earned cash to splurge on meals you will actually look forward to . 
• We find our own make-ahead meals & road trip food tends to be healthier.
• If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, creating a road trip meal plan will allow you to have safe meal options on the road.
• Have fun picnics at rest stops, parks, or in your hotel room along your long drive.
• Avoid hungry kidlets with healthy road trip snacks , so they can focus on road trip activities , not driving you crazy with whining. I know you feel me on this one!

Bringing your own food is well worth the time and money you can save on your adventure. Use our road trip planner to help organize your trip.

I love how make ahead easy travel meals are great for cutting down on the mess, stress and time it takes to prepare and clean up on the road. Because as a parent anything I can do to make my life easier is golden.

Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

We’ve found it’s easy to take these road trip breakfast ideas to go, or quickly eat hot in the morning.

As long as we’ve made them ahead of time, and brought them in our cooler. Or if we have access to hot water or basic kitchen facilities or a microwave.

Grab tasty breakfast recipes .

Cold, Non-Perishable Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

• Granola 
• Cereal Bars & Granola Bars
• Breakfast Bars
• Fruit & Veggie Pouches 

⭐️ PRO TIP : Bring a reusable coffee mug and water bottles for each family member. They’re a great option for filling up with hot water, tea, coffee and water on the go. We’ve found they’re less likely to spill in the car if you use a spill-proof refillable cup and snack cup for the littles.

Cold Breakfast Ideas for Road Trips

• Yogurt – Tubes, Drinks
• Fresh Fruit
• Rye Crisp Breads & Goat Cheese
• Chia Pudding – Make the night before
• Granola & Overnight Oats – Make the night before
• Muffins & Peanut Butter (or other nut or seed butters)
• Egg Muffins or Mini Quiches (To heat or not to heat. That is the question)
• Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Breakfast Cookies 
• Vegan Blueberry Muffins
• Bagels and Cream Cheese
• Peanut Butter and Banana Wrap
• No Bake Oat Bites 
• Apple Pie Oat Bliss Balls
• Croissant, ham, cheese
• Croissant, jam & cream cheese
• Pancake Sandwiches – nut butter / jam between two mini pancakes (make ahead)

Hot & Quick Breakfast Ideas

• Instant Oatmeal 
• Cup of Soup or canned soup
• Pre-made Mini Quiche (just heat up)
• Egg, Cheese, & avocado tortilla wrap
• Haloumi Cheese and Bacon Breakfast Sandwich
• One Pan Chickpea Hash (fried chickpeas, veggies, herbs) & Fried eggs

More kid friendly breakfast ideas here .

Road Trip Lunch Ideas

Road trip lunch ideas are probably the easiest for most people to come up with, when it comes to thinking of meal planning for road trips . We like to think of them as picnic lunches.

What is the first thing that comes to mind, but sandwiches. Sandwiches are such a staple we’ve given them their own section below. 

To be honest, I often just prepare and pack foods I would usually take for lunch at work, for the first day or two.

Then I add easy road trip lunches to grab and prep along the way, like sandwich fixings. Or cheese, meat  and cracker plates for a longer trip.

Easy Non-Refrigerated Road Trip Lunch Ideas

• Canned Tuna & crackers – The mini pull tab tins come in many flavours
• Protein Bars , Energy Bars
• Sardines or Mackerel canned with avocado, crackers or bread
• Snacks for lunch: Beef Jerky, Trail Mix, Smoothie Pouches, Nut Butter Pouches
• Peanut Butter (or other nut & seed butter) & Jam Wraps
• Canned grape leaf rolls

Cold Road Trip Lunches

• Sushi / nori rolls – sweet potato, cucumber and avocado,  smoked salmon, cucumber and avocado, smoked salmon & cream cheese
• Sandwiches (see Road Trip Sandwiches below for ideas) 
• Tortilla Pinwheels
• Meat Kabobs
• Pasta Salad
• Corn & Zucchini Fritters
• Fruit (apple slices, cantaloupe, grapes), cheese and bread or crackers
• Charcuterie plate – cheese, deli meats, olives, dried fruit
• Chickpea or Bean Salads
• Quinoa Salad
• Mason Jar Salad – keep the dressing separate
• Pre-made Quesadillas – Refried beans and cheese. Keep salsa & sour cream separate in small leak-proof containers

Sides to Add to Lunch Ideas

• Cut up veggie sticks and hummus
• Fruit – apple, berries, melon, grapes
• Homemade cookies or energy balls
• Cucumber, cherry tomatos & peppers salad

Road Trip Sandwiches

What’s a road trip, without a sandwich or two. In fact sandwiches are so iconic, portable, easy to make and ideal for lunch and family vacation dinners they deserve a section, all on its own.

For easy,  awesome sandwiches we’ve found you will only need a few things to mix and match:

• Bread: First you’ll need some kind of hearty bread (kaiser bun, wraps, pita, baguette, ciabatta)
• Protein: Pair with protein such as deli meat, sliced chicken or beef, bacon, eggs, tofu, nut butters
• Extras: Add on the extras such as cheese, lettuce, pickles, fruit 
• Condiments: mayo, mustard, olive tapenade, other sauces

Tasty Sandwich Ideas for Traveling:

• Cheddar and Jam
• Egg Salad 
• Cream cheese and cucumber
• Spicy Tuna and Cucumber – leave out the spice if it’s not your thing
• Pesto Egg Salad Baguette
• Ham & Cheese Baguette or Wrap
• Turkey and Cheese Baguette or Wrap
• Turkey Club Sandwich
• Turkey, Pear, Feta Wrap
• Apple, Cheddar and Mustard Sandwich
• Roasted Red Pepper & Hummus Sandwich
• Curry Chicken or Curried Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Tips for Packing Sandwiches on Road Trips

• Start with heartier bread or toast it first . Put a layer of mayo, or mustard on each side. It actually helps prevent soggy sandwiches.
• I often toast the bread, and then wait until it’s completely cooled before making and storing the sandwiches.
• Keep wet sandwich ingredients separate like tomatoes. We add them right before eating.
• Pack each ingredient separately . Then everyone can assemble their sandwich how they like, on-the-go. We’ve found this helpful with our pickiest eater.
• Pack sandwiches in a hard sided container . Either use reusable individual sandwich containers or larger leak-proof containers for multiple sandwiches. We also love silicone sandwich bags to cut down on plastic.
• Keep the sandwiches on top of the cooler for easy to grab meals on the road.

You may also like 50+ Easy to make, healthy road trip snack recipes

Easy Road Trip Meals Dinner Ideas

Dinner is the one meal we often splurge on, and choose to eat out at a local restaurant, instead of on the road when possible. 

I like to do a bit of research and see what the area is known for, or if there are special meals we can’t get at home. Also after a few days of packed road trip meals, it’s nice to sit down at a restaurant and have someone else clean up and organize.

However, there are times I find when you need a few dinner in the car ideas on hand. You can always re-use the lunch or even the travel breakfast ideas , because they are all tasty anytime of day. 

Check out our favourite easy vacation dinner recipes .

Cold Road Trip Dinner Ideas

• Pasta Salad & Greek Salad
• Cobb Salad 
• Other Cold salads – Potato, bean, egg, chickpea, salmon, tofu, quinoa, rice and bean
• Sandwiches – check out ideas in sandwich section
• Chicken salad / caesar wrap
• Falafel Wrap
• Rice Paper Rolls & Peanut Sauce
• Chicken wings & pre roasted veggies
• Grilled or roast chicken, rice and veggies
• Tortilla Chips, Bean Dip and Salsa
• Egg roll pinwheels with spinach, and cheese 
• Mason Jar grain + protein + roast veggies (pre-made)

Salad Tips – Keep the ingredients & dressing separate. That way each person can assemble to their liking, and the lettuce doesn’t get soggy from swimming in the dressing all day.  

KOA has 10 fun on-the go recipes to try.

Mason Jar Meal tips

Mason Jars are a fun and easy way to store pre-made meals.

They are fairly sturdy (I’ve dropped them many times without breaking them) and come in different sizes. The 500ml and 250 ml are perfect for individual meals.

Choose a grain + a protein + roasted, steamed or stir fried veggies and you have a delicious meal to go.

• Pre-cook a grain: brown rice, basmati rice, white rice, quinoa,
• Choose a protein : roast chicken or beef, curried chickpeas, tofu
• Cooked veggies: stir fries, steamed broccoli, curries, stew,

Hot Road Trip Dinner Ideas

One pan or pot dinner ideas are perfect for travel, camping and road trips. Especially if you ‘ve been entertaining the kids with road trip conversations all day.

As long as you remember the hot plate, or cook stove. I’ve been there, done that, forgetting the stove. Another option is to choose motels, or places to stay that have basic kitchen facilities. 

I’ve also gone the route of meal prepping ahead of time and putting individual meals in separate containers that are easy to reheat and clean up. 

If you are a camping family, what you plan for pre-made camping meals is similar.

Think easy camping type meals:

• Baked Beans
• Cup of Soup or Canned Soup
• Frozen Homemade Soup (use the first day or two after it defrosts. Bonus it helps keep the cooler cold)
• Bacon or Sausages and Eggs
• Quesadillas
• Rice and beans or ground beef for tacos or wraps
• Chickpea Curry and Rice (pre-make and heat up)
• Spaghetti 

ROAD TRIP SNACK & DRINKS LIST

We have a full article on our favorite road trip snacks to bring that both adults and kids will love. Good food for long journeys.

Here are a few snack ideas to get you started:

• Energy Balls
• Baby Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes, Snap Peas, Celery Sticks & Dip 
• Cheese and Crackers
• Apple Pear Muffins
• Jerky, Beef Sticks
• Potato Chips
• Plantain Chips
• Moon Cheese
• Cheese Crisps
• Seaweed Snacks
• String cheese
• Sunflower seeds
• Gluten-Free Bars –  We like these mini Gluten-Free Bars  

Who doesn’t drink too much on the road because they are avoiding using restrooms at pull-outs or gas stations?  

I’m guilty of this too, but this often leads me to crankiness and wicked headaches, sooo…… Do as I say, not as I do (said Parents everywhere).

Staying hydrated is super important. While water should be the number one choice, sometimes you need a little something different like:

• Coconut water
• Water with crushed berries, or cucumber slices, or lemon
• No sugar added fruit juices 
• Flavoured Sparkling water 
• Almond / Oat / Soy Milk

🚙 More road trip ideas 7 day Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon itinerary

Road Trip Food & Meal Planning Tips

Meal Planning Tips

When meal planning healthy road trip foods, I think it’s important to consider a few key important things:

• What road trip meals you want to bring, and which one’s you’d like to buy.
• If travelling with kids, which foods do they already like. They aren’t going to magically start liking raw broccoli and raisins on your long trip. Adapt your food for road trips with kids.
• Road trip meal ideas – Make a list of food ideas for breakfast , lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks. Make sure they’re easy food to travel with.
• Creating a road trip grocery list is a good idea, so important items don’t get forgotten. But don’t stress, as usually you’ll be able to pick up ingredients along the way if needed.
• How to pack food for your road trip, so it doesn’t get squished, and stays cool longer.

With so much to do when planning a road trip, it’s sometimes hard to be prepared when it comes to traveling food.

Road Trip Food Tips

Beyond throwing a bunch of items into the cooler and food bag and hoping for the best. Let’s give you a few of my top tips to make packing a bit easier:

• Bread: Bring wraps, pitas and flatbreads – we find they take up less room, and won’t get squished like bread loaves
• Perishables: Eat your perishables and more fragile fruits first (bananas, raspberries, pre-cut fruit like melons, pineapple, mango etc.)
• Freeze Water bottles: When hot out, freeze a couple of the water bottles the night before. They’ll keep your cooler cold, and we love that they give us cold water to drink as they melt.
• Pre-Make Meals & Portion Out: Pre-make meals, and portion them out in mason jars or reusable plastic or glass containers.
• Place your cooler somewhere cool the night before, or pre-chill the cooler for up to 12 hours with ice / ice packs you won’t be using on your trip. 
• Lay solid blocks of ice or reusable ice packs on the bottom, plus put a layer of ice on the top
• Pack the cooler full – too much space helps the inside heat up faster
• Freeze food you won’t need for a couple of days, and use frozen water bottles to help keep the inside colder, longer
• Try to limit the number of times you open the cooler in the day.
• Pack your food in order of when you want to eat it, leaving the next day or two’s meals on top. 
• Garbage Bag for the car: We always have a designated garbage bag for the car. It helps to keep the garbage contained, and the car organized.
• Clean-Up Kit :  Bring a clean up kit. Kids, adults, toddlers all on occasion make messes. Having a clean-up kit handy just in case is good practice. Include wipes, paper towel, extra water, and an easily accessible change of clothes.
• Storage: To keep things organized, we usually use small stackable Rubbermaid containers to pack our non-perishables.

🚙 More Road Trip Ideas: 4 Day family friendly itinerary in Acadia National Park

Road Trip Essentials

Now that we’ve got the meals all planned out, and the best road trip SNACKS organized  let’s move on to the non-food items you’ll need to add to your road trip packing list. 

Reusable Items

Our goal is to reduce our impact on the earth whatever mode of travel. Bringing reusable items on our trips to cut down on waste is one simple way to do this. If you make it part of your routine, you will be pleasantly surprised how easy it becomes.

Here are some other reusable items to pack for your road trip:

• Plastic, glass or stainless steel containers – Can be used for leftovers, as dishes, hold snack packs, or even small toys, art supplies
• Cutlery – knives, forks, spoons, 
• Dishes – Cups, plates, bowls
• Coffee Mugs – Our favs are Yeti Mugs or the Klean Kanteen  
• Reusable Straws
• Water bottles for the kids
• Water bottles for the adults
• Cloth fruit bags 
• Bento Boxes
• Garbage bags – reuse grocery bags

Storage & Cleaning Supplies

• Reusable Ice Packs 
• Hand sanitizer
• Paper Towels & Wet Wipes 
• Biodegradable Soap

Travel Backpacks

You will definitely want to make sure you and your kids have their own travel backpack for the trip.

A good travel backpack can be multipurpose, for hiking, storing road trip activities and entertainment, plus give easy access to a couple of snacks, and a handy change of clothes.

There’s been numerous times my “safety first” approach & extra clothes has saved us on long trips. From puking children, to epic diaper blow outs, and unexpected spills, with kids it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Best Road Trip Coolers

Coolers provide more flexibility with the types of meals and snacks  you can bring on your trips. We think they are a road trip essential, without a doubt. Before choosing one, there are a few things to consider:

• How long is your trip?
• Which meals will you be packing from home?
• How often will you have access to a grocery store?
• How much space do you have in your vehicle? Where do you want to put the cooler?

Answers to these questions will give you an idea of the size and cooling ability needed from your cooler. We’ve put together a list of the best coolers to try, that are easily available on Amazon.

Best Overall Cooler – Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler

The Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler is narrow, so it easily fits behind the seat, is well insulated, which holds the cold, and is lighter than previous versions.

It can also be transformed into a stool if you buy the cushion. It’s a bit of an invesment, so a good buy if you are planning on using it a lot.

Best Afforable Family Cooler – Coleman 316

The Coleman 316 Cooler is a top pick for size, flexibility and price. It can hold a lot of food and ice, which can be kept cool at higher temps for 2-3 days.

Perfect for shorter trips, or if you plan on replenishing your food / ice every few days.

Best Soft Sided Cooler – TOURIT Leak-Proof Backpack

The Tourit Leak Proof soft-sided backpack is an excellent option for shorter road trips or if you are planning a picnic or day at the beach. This leak-proof high-density insulated backpack can keep food cold for up to 3 days. It also has side pockets for extra storage.

Tips to Prepare For Your Next Road Trip

Anything you can do the day or two beforehand to prep your food, and pack your non-perishables, do it. This will save rushing around at the last minute, and forgetting important things like your water bottles.

We recommend doing the following ahead of time:

• Make a Shopping list and meal plan.
• Check off the items as you pack them. 
• Wash and cut veggies and fruit
• Prepare sandwiches, meat slices, cheese slices
• Freeze meals and water bottles the night or two before
• Prepare the snack bags or snack tote 
• Prepare your Clean up kit
• Pack non-perishable foods in small totes or bags
• Pack your perishable foods in the cooler, & an airtight container, right before you leave.

PRO TIP: Pack your car the night before you leave, to make sure everything fits. Make sure your cooler and essential road trip snacks are easily accessible. 

Conclusion: Ultimate Easy Road Trip Meals & Snacks List

With over 100 delicious and easy road trip meal ideas, you will find a party in your cooler for all taste buds or your next long journey.

 Plus don’t forget that a little pre-trip planning can go a long way towards a stress free vacation.

Grab a great road trip snack or two and head on out on the open road. I hope this helps you have an epic road trip.

Related travel tips and destination articles:

• Easy ways to take a frugal road trip
• Epic RV Gift Ideas: Gifts RV Owners will love and use
• Epic Gifts for Beach Lovers – prep for your beach vacation
• Best Walkie Talkies For Road Trips
• Complete Road Trip Packing List For Families

Donna Garrison is the founder of Packed for Life, an ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with her family. With a unique perspective on travelling on a budget gathered over 30 years, 20 countries and 5 continents she gives families the tools & resources they need to experience the joys of travelling more for less through practical solutions. She helps over 20,000 families a month plan & take the family travel, camping and road trip adventures of their dreams in Canada, the USA and around the world. Contact her at: Donna [at] packedforlife.com

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17 Dietitian-Approved Healthy Travel Snacks to Pack on Your Next Trip

Pack these dietitian-approved, healthy travel snacks on your next trip. Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, these are some of the most nutritious, filling, and tasty snack options to bring with you.

Never, and I mean never, travel without healthy snacks – that’s my motto. Snack options on the road or in flight can be unpredictable and aren’t usually the most nutritious. So, when “hanger” strikes mid-road trip or plane ride I like to be armed with some nutritious and filling, healthy travel snack options. Planning for and packing nutritious snacks is also proven to reduce hanger-induced fights with your travel companion. 😉

Why pack healthy travel snacks?

Picture this: you’re two hours into your road trip, your stomach is making more noise than the radio, and you have zero snacks in the car. What happens next? You find the next gas station, buy any and all snacks in sight, and devour them in ten seconds flat.

What happens after that? Thirty minutes to an hour later you’re craving more snacks! Why? When you wait for hunger levels to skyrocket and find yourself in the snack aisles of a gas station, you’re more likely to choose the Cheetos and Oreos over one of the few nutritious options.

