35 Easy-to-Pack Road Trip Snacks
Updated: Apr. 26, 2018Your bags are packed, you're ready to go. But what will you eat along the way? Ditch the drive-thru and stay clear of pricey gas station grub. These road trip snacks are simple to pack, easy to eat in the car and keep you feeling happy mile after mile.
1 / 35
Granola Trail Mix
My family has always enjoyed this crunchy four-ingredient snack. When we go camping, each person includes one additional ingredient like mini marshmallows, corn chips or cookie pieces. The taste is never the same, and we're often surprised by the combinations. —Shelley Riddlespurger, Amarillo, Texas 2 / 35
Ranch Snack Mix
This is a wonderful fast-to-fix munchie. The recipe makes tons and doesn't involve any cooking. It's a cinch to package in individual snack bags, it keeps its crunch and it's a savory alternative to the cakes and pies usually offered at bake sales. —Linda Murphy, Pulaski, Wisconsin
3 / 35
Basic Banana Muffins
This banana muffin recipe goes over so well with kids. Not only are these banana bread muffins like cupcakes, but they’re ready, start to finish, in just half an hour! —Lorna Greene, Harrington, Maine 4 / 35
Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Bites
My son Micah and I love peanut butter cups, so we made them into a new treat. We entered these peanut butter no bake cookies in a creative baking contest and won first place! —Autumn Emigh, Gahanna, Ohio 5 / 35
Thyme-Sea Salt Crackers
These homemade crackers are decidedly light and crispy. An addictive snack on their own, they also pair well with a sharp white cheddar. —Jessica Wirth, Charlotte, North Carolina 6 / 35
Kiddie Crunch Mix
This no-bake snack mix is a real treat for kids, and you can easily increase the amount to fit your needs. Place it in individual plastic bags or pour some into colored ice cream cones and cover with plastic wrap for a fun presentation. —Kara De la Vega, Santa Rosa, California. 7 / 35
Rhubarb Nut Muffins
Muffins are my weakness! When I make these to take to a gathering, I always come home with an empty plate. —Mary Kay Morris, Cokato, Minnesota 8 / 35
Orange-Ancho Spiced Nuts
Get ready for a flavor adventure. These nuts offer a tasty combination of orange, ancho chili pepper and chocolate. The pepper gives a smoky taste. Increase it to add more warmth.—Leigh Doutt, Pueblo West, Colorado 9 / 35
Date Oatmeal Bars
In no time at all, you can treat your family to these bars. They'll never suspect how light the snacks are. —Helen Cluts of Sioux Falls, South Dakota 10 / 35
Zippy Party Roll-Ups
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, these zesty appetizers are a great way to pep up a party! The recipe won a blue ribbon at the county fair, and even though I always double the recipe, I never seem to make enough. —Dana Gonzalez del Valle, Battle Ground, Washington 11 / 35
Fruity Cereal Bars
With dried apples and cranberries, these crispy cereal bars are perfect for snacks or brown-bag lunches. —Giovanna Kranenberg, Cambridge, Minnesota 12 / 35
Curried Tropical Nut Mix
This nutty concoction is an easy, make-at-home food gift. It will spice up the snack table at any party. Good luck keeping the bowl filled. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 13 / 35
Rosemary-Parmesan Popcorn
Fresh herbs and real cheese make this popcorn a homemade favorite that will make you forget about store-bought seasoning mixes. —Dan Kelmenson, West Bloomfield, Michigan 14 / 35
Sweet Chipotle Pretzels
Pretzels are a great snack food. I love this recipe because it is sweet as well as spicy, but not too spicy. It's a great combination for munching. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico 15 / 35
Chewy Honey Granola Bars
There's sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. To save a few for later, wrap individual bars and place in a resealable freezer container. When you want a satisfying treat on short notice, just grab one and let it thaw for a few minutes. —Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont 16 / 35
Cheddar-Pecan Crisps
Lots of holiday treats are sweet. For a change of pace, I fill goodie bags with my cheese crackers. The recipe has a large yield, but you can freeze the dough logs to bake later. —Heather Necessary, Shamokin Dan, Pennsylvania 17 / 35
Sausage Chive Pinwheels
These spirals are simple to make but look special on a buffet. Our guests eagerly help themselves, and sometimes the eye-catching pinwheels never even make it to their plates! —Gail Sykora, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 18 / 35
