These are the best snacks to bring on your next hike

2022-08-19 22:51:26 By : Mr. Kelvin Zheng

Snacks like these vegan cookies will keep you fueled and satisfied on-the-go. 

Nature is calling, and your stomach is growling. When you're out on the trails, you don't want to get stuck with a melted protein bar or soggy sandwich. Stocking up on snacks that travel well and provide fuel is key when hiking and camping. 

We've rounded up tasty tidbits that won't weigh you down, aren't perishable and are bound to hit the spot. Once you've hit the peak, you'll be glad to have these in your backpack.

Natreve Moo Less Animal-Free Whey Protein

This vegan protein comes in crave-worthy flavors like Cookies and Cream and Strawberry Shortcake. Plus, they're sold in handy portable single-serve packets that dissolve easily into water or milk to make a satiating drink on the move. 

Pescavore Ahi Tuna Jerky Strips

For a twist on your classic hike-ready jerky, try this tangy, well-seasoned fish jerky. It’s made with wild-caught ahi tuna and is made with just a few ingredients that offer plenty of flavor. The Smokey Poke is especially tasty. 

In a world of sweet bars, these snacks from Keho march to their own savory drum. With flavors like Pizza To Go and Curry in a Hurry, you can satisfy your hunger without a sugar rush with these portable bars. They’re also vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly.

Wild Planet Wild Tuna White Bean Salad

You may already know that tuna makes an excellent trail-ready meal, but Wild Planet takes things a step further by packing added nutrients and flavors into each can. Now, you can enjoy a full meal of wild tuna with a salad of white beans, carrots, bell pepper, and green olives. 

Quinn Dark Chocolat’y Peanut Filled Pretzel Nuggets

These stuffed pretzel nuggets satisfy your sweet tooth, your hunger, and your need for salt mid-hike. 

N!ck’s Nut Bars

It’s hard to believe that these chocolate-coated, nut-filled bars have 1 gram of sugar, but they’re sure to hit the spot after a long day of hiking. They come in two crowd-pleasing flavors: Almond Chocolate and Peanut Chocolate.

Second Nature Dark Chocolate Medley Trail Mix

You can’t hike without a solid trail mix in your backpack, and this one has classic flavors and simple ingredients that will keep everyone fueled for a long day. It’s made with a simple blend of almonds, dark chocolate, pecans, and cashews for a healthy balance of protein, carbs, and fats. 

Bobby Sue’s Nuts over Olives Mix

Or, if you prefer a more savory trail mix, opt for this blend of sweet and savory almonds, cashews, pecans, and dried black and green olives. It will add a touch of Mediterranean sophistication to your travels. 

If you’re waking up to the sun rising, this hearty multi-seed crisp bread is a great alternative to toast. It’s packed with get-your-day-started ingredients like oat bran, flaxseed, and sunflower seeds, and is the perfect vehicle to a campfire-fried egg.

Jerky is a light, but nutrient-dense food, which makes it an ideal camping and hiking snack. This biltong is air-dried and made from simple ingredients with nothing artificial or suspicious. It comes in several tasty flavors, including Lemon Pepper and Peri Peri for some heat. 

This snack may look like a nostalgic breakfast pastry, but it’s made up of much more than the sugar and processed flour of childhood. It makes a great on-the-go breakfast that packs 20 grams of protein, 24 grams of carbs (but less than one gram of sugar so you won’t feel a crash). 

For an extra jolt of energy at any point during your hike, reach for a caffeinated protein bar from Quantum. Each bar contains 100 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to about one cup of coffee. 

It’s hard to believe the nutritional profile of these beans, once you see how good they taste. They’re crunchy, satisfying, and lightly seasoned with Italian flavors. Each slim and packable pouch offers plant-based protein and carbs to keep you moving forward. 

You’ll fall in love with the flavor and crunch of this savory, easy-to-pack trail snack. From Trippin’ Truffle Parm to Twisted Thai Chili, you can’t go wrong with the seasoning on these freeze-dried mushroom crisps. 

These soft, chewy bites put the butter in nut butter. They’re made with natural peanut butter and get crunch from pecans with a bit of sweetness to keep your energy up and your taste buds happy. 

If you prefer your nuts straight up (with a little added flavor, of course), go for these cashews coated with tasty seasoning blends like Jalapeno and Cheddar, Masala, and Mexican Taco. The Black Pepper flavor is especially good. 

These protein shakes are pre-mixed and resealable so you can sip them throughout your day outdoors. They’re creamy and thick with milkshake-like flavor, but happy to pack 15 grams of protein for sustained energy. 

Pack your chips with extra nutrition to keep you powered on-the-go. These taste like tortilla chips (and even have everyone’s favorite flavors like BBQ and Sour Cream and Onion), but are made with a unique protein blend that provides nearly 20 grams of protein in a bag of chips!

These crispy chickpeas are salty and crunchy enough to resemble chips, but happen to be good for you. They offer up to 6 grams of plant-based protein per serving, and up to 18 grams of complex carbohydrates. Plus, they come in mouthwatering flavors like Honey Roasted and BBQ. 

Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers

This is a great kid-friendly snack that’s gluten-free and vegan. The crackers have a soft, buttery texture, thanks to almond flour, and they’re lightly seasoned with sea salt to help balance your water loss on a hot day. 

Every snack bag needs a cookie, and these almond flour treats from The Greater Goods are a top-notch choice for hikers. Their grain-free and the Cinnamon Snickerdoodle flavor has just the right amount of spice and sweetness to taste homemade.

Lizzy Briskin is a freelance food writer and product reviewer. She runs the content creation business Earthen Food Co (https://earthenfood.co/), where she develops and photographs recipes, shares food stories and her (usually strong) opinions about all things related to cooking and eating. She's also a trained chef and marathon runner who lives in Boston. Contact her at lizzy@earthenfood.co and follow on Instagram @lizzybriskin.