Although tasty, these refined, fiber-less and sugar-rich snacks send your blood sugar levels on a roller coaster. You might get a quick boost of energy, which is inevitably followed by a steep crash in blood sugar levels, leaving you tired, moody, and craving more junk food.

That’s why planning for and packing some healthy travel snack options is a gamechanger when travelling! It’ll help you make more nutritious and less impulsive choices when you’re in a pinch.

What to look for in a healthy travel snack

You’re on board, you’re ready to plan some healthy travel snacks for your upcoming trip, but you have no clue what to buy. What makes for a healthy travel snack?

First, I typically avoid using packaging claims like “organic”, “natural”, or “non-GMO” to guide my snack choices. There’s a health-halo surrounding these claims – we assume they must mean the product is a healthy choice, when in reality, the claims have little to nothing to do with the nutritional value of a food.

Instead, I use a food product’s built-in cheat sheet, the nutrition label (when it applies)! I look for 4 things:

• Calories: Ideally you want a snack that’s around 150 to 250 calories. This is one of the few times I use calorie counts as a dietitian and that’s because I do feel it serves as a good measure of portion control here. If it happens to be slightly under or over, no biggie. Use this as a general guideline.
• Fiber: Fiber is my favorite f-word! It helps fill you up without filling you out, and helps keep blood sugar levels stable so you’re not hungry every 30 minutes of travel. I look for at least a few grams of fiber OR at least a 10:1 ratio of total carbs to fiber. For example, if something has 20 grams total carbs, at least 2 of those grams should be coming from fiber.
• Protein: Fiber and protein are a powerful, satiating and hunger-squashing duo. Look for at least 5 to 10 grams. If there’s more, great!
• Added sugar: Added sugars are the sugars added to foods and beverages during the manufacturing process. They are different from natural sugars – those found naturally in foods like fruits. The new nutrition label requires manufacturers to call out grams of added sugar, and most brands have adopted this new label by now. The closer to zero here the better, but ideally try to keep added sugar to no more than 5 grams.

In general, aim for a combo of protein and fiber in your healthy travel snacks – whether the snack item inherently has both (like roasted chickpea snacks) or you have to piece together more than one food to get both (like a banana with almond butter). 

Best Dietitian-Approved Healthy Travel Snacks

Keeping the guidelines above, plus convenience and portability in mind, here are my top X favorite healthy travel snacks.

First, let’s start with an easy one, fruit! I typically recommend fresh fruit when possible but understand eating some fresh fruits can get messy. If traveling with fresh fruit isn’t your thing, try unsweetened dried fruit instead.  It’s much easier to find unsweetened varieties than it used to be. You can find unsweetened dried fruits at many grocery store chains, like Trader Joe’s and even these tasty Good & Gather Unsweetened Dried Apple Rings from Target.

Even though fruit is rich in filling fiber and you can certainly eat it on its own, I always recommend adding some protein to it. Adding protein can help satiate you even more and can help slow digestion and buffer blood sugar spikes.

What are some good proteins to pair fruit with? See the next 6 snack choices listed!

Nuts are full of protein and fiber on their own but can also add a protein boost when paired with carb sources like fruit. Almonds and cashews make for great snacking options, but my personal favorite snack nut is pistachios. One serving of pistachios is 49 nuts – that’s a lot of nuts!

I recommend buying them in shell because taking the time to open each nut serves as a mindful eating technique and helps you slow down your snacking. I love these salt and pepper seasoned Wonderful Pistachios.

Nut Butter Packets

I repeat, nuts are a good source of protein and fiber, so this still holds true of them when blended into nut butter form. Just be sure to lookout for added sugar on the nutrition label. You can bring a whole jar with you or look for the individual nut butter packets which are very convenient for travel.

My favorite nut butter is the RXBAR Vanilla Almond Butter . It’s got an extra boost of protein from egg whites and it’s lightly sweetened naturally from the natural sugars in dates.

String Cheese

Is it string cheese or cheese sticks? Whatever you call them, they’re cheese in one of its most portable forms! Cheese is a good source of protein and calcium – a mineral that’s often lacking in the average American diet.

You can enjoy this protein-rich snack on its own, but if you need a little energy boost (hello, carbs), this is a good one to pair with some fruit!

Whisps Cheese Crisps

Cheese in portable form part 2. These cheese crisps are a newcomer to the cheese market. They’re essentially baked cheese that’s turned hard and crunchy. Whisps have at least 10 grams of protein per serving and are made from one ingredient: cheese!

You can enjoy this protein-rich snack on its own, but if you need a little energy boost (hello, carbs), this is another good one to pair with some fruit!

Hard-Boiled Eggs

So many great things to say about the incredible egg. Eggs are another excellent, yet smelly protein source. Just be sure to warn your travel companion about the smell before eating one! One egg has a whopping 7 grams of protein. Travel tip: peel the eggs before you pack them.

If you’re feeling fancy or simply bored of plain hard-boiled eggs, try these Peckish eggs. They’re convenient and portable pre-hard-boiled eggs served with delicious and crunchy seasonings!

To be honest, I don’t really like the taste or texture of jerky. But if YOU do, it can make for an excellent healthy travel snack option. Jerky is usually just protein and some fat, but be sure to check the nutrition label for  added sugars. Many jerky brands add sugar to their jerky to improve flavor and increase the weight of the final product (sugar costs less than meat by weight). Chomps sticks are not only free of added sugar, but also keto, paleo, and Whole30-approved. They’re also portable and very convenient to travel with.

Roasted Chickpea Snacks

Chickpeas are my go-to snack ingredient because of their impressive nutritional profile – a serving of cooked chickpeas (1/2 cup) has around 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. The protein and fiber combo helps fill you up, keep blood sugar levels stable, and satiate you until you get to your destination (or until your next meal).

You can now find chickpeas in conveniently pre-roasted and seasoned snack form at most grocery stores. Look for brands like The Good Bean, Biena , Saffron Road, and more. 

Hummus & Dippers

Speaking of chickpeas, did I mention they make for a very versatile snack option. When blended with a handful of other ingredients, they turn into beloved hummus. You can either portion out a big tub of hummus into small meal prep containers (like the salad dressing sized ones), or buy the single-serve ones for travel, and serve with one of the next two snack options listed (Simple Mills Crackers and Beet Chips).

It wouldn’t hurt to throw in some sliced veggies or baby carrots as dippers if you can, too. But I realize they aren’t always convenient for travel.

Simple Mills Crackers

These crackers are crackers minus the “ers”. Seriously, they taste almost too good to be true. They’re one of the few cracker brands out there without added sugars, plus they’re grain-free and gluten-free, making them paleo-friendly. One serving of their sprouted seed crackers has 3 grams fiber and 3 grams protein. 

If you love beets, it’s safe to say you’ll love them even more in chip form. Beets are surprisingly rich in protein and fiber – one serving of these Bare Beet Chips has 4 grams protein and a whopping 8 grams fiber. Plus, they’re made from just two simple ingredients: beets and sea salt.

You can also find Just Beets chips at Trader Joe’s, which, as the name implies, are made from just beets. 

Freeze-Dried or Roasted Edamame Snacks

Edamame are a type of soybean. Much like other legumes, edamame are rich in both protein and fiber, and are one of the most protein-rich among the legumes. Plus, they’re lower in total carbs compared to other legumes, like beans and chickpeas, making them the perfect snack for anyone following a lower-carb diet.

You can find roasted and seasoned shelled edamame snacks, or these new Good & Gather freeze-dried and salted edamame at Target! One half-cup serving has 12 grams protein and 4 grams fiber for just 130 calories.

DIY Snack Mix

Store-bought snack mixes, trail mixes, and granola can be loaded with added sugar and lacking filling fiber. That’s why I recommend making your own simple, easy, and filling snack mix! Start with a base of some pre-popped and lightly-seasoned popcorn, which has a little protein and fiber and provides a lot of volume for little calories. Next, add some freeze-dried fruit (Target, Trader Joe’s and Aldi’s have great selections) and nuts of your choice for an extra protein and fiber boost.

Then, get creative! Add spices, like cinnamon, for more flavor and maybe even a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips or Lily’s stevia-sweetened baking chips. 

These crunchy, cheese curl-like snacks are gluten-free, vegan, and made from plant-based proteins like chickpea and brown rice flours. They’re so tasty and come in a variety of delicious flavors like vegan white cheddar, bohemian barbecue, and nacho vibes. Even though they’re flavored, they only have one gram of added sugar per serving. 

Single-Serve Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is the new Greek yogurt. Although it may not be ideal for all modes of travel, if you’ve got a cooler packed for a road trip you can easily slide a few of these single-serve containers in there. C ottage   cheese  is packed with nutrients, including B-complex vitamins, like vitamin B12, and calcium. It’s an excellent source of protein, with 1 cup of small curd  cottage   cheese containing nearly 25 grams of protein.

I recommend topping a plain one with a handful of berries (for some fiber). But if you can’t handle plain, Good Culture has a few flavored varieties that don’t have too much added sugar. 

Birch Benders Microwaveable Cups

Birch Benders’ Cups have protein and fiber, zero grams added sugar, are low in net carbs, and are grain- and gluten-free, making them paleo- and keto-friendly! Obviously, you need a microwave to make these, so they may be more of a snack you bring with you to keep at your hotel (although some gas stations and 7-Elevens have microwaves you can use). All you have to do is add water, microwave for 60 seconds, and voila!

They come in seven delicious varieties, but the brownie is my personal favorite. 

Protein & Snack Bars

Protein and snack bars are probably the most convenient, portable, and dependable travel snack out there, but buyer beware. Some bars can be high in added sugar and low in fiber. Here are my travel favorites:

Pressed Fruit Bars

These bars are essentially fruit that’s been dried and pressed into a bar shape. Like fruit, they’re rich in fiber, but lack protein. So, it’s a good idea to pair with one of the proteins listed earlier (i.e. string cheese, nuts, etc.). Look for brands like That’s It bars, KIND whole fruit bars , and Trader Joe’s fruit bars.

RXBARs are my personal favorite! They are also made up of fruit (dates in this case), but have added protein in the form of nuts and egg whites. 

Health Warrior

These Health Warrior chia bars are more like a mini snack (they’re only 100 calorie each). They’re perfect for when you just need a little something to hold you over. 

These original KIND nut bars have come a long way since they first entered the market. They’re relatively low in added sugar and are a good source of protein and fiber. Plus they’re straight tasty. 

Let me know what YOUR favorite travel snack is in the comments section below!

posted by Charlotte Martin on February 22, 2020

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6 comments on “17 Dietitian-Approved Healthy Travel Snacks to Pack on Your Next Trip”

YESS!! Haven’t tried Birch benders microwaveable cups, but I buy and eat all of the other snacks all the time. THESE SNACKS REALLY ARE THE BEST.

They have some of the BEST products don’t they?! Definitely try the brownie microwaveable cup if you can, it’s so tasty 🙂

LOVE this list! Whisps, nuts and dried fruits are all go-tos when I travel. I haven’t tried the Simple Mills crackers before, so I’m interested to try them out, thank you!

Hi Amanda! Glad you found the list helpful 🙂 Whisps are my FAVORITE! So addicting! Definitely get your hands on some Simple Mills crackers they are soooo good you won’t regret it

This is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing these, I am a big snack person. One of my go-to snacks is the Enlightened Bada Bean Bada Boom snack size packs!

Hi Bevan! I still have yet to try those! You just reminded me that I need to go snag some 🙂 Thank you!

Hi, I’m Charlotte!

I’m a Registered Dietitian who’s made it her mission to educate, inspire, and empower you to SHAPE your eating habits and relationship with food!

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The best healthy travel snacks, according to nutritionists and dietitians

My motto is: Never travel without snacks ! Just as traffic and weather are unpredictable when traveling, so is the snack selection. Some airports and convenience stops are well-stocked with plenty of healthy items while others — even in big cities — leave you with few nutritious options. Plus, bringing your own food means you can avoid the over-priced airport and rest stop fare.

Whether you’re hitting the road, railways, or the skies , travel can take you long stretches between meals and a healthy snack can help nourish you and satisfy hunger between stops. You might even find that by snacking well, you’re less irritable during those unpredictable delays.

Even when you’re heading out on vacation , it makes sense to stick to your (mostly) healthy eating routine. You’ll find it easier to offset vacation weight gain and you’ll feel better during your trip. So, on top of your sneakers , sunscreen , and clothing, add healthy snacks to your packing list. Here are some nutritionist-approved picks to choose from.

What makes a healthy travel snack?

Travel snacks need to be easily portable for road trips and airplane travel, and if the latter, they must be able to make it past TSA inspection. Yogurt, nut butter, and certain dips (like hummus and guacamole) are considered “liquids and gels” and would therefore need to meet size requirements to make it through US security. (Rules may vary if you’re entering the US from a foreign country.) Fresh foods need to travel well, meaning they’re easy to tote and not too messy to eat on the go. Beyond that, here are some guidelines the registered dietitians (RDs) considered when suggesting snacks that get the green light:

• Primarily made with whole food ingredients (think: beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, veggies, whole grains).
• Any grain-containing items should be made with whole grains
• Controlled (if any) amounts of added sugar and sodium

Ask an RD A better way to think about 'clean eating'

Fresh snacks.

Fresh produce, like an apple, banana, or some baby carrots are easy options to tuck into your travel bag. “I’ll pack veggies I can eat with my hands, like sliced cucumber and red bell pepper, a little container of dip made from healthy fat, like guacamole or seasoned almond butter or tahini, and a handful of oven-roasted chickpeas for plant protein and fiber-rich carbs. This combo is chock full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and is a fresh change of pace from the packaged options for sale at airports, gas stations, etc.,” says Cynthia Sass , MPH, RD, a New York and Los Angeles-based performance nutritionist

Sass also recommends making overnight oats for a filling meal to take along. “I combine old fashioned rolled oats with plant protein powder, then add hot water, stir in seasonings like a bit of maple syrup, ginger and cinnamon, then fold in shredded zucchini, fresh fruit, and chopped nuts, and chill in the fridge overnight. This nutrient-rich complete meal is an ideal option if you have a chilled lunch sack to keep it cool.”

Maya Feller , RDN, who has a private practice in Brooklyn and a cookbook forthcoming this fall, shares a similar strategy. “In general, I do my best to have a balanced meal when I travel — either purchased before arriving at the airport or brought from home. My favorite travel snacks are always paired with a large bottle of water. I’m big on water simply because airplane travel is so dehydrating. Mixed raw unsalted nuts and fresh fruit are a usual go-to of mine. The nuts are a nice combination of satiating protein and fiber that do an effective job of bridging the gap between meals without additives. Simple and straight forward,” she says. (And remember if you’re traveling on a plane, fill up your water bottle after you make it through security.)

NYC-based RD, Natalie Rizzo agrees. “I like to snack on nuts when traveling because a small amount is really filling,” she says “But since some packaged nuts are coated in unhealthy toppings, like tons of sugar or salt, I make my own " Cinnamon Roasted Almonds " with just a little bit of cinnamon, agave and salt. All nuts contain healthy fats, protein and fiber, so you can use whatever type of nut you like best. Just try to stick to a one-ounce portion size so you don’t eat too many calories in one sitting,” suggests Rizzo.

Pro Picks Nutritionist-approved snacks your kid will actually want to eat

Frances Largeman-Roth , RDN, nutrition and wellness expert and author of "Eating in Color" says grapes are her go-to travel snack for the whole family. “They’re refreshing and hydrating (at 82% water) and are super portable as well.” Largeman-Roth explains that all grapes (green, red and black) are a great source of polyphenols and other antioxidants. “I like to bring them on car trips in a small cooler. They help my kids stay hydrated without extra potty breaks, which makes travel more fun for everyone!” she says.

Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in the New York City area makes her " Healthy Roasted Chickpeas " for her travels. “I love traveling with this filling snack because the chickpeas are filled with plant protein to help keep you fuller for longer. They're perfect for long plane rides or road trips. The chickpeas are crunchy and delicious — and you can flavor them however you like. They can be easily packed up in a zip-top bag for when you hit the road!”

Like these RDs, I travel with fresh produce and nuts, and often take some boiled eggs along for the ride, particularly when I’m traveling through meal time. For easier eating (and to reduce mess), peel them in advance, and be sure to stick them in a bag with a small ice pack if they’ll be left unrefrigerated for more than two hours. If you have the option, store the ice pack in the fridge where you’re staying and re-use it to keep fresh fruit and veggies cool on your trip home. Another pro tip: You can easily pick up small packets of salt and pepper at an airport eatery or gas station stop — perfect for seasoning your eggs on your travels!

Packaged snacks

Packaged snacks definitely make the cut with these nutrition pros, provided they meet some healthful standards. “If I’m purchasing an item at a kiosk, I usually look for a fruit and nut-based bar with 5g of added sugar or less per serving and no added salt,” says Feller. “I generally look for options that have a short ingredient list with recognizable names and limited additives. When flying, I like to be mindful of my added sugar and added salt intake. I’ve found that my post-travel digestion is much better when I stick to snacks without refined grains and additives,” she says.

Amrita's high protein chocolate chip coconut bar scores high marks with Sass. “It's delicious, made with real food ingredients, including dates, quinoa, sunflower and chia seeds, and contains no added sugar,” she says, adding, “It satisfies my choc-o-tooth while providing 15 g of plant protein and 6 g of filling fiber.” Sass says the balanced macro ratio leaves her feeling energized for about three hours. “To make it a meal replacement I’ll combine it with an organic green juice.”

Amrita High Protein Gluten Free Bars

If you were intrigued by the roasted chickpeas but don’t have the time or inclination to heat up the oven, you can purchase them instead. Joan Salge Blake , EdD, Clinical Professor, Boston University and the host of the hit health and wellness podcast, SpotOn! , recommends Biena Chickpea Snacks . “They’re high in fiber and flavor and are light as a feather so they don't weigh down your travel bag,” she says.

Biena Chickpea Snacks

“For an easy, on-the-go travel snack, I tend to bring a string cheese and a serving of baked chips, such as Beanitos Black Bean Chips ,” says Keri Gans , RDN, nutritionist and author, "The Small Change Diet". “The individually-wrapped cheese is portion controlled and provides the protein needed to help with satiety. And since the Beanitos are made from black beans, they also provide protein, plus are a good source of fiber, another important nutrient for a well-rounded snack,” she explains. It turns out dietitians have a salty tooth, too. “The chips totally satisfy my craving for something salty, without actually being too high in sodium.” If you want to pack a similar snack, Gans shares this this pro tip: Pre-portion the chips in a small container rather than eating straight from the bag.

