Exploring the great outdoors and embarking on adventures often require energy-boosting snacks and easy-to-prepare meals that can be enjoyed on the go. Here are some tried-and-true favorites that our family loves, designed to keep you fueled and satisfied, whether you're hitting the trails or relaxing on vacation. Let’s go!
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One of the reasons we enjoy hiking is that we get to savor delicious snacks while admiring breathtaking views.
Lightweight Snacks for Hiking
1. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich with Orowheat Bread
We love Target's Good & Gather organic non-stir peanut butter and their Good & Gather Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread. Occasionally, we buy fresh jams from local stores, which have less sugar and taste fresher. It's always nice to support local suppliers. We pair it with Orowheat Bread, which is superior to most bread, especially white bread. We particularly enjoy the whole wheat and oatnut varieties, with a preference for whole wheat, as it keeps us full during hikes. I store the sandwich in a Reusable Bags and sometimes use it for our trash, which we dispose of at home after hiking. This reduces trash at the trailhead and helps us avoid using Ziploc bags.
2. Easy-to-Eat Fruits
We prefer fruits that don't need peeling to keep things simple and avoid dealing with skins and seeds. I usually pack grapes, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, sliced apples and strawberries. Sometimes we take tangerines because they're small and easy to peel, but not often. The kids love these fruits, and they're perfect for boosting energy on a hike. We always return with an empty bag because they're such a simple treat for everyone.
If we bring bananas, we try to eat them before we start hiking or, even better, before we leave home. They can leave a smell in the car or bag, and we want to avoid attracting animals to the car.
3. Crackers
We really like Skyflakes, a brand of crackers from the Philippines. They're light, crispy, and only a little salty. Our child prefers snacks that aren't sweet, so we’ve moved away from granola bars and trail mix and now like simpler snacks. We've tried different crackers from the grocery store, but Skyflakes is our top choice. The only problem is that it's hard to find and usually overpriced online. The best place to get them at the right price is an Asian market like Hmart or Seafood City, but they often run out. Our child is also tired of Goldfish crackers, so we're looking for something new. What's your kid's favorite snack for hiking? If you have any suggestions, please share them in the comments.
4. Boiled Eggs
I love boiled eggs! Saul doesn't like them as much, but he appreciates the protein and nutrition they provide. Plus, they’re easy to make.
1. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich with Orowheat Bread
We love Target's Good & Gather organic non-stir peanut butter and their Good & Gather Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread. Occasionally, we buy fresh jams from local stores, which have less sugar and taste fresher. It's always nice to support local suppliers. We pair it with Orowheat Bread, which is superior to most bread, especially white bread. We particularly enjoy the whole wheat and oatnut varieties, with a preference for whole wheat, as it keeps us full during hikes. I store the sandwich in a Reusable Bags and sometimes use it for our trash, which we dispose of at home after hiking. This reduces trash at the trailhead and helps us avoid using Ziploc bags.
2. Easy-to-Eat Fruits
We prefer fruits that don't need peeling to keep things simple and avoid dealing with skins and seeds. I usually pack grapes, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, sliced apples and strawberries. Sometimes we take tangerines because they're small and easy to peel, but not often. The kids love these fruits, and they're perfect for boosting energy on a hike. We always return with an empty bag because they're such a simple treat for everyone.
If we bring bananas, we try to eat them before we start hiking or, even better, before we leave home. They can leave a smell in the car or bag, and we want to avoid attracting animals to the car.
3. Crackers
We really like Skyflakes, a brand of crackers from the Philippines. They're light, crispy, and only a little salty. Our child prefers snacks that aren't sweet, so we’ve moved away from granola bars and trail mix and now like simpler snacks. We've tried different crackers from the grocery store, but Skyflakes is our top choice. The only problem is that it's hard to find and usually overpriced online. The best place to get them at the right price is an Asian market like Hmart or Seafood City, but they often run out. Our child is also tired of Goldfish crackers, so we're looking for something new. What's your kid's favorite snack for hiking? If you have any suggestions, please share them in the comments.
4. Boiled Eggs
I love boiled eggs! Saul doesn't like them as much, but he appreciates the protein and nutrition they provide. Plus, they’re easy to make.
