Snack ideas
Whether road trip, hike or long train journey – with the right meal you'll be well prepared for when you're on the go. A good selection of snacks not only saves money, but also stress. Here you'll find practical, travel-friendly and delicious snack ideas, including simple recipes to copy and links to suitable recipes from established food blogs.
1. Classic & creative snack ideas for on the go
Snacks don't have to be boring! Besides bread, cheese and sausage, there are many creative options.
Classic snack for your backpack
Bavarian snack: pretzels, Obazda, radishes and pickled gherkins
Hearty snack platter: farmhouse bread, butter, cheese and Kaminwurz
Sandwiches: Wholemeal bread with ham, cheese or egg
Creative ideas for more variety
Wraps with hummus & vegetables – light, filling and definitely crumb-free
Mediterranean snack box: olives, dried tomatoes, feta and flatbread
Sweet and savory combinations: cream cheese with mango chutney and walnuts
Recipe: Quick Wraps with Cream Cheese & Vegetables
These wraps are quick to make, delicious and perfect to take with you.
Ingredients for 2 wraps:
2 wraps (whole grain or wheat)
100 g cream cheese
½ avocado, sliced
½ pepper, cut into strips
1 handful of arugula or lettuce
salt & pepper to taste
Preparation:
Spread the wraps with cream cheese.
Spread the avocado, peppers and arugula on top.
Season with salt & pepper, roll tightly and cut in half.
What do you think of a Bavarian snack with this Obatzter recipe
Serves 6 people:
- 3 camemberts, 250 grams each
- 100 g processed cheese without taste
- 250 g soft butter
- 1 liqueur glass of beer or milk
- red bell pepper powder
- salt and pepper
- 1 medium onion
Preparation:
Cut the camembert into pieces. Then you mix it with the melted cheese and butter. A homogeneous mass should form. If this is difficult, add a sip of beer or milk. This will make the mass creamier. Then gradually add paprika. A Bavarian Obatzter takes on the color of paprika. If the color and taste match, season with salt and pepper. Finally, cut the onion into small cubes. Stir this in just before serving. Otherwise the Obatzte tastes bitter.
👉 Recipe idea: Hummus wrap with avocado and vegetables
2. Snack ideas for long car journeys – practical & crumb-free
Car journeys are long – you definitely need snacks that don’t drip, crumble or spill.
Road trip-friendly snacks
Mini wraps – small cut and also handy
Cheese cubes & grapes – perfect as a sweet and savory combination
Nuts & dried fruits – long lasting and full of energy
Recipe: Homemade Energy Balls
These little power balls, for example, provide quick energy. They are also easy to prepare.
Ingredients for about 10 balls:
100 g oats
50 g peanut butter
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1 EL cocoa
a pinch of salt
Preparation:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Form small balls and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Store in a can – perfect for the road trip!
3. Snack ideas for hikes & outdoor adventures
When hiking, what counts is that it is light, filling and can be kept without refrigeration.
Hearty outdoor snacks
Wholemeal bread with cream cheese and avocado
Wraps with beans and corn – filling and rich in protein
Muesli bars – homemade and healthy
👉 Recipe idea: Healthy muesli bars without sugar
Recipe: Crispy chickpeas as a protein-rich snack
These roasted chickpeas, for example, are a healthy and crunchy alternative to chips.
Ingredients:
1 can of chickpeas (drained)
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp paprika powder
½ teaspoon cumin
salt & pepper to taste
Preparation:
Rinse the chickpeas, drain and pat dry.
Mix with olive oil and spices.
Roast in the oven at 180°C for about 25 minutes.
Allow to cool and transport in a container.
👉 Recipe idea: Roasted Chickpeas – Crispy Snack
4. Snack ideas for vegan & vegetarian travelers
Even purely plant-based snacks are easy to prepare and super delicious!
Vegetarian snack ideas
Cheese sticks with whole grain crackers
Egg salad sandwiches with fresh herbs
Mozzarella-tomato skewers
Vegan snack ideas
Hummus with vegetable sticks
Overnight Oats for on the go
Banana bread as a sweet snack
👉 Recipe idea: Healthy Banana Bread Without Sugar
5. Practical tips for a stress-free snack on the go
To keep your snack fresh and tasty, please also note the following tips:
- Use leak-proof containers (e.g. boxes or glass jars)
- Pack wet ingredients separately (e.g. salad dressing)
- Bring cutlery that you can reuse and napkins
Conclusion: The best snack for every trip
Be prepared for a day out, hike, or road trip with these simple, delicious travel snacks.
What snacks do you like to take with you? Share your ideas in the comments!
Questions and answers about our snack ideas
Which snack stays fresh for a long time even without refrigeration?