Beanitos Black Bean Chips

If you’re hitting the road or railways instead of the skies, Gorin recommends taking Dole Spoonable Smoothies (and a spoon) along for the ride. “These are a really fun snack to bring with you on a road trip. You have a smoothie bowl made with real fruit that you can eat on the go — and it comes with a little packet of granola to sprinkle on top for crunch,” she says. “The smoothie takes 35 to 40 minutes to thaw, so if you stick it in your travel bag before you get in the car you should be good to eat it on the road or train.”

If you’re looking for more portable fruit options, Largeman-Roth says she brings a bag of RIND dried fruit with her whenever she travels. “The Orchard Blend is my favorite. I love that they keep all the skins and peels on their dried fruit, which provides more nutrients, as well as more fiber. Fiber is important when you’re traveling because most of us don’t get enough and that can lead to constipation. This stuff really helps me stay regular, just saying! The dried persimmon is especially delicious and my kids love it too.”

Dried Mango from Peeled Snacks is another RD-approved option. “When I have a hankering for something sweet, I like to snack on fruit,” says Rizzo who notes that fresh fruit doesn’t always pack well. “That’s why I carry bags of dried mango with me when I travel. These naturally sweet treats contain no added sugar and are an excellent source of vitamin C. Plus, they come in small flat bags that are easy to throw into your purse or suitcase,” she says.

Peeled Snacks Organic Dried Fruit, Mango

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Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

50 Healthy Travel Snacks for Your Next Adventure

You pack outfits designed to suit your travel destination, so why not do the same thing with your snacks? After all, you wouldn’t wear the same thing in the mountains as you would on the beach.

To help make your travel snacking experience as specific to your trip as your outfits, we put together a list of healthy travel snacks suited for a variety of destinations and activities.

These wholesome travel snacks are easy to pack and eat, and we hope they add a little something to your travel experience. Bon voyage!

Travel Destination: The Lake

1. seabear ready-to-eat wild salmon.

Salmon captures the spirit of your lake adventure, and it’s also packed with good-for-you nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, that will keep you energized for long days of swimming and sunning. SeaBear makes salmon snackable by packing it into convenient pouches that are perfect for travel snacking.

2. Roasted Pine Nuts

The fresh, herbaceous air of your lakeside retreat demands fresh, herbaceous flavors to snack on. These roasted pine nuts from Healthy Recipe Ecstasy feature the nuanced flavors of thyme and parsley, and they serve up magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E to make you feel good.

3. BareSnacks Apple Chips

These wholesome apple chips help you get your daily apple fix when you’re on the go. Toss a few bags of bare in your suitcase so you can enjoy the flavor of fresh apple slices without worrying about browning or refrigeration.

4. Incredi-Puffs

Bring on the jet skis and the parasailing! Incredi-Puffs (available in a flavor for any craving) are incredibly light and incredibly flavorful. They satisfy your hunger without weighing you down, so you can be free to swim, jump, float, and play.

5. Field Trip Turkey Jerky

You can’t weigh down your boat with heavy snacks! Choose a snack that packs a lot of satisfying nutritional oomph into a lightweight, protein-rich package that will annihilate any hunger pangs that strike mid fishing trip. Bring Field Trip turkey jerky on all your lakeside excursions.

6. Pistachios

Snack on some in-shell pistachios to keep your hands busy while you spend hours listening to soft lake waves lapping on the rocky shore. While you’re relaxing and snacking, you’ll also be getting a champion dose of protein and fiber.

7. Ginger Root Thrive Bites

Thrive Bites provide serious nutrition in a convenient little bite, so you can get your snack on and get back to your lakeside activities in no time. Munch on them when your friend takes over rowing or when there’s a lull in your cornhole game.

Light and airy popcorn is the perfect way to satisfy your snacking tendencies while keeping yourself looking svelte in that swimsuit you’ll be living in at the lake.

9. In-Shell Sunflower Seeds

Packed with heart-healthy selenium, in-shell sunflower seeds make the perfect snack for those lazy lake days. You could pound a few bags of potato chips in a few hours, or you could spend the same amount of time slowly munching on some healthy in-shell seeds.

Travel Destination: The Beach

10. seaweed snack roll-ups.

Grab your favorite packaged seaweed snacks, rice, and veggies and roll up some nutritious snacks that will become a beach-house favorite and a healthy vacation staple for years to come. Get the recipe from Veggies Don’t Bite .

11. GimMe Organic Seaweed Snacks

If you don’t have time to turn seaweed snacks into the roll-ups above, then eat seaweed alone from GimMe Snacks for a super light and nourishing snack that will make you feel at one with the sea. One serving of these mineral-rich beach snacks has only 25 calories. Does that even count?

12. No-Bake Coconut Crack Bars

Blame it on the smell of sunblock or those gorgeous tropical trees, but whatever the reason, it’s a universal truth that coconuts and beaches belong together. These sweet coconut treats from Chocolate Covered Katie are packed with nutrient-dense coconut, and they’re super easy to make.

13. Dried Mango

Available at any grocery store, healthy dried mango will make the perfect mid-afternoon snack when you’re lounging on the beach. It won’t fill you up, it has fresh and satisfying flavor, and it has plenty of natural sugar to give you energy until sunset.

14. Stretch Island Fruit Leather

These fruity strips each contain 1/4 cup of real fruit. Throw them into your beach bag for a quick, healthy, and satisfying snack that’s also beachbody friendly.

15. Lemon Macadamia Nut Cookies

Beach trips require fresh island flavors that taste right at home in the sun and the sand. These nutty, lemony cookies by Cotter Crunch cover everything we look for in a beach snack. They’re a little sweet, super refreshing, and vegan.

16. Macadamia Nuts + White Chocolate + Dried Bananas

Trail mix is a thing, so why not beach mix? Just toss your favorite beachy flavors into a bag for some healthy anytime snacking. We love the combination of white chocolate, manganese-rich macadamia nuts, and crispy dried bananas.

17. Plantain Chips

The salty, tropical flavor of plantain chips just seems to belong on a beach. Plus, plantains are packed with vitamin C and vitamin A to make you feel good. Snack on plantain chips all day or serve them alongside some healthy grilled fish to make a beachy side dish.

We recommend barnana’s new line of plantain chips .

18. The Real Coconut Tortilla Chips

Add some beachy flavor to your average chips and salsa by swapping your standard corn chips for some subtly sweat, tropical coconut-flour chips .

19. Hawaiian Luau BBQ Kettle Style Potato Chips

Whether your beach trip takes you to Hawaii or not, these luau potato chips need to make an appearance on your trip. They pack all the flavor or a real luau into a convenient bag, and they’re kettle cooked in healthy oils, following the Hawaiian tradition. You do not have to be in Hawaii to eat and party like a Hawaiian, especially when you have these chips on hand.

Travel Destination: The Mountains

20. clif bars.

Even if you’re not rock-climbing like the dude on the famous Clif Bar wrapper, you can still enjoy one of these bars on your mountain journey. These bars are packed with rolled oats and soy protein, and they’re designed to provide lasting energy for a variety of adventures.

21. Chukar Cherries Dried Rainier Cherries

With no sugar added, t hese dried organic Rainier cherries capture all the crisp sweet flavors of mountain air. (We know you’ll be getting enough of that on your mountain adventure, but these cherries make one awesome anytime snack.) They’re filled with fiber and natural sugar for lots of energy.

22. Moon Cheese

If you’re a cheese lover, then you’ve probably daydreamed of a cheese that doesn’t require refrigeration, a cheese you can take anywhere. Meet Moon Cheese . The manufacturers developed a process to remove the moisture from cheese. They packed the delicious result into a handy package that lets you eat cheese anywhere.

If you ever go to the Moon, you could probably eat this snackable cheese there, too.

23. Thunderbird Cacao + Hemp + Walnut Bar

These vegan, grain-free bars taste like adventure. They’re packed with rich cacao, earthy hemp seeds, creamy coconut, and a burst of mint. They taste a bit like a powerhouse brownie, and they’ll keep you energized whether you’re traveling up or down a mountain or just sitting by the fire.

24. That’s It! Bean and Pea Bar

We love how the world is embracing the savory protein bar! The name of these bars says everything you need to know to be sold on this snack. Each one is packed with high-protein beans and peas—that’s it!

That’s It bars are gluten-free and non-GMO. They’ll give you hours of energy that only sets you back 90 calories. We recommend them for a pre-hike or mid-mountain snack.

25. 5-Minute Peanut Butter Energy Bites

A quick visit to any grocery store (or the general store) will get you all the ingredients you need to make these tasty energy bites from Ambitious Kitchen . They travel well, so you can throw them in your bag for a quick pick-me-up when you’ve halfway up your summit.

And of course, they only take 5 minutes to make, so you can have your snack packed and ready to go before your friend gets out of the shower.

26. Justin’s Classic Almond Butter Packets

Justin’s almond butter packets are pure goodness in a pouch. Healthy high-protein almond butter will help you power through your day. Plus, these handy little packs won’t weigh down your bag or your body. Spread the almond butter on some apple chips or just eat it alone—we won’t judge.

27. Barnana Original Banana Bites

These awesome travel snacks are made from bananas and nothing else. They’re perfect when you’re craving sweets, and they provide an invigorating jolt of potassium.

28. HannahMax Original Cookie Chips

Mountain living leaves no time for baking cookies. If a cookie craving strikes when you’re enjoying the wonders of nature, then reach for these handy Cookie Chips.  HannahMax Cookies combine the convenience of a chip with the wholesome, comforting flavor of Grandma’s cookies.

They’re made of fresh butter, cage-free eggs, and cane sugar. One serving has just 130 calories.

29. Made in Nature Kale Chips

If you’re camping in the mountains, you might be missing your usual daily salads. Get your kale fix with Made In Nature Kale Chips , available in lots of tasty flavors. The chips pack all the benefits of kale into a convenient package that can survive in your car or the bear locker.

Travel Destination: A Road Trip (aka The Car)

30. diy “road mix” formula.

Now that we’ve tried trail mix and beach mix, it’s time to give “road mix” a chance. To make it, we recommend combining one dried bean or legume, a whole grain, a protein-rich nut or seed, and a fruit. We love dried chickpeas, granola, pumpkin seeds, and blueberries.

31. Dried Wasabi Peas

Available in the bulk-food section of most grocery stores, healthy dried wasabi peas are perfect for car rides because the extreme flavor of the wasabi keeps you from overdosing on your snack, even as the monotony of winding roads has you munching endlessly.

32. Dried Edamame

Crispy dried edamame makes a satisfying and healthy stand-in for potato chips. Edamame is full of protein and fiber to sustain you on long car rides. You can find it at any grocery store, or you can even roast it yourself.

33. Carcorn (Popcorn for the Car)

Popcorn is the perfect on-the-road snack. You can eat cups of the stuff and that’s okay, because a serving size of popcorn is usually about 3 cups. Popcorn is light, and it provides a huge amount of crunchy fun in a minimal calorie package. Make you “carcorn” stand out by trying a fun recipe, like this sweet-and-spicy wasabi version from Kitchen Confidante .

34. Healthy Homemade Lollipops

When you were a kid, did your parents give you lollipops when you went on family road trips? Maybe they were just trying to keep you quiet, but wasn’t eating the lollipops still a fun and delicious experience?

Snack on the Food Network’s healthy versions of the classic lollipop, made with fresh citrus zest, to keep your taste buds busy while you’re on the road.

35. Healthy Homemade Fruit Gummies

Healthy fruit gummies are super satisfying to chew when you get stuck in that traffic you forgot to navigate around. These better-for-you gummies from A Side of Sweet feature wholesome honey and fruit or vegetable juice, so you don’t have to feel guilty about eating them.

36. Healthy Homemade Hard Candy

Hard candy is another boon for long car rides. Hard candy lasts forever, and it’s pretty much made for relieving stress and boredom. This hard candy recipe from Manu’s Menu includes honey and lemon juice.

37. Pamela’s Oat Blueberry Lemon Whenever Bars

These gluten-free bars combine oats, chia seeds, and tasty coconut sugar into a snack you can eat any time you want, even when you’ve been driving for so long, you really can’t remember whether it’s time for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Travel Destination: The Great Outdoors (aka Campsite)

38. healthy s’mores bars.

Camping and s’mores? It’s predictable but totally necessary. The surprise here is that you can make better-for-you vegan s’mores bars to get your chocolatey, mallowy, graham-cracker fix. These bars from the Conscientious Eater feature whole-wheat flour, oats, and vegan marshmallows.

39. Country Archer Hickory Smoke Turkey Jerky

This jerky packs the magic smells and flavors of camping into a healthy snack filled with clean protein. Country Archer turkey jerky provides you with plenty of energy for chopping wood, building fires, pitching tents, and so much more.

40. Healthy Chex Mix

You might not be in the Scouts anymore, but the snacks of your childhood camping trips are as good as they ever were. This mix recipe from Simple Roots Wellness puts an adult spin on your favorite snack by combining healthy coconut, dried cranberries, wholesome walnuts, and rich molasses.

41. Sinless Samoa Balls

Eat Bird Food’s lightened-up version of a quintessential camping treat features dates, almond butter, and coconut, so you can get your fix of the summertime camping flavors you crave without all the calories.

42. AgStandard Ranch Almonds

Big-on-flavor  ranch smoked almonds are perfect for satisfying those inevitable real-food cravings that spring up during camping trips. Plus, lean, protein-rich almonds will leave you feeling much better than any ranch dip ever did.

43. Forager Project Wasabi Greens Pressed Vegetable Chips

Camping is all about getting back in touch with nature. We don’t recommend foraging for yourself unless you know what you’re doing, but we do recommend snacking on the Forager Project’s Wasabi Greens Pressed Vegetable Chips . You can practically taste the nature in these chips, which are packed with cucumber, kale, spinach, and more.

44. Smashmallows

A healthy marshmallow that’s designed for you to snack on shamelessly? Yes, it does exist. Smashmallows are made with organic sugar and they’re gluten-free. Plus, many of the flavors have only 80 calories per serving.

45. Rosted Actually Spicy Crunchy Lentils

Rosted’s packaged crunchy lentils do something we’ve been yearning to do for years—make lentils snackable. These roasted lentils are low in calories and high in protein and fiber, making them the perfect clean snack for any kind of camping excursion.

46. Healthy Nut/Seed Butter Sandwiches

Give your favorite lunch-box sandwich a healthy shake-up that will fuel your high-energy camping vacation. Just swap out boring white bread for some seeded, whole-grain goodness; we’re talking about the kind of bread with chunks.

Then choose your favorite unsweetened nut or seed butter and trade in sugary jelly for some naturally sweetened jam, sliced fruit (like bananas, strawberries, and figs), or even carrot slices.

47. Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Medjool Dates

These organic, non-GMO dates have the kind of natural fruit sugar your body can turn right into energy. Snack on a few during a biking excursion for a quick energy boost. These powerhouse fruits also contain potassium and iron.

48. Annie’s Homegrown Organic Honey Graham Crackers

Even if you’re not planning to make s’mores on your camping trip, you’ve gotta have some graham crackers. And if you’ve gotta have some graham crackers, you better make sure they’re the healthy kind. Annie’s Organic Honey Graham Crackers are made with organic wheat flour, so they contain 8 grams of whole grains.

49. Quinn Popcorn Popping Kernels

Light, plant-based, and 100% natural, popcorn is a great choice when you need a healthy snack. Quinn makes the finest popcorn available, and you can use their wholesome popping kernels, foil, and few simple ingredients to make fresh, whole-grain popcorn over the campfire.

50. Bear Real Fruit YoYos

The cute bear on the package of these real-fruit snacks fits the camping theme perfectly, but that’s not the only reason these healthy snacks are perfect for camping. Each fruit YoYo is made with real fruits and vegetables, has no added sugar, and gives you one of your recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

They also pack and store well—a major bonus.

What’s your favorite travel snack? Let us know in the comment section below!

(PS – Be sure to join our  Dollar Snack Club  and get 6 delicious & healthy snacks for only $1! )

Additional Resources: 

• 121 Easy & Delicious Healthy Snacks For Every Type of Snacker
• 32 Tasty & Healthy Vegan Snacks to Fight Off Cravings
• 31 Guilt-Free Healthy Sweet Snacks That Will Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
• 23 Incredibly Tasty & Healthy Snacks to Buy Right Now
• 25 Healthy Snacks That Are Perfect For When You’re On The Go
• 35 Healthy Protein Snacks to Keep You Feeling Full & Satisfied
• 30 Field-Tested Healthy Snacks for Kids
• 31 Healthy Low-Carb Snacks to Keep You Full and Energized
• 50 Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks That Taste Amazing
• 28 Guilt-Free Healthy Snacks For Diabetics
• 45 Super Easy & Healthy Low-Calorie Snacks
• 33 Healthy Snacks for Adults Who Need to Refuel
• Sweet, Salty, Sour, or Spicy: These 30 Healthy Snack Bars Cover It All
• 37 Healthy Salty Snacks for When You’re Craving Something Savory
• 30 Healthy Packaged Snacks You Can Feel Good About Eating
• 30 Healthy Filling Snacks to Conquer Your Hunger
• 80+ Healthy Crunchy Snacks Made from Fresh Ingredients
• 20+ Healthy Late-Night Snacks You’ll Crave & Love
• Sweet or Savory: Choose Your Healthy Party Snacks
• 20+ Healthy Snacks for Weight Lose That Are Under 200 Calories
• Here’s How to Enjoy Your Favorite Healthy Snacks on Any Diet
• 20+ Healthy Road Trip Snacks for Feel-Good Traveling
• 30+ Healthy Pregnancy Snacks with Essential Nutrients
• 30+ Healthy Fruit Snacks That Will Change the Way You Look at Fruit

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15 Essential Travel Snacks That Registered Dietitians Can’t Stop Munching On While Vacationing

• Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN , founder and director of Real Nutrition
• Kara Lydon, RD , registered dietitian and blogger behind “The Foodie Dietitian”
• Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD , registered dietitian and prenatal and postnatal health expert
• Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN , Miami-based registered dietitian nutritionist
• Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, MS, RD, CDN , registered dietitian and women’s health expert

That's why we spoke with five leading dietitians to find out what foods are part of their own essential travel snack arsenals —the noshes that help fuel them through many long days spent exploring with enough energy and stamina to enjoy every last lick of vacay. Ready to take on the incredibly important role of snack oversight? From nuts to superfood bars to chocolate (yay!), there’s a munchie here for every occasion.