Here’s how I cook them perfectly:
5. Peanuts
We like to take peanuts when we go hiking, on road trips, or when traveling. You don't need many; just a small handful is enough. Saul likes them a bit salty. We usually buy them from Costco or Target’s Good & Gather Roasted Peanuts. I also enjoy Costco’s steamed almonds. They’re a bit hard at first, but you get used to it.
6. Dried Fruits
We love dried mangoes. I recommend getting them from a reliable source, so check the labels for "Made in Cebu, Philippines." Top brands are Profoods Cebu Brand, 7D, and Guadalupe.
Once, we found a brand at Costco made in Thailand that tasted just like the ones from the Philippines. Sadly, they don't sell those anymore, and now they're too sweet and don't taste like mangoes. For the best flavor, try an Asian market or Seafood City for authentic dried mangoes.
We also love dried raisins, especially Good & Gather California Raisins, because they're light, not too sweet, and taste more natural. As you can see, we like Target's Good & Gather brand because they're reasonably priced, have fewer ingredients and are a healthier choice.
7. Cheese Sticks
We buy our cheese sticks from Costco. We either get mozzarella string cheese or Tillamook cheese bars. They’re a great energy boost for any hike. Just make sure to pack them first, especially for summer hikes.
Just warm them up and enjoy. We often have ripe bananas at home, and that gave me the idea to make Banana Muffins. I ended up calling them "Treban Muffins," haha! Here's why: "Tre" is from my name and the number three, and "Ban" is for bananas because the recipe uses three bananas. One day, my kids will call these muffins "Treban" and remember me. I love having these with coffee or milk for breakfast, and any extras are perfect for hiking. I usually bake them when we’re going on a long drive. Back in California, it was common for us to drive 4–8 hours to visit national parks or hiking spots.
12. Overnight Oats/Yogurt
Just mix and eat. I enjoy these because they're light and tasty, but they don't fill us up for long, so we usually add some toast. I prefer it cold because it tastes like dessert, while Saul likes it warm because it warms his tummy.
Another easy option is yogurt. We just buy a few before our trip, put them in a cooler in the car, and they’re perfect for an extra breakfast treat before hiking.
Vacation Meal Ideas We Pack When Staying in Hotels, Airbnbs, and RVs
This is a Filipino dish that's simple to prepare: just mix, simmer, and enjoy. It's a great breakfast choice, and we often take it on trips since we can easily heat it up and pair it with Seeds of Change or leftover rice.
15. Chopped Salad Kit
I usually avoid preparing meals because packing takes a lot of time. When packing for activities like hiking, glamping, or staying in RVs and Airbnbs, there are extra things to bring, like a cooler for fresh fruit or meals, hiking chairs and more. We prefer buying food the day before so we don't have to shop on the day of the trip, saving us time. Additionally, most national parks in California are far from the city, so planning meals is important.
For easy meals, we love using a chopped salad kit for our greens. My favorite is Taylor Farms Mexican Street Corn Chopped Salad, which you can find at most grocery stores, and the Asian Cashew Chopped Kit from Costco.
16. Ready-to-Cook Meal
Mandarin Orange Chicken
A ready-to-cook meal can save us time, especially after a long hike when you don't feel like cooking. Having a quick meal is great! One of my favorites is Trader Joe's Mandarin Chicken. Just heat it in a pan, and it's delicious! It takes care of one dinner for us.
17. Tacos/Wraps
This option requires a bit of prep. We like to have everything ready and chopped, so it's easy to put together. We bring tortillas, cooked, seasoned ground beef, sliced tomatoes, shredded cheese, salsa, and sliced lime. You can also wrap it up differently: to make it Mediterranean, skip the salsa and lime and add some hummus or tzatziki instead.
18. Cheese Quesadillas
These are easy to make and can even be done in the microwave. Simply heat a tortilla with a bit of oil in a pan, add cheese, and you're done! We recommend Guerrero’s corn tortillas or Safeway’s Gordita Flour Tortillas, and we buy our Mexican mixed shredded cheese from Costco. I also enjoy them with Pace salsa or my favorite Trader Joe's Cowboy Caviar salsa!
20. Microwave Popcorn
At home, we usually make popcorn from scratch by heating corn kernels in a pot and adding cheese powder. But when we're out, we use microwave popcorn because it's easy. It's great for snacking when playing games or chatting with family.
