It’s also a good idea to pack along a variety of hiking snacks that you can assemble into a meal at the end of the trail. For some inspiration, check out these easy and nutritious hiking snack ideas as well as smart products for packing them safely.
Nut Butter Power Balls
Nut butters are probably the best hiking snacks you can pick, thanks to the healthy fats and protein they provide. They’re also incredibly easy to whip up at home. Here are two versions to try:
No Bake Peanut Butter Power Balls
- To make yummy, no-bake peanut butter power balls, combine one cup of rolled or quick-cooking oats, two tablespoons ground flaxseed, a quarter cup shredded coconut, half a cup of peanut butter, a quarter cup of honey, a quarter cup of mini chocolate chips and a teaspoon of vanilla.
- Combine the ingredients thoroughly, and chill the mixture for 30 minutes in the fridge.
- Then shape the dough into walnut-size balls. You can substitute almond or cashew butter and use almond extract if you prefer. When you’re ready to hike, pack these power bites in a snack container.
Oatmeal Dough Bites
- To make oatmeal dough bites, combine one cup of unsweetened coconut flakes with 1 ½ cups of old-fashioned oats in a food processor or a high-powered blender, until they turn into a powder.
- Then add a quarter cup of dried currants or raisins and a quarter cup of chocolate chips, and combine the mixture into a rough chop in the blender or food processor.
- In a large bowl, stir the mixture together with a half cup each of almond butter and honey, a quarter cup hemp seeds, and a quarter teaspoon each of kosher salt and cinnamon.
- When evenly combined, place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Then scoop out the mixture and form it into balls with the palms of your hands, and roll each ball in shredded coconut if you’d like.
- You can store the power balls frozen in freezer-safe ziplock bags for up to two months, and pack them in a snack container when you’re ready to hit the trails.
Tropical Trail Mix
Remember gorp? Good ol’ raisins and peanuts get a much-needed upgrade with this hiking snack idea. To make a trail mix with tropical flair, mix together a half a cup of each of the following: macadamia nuts, cashews, banana chips, dried pineapple and dried mango. You can also add coconut flakes or swap in other dried fruits such as cherries or blueberries. Portion this hiking snack into snack containers so all the members of your hiking posse have their own little box to dig into when they’re feeling peckish.
Hummus and Veggie Wraps
Sandwiches in the shape of a long cylinder are easy to hold and eat, plus they’re endlessly customizable. An easy wrap to pack along is this one, where hummus acts as the “glue” to keep the ingredients from falling out. Spread homemade hummus (store-bought is fine too) in an even layer over a spinach or tomato flatbread or wrap, then add any veggies you love, such as spiralized zucchini, chunks of avocado, thin strips of pepper, carrots or scallions or slices of grilled eggplant. Squeeze a dash of sriracha over the top to give the wraps a bit of heat, and then roll them tightly. Protect your lunch in a sandwich container so it doesn’t get squished on the trail.
Cheesy Frittata Squares
An egg-and-potato or vegetable frittata is delicious at room temperature, and it’s easy to pack up for a good hiking snack. Make a frittata in a nonstick square pan and cut it into squares, or bake mini frittatas in silicone cups. Either way, they’ll slide out nicely to tuck into pita pockets for your outdoor adventure. You can riff on our mini frittata recipes with these ideas:
- grilled summer squash and shallots topped with Swiss cheese
- cubed cooked potatoes and minced bell pepper with cheddar
- sautéed spinach and garlic with goat cheese or feta crumbles
Orange and Mint Iced Tea
It can get hot when you’re hiking up a mountain, so be sure to include a refreshing drink like iced tea as part of your hiking snack menu. Brew your favorite tea, then let it cool and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight. Tip: Plain iced tea is greatly improved when it’s steeped with fresh mint (check your crisper drawer for lingering herbs you may have overlooked). Before you hit the road you can top the iced tea with orange juice for a citrusy hit. Bring the drinks along in reusable water bottles partly filled with ice, so they’re extra-cold and ready to go when thirst hits.
Want more easy recipes for outdoor fun? Check out our delicious no-bake desserts for cookouts and beach picnic food ideas. Plus, everything you need to prep for a camping trip.