The 15 travel snacks registered dietitians love to munch on while on-the-go

Kara lydon, rd, ldn, ryt, registered dietitian nutritionist, certified intuitive eating counselor, and owner of kara lydon nutrition, 1. a diy snack box filled with cheese, crackers, hummus, and fruit.

“One of my favorite snack hacks for travel is packing my own snack box. You can usually order these on a plane, but they're way overpriced and you don't get to choose your favorite items. I love to include crackers, cheddar cheese from Truly Grass Fed —a sustainable dairy brand from Ireland—grapes, and hummus in mine. This snack contains enough protein, fat, and carbohydrates to hold me over until I reach my destination.”

2. Oatmeal cups

“When traveling during the morning hours, I make sure to pack Bob's Red Mill Organic Oatmeal Cups . You can fill them with coconut milk, Greek yogurt, or your liquid of choice overnight for chilled overnight oats. And if you're flying, you can ask for hot water on the plane and mix it en route. They're packed with whole grain oats, omega-3s from the flax and chia seeds, eight grams of protein, and they're high in fiber and an excellent source of immune-boosting vitamin C.”

Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD , registered dietitian based in Charleston

3. dark chocolate.

“Chocolate is a non-negotiable snack when I'm on the go— it satisfies my sweet tooth and provides me with important anti-inflammatory polyphenols. UNREAL's Dark Chocolate Peanut Gems come in a smaller snack pack size, which is great for traveling. Bonus? These vegan gems get their colors from natural sources like beets, radishes, and spirulina instead of artificial ingredients.”

4. Probiotic fruit bars

“Maintaining my gut health is always a goal when I'm traveling. Snacking on That’s It mini probiotic fruit bars helps me fuel my body with beneficial probiotics that help support my balanced gut microbiota. And since these bars contain no added sugars and are made with real fruit, I can feel good knowing that I am doing what I can to meet my fruit intake goals by including these in my diet. I like buying a multi-pack at Sam’s Club before a trip and keeping them on hand when I need an energy boost.”

“ Sunsweet Ones are individually wrapped California prunes that make meeting my fruit quota super simple. Multiple studies even suggest that eating five to six prunes each day may help to prevent bone loss. With no added sugars and three grams of fiber per serving, these prunes are a staple in my travel bag. And since many of us experience gastrointestinal irregularity when we are away from our normal environment, including prunes in a travel snack plan may help support bowel movement regularity—and who doesn't want that?”

“Apples are an easy nosh to include in my snack rotation when traveling. Especially when traveling with kiddos, I love leaning on Envy apples, since their flesh stays fresh (read: not brown) longer and they have a naturally balanced sweetness with a delicious crunch.”

Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN , founder, and director of Real Nutrition

7. superfood bars.

“These vegan whole food bars by Elemental Superfood are delicious, satisfying, and keep me energized with ingredients like whole seeds, nuts, and dried fruit. They have no added sugar and all the great flavor. I never leave home without one.”

“I like to grab pre-portioned packets of pistachios or almonds that fit into my on-the-go fanny pack or backpack. Nuts provide healthy fats, fiber, and protein to keep my energy up and my hanger at bay. Also, they pair really well with fresh fruit if you're looking for a slightly heartier snack.”

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Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN , Miami-based registered dietitian nutritionist and National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

9. nut butter.

“I love individual packets or cups of almond butter or peanut butter for traveling. You can eat them right out of the packet on their own, pair one with a piece of fresh fruit, shmear it on top of a piece of toast, or scoop one into a bowl of oats. Nut butters are a great source of heart-healthy fats, plus they provide a few grams of dietary fiber and protein. Almond butter specifically provides 16 grams of heart-healthy fat, seven grams of total carbohydrates, four grams of dietary fiber, and seven grams of protein per two tablespoon serving.”

10. Electrolytes

“A lot of people experience dehydration when traveling. Flying in a plane can cause dehydration due to the altitude, and simply sitting in a car for long periods of time can stop us from drinking as much as usual because we don’t want to have to stop to use the restroom. Having an electrolyte drink or keeping packets with you is a great way to keep your hydration levels up when you are traveling and once you finally get to your final distance to help rehydrate you.”

11. Whole-grain crackers or pretzels

“You can always find either whole-grain crackers or honey wheat pretzels in my travel bag. They provide carbohydrates plus a few grams of dietary fiber and protein, and they're great to carry along with you while traveling because they don’t go bad quickly. Again, traveling can be dehydrating, and if you're going to be in a hot climate, you may be sweating more than usual and need additional sodium. These two snack options can provide that, too.”

“Muesli is a great snack to take with you on the go. It’s a simple mix of oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, which means healthy fats, protein, dietary fiber, carbs, and plenty of vitamin and minerals.”

Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD , registered dietitian and author of The Better Period Food Solution

13. nut bars.

“ Perfect Snacks ' bars are ideal for on-the-go travel because they are packed with heart-healthy, fiber-filled nuts like almonds and peanuts. The healthy fats will help keep you less focused on your growling belly and more focused on catching your flight in time.”

14. Chocolate bites

“The healthy real chocolate bites by Mid-Day Squares will both satisfy your sweet tooth and provide sustaining energy to your brain and body, which is crucial for a long day of travel. One square contains six grams of plant-based protein and even has some iron, helping to give you that reinvigorating bump to get you through and beyond a dragged-out travel day.”

15. Pistachios

“These on-the-go pistachio pouches from Wonderful Pistachios make for the easiest travel buddy because they can withstand all the jostling that comes along with a day of travel. Pistachios, whether they're plain, chili, or honey roasted, are a super high-fiber plant-based snack, so you’ll be nourished and filled with a ton of essential vitamins and minerals.”

Wonderful Pistachios — $6.59 Shop Now

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25 Easy Make-Ahead Road Trip Meal Ideas they’ll love!

Planning a road trip? Looking for easy, make-ahead meal ideas, whether for a weekend break or a longer trip? Or maybe you want some easy recipes for meals on the road? Here are 25 great ideas for you!

*We work hard to make this the best motorhome travel blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own .

If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!)

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Easy Make-Ahead Road Trip Meals

I’ll be honest- planning meals for a road trip is one of the things I dislike most.

Don’t get me wrong- I like cooking and I DEFINITELY like eating … but I am not good at creating a meal plan.

I also have a daughter who has gone from eating whatever we give her to being more and more particular about what she likes- and she’d rather not eat at all than eat something she doesn’t love. At home, it’s pretty easy to cook separate meals, but in the van, it becomes a whole different issue- and it makes the process of meal planning a lot harder.

Why plan meals on a road trip at all??

Oh, I hear you. In an ideal world, we’d just head off into the unknown and see what we find. One of the things we enjoy most about travelling is sampling local foods and dishes and enjoying discovering new things.

Both Mr WB and myself are fairly easy to please and can make do with all sorts, but anyone with kids knows that it’s just not that easy. I also don’t want to spend my time on the road worrying about whether she’ll eat anything- so it makes MY life easier if I plan it out a little in advance.

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Road Trip Meal Planning

So, where do you even start with planning meals for a road trip??

For me, I break it down into 2/3 day intervals. Generally, we like to pop into a shop and buy fresh bread, fruit and other bits every 2/3 days. We don’t do MASSIVE week long shops when we travel- our fridge is nowhere near big enough to deal with that and there’s the worry about what happens if you lose power or gas? All that food will go to waste.

Of course, if you’re only going to a weekend, you can easily make-ahead several dishes and just heat them up- much easier.

TOP TIP for picky eaters- Make them choose some meals

One way I tackle our favourite picky eater is to get her to pick 5-7 dinners she will eat. (Annoyingly, this seems to change every week or so!) I also make her come shopping with me- I find if she chooses it, there’s a higher chance she’ll eat it.

While we’re on the subject of kids, here are some posts you might find useful:

• 21 EPIC Children’s car games & road trip activities
• 14 quiet time activities for kids, tweens and teenagers

Our Normal Road Trip Food shopping method

On a ‘normal’ two-week road trip to mainland Europe, this is my tried and trusted routine:

• Buy stuff in UK which we struggle to get overseas (see below)
• Make-ahead meals for first night or two
• Buy things as you travel (at local markets, supermarkets or Lidl)
• Do this every couple of days so we can buy fresh bread, fruit and croissants! Yum!!
• Try to ignore jeans not doing up….!! 
• Remember that people eat EVERYWHERE and try not to overbuy before you leave the UK.

This system has worked fairly well for us. It’s allowed us to discover new things, let Jade choose what she fancies and my stress levels don’t get too high trying to plan out a whole weeks worth of meals.

What about perishable foods?

We have a fridge which works both whilst we’re driving (battery) and when we’re parked up (gas). So we bring a small amount of perishable food with us- milk, cheese, ham, meat, yogurt, fruit, bacon.

We don’t buy too much in case there is a problem and the fridge breaks- it’s always been a little tempermental and is the part of the motorhome I trust the least!!

Easy Road Trip Recipes

When I’m on a road trip, especially if it’s a holiday, I don’t want to spend hours of my time in the galley, prepping, washing, chopping, cooking and washing up!

Here are a few easy recipes we use and love. Most only use one pot and many can be made in advance if you prefer.

5 easy road trip Breakfast ideas

• Greek Yogurt and fresh fruit
• Muesli/ cereal
• Scrambled eggs in a wrap or on toast (toast is HARD to cook on a gas hob though!)
• Bacon/ sausage sandwich (bring your own bacon from the UK. Alternatively, look in European supermarkets- but it won’t look the same. It’s usually much thinner and cooks MUCH faster.)
• One Pan English Breakfast 

Note how those went from fairly healthy to full-on delicious! I’m making myself hungry!

10 easy Lunch ideas for a road trip

We tend to do lunch as we travel- or if we’re exploring we’ll treat ourselves to a cheeky lunch out. Just don’t do that at Neuschwanstein Castle ! ( Jeez- you thought Norway was expensive!!!! )

• Fresh crusty bread and… anything. Cheese, ham, tuna, butter, garlic cheese, crisps, chicken, leftover beef, fish fingers…
• Salad. We try and add some fruit or salad in where possible- we’ll pretend to be healthy every once in a while! If we’re parked up I love to fry up some chicken and pop it onto a quick salad with avocado, tomatoes and peppers. Or try these delicious healthy salad recipes . TOP TIP- WASH your salad. Even the ones in bags. They don’t always wash it in Europe. It also doesn’t seem to last as long (that might be the heat) so don’t over buy.
• Grilled Cheese (see below for recipe)
• Couscous (see below)

I have still not found a decent way to make toast in the van. It’s an ongoing process that I will continue to work at! Still, Grilled Cheese sandwiches are a perfect snack:

Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

• Sliced Bread
• Cheese (Cheddar and Mozzarella work well)

Butter bread thinly and put butter side down into hot frying pan (not too hot and use butter, not oil.) Add slices of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Add other slice of bread on top, butter side up. After a couple of minutes (when bottom slice is brown but not burnt), flip sandwich over. Grill for a couple of minutes. For an extra touch, transfer sandwich to oven tray and bake in oven at 170’c for 5-7 minutes until cheese is totally melted.

Burritos are basically large wraps, with beans and/ or rice added into the wrap. One of the easiest ones is the bean and cheese burrito, but you can easily add in meat, sauces and any leftovers you might have.

Ingredients: 

• 1 whole-grain tortilla wrap
• 1 medium-sized can of black beans (cook in advance if needed)
• Cheese- sliced or grated

Simply spread ingredients over wrap, fold in all ends tightly and enjoy!

5 Easy Road Trip Sandwich ideas

Sometimes, simple is best. Here are some easy road trip sandwich ideas:

• Sausage or Bacon Sandwich – great for breakfast or lunch!
• Ham/Chicken/ Salami Sandwich – with or without cheese
• Jam or Peanut Butter Sandwich
• Egg Mayo Sandwich
• Tuna sandwich

Couscous is magical. Lighter than rice and so versatile. I make a big helping of this and it lasts for lunch and dinner quite happily.

The trick is to double the amount of liquid to cous cous. One cup couscous= 2 cups stock. I love to use chicken or vegetable stock. Nothing fancy; those little cubes in some boiling water are just fine. Stir until the cube disolves, then pour it over the couscous. Leave to stand for 10 minutes. The beauty of this is you can add whatever you like to it. We like lemon, mint, feta, avocado, red peppers, spring onions, celery… the list is endless. I generally make a bowl of plain couscous and we each add different fillings to it.

10 easy or make-ahead road trip meals for dinner

Ahhhh… now this is the fun part. Everyone’s been driving in the exact same motorhome for several hours… and as soon as you arrive somewhere and the van is parked up for the night, they all turn to you and ask ‘what’s for dinner?’…!

All of these recipes take no more than 30 minutes or you can make many of them ahead for the first few days of the trip.

TOP TIP- Be kind to yourself. Many people dislike ‘pre-made’ sauces, feeling that they’re ‘cheating’ if they don’t cook everything from scratch. But it’s your trip too, so don’t be judgemental about sauces from a jar. Yes, there might be a bit more sugar or salt- but it’s a heck of a lot better than a pizza or McDonalds. So be kind to yourself and make things easy.

Some easy or make-ahead meal ideas for dinners on the road:

• 3-way mince (Bolognaise, Chilli, Savoury)- can be made in the slow cooker

Spanish Omelette

• Easy make-ahead taco Bowl

Chicken Quinoa

• Pea/ Pesto Pasta

Cheats Pizza

3-way mince: bolognese, chilli or savoury.

Here’s the recipe for 3 way mince bulk cooking. You can get savoury mince, bolognese and chilli from 1 pack of mince. It’s the perfect ‘make-ahead’ recipe and is very easy to heat up on the road.

1 pack of 500g mince makes 5 meals: 2 x savoury mince 2 x chilli 1 x bolognese

Start with chopped onion, pepper, garlic and grated carrot all in one large pan with a little oil (or butter) until softened.

Split the mix between 3 pans & add the mince. Cut it long ways in the packet before adding so it’s easier to break up in the pan.

You can add any vegetables at this point. Previously I’ve used courgette, mushrooms and aubergine, all finely chopped. You can get 6/7/8 kinds of vegetables in there!

Brown the mince on a low to medium heat so it doesn’t clump together, break it up with a spoon as it cooks.  Add the seasoning to the chilli pan (cumin, turmeric, chilli powder, garlic powder and paprika) and garlic powder to the savoury mince & bolognese pans. 

Once browned, strain peas & sweetcorn (one small can of corn & 1 small can of peas and add to savoury mince pan.

Add one can of chopped tomatoes to the chilli pan & 1 to the bolognese, stir through. Drain and rinse the kidney beans and add to the chilli. I used half a can of beans, I’ll save the rest for a salad.

Rinse the tomato cans out with a little water & add to the savoury mince pan. Stir in Bisto granules (or beef stock & maybe cornflour or thickener as needed). Add a little Worcestershire sauce & pepper to taste.

Taste & adjust seasonings if necessary.

Divide & eat, or store in the fridge until ready.

Many thanks to Phillippa from PhilyaBelly for the recipe – follow her on Instagram

Serve with:

• Spaghetti, rice or potatoes.
• Garlic or crusty bread
• Grated cheese
• Side salad if your family will eat it.

I LOVE this Spanish Omelette. It’s so easy to make and only uses one pan.

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped

Heat the oil in large frying pan. Peel potatoes and slice thinly. Put the slices in the pan with the onion & garlic. Cover the pan and cook until the potatoes are tender, turning them occasionally. Beat the eggs.

When the potato and onion mixture is cooked, add it to the eggs and mix together. Heat another spoon of oil in the pan, and turn the heat down as low as it will go. Pour the egg, onion & potato mixture into the pan.

The essence of this dish is slow cooking and it should take about 20 minutes. When there is no liquid left turn omelette over for 2 minutes. It’s now ready to serve and eat! Delicious- perfect with salad or french loaf.

Lamb Kebabs

Take 500g (4 people) of lean lamb mince and add spices (salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, paprika… whatever you like!) Mould into balls or around a skewer and cook on BBQ or in oven until browned.

If using BBQ and wooden skewers, soak the skewers in water for about 30 minutes first.

Serve with Tzatziki- Greek yogurt, mint, lemon and cucumber

Easy make-ahead Taco bowl

• 1 can of beef
• ½ of a small jar of salsa
• Bag of tortilla chips
• 1 can of beans
• 1 avocado/ guacamole

Warm beef and cook beans as directed on label. Mix and add on top of chips (can be warmed in oven) Add Salsa, avocado/ guacamole, sour cream and grated cheese as desired (we pop the whole thing in the oven to melt the cheese.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/4 tsp. herb de Provence (or any herbs)
• 1 cup. quinoa
• 1/4 cup. white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup. olive oil
• 2 green onions
• 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 4 cup. rocket/ lettuce/ salad
• 2/3 cup. olives, quartered
• 12 oz. tomatoes, halved
• Season chicken breasts with herbs, salt and pepper. Grill 3 minutes per side on medium-high or until cooked through.
• Cook quinoa as label directs.
• Mix vinegar, olive oil, green onions, Dijon mustard and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss half of the vinaigrette with cooked quinoa, salad/ rocket, tomatoes and olives. Serve chicken over quinoa with remaining vinaigrette.

Pea / Pesto Pasta

• Pasta  
• fresh or frozen peas
• Chopped chives, for serving
• Cook pasta. Drain and return pasta to pot. 
• While pasta is cooking, roughly chop 1 cup peas. Add ricotta and lemon zest and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. 
• Add ricotta mixture, remaining 1/2 cup peas, and pasta water; toss to combine. Sprinkle with chopped chives, if desired.

Alternatively, cook pasta, add several large spoons of pesto and some grated cheese and mix well.

Salmon with rice and vegetables

We eat salmon a lot- it’s very good for you.

Grill (or use a low-wattage air fryer ) and serve with rice, couscous (see above) and vegetables.

Sure, you can make your own dough and add toppings- and if that works for you, then go for it. However, we cheat.

• Grab 2 pitta breads per person and pop them under the grill
• You want them warm, but not ‘crispy’
• Turn over, and spread with pesto (green or red)
• Add mozzarella cheese, ham, salami, mushrooms… whatever you like!
• Grill until bubbling

If you’d like more inspiration, here are a couple of our favourite camping cookbooks:

Healthy Road Trip Snacks

We’ve done an entire post on 15 quick & healthy road trip snacks (many of them Keto friendly) but here are a couple more ideas for you:

• 1 large can of tuna
• ½ cup of cranberries
• A packet of whole-grain crackers

First, take the tuna out from the can and empty it into a bowl. Next, mash a whole avocado and add it with the cranberries into the tuna. Use whole-grain crackers to dip into your tuna.