Bananas Foster Crunch Mix
Bananas Foster is one of my favorite desserts. So I thought that a crunchy, snackable version would be a hit. It is heated in the microwave and takes just a few minutes to make. —David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California 19 / 35
Chocolate Banana Muffins
I bake something almost every day—either in the morning before everyone's awake or in the evening. I whip up these tender muffins in no time and serve them with jam for breakfast or ice cream and chocolate syrup for dessert. —Stephanie Kienzle, North Miami Beach, Florida 20 / 35
White Chip Cranberry Granola Bars
Tasty and nutritious, these chewy high-energy snack bars are great for road trips, lunch boxes, late-night snacks or to get college kids through exams and into the Christmas spirit! —Janis Loomis, Madison, Virginia 21 / 35
Rosemary Walnuts
My Aunt Mary started making this recipe years ago. Each time we visited, she would have a batch ready for us. The use of cayenne adds an unexpected zing to the savory combo of rosemary and walnuts. When you need a good housewarming or hostess gift, double the batch and save half for yourself. —Renee Ciancio, New Bern, North Carolina 22 / 35
Carrot Cookie Bites
This recipe is a longtime family favorite. The cookies are soft and delicious, and the aroma while baking is absolutely irresistible! I'm always being asked for the recipe. —Jeanie Petrik, Greensburg, Kentucky 23 / 35
Walnut Zucchini Muffins
Shredded zucchini adds makes these walnutty muffins extra tender. If you have lots of zucchini in summer as many of us do, this is a good way to use some of it. —Harriet Stichter, Milford, Indiana 24 / 35
Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix
A filling blend of nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and dried fruit keeps you healthy by the handful. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, Washington 25 / 35
Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins
I wanted to riff on hot dogs, so I made corn dog muffins. I added jalapenos to this kid-friendly recipe and won my husband over, too. —Becky Tarala, Palm Coast, Florida 26 / 35
So-Easy Snack Mix
I eat this tasty treat just as much as (if not more than) the kids! Have fun with it by adding other goodies into the mix, like nuts, cereal, pretzels and more. —Jeff King, Duluth, Minnesota 27 / 35
Black Forest Ham Roll-Ups
We love to entertain at home and the office. Ham and cheese rolled in tortillas make a quick and easy appetizer that's easy to transport. —Susan Zugehoer, Hebron, Kentucky 28 / 35
Poppy Seed Mini Muffins
These moist muffins may be small, but they're always a big hit on a brunch buffet, as a quick snack or as part of a bread basket assortment. The combination of poppy seeds and a hint of lemon makes them irresistible. —Kathryn Anderson, Casper, Wyoming 29 / 35
Ham and Cheese Muffins
Serve these savory biscuitlike muffins for breakfast, at snack time or along with a hearty bowl of soup. —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina 30 / 35
BLT Muffins
If you like classic bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches, check out these muffins. They're perfect for pancake breakfasts and bring-a-dish dinners alike. You can serve softened cream cheese or butter alongside, but they're awesome on their own. —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, Minnesota 31 / 35
White Chocolate Cereal Bars
A friend shared with me this fresh take on traditional crispy treats. My husband loves them, and I feel so efficient with their quick prep time. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama 32 / 35
Marshmallow-Peanut Popcorn
My brother calls this combo of popcorn, marshmallows, peanuts and pretzels the “perfect popcorn." The taste is reminiscent of a Big Hunk candy bar. —Julie Perez, Idaho Falls, Idaho 33 / 35
1-2-3 Snack Mix
Salty and satisfying, this colorful, kid-friendly trail mix provides quick protein and energy by the handful on action-packed summer days. It's great for long car trips, too! —Sue Sherman, Toledo, Ohio 34 / 35
Homemade Potato Chips
Forget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 35 / 35
Cinnamon-Cranberry Oat Bars
I'm a swim coach for kids, and I started making these bars for them as a snack. I wanted something that was easy to eat but would also give them energy. The kids loved them from the very first time I brought them. Now I bring them to every team event. —Sarah Riviere, Prescott, Arizona Originally Published: April 26, 2018
Popular Videos
Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine.
