Road Trip Snacks

For Better Munching

gluten-free date bars

Jennifer Perillo 

Road trips are the slow-cook way to travel but they offer an abundance of rewards, like experiencing sights on the way and blasting the same song over and over if you please. These road trip snacks vary from sweet to savory, vegan to meaty and cheesy, and quick to needing a touch of labor and love. But one thing’s for sure: they’ll allow you to skip the rest-stop snacks with ease.

  • 01 of 15

    Vegan Zucchini Bread

    Vegan Zucchini Bread

    The Spruce

    Moist and full of fiber, this vegan zucchini bread will satisfy you while not weighing you down on your drive. What’s more, this recipe allows room for improvisation, if it appeals. For example, you can swap out the warming spices for chocolate chips or toss in a few chopped nuts for extra chew and flavor.

  • 02 of 15

    Beef Jerky

    Beef Jerky
    Juanmonino / Getty Images

    Jerky is so much more than the gas station, who-knows-what creations you find near the register. It’s been used since antiquity to preserve meat and although varieties range from pork, venison, fish, to even alligator and crocodile, this recipe is a basic beef jerky.

  • 03 of 15

    Gluten-Free Granola

    Granola

    Westend61/Getty Images

    This recipe relies on a bevy of nuts, seeds, and of course, gluten-free oats to yield a hearty, tasty batch of gluten-free granola. You can always reduce the sugar if you’d like, but your results will be a bit more crumbly, instead of crunchy. Regardless, this is another free-wheeling recipe that as long as you follow the basic steps, can be tailored to your preferences.  

  • 04 of 15

    Matcha Green Tea Truffles

    Matcha Green Tea Truffles
    Elizabeth LaBau

    Matcha tea is quite a flexible ingredient, and it can be used to add a bright hue to desserts, and even for ceremonial purposes. These matcha green tea truffles are creamy and rich but are balanced by the light, vegetal flavor of matcha. Just make sure you choose the best matcha for your needs since they vary wildly in price and quality.

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  • 05 of 15

    Thai Spring Rolls

    Vegan Thai-Style Spring Rolls

    The Spruce 

    These Thai spring rolls are both delicate and fresh, requiring only raw vegetables and a rice or wheat wrapper. If you want a particularly veggie-packed option while on the road, these are for you. You can use simple soy sauce as a dip or make a Thai chili sauce for extra flavor.

  • 06 of 15

    Date Bars

    gluten-free date bars

    Jennifer Perillo 

    Dates are a whole food with a caramel-like flavor and buttery texture, making them a sort of unicorn fruit for foodies. These gluten-free date bars also happen to be vegan, so they’re a great option for all who want to nosh on the road.  

  • 07 of 15

    Zebra Popcorn

    Homemade Chocolate Drizzled Caramel Popcorn
    bhofack2 / Getty Images

    Zebra popcorn gets its name for the stripes of white and dark chocolate drizzled over top. It’s an indulgent treat, but you won’t need much to satisfy your sweet tooth. This recipe uses light corn syrup but if you’re interested in using a corn syrup substitute, we’ve got you covered.

  • 08 of 15

    Angry Edamame

    Edamame
    The Spruce

    Commonly enjoyed in Japanese cuisine, edamame are soybeans that are still in their pods. You can steam, blanch, or pan-sear them, and they can be dressed simply with salt or with ingredients like chili powder and garlic, similar to this recipe for angry edamame.

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  • 09 of 15

    Homemade Veggie Chips

    Vegetable Chips Recipe

     The Spruce

    Although beet, taro, and parsnip chips have only recently become popular, the concept isn't so much of a stretch since the classic potato chip is after all, also made from a starchy vegetable. These homemade vegetable chips are tasty and easy to eat, so they’re perfect for taking on the road. What’s more, you can upcycle any scraps from your batch and create vegetable broth, making this a truly sustainable snack.

  • 10 of 15

    No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake Bars

    Lemon Cheesecake Bars

     Elaine Lemm

    These lemon cheesecake bars are a no-bake recipe, so you can simply assemble them, freeze them, and pop them out and into the car when you’re ready to go. If you’d like to reduce the dairy content, it's best to substitute the butter with coconut oil, which can either be refined or unrefined. The main difference between the two is that the former will impart a more neutral coconut flavor, while the latter a stronger one.  

  • 11 of 15

    White Bean Hummus

    White Bean Hummus Dip (Gluten-free)

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Many a vegetarian have had a tryst with hummus, the Middle Eastern dip made from garbanzo beans, and most importantly, tahini. This white bean hummus provides a smoother texture and lighter flavor, which you can dip veggies, pita—or your finger—into and enjoy.

  • 12 of 15

    Raspberry Fruit Snacks

    Raspberry Fruit Snacks
    Leah Maroney

    Fruit snacks satisfy the craving for something gooey, chewy, and tangy. Just this version isn’t packed with preservatives and artificial colors. Instead, it’s made with berries, carrots, and maple syrup. If you’re vegetarian or vegan and want to skip the gelatin, you can try agar-agar or Carrageenan.

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  • 13 of 15

    Bierocks (Runzas)

    bierocks on white plate

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Bierocks are an Eastern European pastry that are stuffed with ground beef and cabbage. They’ve got all the fixings of a sandwich but are far more convenient for eating on the road. And you're at it, why not give babka a go, too? It’s a staple from the Ashkenazi kitchen, and recipes vary from sweet to savory.  

  • 14 of 15

    Vegan No-Bake Cookies

    Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

     The Spruce

    Peanut butter and chocolate are a timeless duo, especially in American kitchens. This recipe is vegan, quick, and no-bake, meaning if you’re prepping for your road trip last minute, you can still whip this one up. You can use either Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a rich, mellow chocolate flavor, or a minimally processed cocoa powder for a brighter chocolate flavor.

  • 15 of 15

    Oven-Baked Kale Chips

    Oven-Baked Kale Chips

    Redphotographer / Getty Images

    Kale chips are the perfect way to satisfy your hankering for a crispy, salty snack without feeling regret later down the road. They’re also incredibly simple to make and you can dress them up with just salt, or venture into other seasonings like nutritional yeast and furikake.