Apple Cookies

• 2 green apples
• Peanut butter
• Dark chocolate chips
• Almond slices

Cut an apple into slices that resemble a cookie, then layer the rest of the ingredients in between two slices to make the snack look like an apple sandwich. The snack will stay fresh in an ice cooler for two days.

Barabrith – great snack for afternoon tea!

Other things:

Whilst we’re on the subject, don’t forget to bring:

• Washing up liquid
• Big scrubbing pad for BBQ if using
• cleaning supplies
• Kitchen roll
• Bottle/ can opener
• Mugs and glasses
• Tea/ coffee/ sugar

How else can I help you today??

• See the BEST Road Trip Journal to record your adventures!
• Show me essential Road Trip Accessories
• Get 100+ essential road trip songs (+ playlist)
• Help me plan my road trip
• See gift ideas for road trippers

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

Last update on 2024-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Hi Kat I’ve not tried these yet but they get a good review on Amazon. As I’ve bought the barbecue you recommended in your blogs I thought I would try to keep my new BBQ clean as I absolutely hate scrubbing it after use. Just bought a pack to try on our trip to France in September BBQ Grill Mat, Set of 5 Beeway® Non Stick Barbecue Baking Mats for Charcoal, Gas or Electric Grill – Heat Resistant, Reusable and Easy to Clean, FDA Aproved – Bonus 12″ Just thought you may also find these useful

They look amazing- let me know how you find them 🙂

The https://wandering-bird.com website is one of the best we have found, and the 15 Easy Road Trip Meal Ideas article is very well written and useful! Thanks and kisses! 🙂

I recommend a ridge monkey for camper van cooking. You can cook chicken breasts, steaks, poach eggs, bake a cake, make an omelette, and it also makes great toast!

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41 No-Cook Meals for Your Next Travel Adventure

We’ve challenged ourselves to come up with the easiest dishes to prepare on a trip. You’ll love these no-cook meals for traveling!

Let’s be real … nobody wants to cook on their vacation. However, it isn’t economical to eat out every meal, and if you are off the grid camping, then you can’t anyway. Luckily, there are lots of great no-cook meals for traveling out there! They might take a bit of preparation beforehand, and you’ll definitely need a cooler or refrigerator of some sort, but it can be done! 

While the options for minimal-cook or prepare-before-hand meals are endless, we are going to challenge ourselves today. For this guide, we will only use only recipes that you need absolutely no heat source for, once you’re on the road.  That’s not to say, you couldn’t modify some of them to make even better meals cooked over a campfire or stove—like s’mores! 

App-Guided Travel Adventures

While you’re traveling, don’t forget to download our app and search for nearby scavenger hunts ! Each adventure is designed to help you get to know new places and learn fun facts. Search through hundreds of tours , pub crawls , art walks, and ghost hunts and find one perfect for you!

No-Cook Breakfast Meals for Traveling

​Breakfast is the most important meal of the day right? It certainly is if you plan on taking a long hike or spending the day in one of the blazing hot national parks of the Western United States. While packaged doughnuts are totally an option, let’s what else we can find!

1. Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are a simple and nutritious way to start the day. All you need is something to keep them cold. There are a million ways to make overnight oats.  Most recipes call for milk of some sort, your favorite nut butter, and then embellishments. For a banana bread flavor, try oats, almond butter, milk, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Mix, and allow to sit in the refrigerator or cooler overnight. You want your mixture to be fluid and runny, as the oats will absorb the milk overnight. Add cut bananas in the morning and enjoy! Many people choose to add flax seeds, yogurt, or chia seeds for extra protein. There’s no wrong way to do it, whatever ingredients you have on hand will do!

2. Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Chilled peanut butter balls are not only an amazing-tasting snack but they’re also packed with protein and all the sugar you need for a long hike. You can make them before you leave the house, and just throw them in the cooler. Five easy ingredients of chocolate chips, ground flaxseed, peanut butter or other nut butter, honey, and oats are all it takes for this perfect camping trip power breakfast.

3. British Bean Bites

Sounds weird to Americans, but the brits eat cold beans and bread for breakfast all the time. Open a can of baked beans and served atop crunchy french or focaccia bread! The British version would be more akin to Showboat Pork and Beans than saucy baked beans. They’re usually in a thin, tomato sauce, not a sweet, thick BBQ sauce. 

4. Yogurt Parfaits

Low-sugar yogurt is packed with healthy protein. Add a little granola and fresh fruit for a complete breakfast. We love this one because the ingredients are available at pretty much any grocery store and can be used for other quick meals as well. A large can of rolled oats and a big tub of original Greek yogurt should be on everyone’s packing list for a road trip or camping trip. 

5. Boiled Eggs

This is the one cheater on the list. You’ll have to cook them before you leave, but boiled eggs are valuable to have around. You can at them on their own, or use them in several of the recipes on our list. Boil a batch of 12 before you leave the house, and they will keep for a few days in the cooler. Eggs will keep you full for a while, have healthy protein, and pack easily. Just peel and eat! Plus, you can use them for several of the other recipes on our list.

6. Bagels and Cream Cheese

Don’t know about you, but there’s nothing much better than an “everything bagel.” Pack a brick of cream cheese or goat cheese in your cooler, and you are good to go. You can top with blueberries for some extra anti-oxidants, or sprinkle with un-salted sunflower seeds for a little extra belly-filling protein. 

7. Banana and Peanut Butter

It’s simple, but it’s effective. Just beware with this one if you are sensitive to sugars. Bananas are a high sugar item, so you might consider pairing them with organic nut butter with no extra sugar added. Add a glass of your favorite milk, and you are good to go!

Better yet …

8. Banana Cereal

Nope, we don’t mean put bananas on your cereal, we mean make banana cereal. This was grandma’s specialty. We loved it, and your kids will love it, assuming they like bananas. Cut up the banana in thin slices, sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon and douse in milk. Eat up!

9. Avocado toast

There’s nothing you can’t do with the superfood avocado. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it will show up everywhere on this list. It’s easy to pack, easy to find in most stores, and works to eat by itself, as a garnish, or as a spread or dip. It truly is a superfood. Since you likely won’t have a toaster, and it’s not as good on untoasted bread, consider grabbing some English muffins from the store. Mash your avocado a bit, making it soft. Spread over your muffin. Shred some of your boiled egg over the top and add a few diced tomatoes or spicy salsa … breakfast of champs!

10. Muffins

One of our favorite road trip treats is Otis Spunkmeyer Chocolate Chocolate Chip muffins. There is just something about them that screams wreckless vacation abandon! 

11. Chia Pudding

Like overnight oats, chia pudding can be made beforehand and kept in the refrigerator. A good chia pudding base only needs 3 ingredients: Chia seeds, milk, and something sweet. For a little extra flair, combine chia seeds, your favorite milk, pureed strawberries, or another berry, and a bit of yogurt. Let it sit in the fridge overnight, and the chia seeds will suck up all the liquid, expand, and turn into a kind of gelatinous pudding. Top with almonds and coconut shreds or cacao nibs for the perfect treat! Add a bit of honey if you need some sweetness. 

12. Just be gross, you’re on vacation

When all else fails, Poptarts are tasty. It’s not ideal on the health front, but there is no shame in having some easy, premade stuff on your vacation. While you certainly don’t want to eat 5 Little Debbies a day (well, you might want to, but you probably shouldn’t) it never hurts to have one. There’s nothing better to celebrate conquering that beast of a hike than a Cosmic Brownie. You earned it. If you are absolutely against big-brand packaged foods and all their harmful grossness, there are some stellar organic options out there for granola bars, breakfast bars, and even brownies. 

No-Cook Lunchtime Meals for Traveling

Lunch on a trip needs to be quick, easy, and filling. If you are traveling alone, that’s super easy, but if you need to please a whole picky family, we don’t envy you. That job is much harder. Good luck to you! Hopefully, you’ll find something below that your clan will enjoy. 

13. Charcuterie board

You’ll be the fanciest road-trippers at the RV park with this one. Cold cuts, salami, fresh cucumbers, cubed cheese, an assortment of nuts, grapes, and some tomato slices, and you have a lunch that not only fuels your body but looks super pretty! We love charcuterie boards because they’re easy to feed a lot of people with, and littles can come by and pick up a healthy bite as they play. It can be stuck in the fridge and pulled out later too, so it just works great. 

14. Egg Salad Sandwiches

You still have those boiled eggs right? Turn them into yummy egg salad and slap it on a sandwich. Pair with some potato chips, and get back on the trail!

15. Good Old Peanut Butter and Jelly

Hey, don’t knock it. It’s an American classic, and it is tasty whether you are 3 or 93. 

16. Tuna salad

Tuna salad is another protein-packed option that is easy to carry on the road. Buy some packets or cans, or better yet fresh tuna if you live somewhere you can get it. Add your favorite fixings. This tuna salad recipe with red onion, dijon mustard, and celery is super tasty! Serve with crackers or as a sandwich. It doesn’t get much easier. Tuna is handy to have around, as you can also add it to pre-bought pasta salads for a little extra protein or make tuna-stuffed avocados for dinner (later). 

17. Chicken Caesar Wraps

Chicken Caesar wraps are one of the best backpacking recipes. Whether you choose to grab a rotisserie chicken at the store before you leave or go with canned chicken, either way, it makes for a delicious meal. This chicken Caesar recipe with whole wheat tortillas , parmesan cheese, and cherry tomatoes is simple and yummy! 

18. Crab Salad

The grainy mustard and sharp cheddar in this creamy crab salad recipe make it extra delicious! However, like tuna or chicken salad, you can pretty much throw everything but the kitchen sink in a crab salad or put nothing but mayo, and it will be just fine in a pinch. Plop it in a pita bread pocket, and pair it with some fresh veggies, and you have the perfect lunch.

19. Berry Salad

Add a little extra beauty to your boring salad with some colorful berries.  Romaine lettuce topped with strawberries, blueberries, shaved almonds, and feta cheese or goat cheese is a quick, healthy camper lunch. Throw on your favorite dressing, we love this Brianna’s blueberry balsamic vinaigrette . 

20. Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

Pimento cheese is one of those things that we rarely eat unless we are traveling. Grab a tub at the store and use it on sandwiches, crackers, or as a spread for fresh veggies. It also makes a good addition to veggie tortilla wraps, lettuce wraps, or pinwheels.

21. Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Here’s where those ten cans of shredded chicken you bought are going to come in handy. Chicken salad can be very plain or really fancy. We love this cranberry pecan chicken salad recipe ! For a healthier option, omit the bread and serve as a lettuce wrap!

22. Smoked Salmon Stacks

A few packets of pre-cooked salmon are also nice to have around for fish tacos, to throw on your salad for a little extra filler, or to make this tasty lunch treat. This flatbread salmon stack is an easy option that requires just a bit of meal prep, so you might want to start the night before. If that is too much work, just load up some Ritz crackers with a bit of salmon, a slice of avocado, and a dash of salt and pepper for a quick and easy lunch. 

No-Cook Dinnertime Meals for Traveling

Dinner is probably the hardest category on the list, at least for Americans. We tend to save our largest meal for the end of the day, and we generally want something warm. So, a completely no-cook dinner is out of the normal for many of us (though sandwich or cereal night is certainly not unheard of in our house)! 

23. Greek Salad

A traditional Greek salad is not only healthy and tasty, but goodness it is pretty. While recipes vary all over the Mediterranean and the Balkans, they generally consist of fresh diced tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and sometimes bell peppers, red onions, and cucumbers. You can make it any way you want, with whatever you have. Toss in a little olive oil or vinaigrette and a pinch of salt. Magnifique!

24. Stuffed Avocados

This is one of our favorite no-cook camping meals. Split an avocado, and remove the pit. Fill the center with a plop of your favorite meat salad. Sprinkle with salt and pepper or paprika. You can use any of the meat you have, salmon, chicken, tuna. Use the leftover tuna salad from yesterday’s lunch. Another option is to make taco-stuffed avocados . All you need is a taco-seasoning packet to add to the meat and veg you already have on hand!

25. Crab Ceviche

Ceviche is a cold seafood dish, popular all over Central America. It is traditionally made with fresh fish, lime juice, peppers, red onion, and whatever else you have on hand at the time! You can use any of the packaged or prebought fish you have to create “ camping ceviche .” For a side dish, whip up some 7-layer dip and tortilla chips for a complete no-cook dinner!

26. Veggie Gyros

These vegetable gyros feature our favorite item-avocadoes, plus chickpeas and yummy tzatziki spread. Chickpeas are packed with protein and all these veggies will get you to your daily allotment of vitamins and fiber. For the meat lovers in the group, you can easily add chicken you have on hand! 

27. Mexican 3-bean salad with guacamole

… Oh, sorry! Just dreaming about this Mexican 3-bean salad ! It might be a favorite meal idea on this list. Hiking and exploring make you hungry, and all the beans in this baby give you the fiber you need for a good night’s sleep! Pair it with fresh guacamole for the ultimate easy camping meal.  

28. Layered Taco Salad

Take some of that chicken you brought and mix in some taco seasoning. In a large bowl, layer it with cheese, beans, lettuce, and crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos. Alternate your layers of each until the bowl is full. Let everyone choose their own toppings of guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. 

Mexican food is the easiest no-cook dinner to make. Layer nachos with shredded canned meat, beans, and all the veggies and toppings you like! If you can warm your meat and beans, that’s great, but it is just as good cold!

Snack Ideas or Side Dishes

You’ll likely be more active on your vacation than you are in normal daily life. It seems most of us need a vacation from our vacation by the time we get home. So, you are going to need more fuel than usual. Plus, if you have kids in tow, then snacks are a primary food group (maybe the only food group)! Make sure you have some good ones on board!

30. Veggies and Hummus

Nothing super inventive here, but it’s easy and effective. Plus, you might get your picky ones to eat a carrot or bell pepper stick if it is slathered in yummy hummus or guacamole. You could make a big batch of homemade hummus before your trip, or make it easy on yourself and buy some tasty flavors at the store.

31. Trail Mix

No surprise here, trail mix is a great idea to have on hand. It fits easily in the backpack for long hikes. You can throw the bag at a kid in the backseat when needed, and it is filled with tummy-filling protein. Make your own trail mix , or snag a giant premade bag from Amazon before your trip!

32. Fresh-Fruit Salad

Nothing screams summer like a bowl of fresh fruit. This fruit salad with citrus dressing is delightful and is the perfect anecdote for that summer heat! You might even convince your kids to eat something healthy today. 

33. Beef Jerky

Beef jerky just belongs in a backpack. They go hand in hand. 

34. Pesto Pinwheels

Pinwheels are a classic party appetizer, but they also make a great one-bite snack. We love these pinwheels , but there are many great ones out there, so use what you have on hand! It does take a little bit of meal prep time as they need to sit in the refrigerator or cooler for several hours to set up. 

35. Deli Rolls

Don’t know about you, but to us, there isn’t anything better than a slice of your favorite cheese, rolled up inside of a piece of deli meat. Admit it, you have done it. You can make it fancy with a hummus spread or olive-decorated toothpick! It’s quick, easy, filling, and budget-friendly. We love it!

No-Cook Snacks for Traveling

36. s’mores.

Okay, so the best s’mores require a little smoking on a campfire, but technically you can make them with uncooked marshmallows. They’re still super tasty!

37. To-Go Banana Pudding

The banana version is the best, but you can try this treat with any premade pudding cup of your liking. Crush a bag of Vanilla wafers. Add it to your pudding cup. Slice up a banana for garnish and plop a dollop of Cool Whip on top. Yummm.

38. No-Bake Lemon Tarts

Lemon pudding snack packs can easily be turned into a tart. Line a small bowl, or just make a pile of finely crushed Graham crackers. Slather on a healthy slab of cold lemon pudding, and top with your favorite whipped topping. Sprinkle on nuts or coconut shavings to taste!

39. Cottage Cheese and Dried Fruit

This one won’t please everyone, but if you love it, you love it! Cottage cheese has healthy fat and is a good source of protein. It will keep you full, and if you top it with some sweet dried pineapple, it’s pretty tasty!

40. Fresh Strawberries and Whipped Topping

Strawberries topped with a little sugar take on a totally different flavor! If you don’t use granulated sugar, honey works just as well. Slice them up, add your honey or sugar, and allow them to sit in a cold environment for at least 4 hours. If you want a lush dessert, stock up on some pre-made angel food cakes or make one at home before your trip. The decadent strawberry mixture on top of some food cake with whipped topping is a fantastic dessert any day of the week!

41. Fruit Pizza

Pizza! Create this delectable treat with granola, nut butter, cinnamon, and chopped almonds. Combine together to make a delicious crust. You can add honey if you use unsweetened nut butter. Press into a pie pan or dish, or just press flat on parchment paper. Let chill in the refrigerator or ice chest for at least an hour. Cover in yogurt or softened cream cheese, then sprinkle with your favorite fresh fruits, cacao nibs, or drizzle with chocolate syrup!

Other Staples To Keep On Hand

If you tried to make everything on this list, your entire camper would be full of food and ingredients. Instead, try to group your choices by recipes that use and reuse a smaller number of ingredients. Remember you can always repurpose your leftovers from day 1 lunch for day 2 dinner. Get creative. With this sample shopping list, you’ll be able to create several dishes.

• Canned or packed meats: tuna, salmon, and chicken
• Canned beans of several varieties
• Boiled eggs
• Lots of fresh fruit and veggies
• A tub of your favorite “crumbled” cheese – Feta or goat.
• A jar of nut butter
• A large bag of mixed nuts and seeds
• Your favorite multi-purpose bread
• Mayonnaise and brown mustard
• Granola or oats
• Olive oil and lemon juice or a vinaigrette dressing
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Closing Thoughts

Just because you don’t want to cook doesn’t mean you can’t eat like a king on your vacation. With a little forethought, some smart shopping, and perhaps a small amount of meal planning before you leave, you can ensure that you have everything you need to whip up fast, easy meals on the go. 

What are your go-to camping or travel meals? Let us know in the comments!

Going on a long hike? Here are a few more “ Healthy Travel Snack Ideas To Keep Your Belly Full. ” 

If you want an epic camping adventure this summer, check out our list of the “ 20 Best National Parks In The USA .”

Frequently Asked Questions

No one wants to cook on vacation. Some of the best no-cook traveling meals are not only filling but healthy too. While camping, try stuffed avocados, crab salad, or camping ceviche.

Travel food should be easy, and the ingredients versatile. Some of the best no-cook traveling meals can be made with bread, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit, and vegetables. And don’t knock canned ingredients!