21. Charcuterie
This is simple, and you can include anything you like. We love cheese, so we bring Havarti and Tillamook cheddar cheese. We add grapes and our favorite sausage, Aidell's pineapple and bacon smoked chicken sausage, but sometimes we skip the meat. Occasionally, we also bring wine or buy some beers or canned cocktails from a nearby store. We do this on the last day to fully relax. We pair it with all kinds of fruits because we love them in every shape and size: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, tangerines, bananas, and more! It's like a fruit charcuterie board for us, different, but we love it. This is probably my favorite on the list! To make life easy, getting a premade Charcuterie board in stores is also a wonderful choice.
22. Nachos and Salsa
I love Trader Joe’s Organic Corn Tortilla Chip Rounds or Fred Meyer's Deli Kitchen Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips. I pair them with the spicy Cowboy Caviar salsa—it's my all-time favourite! If I can't find it, Pace Chunky Salsa from any grocery store works too.
23. For Beverage
These snacks and meals not only keep you energized during your adventures but also add a touch of culinary delight to your journey. Here are more Snack Ideas for your hikes, perfect for beginners looking for a tasty treat. Happy hiking and bon appétit!
Do you have any recommendations? Feel free to let me know in the comments below. I'm all ears when it comes to easy, healthy meals when we’re traveling with my family!.
- Fill a pot with water and add the eggs right away to avoid cracking.
- Bring it to a boil. Once boiling, set the timer depending on how you like your eggs:
- 5-6 minutes: Soft whites and runny yolk, similar to ramen eggs, but can be tricky to peel.
- 8 minutes: Soft-boiled with a firm outside and soft yolk—my favorite!
- 10 minutes: Hard-boiled with a solid yolk, safe and won’t spill.
- After the timer goes off, take the eggs out and put them in cool water for a few minutes, then peel. Store in a Reusable Bag.
We like to take peanuts when we go hiking, on road trips, or when traveling. You don't need many; just a small handful is enough. Saul likes them a bit salty. We usually buy them from Costco or Target’s Good & Gather Roasted Peanuts. I also enjoy Costco’s steamed almonds. They’re a bit hard at first, but you get used to it.
6. Dried Fruits
We love dried mangoes. I recommend getting them from a reliable source, so check the labels for "Made in Cebu, Philippines." Top brands are Profoods Cebu Brand, 7D, and Guadalupe.
Once, we found a brand at Costco made in Thailand that tasted just like the ones from the Philippines. Sadly, they don't sell those anymore, and now they're too sweet and don't taste like mangoes. For the best flavor, try an Asian market or Seafood City for authentic dried mangoes.
We also love dried raisins, especially Good & Gather California Raisins, because they're light, not too sweet, and taste more natural. As you can see, we like Target's Good & Gather brand because they're reasonably priced, have fewer ingredients and are a healthier choice.
7. Cheese Sticks
We buy our cheese sticks from Costco. We either get mozzarella string cheese or Tillamook cheese bars. They’re a great energy boost for any hike. Just make sure to pack them first, especially for summer hikes.
For Longer and More Strenuous Hikes that need Lunch Breaks
8. Seeds of Change
This is our favorite lunch for most trips. We buy it in bulk from Costco to save money, but you can also find it on Amazon if you want to give it a try. It's especially handy when we're staying away from home. Before heading out on a hike, we microwave it and pack it in our bags, so we can eat it with our packed protein.
We used to use plastic camping utensils because they’re light, but now we opt for metal ones. They’re more environmentally friendly, strong, and easy to clean. The ones we use are lightweight and come with their own bag.
9. Vienna Sausage
We love taking Vienna sausages on hikes or trips because they’re easy to bring along. You can open them without a can opener, no need to heat them, and they taste great. They’re the easiest canned food we’ve found that we actually enjoy. It’s tough to find something similar, especially since we’re paying more attention to healthy labels. While it might not be the healthiest option, compared to other canned foods, it’s not too bad.
If You Have Time in the Morning: Easy to Make Lunch/Hiking Snacks
10. Omelette Burrito
In the mornings, we like to eat an omelette with cheese, mushrooms, peppers, and sometimes broccoli. We usually have it with sides like bread or rice and a smoothie. My child prefers eggs, bread, dinosaur-shaped nuggets, and fruits. If we have to get up early, I make the omelette the night before. It may not be as fresh, but it still tastes good when reheated, allowing us to eat and head out quickly. You can also roll it like a burrito and place it in a bag as a breakfast on the go.