If you are on a long trip and don't have a cooler bag with you, you need snacks that stay fresh even without refrigeration. Sandwiches with savory spreads such as hummus or nut butter are particularly good, as they don't spoil as quickly as cheese or sausage. Dried fruit, nuts, rice cakes or homemade muesli bars are also perfect travel companions. Hard cheese such as Parmesan or mountain cheese lasts longer than soft cheeses, even without a refrigerator. If you want to take something fresh with you, pack your food in an insulated lunch box and store it in the shade if possible.
How do I avoid my snack getting soggy on the go?
Nothing is more annoying than a soggy sandwich or sloppy vegetables. To avoid this, pack moist ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers or dressings separately and add them just before eating. Another trick is to spread a thin layer of butter, cream cheese or hummus on the bread - this will protect it from soggy moisture. Wraps stay crispier if you wrap them in parchment paper instead of wrapping them in plastic.
Which snack is particularly suitable for children when travelling?
Children usually like things to be simple and prefer to eat small bites rather than large loaves of bread. Mini sandwiches, for example, are perfect and you can cut them into fun shapes using cookie cutters. Cheese cubes, fruit skewers and small wrap rolls are also fun to eat. Homemade muesli bars or energy balls are a healthy alternative to store-bought snacks. Make sure that the snacks are not too crumbly or sticky - this will keep the car or train seat clean.
How can I package my snack sustainably?
When you're on the go, you can avoid a lot of waste by using reusable packaging. Stainless steel lunch boxes or beeswax cloths are great alternatives to plastic wrap. Glass containers are also practical if you want to take salads with you, for example. Small fabric bags or silicone bags are suitable for dry snacks such as nuts or energy balls. If you want to take drinks with you, a thermos flask is ideal - this way your tea or coffee stays warm and your water nice and cool.
Which snack gives me a lot of energy without making me too tired?
Especially when traveling, you don't want to get into a midday slump, but want to feel fit and energetic. Avoid heavy, fatty meals as they can make you tired. Complex carbohydrates such as wholemeal bread are ideal, combined with proteins from nuts, hummus or cheese. Fresh fruit such as apples or berries also provide a natural energy boost. If you want a hearty meal, wraps with quinoa, avocado and beans are a great solution - they keep you full for a long time without weighing you down.
Which snacks are perfect for a flight?
When flying, choose snacks that are not odorous so as not to disturb other passengers. Sandwiches with mild cheese, cereal bars or nuts are a good choice. You can also take sliced fruit or vegetable sticks with hummus with you without any problem - just make sure that the hummus falls under the liquids regulation if you transport it in your hand luggage. Sandwiches stay fresh longer if you wrap them in wax paper instead of packing them in plastic containers.
How can I make my snack more varied?
It doesn't always have to be the classic cheese sandwich! Combine different flavors and textures to add variety to your travel snacks. How about wraps that you fill with Mediterranean feta and olives or Asian tofu and soy sauce? Savory muffins or cold quiches are also a great alternative to sandwiches. If you like something sweet, try overnight oats with nuts and dried fruit or homemade granola that you can combine with yogurt. The more colorful your snack is, the more fun it is to eat on the go!
Which snack is suitable for travelling abroad if I am not sure what I will get locally?
If you are travelling to a foreign country and do not know what food you will find there or whether you can tolerate something, it is a good idea to take a well-thought-out snack with you. Long-lasting snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, cereal bars or crispbread are particularly practical. Homemade energy balls or protein bars are also great as they stay fresh for a long time and provide a lot of energy. If you want to take bread or wraps with you, make sure that they do not dry out too quickly. If you cannot get fresh food on the way, you can also take small portions of almond butter or peanut butter in screw-top jars - this gives you a quick energy boost and tastes good with bread or crackers.
How can I prepare a snack for several days without having to constantly repack?
If you are going on a trip lasting several days and don't want to prepare fresh snacks every day, you can rely on meal prep strategies. Dry baked goods such as whole grain crackers, nuts, homemade granola bars or energy balls will easily last for several days. Hard-boiled eggs, air-dried salami or hard cheese such as Parmesan will also stay fresh for a long time if you store them in a cool place. If you have a small cooling option on the go (e.g. an insulated lunch box with a cold pack), you can also prepare wraps or sandwiches and take them with you in portions. Another option is to prepare snacks such as overnight oats or chia pudding in screw-top jars - you can then simply pour water or milk over them and have a quick breakfast or snack.
More things to know
- Top Restaurant at Weissensee Carinthia
- Sweet Popcorn Recipes for Home
- Chocolate Chip Cookies: Best cookies ever
- Omnia oven recipes
- Franconian cuisine tastes delicious
- Excursion destinations Burgenland
Source: own research on our travels. Our opinion remains our own.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TWO
Photos: © Copyright by Monika Fuchs as well as TWO and Unsplash