It’s always best to seek travel advice from experts ! For starters, download travel apps to save on fares and an adventure app for fun. Also, plan some no-cook meals to fuel up between adventures.

Featured Products & Activities

30 Best Tailgate Appetizers to Snack On Before Kickoff

A football game is only as good as the snacks.

Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Securing tickets to the big football game is enough worry about: Let this handy guide be your saving grace for putting on the perfect tailgate spread ! This touchdown list is full of hot and cold party dips , cheesy sliders , chicken wings , and even some slow cooker recipes that'll have your game day crowd cheering long before kickoff.

Fuel up for a morning game with pigs in a blanket and festive rainbow fruit skewers. Or, take your game day food the lunch route with Italian sandwiches cut in bite-sized portions, ranch oyster crackers, saucy chicken wings, and finger foods galore. We're talking cheesy zucchini pizza bites and crispy chicken taquitos, just to name a few. Of course, it wouldn't be a tailgate without a few different dips on the menu. Here, you'll find tons to choose from like a hot and bubbly bean dip and easy-to-serve bacon ranch cheddar dip, plus a million dollar dip that'll win any team over. These addictive dips, along with indulgences like Ree Drummond's three-ingredient, bacon-wrapped jalapeño thingies are just as good mid-morning as they are during a night time game. One bite of these winning tailgate foods and everyone will be doing a victory dance.

Bring this cheesy bean dip to a watch party and it'll be gone before kickoff! Baking it and serving it in a cast-iron skillet helps keep the dip warm.

Get Ree's Bean Dip recipe .

SHOP CAST-IRON SKILLETS

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip

Every tailgate party needs a delicious ranch dip. This one just so happens to be loaded with crispy bacon and cheddar cheese, too. Festive mini cups make the perfect easy-serve vessel.

Get Ree's Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip recipe .

Zucchini Pizza Bites

It's rare to find a delicious veggie on a tailgate menu, but everyone will be so glad to see these cheesy pizza zucchini bites on the table.

Get the Zucchini Pizza Bites recipe .

Piled high reuben sandwiches aren't exactly the perfect party snack, but this dip sure is! It has everything you love about the sandwich. It's even scooped up with rye and pumpernickel chips.

Get Ree's Reuben Dip recipe .

Ranch Oyster Crackers

Everyone will be reaching for handfuls of these zesty party mix! The great thing about this recipe is that it's easy to make a few days in advance and take on the go.

Get the Ranch Oyster Crackers recipe .

SHOP SERVING BOWLS

Million Dollar Dip

The name says it all for this extraordinary game day dip! It's made with creamy cheese, mayo, cheddar, green onion, and a combo of crisp bacon and slivered almonds for crunch.

Get the Million Dollar Dip recipe .

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

The first question when planning any tailgate menu is, "Who's bringing the wings?" Present fellow hungry fans with these cheesy, garlicky wings, and the answer will always be YOU!

Get the Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings recipe .

Rainbow Fruit Breakfast Skewers

Struggling with what to bring to that morning tailgate? Look no further than these cute-as-can-be fruit skewers with yogurt dip! The sprinkled doughnut hole on the end may just be the best part.

Get the Rainbow Fruit Breakfast Skewers recipe .

Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

Snag a ball of refrigerated pizza dough from the supermarket and watch these rolls come to life in no time flat! They're an epic pull-apart snack for game day. Be sure to dunk 'em in marinara!

Get Ree's Pepperoni Pizza Rolls recipe .

Cranberry-Pecan Cheese Ball

Everyone loves a cheese ball, and this one will become your new go-to for fall parties and tailgates. It's rolled in sweet dried cranberries and crunchy pecans. Yum!

Get Ree's Cranberry-Pecan Cheese Ball recipe .

SHOP SERVING PLATTERS

The creamy base of this dip only requires a handful of ingredients, but you can go wild with the toppings! Shredded cheese, jalapeños, black olives, shredded lettuce, tomato—you name it!

Get the Taco Dip recipe .

Ham and Cheese Sliders

On long game days, no snack is too hearty, and these quick and easy ham and cheese sliders are the perfect last-minute appetizer to bring to the tailgate. They're ready in about 35 minutes!

Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe .

Jalapeño Popper Dip

Every tailgate food table needs a round up jalapeño poppers. No matter if you make them the traditional way, or opt for this easy, cheesy dip, everyone will be happy!

Get the Jalapeño Popper Dip recipe .

Chicken Nachos

Exciting game days deserve game day grub, and that's exactly what these nachos are! Topped with saucy chicken, tons of cheese, and all your favorite fixings, they're good till the last chip.

Get Ree's Chicken Nachos recipe .

Crock-Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

A slow cooker is always the hero of the tailgate. What else can keep a dip piping hot for several hours with no effort? Fill yours with this creamy, spicy Buffalo chicken dip. It's downright addictive!

Get the Crock-Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe .

SHOP SLOW COOKERS

Sausage Rolls

Morning games call for breakfast-style game day snacks, and these savory sausage rolls are bite-sized and so delicious! You can even portion the rolls ahead of time, then pop them in the freezer to bake off just before it's tailgate time.

Get the Sausage Rolls recipe .

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Let your air fryer do all the hard work for the crispiest chicken wings ever! Once they're done cooking, you can toss 'em in buffalo sauce or barbecue sauce, or just enjoy them plain with ranch.

Get the Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe .

Sausage Dip

Take this dip from stovetop to table right in a cast-iron skillet! It's made of just three ingredients and ready in 5 minutes—seriously! If you plan to travel with it, though, transfer it to a baking dish before baking for easier transport.

Get the Sausage Dip recipe .

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies

Using just three ingredients, Ree Drummond's favorite poppers couldn't be easier. All it takes is fresh jalapeños, cream cheese, and bacon, and you've got a snack everyone will devour.

Get Ree's Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies recipe .

Cheeseburger Sliders

There's no patty flipping required for these burger sliders! You simply pile seasoned, cooked ground beef onto the buns with plenty of cheese, pickles, and burger sauce.

Get the Cheeseburger Sliders recipe .

SHOP SHEET PANS

On Game Day, Everyone Will Cheer for These Snacks

30 Sweet Desserts to Pack Up for a Tailgate

Heading to a Tailgate? Bring Along These Foods

Try Mini Cheeseburger Calzones For Dinner Tonight

Make Creamy Chicken And Corn Chili For Dinner

How To Make Easy Chili Verde

How to Make Cauliflower Chili

Football Cereal Treats Are Sure to Win Big!

These Nachos Are Eaten Straight from a Sheet Pan

Ree's Cheesy Bean Dip Is Hot and Bubbly

How To Make Pull Apart Queso Sliders

Make Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Mix For The Big Game

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12 Easy 3-Ingredient Labor Day Recipes for Your Summer Send-Off

Simplify your end-of-summer soirée with these recipes that call for three ingredients (or fewer).

Corey Williams is a food writer for MyRecipes and Allrecipes. She has a decade of journalism experience.

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Kiss summer goodbye with a proper send-off instead of spending the day in the kitchen. With these 3-ingredient recipes, you can enjoy your Labor Day party and serve up a delicious spread that'll keep your friends coming back for more—from dinner to dessert.

Easy 3-Ingredient Cheese Pinwheels

"This is my go-to finger food for any party—t's super quick and easy to make and all you need is puff pastry, cheese, and herbed cream cheese." —superchef

Creamy Bruschetta Dip

Bailey Fink

"This fresh bruschetta dip is guaranteed to make an appearance at many of my events this summer—but I’ll let you in on another secret. I added the leftover Boursin-bruschetta mixture to some cooked noodles and made the easiest creamy pasta salad." —Bailey Fink

3-Ingredient Baked BBQ Chicken Wings

"This BBQ sauce is unexplainable. Its not a rich BBQ but not quite a honey BBQ either. You'll love these!" —Melissa

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Allrecipes/Julia Hartbeck

"Root beer and pulled pork might not seem like a likely pairing but here it makes all the difference. Topped with your favorite BBQ sauce, it's sure to bring rave reviews." —Livia's Mommy

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

"These easy slow cooker chicken tacos are easy to make with just 3 ingredients in your Crock-Pot. Spoon the filling into warm tortillas for a very tasty meal any day of the week." —Ashlie Boucher

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Pops

"Ice cream cake on a stick, crunchies and all! The shell coating against the cake part of the ice cream sandwich gives it the most amazing texture." —Nicole McLaughlin

Magic Pickle Dip

"An easier version of my family's favorite snack. I used to make them as a wrap but I find this so much easier! Serve with whole wheat crackers." —Futurechef6912

Brown Sugar Smokies

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"These bacon-wrapped little smokies with a brown sugar glaze are yummy! You can make these little smokies on skewers or toothpick them to secure." —TINACLINKENBEARD

Grilled Sliced Zucchini

"Try this recipe for sliced zucchini on the grill if you have too many squash in your garden. It's a quick and delicious summer recipe." —Nancy

Grilled Corn on the Cob

"Grilled corn on the cob with butter, salt, and a little pepper cooked in foil will be perfectly tender and sweet. Easy to prep and perfect for every summer barbecue." —SUETEITSMA

Marie's Peach Dump Cake

"A friend gave me this recipe and it has always been a pleaser. This is a very quick and easy dessert. It's a recipe friends and family ask me to make for gatherings." —Marie

Allrecipes / abapplez

"Hearty comfort food meets hand-held convenience in the home-style dish affectionately called “Uglies.” These meaty, cheesy, and—best of all— easy  bites deliver big flavor in a small package. They might not be lookers, but they sure do know how to win a crowd." —Annie Campbell

More Inspiration

• Our Most-Saved Labor Day Recipe of All-Time Is a 5-Star Favorite
• 17 Recipes For A Perfect Labor Day Cookout
• 14 Perfect Plum, Peach, and Pear Desserts for Late Summer

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How this portable battery helps me go places with my dog.

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Anker Solix C1000 review: Portability with impressive power output

How to turn your android phone into a wi-fi hotspot, review: the pebblebee clip for android's biggest problem is google.

There's nothing as enjoyable as hitting the road with my partner and our dog to explore new places and get a bowl of fresh air while we soak up the beauty of nature. While this sounds fun, long trips take planning. Given our pet's raw diet, his meals must stay fresh and cool during long road trips. Also, while we love the excitement of new adventures, our floofball gets messy after playing with friends in the forest, taking a swim, and having playtime at the beach.

That's where the Anker Solix C1000 comes in. It's one of the best and most versatile portable power stations and is the perfect companion to power devices and small electrical products when power isn't available. This is perfect while camping and on adventure getaways.

Anker Solix C1000: Portability with impressive power output

With 1800W output and a recharge time of under one hour, you'll have power nearly anywhere you need it

Keeping my dog's food fresh and safe

An easy way to power a portable cooler.

Traveling with a dog that eats raw meat can be tricky. The food needs to stay fresh to avoid going bad, and that's easier said than done when you're on the road without a reliable power source. The Anker Solix C1000 helps us travel with peace of mind.

I use it to power a portable cooler that keeps my dog's food at the right temperature all day. This way, I don't have to worry about his food spoiling and can focus on enjoying our time together. The battery stays in the car or at our campsite, making sure everything's cool.

The Anker Solix C1000 has regular AC outlets and a 12V DC car socket, helping power small coolers and larger, power-hungry mini-fridges. This makes it a versatile option to power any fridge or cooler that fits your needs.

Beach days with a breeze

An easy way to blow away the sand and dirt.

Our dog loves the beach even more than we do. He runs around, plays on the sand, and cools down while swimming with friends. However, he ends up wet and full of sand, making it almost impossible for him to get in the car carrying that much dirt and sand. The same applies to trails or hikes, where he ends up muddy, dirty, and not suitable to jump into the car, even if we use a cover to protect the seats.

That's where the Anker Solix C1000 comes in handy. I use it to power a pet blower to dry him and remove the excess mud, dirt, and sand from his fur. This way, he only brings a little dirt into the car while traveling with dry and clean fur. We also use the Anker Solix C1000 to power a cooler and keep our drinks cold, ensuring we can drink refreshing beverages to beat the heat.

Camping comforts far from home

Portable power, effortlessly.

Camping off the grid is a fun way to unwind and connect with nature. However, being accustomed to modern technology, it's often hard to go for several hours without a reliable power source. The Anker Solix C1000 powers almost everything we need.

We use it to cook meals with a portable induction stove and light up a tent with the built-in LED and power sockets to plug in a light. It can even keep a heated blanket running on chilly nights under the stars. It's a comfort to know that no matter how remote our campsite is, we have reliable power at our fingertips.

Staying connected and powered up

Charging devices, hassle-free.

One challenge of being in nature is staying connected, especially when we're miles away from the nearest outlet. The Anker Solix C1000 is equipped with USB-C and USB-A ports, making it easy to keep our devices charged. Whether it's my phone, camera, or laptop, the Solix C1000 ensures we're never out of power.

This is especially useful if I need to navigate, capture photos, or work remotely. Knowing I can stay connected, even in the middle of nowhere, gives me peace of mind and allows me to immerse myself in the experience without thinking about dead batteries.

One device to connect 'em all

Easy charging, anytime, anywhere

Unfold a panel for free power.

One of the best things about the Anker Solix C1000 is how easy it is to recharge. Whether at home, on the road, or in the middle of nowhere, there's a way to keep the battery topped up. The foldable solar panels, available in different sizes and power outputs (100W, 200W, or 400W), are portable and easy to carry. They allow me to recharge the battery during the day, even while it's in use, making it perfect for extended stays in the wilderness.

When I'm at home, I can recharge the Solix C1000 by plugging it into a regular power socket when the weather isn't great. On sunny days, I can put a solar panel in the garden or on the balcony to charge it without paying for the generated power. Lastly, if we're on a long road trip and run low on battery, I can recharge the Anker Solix C1000 by plugging it into the car's DC port, ensuring we're always ready for our next adventure.

A reliable power source for every adventure

It'll go wherever you go.

While the Anker Solix C1000 is too bulky to carry around during hikes or walks, it's a lifesaver to take in the car's trunk and use at the campsite or the beach. It powers everything we need, from keeping food fresh to getting a quick blow dry. It even helps us stay connected with devices that are fully powered up. It isn't perfect for every situation, but it's been amazing for what we use it for.

The Anker Solix C1000 makes our outdoor adventures with our dog smoother, more comfortable, and more fun. It's a must-have for our trips, letting us enjoy more time outdoors without worrying about power. Whether camping, going to the beach, or spending the day exploring, the Solix C1000 has us covered. And when we use Google Gemini to plan a vacation , it makes every adventure with our dog even better.

Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station

The Anker Solix C1000 is a midsize power station with big power potential. The 1056Wh LFP battery can kick out up to 1800W of power and surge up to 2400W to run many of your typical electrical devices using standard outlets, USB-A, USB-C, or a 12V car socket. Even better is you can recharge this C1000 from 0-100% in under an hour.

• Portable Power Station

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling With Your Pet

By Mel Plaut

Mel Plaut is a writer covering pets. They have tested hundreds of products for our best animal friends, including dog beds and pet fountains.

As someone who’s flown internationally with three cranky cats and road-tripped across the country with a dog prone to car sickness, I fully understand the stresses, messes, and joys of traveling with your pet.

I’m not alone in this: About 78% of Americans with pets are bringing their furry BFFs along on trips, both long and short, according to the American Pet Products Association.

It takes a bit of extra planning and packing, but if your animal companion is your “ride or die,” we’ve compiled some hard-earned tips (and expert advice) to help make the journey more pleasant for them—and for you.

First, make sure your pet is okay to travel

Never let your pet ride loose in a car, contain your pet in a carrier or kennel on car rides, your dog hates carriers try a crash-tested harness in the car, if you’re flying with your pet in the cabin, get a carrier that can fit under the seat, carriers and kennels should be snug but comfy, acclimate your pet to their travel gear before you go, reserve pet-friendly accommodations in advance, be ready to get messy, help alleviate motion sickness and anxiety, keep food and water on hand, keep your pet cool, stick to your pet’s schedule, if possible.

Before packing your pet into a car or plane, ask your vet if it’s safe for them to travel. Some pets may be too old or have health issues that can be exacerbated by a long trip. If your vet gives the all-clear, make sure your pet has a microchip and is up to date on their vaccinations. And bring their vaccination card and relevant medical records with you.

Dogs (and cats who’ll allow it) should always wear an ID tag or collar with their name and your contact info on it. You should also label their carrier or kennel with this information.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has an excellent set of tips and resources that can help ensure your pet’s safety on a trip.

There are few government regulations about animal safety on the road, but all of the experts we spoke with agreed that pets should always be restrained during car travel.

A loose pet can become a projectile in a crash: They can sustain blunt-force trauma, and they might also fly into you and your fellow human passengers, causing further harm. When dogs and cats (and other animals) are allowed to wander around your car, it can also lead to distracted driving, which increases the risk of a crash, according to Molly Racette, a veterinarian and professor of emergency and critical care at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. And afterward, a free-roaming pet might get out and run away, which is the last thing you want in the middle of a crisis.

The safest thing is to restrain your pets in the back of the vehicle, either on the back seat, on the rear floor, or in an SUV’s cargo area. As much as you may want them near you, they shouldn’t ride shotgun—airbags can also injure an animal.

Open windows pose another risk, especially if an animal is loose in the car. Racette’s clinic sees “a fair number of dogs who fall or jump out of those windows” and get hurt that way. Dogs can also get eye injuries from hanging their heads out the window, so it’s best to keep them fully inside the car.

The sucky thing about driving is you never know when a crash might happen. Full-body containment—that is, where you put your pet inside a box made for travel—is generally considered the safest option for short and long drives. A crash-tested carrier—like the Diggs Passenger or the Sleepypod Air , our travel-carrier picks for cats and small dogs—may give you some extra peace of mind. And it might even fit under a plane seat.

Diggs Passenger Travel Carrier

Crash-tested, with a unique pee-pad system.

This crash-tested carrier stays secure in the back seat, and it has an innovative side-access panel, so you can swap out a pee pad without having to remove your pet.

Buying Options

Sleepypod Air In-Cabin Pet Carrier

Designed to squeeze under an airplane seat.

This crash-tested carrier has a water-repellant interior that prevents leaks. And it has bendable bottom edges, to help it fit under an airplane seat.

There are also a few crash-tested kennels available for large dogs. These are usually made from a strong, roto-molded plastic or aluminum. But they can be heavy, making it difficult for some people to lift and move them around. They also take up a ton of space in a car.