11. Banana Muffins
This is our favorite lunch for most trips. We buy it in bulk from Costco to save money, but you can also find it on Amazon if you want to give it a try. It's especially handy when we're staying away from home. Before heading out on a hike, we microwave it and pack it in our bags, so we can eat it with our packed protein.
We used to use plastic camping utensils because they’re light, but now we opt for metal ones. They’re more environmentally friendly, strong, and easy to clean. The ones we use are lightweight and come with their own bag.
9. Vienna Sausage
We love taking Vienna sausages on hikes or trips because they’re easy to bring along. You can open them without a can opener, no need to heat them, and they taste great. They’re the easiest canned food we’ve found that we actually enjoy. It’s tough to find something similar, especially since we’re paying more attention to healthy labels. While it might not be the healthiest option, compared to other canned foods, it’s not too bad.
10. Omelette Burrito
In the mornings, we like to eat an omelette with cheese, mushrooms, peppers, and sometimes broccoli. We usually have it with sides like bread or rice and a smoothie. My child prefers eggs, bread, dinosaur-shaped nuggets, and fruits. If we have to get up early, I make the omelette the night before. It may not be as fresh, but it still tastes good when reheated, allowing us to eat and head out quickly. You can also roll it like a burrito and place it in a bag as a breakfast on the go.
11. Banana Muffins
Just warm them up and enjoy. We often have ripe bananas at home, and that gave me the idea to make Banana Muffins. I ended up calling them "Treban Muffins," haha! Here's why: "Tre" is from my name and the number three, and "Ban" is for bananas because the recipe uses three bananas. One day, my kids will call these muffins "Treban" and remember me. I love having these with coffee or milk for breakfast, and any extras are perfect for hiking. I usually bake them when we’re going on a long drive. Back in California, it was common for us to drive 4–8 hours to visit national parks or hiking spots.
12. Overnight Oats/Yogurt
Just mix and eat. I enjoy these because they're light and tasty, but they don't fill us up for long, so we usually add some toast. I prefer it cold because it tastes like dessert, while Saul likes it warm because it warms his tummy.
Another easy option is yogurt. We just buy a few before our trip, put them in a cooler in the car, and they’re perfect for an extra breakfast treat before hiking.
Stay hydrated on the trails by bringing a reusable Water Bottle or hydration pack. For kids, include a Reusable Straw and Splash Guard for easy sipping!
I prepare something simple the day before we travel. We usually rent a place with a small kitchen because we like to cook, or more like warm up our food. If we're staying in a hotel, we make sure it has a microwave and a fridge. We also enjoy eating out, especially when we're exploring a new area and want to discover local spots, but we can't eat out all the time. With young kids, we need to return to our accommodation earlier to unwind and be ready for more hiking the next day.
13. Airfryer Chicken Drumsticks
I make these chicken drumsticks the night before using my Instant Pot, then quickly cook them in the air fryer. If we have a big hike planned, we just heat them up for breakfast. It’s a great way to start the day with some protein.
We also take them on trips. Just cover them with a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave, serve with Seeds of Change or a salad. My little one loves them, and it's comforting to know he’s eating something healthier than fast food.
14. Simply Heat Up a Meal
Chicken Adobo
13. Airfryer Chicken Drumsticks
I make these chicken drumsticks the night before using my Instant Pot, then quickly cook them in the air fryer. If we have a big hike planned, we just heat them up for breakfast. It’s a great way to start the day with some protein.
We also take them on trips. Just cover them with a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave, serve with Seeds of Change or a salad. My little one loves them, and it's comforting to know he’s eating something healthier than fast food.
14. Simply Heat Up a Meal
Chicken Adobo
15. Chopped Salad Kit
I usually avoid preparing meals because packing takes a lot of time. When packing for activities like hiking, glamping, or staying in RVs and Airbnbs, there are extra things to bring, like a cooler for fresh fruit or meals, hiking chairs and more. We prefer buying food the day before so we don't have to shop on the day of the trip, saving us time. Additionally, most national parks in California are far from the city, so planning meals is important.
For easy meals, we love using a chopped salad kit for our greens. My favorite is Taylor Farms Mexican Street Corn Chopped Salad, which you can find at most grocery stores, and the Asian Cashew Chopped Kit from Costco.