Recently, I’ve been using an inflatable kennel, the Diggs Enventur , for car rides with Dave, my dog, a 65-pound mystery mutt. (Our longest journey so far has been a round-trip drive from the Midwest to Los Angeles.) The Enventur isn’t crash-rated, but it’s lightweight and surprisingly durable. And it compresses down into a tidy bundle when I need to put something bulky in the back of my car instead of the dog.

Diggs Enventur Inflatable Travel Dog Kennel

A versatile, inflatable travel kennel.

This lightweight, inflatable kennel is durable and easy to carry. It deflates into a small bundle when you need more space on non-dog journeys.

Regardless of whether a carrier or kennel is crash-tested, you’ll need to keep it stable—always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for securing a carrier or kennel to your car’s seat belt, tie-down anchors, or LATCH system. For cats especially, “it’s really easy for them to get jostled a lot,” and that can scare them even during regular driving, said Juliet Caviness, a veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

If a carrier isn’t designed to attach to a seat belt, then it “would be better placed behind the front driver or passenger seat on the floor of the vehicle,” said Lindsey Wolko, founder of the Center for Pet Safety , which does independent crash-testing.

Any restraint is better than no restraint. And if your dog goes into full-scale fight mode when you try to put them in a carrier or kennel, a seat belt harness that’s been crash-tested might be your best option for car trips.

If you use a harness, make sure the connection to the seat belt is short and secure. If the attachment is too long, an animal can get tangled up in it, and they can still become a projectile in a crash. And never connect your pet to a car by their collar—that can cause strangulation.

We don’t recommend tethers or ziplines—several experts we spoke with consider them to be unsafe. “Avoid them like the plague. Tethers should be removed from the marketplace,” Wolko told us. “ We have scientifically proven that they increase the risk of injury for all vehicle occupants, including the people and the dog.”

For in-cabin air travel, if your pet is not a service animal, they must travel in a carrier that fits under the airplane seat. But always check with your airline beforehand to make sure your bag will make it onboard. “The airlines are changing the requirements for the sizing of carriers on a regular basis because they’re trying to build a better sardine can for us,” Wolko said. What’s more, the sizing requirements vary from airline to airline and from aircraft to aircraft.

Ticket agents likely won’t scrutinize a carrier if it’s a few inches too big, especially soft-sided models that can compress down a bit. I’ve flown both domestically and internationally with my chonky cats in slightly oversize carriers—including an earlier version of the carrier we found to be best for cats and small dogs , the compressible SturdiBag Pro 2.0 —and no one ever broke out the measuring tape. But you don’t want to push it too far or you can risk being denied boarding.

SturdiBag Pro 2.0

A flexible carrier that can be squished a bit.

This carrier is almost fully machine-washable, so it’s perfect for pets who are prone to messy accidents. Because of its flexible construction, you can squeeze it under a plane seat, but it might stick out slightly, depending on the aircraft.

If you’re flying with a dog who can’t fit into an in-cabin carrier, you’ll have to decide whether you want to let your pet ride in the cargo hold . But this is a big decision, and you’ll be limited in your options. For those who aren’t active military service members or with the State Department, United and Delta have both stopped shipping pets as cargo. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines still allow civilian pets to travel as cargo (as of this writing), but each airline may have breed, temperature, and geographic restrictions. It may feel incredibly stressful to fly with your pet in an airplane’s cargo hold, but at least the general requirements on which kennel to use are relatively straightforward: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) publishes kennel guidelines used by most commercial airlines.

No matter what, don’t forget to make a reservation for your pet in advance. There’s usually a fee associated, and some airlines limit the number of animals allowed on each flight. If you’re flying internationally, check the USDA’s site for your destination country’s pet travel requirements.

Every expert we spoke with agreed that an animal should be able to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie back down in any enclosure. But travel kennels and carriers should have less space inside than your dog’s crate at home. When a kennel or carrier has a snugger fit, there’s less room for an animal to bang around during an emergency, and that can help minimize blunt-force trauma, according to Racette.

Still, there’s very little consistency in specific sizing recommendations, and each manufacturer seems to have a different opinion in terms of how to size their product for your pet. So make sure the seller has a good return policy, in case a kennel or carrier turns out to be too small or too large.

Introduce your pets to their carriers or kennels well before leaving for a trip, so they don’t associate them only with the trauma of travel. If your pets aren’t used to being contained, and you contain them for the first time the day you leave, “they may throw a full-fledged tantrum because they don’t understand that the crate is a safe space,” warned Brandi Hunter Munden, VP of PR and communications at the American Kennel Club .

You should also get a harness for your cat and acclimate them to it before travel. A harness will let you attach your cat to a carrier’s interior leash tether, which can prevent them from bolting into the dark recesses of your car or, worse, an airplane if you have to open the carrier. Plus, when you remove the cat from their carrier to go through security, a harness will give you something to hang onto if (when) they try to squirm out of your arms.

Just make sure the harness is a good fit—not too loose or too tight. In the month before our Italy trip, I put my cats in their little “vests” every day, building up to a few hours at a time. The extra-small-size Voyager —it’s a pick in our guide to dog harnesses —worked well for two of them, but we went up to a size small for my chunky girl. By the time we departed, the harness was a non-issue for all three cats.

Voyager Step-in Air Dog Harness

A great harness for cats and small dogs.

Secure cats and even the tiniest of pups with this vest-style harness. It features three layers of fasteners to help keep small escape artists in place.

You’ll also want to trim your pet’s claws before you go. It’s not fun getting on a flight with bloody wounds (ask me how I know).

Millers Forge Nail Clip

The best nail clipper for most dogs.

This clipper is sharp, affordable, and the right size for most dogs.

Millers Forge Pet Nail Clipper

For cats and petite pups.

If your cat or pup weighs less than 20 pounds, this clipper is the way to go.

For large senior dogs, you may want to invest in a ramp to help them get in and out of a car more easily. (We haven’t tested ramps yet, but this one is well reviewed on Chewy.) Try to teach them how to use it before you leave—and make sure they’re physically able to climb it—otherwise you may end up lifting them in and out anyway.

Plenty of hotels and Airbnbs allow animals, but you’ll need to confirm with them first and make sure their pet-friendly rooms aren’t already booked up. Most hotels charge an extra fee for your pet, either nightly or per stay, which will add to the total cost.

You can make your pet feel more at home in their overnight lodging by bringing their bed along. We’d recommend something like the FurHaven Trail Pup Packable Pet Pillow , one of our dog bed picks for travel, or the Timberdog RuffRest , which we cover in that guide’s section on other good dog beds . Both are portable and pack down relatively small. Whatever bed you bring, have your pet sleep on it for at least a few nights before the trip so it smells like them, and like home.

But a curious or scared pet might just want to hide out in a dark place. I once had to delay checking out for 45 minutes before discovering my cat in a shoebox-sized crevice under the bathroom sink at a La Quinta Inn. So be aware of any nooks your pet could disappear into.

FurHaven Trail Pup Packable Pet Pillow

A portable bed for camping, picnics, and trips.

This simple mat feels similar to sleeping-bag material, and it comes with its own stuff sack, so it’s perfect for traveling or camping. It’s easy to spot-clean—and even easier to throw in the wash with the rest of your dirty laundry.

Animals can—and likely will—pee, poop, or puke, depending on the length of your journey.

On road trips, you can tackle any unfortunate messes with a roll of paper towels and a bottle of cleaning solution, like the Nature’s Miracle lineup for dogs and cats . You can also bring your cat’s regular litter box from home, making it available for them to use inside the vehicle during rest stops (but they might be too stressed out to use it). Move the box into your hotel room at the end of each day.

Nature’s Miracle Advanced Cat Enzymatic Stain & Odor Eliminator

For tackling your cat’s worst messes.

The cat version of this enzymatic cleaner takes on the nightmare that is cat pee, as well as the other noxious stains and odors your pet may produce.

Nature’s Miracle Enzymatic Formula Advanced Dog Stain & Odor Eliminator

Takes on smelly dog accidents.

The dog version of this enzymatic cleaner does battle with stains and odors from poop, puke, pee, and whatever else dogs can come up with.

On flights, a pack of good wipes, like Wet Ones for Pets , can help clean up accidents. I bring a small package of 30, so it doesn’t add too much extra weight in my backpack. For cats, a portable litter box will come in handy in airport pet-relief areas, but keep in mind these are typically very small. Make sure you pack some of your cat’s regular litter in your carry-on, in either a zip-top bag or doubled-up grocery bags (you don’t want to spring a leak), and get some liners for the box as well, to make cleanup easier. But of the three cats I’ve flown with, only one has ever been brave enough to use the litter box at the airport. The other two usually tried to hold it until they felt totally safe, but on extended journeys, they weren’t always successful.

So no matter how you travel, pee pads will be your best friend. We like these washable pee pads . For a long trip, the disposable ones make more sense, so you’re not carrying a stinky bundle around with you. Petco and Chewy each have their own in-house brands at decent prices, and Costco has a good deal on its Kirkland Signature Extra-Large Absorbent Pads .

You might also appreciate having a lint roller on hand for your own clothes—cats in particular can shed an astonishing amount of fur when they’re nervous.

Bounty Select-A-Size

The best paper towels.

These strong and absorbent paper towels don’t leave lint behind, and they have more tear-off points for less mess.

Peepeego Non-Slip Dog Pad

Washable pee pads.

These reusable pee pads can contain messes and help minimize waste.

Scotch-Brite Lint Roller

A lint roller that delivers one-minute makeovers.

This lint roller’s super-sticky paper picks up lint, hair, and dust with just a few swipes.

Some animals are more prone to motion sickness than others, especially in cars. One of the best things you can do is have them travel on an empty stomach. But if that doesn’t stop them from throwing up (or if they’re drooling a lot), ask your vet to suggest an anti-nausea medication to keep them comfortable.

Cleaning up puke is no fun, and even though a good carrier or kennel will contain most messes, you should still consider protecting your car’s interior with a waterproof seat cover or cargo liner . These clip around the head rests, so they stay in place, but a sheet or towels can also work in a pinch. A mini-vac is also great to have in the car. And if your dog is a semi-professional car puker, like mine is, a wet/dry vac will do even more of the heavy lifting during cleanup when you get home.

Black+Decker 20V Max Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Cordless Pet Hand Vacuum HHVK515JP07

A powerful hand vac for pet hair and debris.

This is the best, most powerful handheld vacuum for collecting pet fur and crud from every kind of surface.

Ridgid 12-Gallon NXT Wet/Dry Vac HD1200

For when you get home.

The Ridgid HD1200 wet/dry vac is capable, powerful, and well reviewed. For the size, this vac is easy to lug around, and it comes with a great selection of attachments.

If your animal is a nervous traveler, spraying the car, their carrier, and other new places with a calming pheromone spray—such as Feliway for cats or Adaptil for dogs —might help them relax (or it might not; your mileage may vary). Dr. Wailani Sung, a veterinary behaviorist we spoke to in 2022 about calming your pet during fireworks shows , recommended those two. Your vet can also recommend the appropriate anti-anxiety meds to take the edge off.

Feliway Classic Calming Spray for Cats

A (potentially) relaxing spray for cats.

This spray contains an analogue of feline facial pheromones, which may make cats feel less stressed and more at home on the go (or it may not).

Adaptil Travel Calming Spray for Dogs

Mimics canine nursing pheromones.

Adaptil can help dogs relax on a trip or in a new environment, through its analogue of a mother dog’s nursing pheromones.

But don’t consult Dr. Google! Your actual veterinarian—with their knowledge of your pet’s medical history—knows better than the internet (which might also tell you to eat rocks ). Your vet will also know whether the new meds could interact badly with any existing medications your pet may be on. If you have time leading up to your trip, give your pet a trial run of any new meds, just to make sure they don’t have a negative or an unexpected reaction to the drug. I’ve used sprays, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription meds on my animals during travel, but what works for one pet might not work for another.

If you do use drugs, know that sometimes their effects can wear off before the end of the journey, so be ready to give another pill if the proper dosage allows.

“You also want to keep your car well ventilated,” the American Kennel Club’s Munden said. And a kennel or carrier could help with both motion sickness and anxiety because it limits a pet’s view and creates a den-like space.

Your pet may be too stressed out to eat or drink, but you should have food and water available just in case. You can bring dry food with you in resealable plastic bags or grocery bags, and pour it into collapsible bowls . These are great for both plane rides and car rides, but regular bowls will work on road trips, since you have more space. For the past year, I’ve also been sharing my own water with Dave, using this insulated bottle from Springer . It does double duty because it has a silicone bowl that attaches to the bottom of the bottle, so it takes up very little extra space in my bag.

Comsun Collapsible Dog Bowl

A set of affordable, collapsible bowls.

These staff-favorite silicone, BPA-free bowls flatten down into portable discs, so they’re easy to use on the go.

Springer Dog & Me Insulated Water Bottle

A stylish insulated bottle and bowl combo.

This stainless steel insulated bottle has a silicone bowl attached to the bottom, so you can share your water with your pet.

It’s important to keep your pet hydrated, especially during the warmer months. Some species-specific flavored broth might entice an otherwise-reluctant animal to drink. I’ve used Brutus Bone Broth’s Brutus on the Go packets when Dave has turned his nose up at plain water. You can carry the small packets with you wherever you go, including on a plane, and mix the powder into water when it’s time to entice your pet to drink.

Brutus Bone Broth Brutus on the Go

A portable powdered bone-broth mixture for dogs.

These packets come in three flavors, and they’re small enough to carry anywhere—even on the plane. Just mix them into water when your dog needs a drink.

Animals can overheat in hot cars, so you want to keep the air flowing. If your car doesn’t have rear AC vents (mine doesn’t), you can use something like The Noggle to direct cold air to the back. I used the 10-foot version on a recent summer road trip to the West Coast, and it helped keep Dave safe and cool in his kennel. I also used a portable fan to improve airflow. And I kept tabs on the kennel’s temperature with a remote temperature sensor , which was recommended to me from one of my colleagues who covers smart-home products.

Directs cold or warm air to the back of a car

This cloth-covered tube attaches to a car’s front vents and sends the air to the back seat, so you can share the heat or AC with a pet or kid.

RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Hybrid WHISPER SERIES 7-1/2 in. Fan Kit

A portable fan to circulate air while on the road.

This portable fan runs on rechargeable battery power and moves air around, so you can simulate the breeze for a window-loving pet.

Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer Thermometer

Keep tabs on your pet’s temp.

This small, Bluetooth-connected thermometer lets you monitor the temperature in your pet’s area.

Cars can heat up or cool down quickly, putting an animal at risk of heat stroke or hypothermia (or worse). Unless you own one of the fancy new EVs with Pet Comfort or Dog Mode climate-control software (which can maintain the car’s interior temp while you’re gone), you should never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle—even with the windows open on a nice day. It’s harder if you’re traveling solo with a cat, so you might have to bring her (in her carrier) into the rest stop stall with you. But if your cat is leash-trained, first of all, bravo! And second, your life will be a little easier at pit stops.

Airplane cabins are less risky temperature-wise ( the cargo hold is a whole other conversation). Yet “mostly it comes down to the brachycephalic, or the smush-faced breeds of dogs, where even though they’re in-cabin, they can still overheat,” veterinarian Molly Racette said. So if you have one of these dogs, consider bringing a small portable fan to move air around them when they’re under the seat during takeoff and landing.

On road trips, you should take lots of breaks. For dogs especially, “you want to make sure you’re stopping frequently for a potty break,” the American Kennel Club’s Munden said.

And stick as close to your pet’s routine as you can, especially with dogs, who need to get their walks in. “You want to be mindful of the fact that they have needs too, and try and stay as close to their schedule as possible,” Munden said. So if you usually walk your dog at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., and 8 p.m., try to keep to that schedule, even on the road.

This article was edited by Christine Ryan and Catherine Kast.

Molly Racette, DVM, DACVECC, clinical assistant professor in emergency and critical care at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine , phone interview , June 12, 2024

Juliet Caviness, DVM, clinical instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine , phone interview , May 8, 2024

Becca Bell, national program project manager at Canine Companions , phone interview , April 8, 2024

Brandi Hunter Munden, vice president of public relations and communications, American Kennel Club , phone interview , May 6, 2024

Johan Ivarsson, PhD, biomechanical engineer, Forensic Failure Engineering, LLC , phone interview , May 6, 2024

Lindsey A. Wolko, founder of Center for Pet Safety , phone interview , May 3, 2024

Wailani Sung, DVM, veterinary behaviorist, San Francisco SPCA , phone interview , June 13, 2022

Meet your guide

Mel Plaut is a staff writer covering pets at Wirecutter. They developed a special affinity for animals at an early age, when every stray cat and runaway dog ended up at their family’s doorstep. Their writing has appeared in The New York Times, the New York Daily News, USA Today, HuffPost, NPR’s All Things Considered , and others.

Mentioned above

• We tell you how to keep your animal companion safe in transit in a car or plane. The Best Travel Carrier for Cats and Small Dogs  
• We think the Ruffwear Front Range Harness and the Coastal Pet K9 Explorer Reflective Dog Harness are the best options for most dogs (and their people). The Best Dog Harnesses  
• After testing nine models, we think the affordable, sharp, and widely praised Millers Forge Professional Nail Clip is the best way to trim your dog’s nails. The Best Dog Nail Clippers  
• After six years of research—which included plenty of scratching and snoozing—we’ve selected these seven dog beds as our top picks. The Best Dog Beds  
• We recommend four handheld vacuums that have helpful tools and the ability to reach into the nooks and crannies of a car. The Best Car Vacuum  
• For the biggest messes, these vacs can handle anything. The Best Shop Vacs (or Wet Dry Vacs)  

Further reading

No, You Shouldn’t Just Get an Automatic Pet Feeder and Skip Town

by Kaitlyn Wells

Most pet owners (especially cat owners) have left their pets behind for a long weekend—but an automatic pet feeder is no substitute for a loving human.

How to Shop for the Best Pet Insurance

by Kaitlyn Wells and Mark Smirniotis

Buying pet insurance is an exercise in confusing language and policies—so we’ve put together some advice to help you find the best option for you and your pet.

Gear and Tips to Help Your New Pet Feel at Home

by Tim Heffernan

Bringing home a new cat or dog is challenging for you and them. Our picks—for pet beds, bowls, toys, insurance, and more—help ease the transition.

The Best Dog Crate

We tested 17 dog crates with our own escape-artist pups and those from area rescues. And our longtime pick, the MidWest Ultima Pro , still came out on top.

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EcoNour 2 in 1 Car Steering Wheel Desk | Steering Wheel Tray for Laptop Car Mount with Pen Holder | Car Food Tray for Eating with Drinks Holder | Multipurpose Travel Car Accessories

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About this item.

• Convenient Steering Desk for Car: EcoNour Steering Wheel Table is handy as well as practical to use. The portable laptop holder for car can help you with reading, writing, eating inside your car.
• Two in One Feature: One side of the EcoNour Car Eating Tray has a deep cup holder area with a deep flat surface to enjoy your food on the wheels whereas the other side features a flat surface for a Laptop and a pen holder.
• Perfect Companion for Travelers: If you live your life on the go, our Car Lunch Tray for Steering Wheels would be an ideal addition to you. From eating to working inside your car, this tool makes it convenient without breaking a sweat.
• Ergonomic Work Place in your Car: EcoNour Car Seat Food Tray is made out of ABS material which sturdily mounts on the steering wheel. Make sure you always remove the steering wheel cover before using EcoNour’s food and working desk for car.
• Classic and Sturdy Design: Slim and lightweight design of the portable car desk for laptop measuring 11" x 16.5" x 0.79" will fit right under the seat pockets easily and can be mounted effortlessly whenever needed!

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Our premium materials and long-lasting endurance are what makes us stand out from the competition!

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EcoNour will always stay within its core values of selling quality products to help people's lives transform a bit better!

• EcoNour is mainly focused on providing premium quality products that last longer to keep your kids safe from hot sun rays.
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Product Description

Multiurpose Travelling Tray

Car steering wheel desk for car.

EcoNour Portable Steering Wheel Desk is the most important and affordable car accessory that is perfect for Writing, Reading, Working, and Eating.

2-in-1 Portable Desk for Car

• This Multipurpose traveling tray for the car is incredibly neat looking and its classic color will match any car interior.
• Can be used for a long period of time not much care and maintenance are needed.

Install in Seconds!

• Designed with an easy tuck-in design, rotate the steering to 180 degrees and install the desk according to your need.
• Use the Steering Desk only after parking.
• Do not mount it over the Steering Wheel Cover.

Write anytime inside the car!

You can do writings more comfortably. Write your diary or take notes, sign your due files.

Eat on-the-go easily!

The car trays for eating is specially designed for a Portable food traveling table.

Read with ease!

You can do read your favorite book or magazine while you are on the steering wheel.

Work in a Smart Way!

The front side Desk is specially designed for Ergonomic work set up.

EcoNour's steering desk is lightweight to carry and port. You can carry it during your trip and use it for working and eating on the go!

EcoNour's car steering desk is designed with ABS plastic material that is safe for you to use the desk for eating.

No more worries if your child spills food or water on the desk, you can wipe the dirt away with the water. Also, the desk doesn't absorb any odor.

The desk can be stored in your backseat when not using it. It is designed with slim and sleek look.

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Product information, technical details, additional information, warranty & support, looking for specific info, customer reviews.

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 64% 15% 9% 4% 7% 64%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 64% 15% 9% 4% 7% 15%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 64% 15% 9% 4% 7% 9%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 64% 15% 9% 4% 7% 4%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 64% 15% 9% 4% 7% 7%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the performance, sturdiness, value, and ease of use of the cup holder. For example, they mention it works fantastic, it's sturdy, and it'll hold a laptop. Some appreciate the ease of installation. That said, some complain about the angle and disagree on size.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the performance of the tray. For example, they say it works fantastic, gets the job done, and is very useful. Some mention that it enhances productivity and convenience, making it suitable for professionals or students who need to maximize.

"...Not only does this tray enhance productivity and convenience, but it also promotes safety by providing a designated space for tasks that would..." Read more

"...I just connected to my steering wheel and put my lunch on it it works perfect I love it I'm telling you I really love it...." Read more

"...area provides ample space for various tasks, making it suitable for professionals or students who need to maximize productivity while on the..." Read more

"...This desk works perfect for my MacBook , plus it fits between my seat and the center console for easy storage...." Read more

Customers like the sturdiness of the cup holder. They say it's sturdy, yet lightweight and holds their heavy laptop. They also say the build quality of the desk is commendable, as it is made from durable materials that withstand. Customers also say it feels incredibly sturdy and reliable, providing peace of mind. The tray on their lap and it still holds really well. It isn’t wobbly or anything. The economic holds drink cups far more securely. The food surface indent is also deep and could hold, and it'd be great for all purpose just not too heavy.

"...The economic holds drink cups far more securely ☺The food surface indent is also deep and could hold a fair amount of spilage...." Read more

"...Despite its compact design, the tray feels incredibly sturdy and reliable, providing peace of mind even when handling heavier items like laptops or..." Read more

"...First impression out of the box, the board seemed very sturdy and solid enough to handle whatever I put on it...." Read more

"...It still worked, but you don't get as much stability if you do it that way." Read more

Customers like the value of the cup holder. They say the quality is good and sturdy, making it a great buy for those who like to eat in. They also say it's worth the money, a high-quality product, and a nice tray. Some customers also say that it'll be useful to have.

"...The versatility of this steering wheel desk is truly impressive ...." Read more

"...The simplicity, the load bearing capacity and a nice modern touch at a price that won’t break the bank are all reasons why you should stop..." Read more

" Looks good but ❗️doesn’t fit semi-truck steering wheel. I was really hoping it would fit my Freightliner Cascadia steering wheel...." Read more

"...Definitely worth the money . I have to turn the steering wheel upside down for it to fit (which is no big deal). Very easy to use. Easy to clean...." Read more

Customers find the cup holder easy to use. They mention it enhances productivity and convenience, but it also promotes safety. Some say it's simple and easy to attach to the steering wheel. Overall, most are satisfied with the ease of use and functionality of the product.

"...Fit: The economic fits perfectly. Easy on , easy off. When installed, it's flat, level, and stable. The NBBNSY goes on easy but isn't a good fit...." Read more

"...Not only does this tray enhance productivity and convenience , but it also promotes safety by providing a designated space for tasks that would..." Read more

"...slide it on it works fine...... it fits perfect on my RAV4, it's so easy to use just put it on eat your lunch and take it off and you don't have..." Read more

"...All in all, simply the best car tray I have ever seen and used. The simplicity , the load bearing capacity and a nice modern touch at a price that wo..." Read more

Customers find the cup holder great for eating on the run, or working on an iPad or MacBook. They also say it's convenient for fast food in the car. Customers also say the tray is easy to place on and eat from in the vehicle.

"...It's easier to clean, keep clean and the food side makes an excellent work surface as well. The larger, deeper indents are very handy...." Read more

"...Its also handy for eating in the car ." Read more

"... Excellent for eating ...." Read more

" Good for cars ,suv,regular vans, but not for my E-150 ford econoline work van. Too small for steering wheel where i need it the most.but great idea" Read more

Customers like the ease of installation of the cup holder. They mention that it slips onto the steering wheel and fits perfectly in their Honda CRV. The table attaches securely to the steering wheels and can hold even heavier objects like large. Some say that it slides right on and off and is sturdy. Overall, most are happy with the ease and functionality of the product.

"...Fit: The economic fits perfectly. Easy on, easy off . When installed, it's flat, level, and stable. The NBBNSY goes on easy but isn't a good fit...." Read more

"...One of my favorite features is the drinks holder, which securely holds my beverage in place , preventing spills and messes while on the road...." Read more

"...The table attaches securely to the steering wheel and can hold even heavier object like large soft drinks...." Read more

"...the steering wheel, allowing for stability and preventing any unwanted movement during use ...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the size of the cup holder. Some mention it's a great size, while others say it doesn't fit.

"It is what it is. Fits on my MKS steering wheel fine. Not that big , but I am now much less likely to stain my pants and shirts with dripping..." Read more

"...Fit: The economic fits perfectly . Easy on, easy off. When installed, it's flat, level, and stable. The NBBNSY goes on easy but isn't a good fit...." Read more

"Looks good but ❗️doesn’t fit semi-truck steering wheel . I was really hoping it would fit my Freightliner Cascadia steering wheel...." Read more

"...Despite its compact design , the tray feels incredibly sturdy and reliable, providing peace of mind even when handling heavier items like laptops or..." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the angle of the cup holder. They mention that it sits at an angle, is slightly tilted, and does not sit at a straight level. The wheel is too big and the table just angles nearly 45 degrees. It does not lay perfectly horizontal, and you have to tilt the actual steering wheel to level it vertically. The slanted towards the steering wheel makes it super easy for something to slip into the cupholder. The angle is not tapered and creates a lot of pressure.

"...The NBBNSY goes on easy but isn't a good fit. It slants forward and requires adjustment with cardboard as as swimming level...." Read more

"...Additionally, the desk's position can slightly restrict legroom , depending on your seating position and personal comfort preferences...." Read more

"...it did not lay perfectly horizontal as I described, and b)..." Read more

"...on from the shearing wheel it’s not completely even, there’s a slight tilt ...." Read more

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5 Best Vacuum Sealers, Tested and Reviewed

Store leftovers for an extended time with these at-home packaging devices.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Best Overall

Nesco vs-12 deluxe vacuum sealer.

Most Versatile

Foodsaver vs3150 vacuum sealer & food preservation system.

Best for Small Spaces

Anova culinary precision vacuum sealer.

If you shop in bulk or like to hunt or cook sous vide , you'll likely benefit from a home vacuum sealer. They work by removing air from a plastic bag filled with food and then sealing it with heat, keeping your food fresher for longer by creating an environment that makes it very hard for some bacteria to thrive. And while food dehydrators remove moisture from food to preserve it, t he tightly sealed bag helps prevent moisture loss (or moisture gain, if you want to keep crispy foods crispy!) and freezer burn.

There are two main types of home vacuum sealers: handheld and countertop, and both can help all kinds of food last longer (except for foods like soft cheeses, raw mushrooms and fresh garlic that contain anaerobic bacteria, which loves oxygen-free zones).

The pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab test all kinds of products that can help you keep your food fresh for longer, from the best food storage containers to top reusable produce bags . And they tested several of the vacuum sealers here by sealing and storing delicate foods like berries and avocados and meats like hamburger and chicken. Read on for more information on how we test vacuum sealers.

Nesco's highly efficient machine is fully loaded: It has powerful suction, various pressure settings and an accessory port for things like jar attachments. It also has a built-in bag cutter and roll storage compartment, and it comes with two sizes of bags. The large handle makes it easy to use and the control panel is clearly labeled.

In our tests, it successfully sealed a chicken breast marinated in Italian dressing, a task some other models struggled with (or failed at). We also liked the unique double-seal function, which provides extra peace of mind for longer storage or sous vide cooking. But take note: The vacuum time was the longest in our test.

FoodSaver VS3150 Vacuum Sealer & Food Preservation System

This 2-in-1 vacuum sealer from FoodSaver vacuum seals moist and dry foods using pre-cut bags or a roll that stores within the unit; it also features a built-in handheld adaptor that can be used with resealable bags and additional attachments, like bottle-stoppers and reusable containers.

Our experts found it was relatively easy to use, though positioning the bags for proper sealing took some getting used to, and you must flip down a latch before using, which is simple but unusual. Vacuum-sealed burger patties lasted for weeks in the freezer with no signs of freezer burn, and apple slices retained their just-cut color in the fridge.

READ OUR FULL R EVIEW : FoodSaver Multi-Use Vacuum Sealing System & Preserve Containers

We were very impressed by this sleek option from Anova, the brand behind one of our top picks for the best sous vide machine . It's a great option for anyone new to vacuum sealing or sous vide because it performs well and has just three easy-to-understand buttons. It has a satisfying click when it's properly closed and ready to seal.

It does lack on-board storage for a roll of bags as well as a bag cutter (it comes with pre-sealed bags), but that's what makes the unit so compact, which is ideal for small kitchens, apartment life, dorms or just less-frequent use, since it's easier to store. It also knocked out all of our tests with top scores, especially the avocado test, which shows its ability to create a quality seal on an irregularly shaped food.

FoodSaver Multi-Use Handheld Vacuum Sealer

Despite being extremely compact — it fits nicely in the palm of your hand and is very lightweight — this handheld vacuum sealer was effective in our tests. The burger patty we sealed showed no signs of freezer burn — but note that the bags are not recommended for freezer use, as they might open up — and it was fairly gentle when sealing blackberries. But despite the Marinate setting (the only other setting is Vaccum), the marinade on our chicken breast clogged the device and prevented it from sealing.

Though it's designed to work with FoodSaver bags, which is somewhat limiting (they come in quart and gallon sizes) the bags are meant to be reused, and this device also works with FoodSaver containers . If you are looking for a vacuum sealer with multiple settings and lots of versatility, this isn't the best pick, but it's a great choice if you need a quick and easy way to enhance basic sealing.

Weston Brands Vacuum Sealer with Roll Cutter

Though bulkier and less attractive than other models, this machine is about as close to commercial-grade as you can get for sealing large quantities of meat . It's a real workhorse with a 680-watt, fan-cooled motor that prevents overheating even during heavy use. But thanks to an intuitive control panel with one-touch operation, it's simple enough for novices to use. Though we have not tested this model in the Lab, we like that it can even handle 11-inch-wide bags for large hunks of meat — ideal if you like to sous vide brisket or pork butt.

For a more home cook–friendly model, we tested the Weston Compact Vacuum Sealer . It's affordable and it did a fair job in our tests (though there was some gapping around the avocado and a little less sealing around the buger patty). It has high and low vacuum settings as well as an extended seal setting. Though it was the loudest in our test — and requires you to press it closed during operation — it was overall a moderate noise level and was easy to use.

How we test the best food vacuum sealers

The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products for over a century. To evaluate food vacuum sealers, we assess functionality — ease of use, how intuitive the settings are, how loud the machine is, how long it takes to seal food — and any additional unique features like built-in bag cutters and holders.

For each model, we sealed one 1/4-lb hamburger patty and stored it in the freezer for a month, checking regularly for signs of freezer burn. We also sealed a chicken breast marinated in bottled Italian dressing to see whether the sealer could handle wet foods and how the bags handled leaks.

We sealed one half of an avocado in a vacuum-sealed bag and the other half in a zip-top bag with the air pushed out and stashed them in a crisper drawer for 3 weeks to compare browning rates. We also sealed blackberries to assess the machine's ability to seal delicate foods.

What to look for when shopping for the best food vacuum sealer

The best vacuum sealers are slim and can seal both dry foods and liquids, as well as pulse and seal. But it's worth considering the following factors when looking to buy:

✔️ Handheld vs. countertop: If you lack space or tend to move around a lot, you'll likely prefer the maneuverability of a handheld machine, but if you rely on your food vacuum sealer often, the superior performance and durability of a countertop model may suit you better. Here's the difference:

• Handheld models typically use special zip-top bags that have a small port for air removal, ideal for small jobs and meal prep. They're less effective at keeping air out and you will be limited to the bag sizes offered for that device.
• Countertop models are larger and can generally use both pre-cut and cut-to-size bags. They're more versatile and provide longer-lasting results since there's no port, which could allow air to escape or enter. Most can also re-seal bags, like potato chips and cereal bags.

✔️ Functions: Before buying a vacuum sealer, think about your needs. Do you need something straightforward and intuitive for simple tasks, like freezing occasional cuts of meat or leftovers? If so, a handheld model might be a good choice. Do you need a model that's also designed for sous vide? If so, make sure the bags will stand up to high heat and consider a model that offers double sealing. If you plan to marinate or store liquid items, choose a machine with a "moist" or "wet" setting (and generally use the longest bag you can find or create a longer bag from the roll to help the machine seal wet foods more easily). If you often store delicate items, look for a "gentle" setting or the ability to select a lower vacuum level.

✔️ Type of bags: If you need different-sized bags for different tasks, consider buying rolls instead of pre-cut bags, since you can size these bags to fit your needs. And if you plan to sous vide, make sure you get bags that are safe for use in high heat. Just remember: Not all vacuum sealer bags are compatible with all machines, so double-check the model's specifications first. Be aware that handheld models might require brand-specific bags rather than cut-to-fit bags.

What do you use a vacuum sealer for?

Vacuum sealers are great for proteins (chicken parts, pork chops, sausages, etc.) and for dry goods you often see sold in bulk: nuts, seeds, hard cheeses, coffee, dried fruit and grains.

Some machines can also vacuum and seal delicate foods like crackers, cereals and cookies, but you'll need to find suction levels or delicate settings that work for your needs. Fragile foods like berries or flaky pastries generally cannot withstand the suction. Some machines work well with liquids, while others do not, but you can certainly use any of them to store sauces and liquids that are already frozen in individual portions.

But take note: There are some foods that you should not vacuum seal because they are prone to bacterial growth, such as hot foods, soft cheeses and raw garlic, onions and mushrooms.

Is a vacuum sealer worth it?

Our answer is a qualified yes. If you buy in bulk, freeze small portions for meal prep or from a hunt, vacuum sealing is worth it. It helps prevent most food from going stale as quickly as it would in a non-airtight container and it also helps prevent freezer burn, which affects taste and texture.

"I really like vacuum sealing for keeping food fresher in the freezer," says Kitchen Appliances Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou . "I tend to vacuum seal individual portions so I can defrost them quickly."

Vacuum sealers are also helpful for sous vide cooking. It ensures a tight seal to prevent any liquid from entering the bag.

Are all vacuum sealers the same?

All vacuum sealers are not the same, but they mostly differ in type. For most home cooks, a handheld or countertop vacuum sealer (like most of our picks) will get the job done.

There are also chamber vacuum sealers , which are primarily found in restaurants and are typically bigger, heavier and work faster than household versions. Chamber vacuum sealers work by putting a bag of food inside the chamber and closing the lid to seal the bags. They can handle multiple bags at once and are also good for larger foods.

Since most home models provide similar results and features, it's best to look for the one that fits best in your kitchen, has the settings that you need (like moist, marinate or dry) and includes vacuum sealer bags.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Brigitt Earley is a freelance writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience at lifestyle publications like Real Simple , Oprah Daily and Apartment Therapy. She specializes in writing product review content in a wide range of coverage areas, including home, health and food.

Sarah Wharton is a Deputy Editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute. She led the testing of these vacuum sealers and helped develop the methodology for testing. She is a trained cook and has tested numerous products for the Institute, including fish filet knives , immersion blenders and milk frothers .

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, health and food. She has been cooking professionally since 2017 and has tested kitchen appliances and gear for Family Circle as well as developed recipes and food content for Simply Recipes, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Oxo and Food52. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education).

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