16. Ready-to-Cook Meal
Mandarin Orange Chicken
A ready-to-cook meal can save us time, especially after a long hike when you don't feel like cooking. Having a quick meal is great! One of my favorites is Trader Joe's Mandarin Chicken. Just heat it in a pan, and it's delicious! It takes care of one dinner for us.
17. Tacos/Wraps
This option requires a bit of prep. We like to have everything ready and chopped, so it's easy to put together. We bring tortillas, cooked, seasoned ground beef, sliced tomatoes, shredded cheese, salsa, and sliced lime. You can also wrap it up differently: to make it Mediterranean, skip the salsa and lime and add some hummus or tzatziki instead.
18. Cheese Quesadillas
19. Sandwiches/Burgers
These are the popular meals, but we usually only have them in the summer. If there's a grill where you're staying, use it to cook burger patties or sausages. Put them in a bun with some ketchup and mustard, and you've got a delicious meal. Then, sit by the fire and enjoy some fun and memorable conversations.
Sandwiches are easy to make. Just bring some deli meats, cheese, tomato slices, lettuce, and your favorite dressing. You can eat them for breakfast or dinner.
These are the popular meals, but we usually only have them in the summer. If there's a grill where you're staying, use it to cook burger patties or sausages. Put them in a bun with some ketchup and mustard, and you've got a delicious meal. Then, sit by the fire and enjoy some fun and memorable conversations.
Sandwiches are easy to make. Just bring some deli meats, cheese, tomato slices, lettuce, and your favorite dressing. You can eat them for breakfast or dinner.
For Snacks
20. Microwave Popcorn
At home, we usually make popcorn from scratch by heating corn kernels in a pot and adding cheese powder. But when we're out, we use microwave popcorn because it's easy. It's great for snacking when playing games or chatting with family.
21. Charcuterie
This is simple, and you can include anything you like. We love cheese, so we bring Havarti and Tillamook cheddar cheese. We add grapes and our favorite sausage, Aidell's pineapple and bacon smoked chicken sausage, but sometimes we skip the meat. Occasionally, we also bring wine or buy some beers or canned cocktails from a nearby store. We do this on the last day to fully relax. We pair it with all kinds of fruits because we love them in every shape and size: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, tangerines, bananas, and more! It's like a fruit charcuterie board for us, different, but we love it. This is probably my favorite on the list! To make life easy, getting a premade Charcuterie board in stores is also a wonderful choice.
22. Nachos and Salsa
I love Trader Joe’s Organic Corn Tortilla Chip Rounds or Fred Meyer's Deli Kitchen Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips. I pair them with the spicy Cowboy Caviar salsa—it's my all-time favourite! If I can't find it, Pace Chunky Salsa from any grocery store works too.
23. For Beverage
Milk Tea for the Road
When we're heading out on long drives, we like to bring our favorite Black Milk Tea with us. It's easy to make—just boil some water, add the powder, and you're ready to go! We sip a little bit of it while driving to avoid unnecessary restroom stops and skipping the drive-thru for drinks. But sometimes, we treat ourselves to Starbucks, especially if we have expiring points or gift cards.
Green Tea After a Long Day
We enjoy an Organic Green Tea every now and then, and it's simple to prepare. Just add hot water, sip, and enjoy the benefits. If you're staying at a hotel, you can always ask the front desk for hot water.
When we're heading out on long drives, we like to bring our favorite Black Milk Tea with us. It's easy to make—just boil some water, add the powder, and you're ready to go! We sip a little bit of it while driving to avoid unnecessary restroom stops and skipping the drive-thru for drinks. But sometimes, we treat ourselves to Starbucks, especially if we have expiring points or gift cards.
Green Tea After a Long Day
We enjoy an Organic Green Tea every now and then, and it's simple to prepare. Just add hot water, sip, and enjoy the benefits. If you're staying at a hotel, you can always ask the front desk for hot water.
These snacks and meals not only keep you energized during your adventures but also add a touch of culinary delight to your journey. Here are more Snack Ideas for your hikes, perfect for beginners looking for a tasty treat. Happy hiking and bon appétit!
You might also like this: How to Prepare Your Car for an Epic Adventure
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Do you want more adventure?
Where am I going next?
For my next adventure, we’ll be Exploring Port Orchard's Charming Waterfront: A Perfect Weekend Getaway from Seattle, Washington
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