When those long road trips are penciled in the calendar, ya gotta have ideas for healthy gluten free road trip snacks. Not just any snack list – these paleo, high-protein, low sugar, gluten free, and dairy free snack options are the best you can buy. From sweet to savory, this is the ultimate clean-eating guide for prepackaged snacks.
As a military family, we move…a lot. Hours and hours on the road and lots of cross-country moves means we definitely log a ridiculous amount of miles on our vehicles. That’s when road trip snacks come in (and pretty much save the day).
It’s easy to find bags and bags of preservative-packed, sugar-loaded, empty-nutritional-value snacks in every shelf of the grocery store. Not so easy to decipher (and access) the clean eating options from the junk.
Although we always try and pack a small cooler with healthy goodies like veggies, deli meat, fruit, and water, sometimes grabbing pre-packed options are just easier! Here are my favorite healthy gluten free road trip snacks for your next road trip.
Roasted Chickpeas
I had no idea Target now carries roasted chickpeas in all sorts of flavors. I personally love plain ‘ol sea salt, but you can choose all kinds of flavors from sweet to spicy. Biena is another brand that makes delicious roasted chickpea snack packs!
Wild Willett Fruity Beef Jerky
When jerky tastes like candy it’s magic. If your kids don’t do jerky (sometimes I can’t blame ’em – jerky can be tough, peppery, and not exactly snack-like), they WILL do this jerky. That is, if you don’t eat it before they do…I’ve been guilty to hoard these all to myself. The sassy strawberry beef jerky from Wild Willett is my personal favorite.
Trader Joe’s Plantain Chips
If you know me, you know plantain chips are my weakness. I love these ones from Trader Joe’s because they are crunchy, slightly salty, and squeaky clean. Oh, and did I mention the bag is under $2.00? There’s about a gazillion other great snack-able items at Trader Joe’s so be sure to go there the day before your road trip to ensure you don’t miss your departure time…
Applegate Snack Packs
Remember Lunchables as a kid? It’s like the better-for-you version times a thousand. My kiddos love the pepperoni and cheddar snack pack from Applegate and I lovethe genoa charcuterie platewithalmonds and darkchocolate. These are so clutch for busy families!
Rewind Bars
My newest obsession – I don’t know if I’ll ever not love these Rewind Bars. Just 160 calories each, and packed with nutrient-dense ingredients like pea protein, dates, cashew butter, organic coconut & cocoa, blueberries, strawberries, kale, spinach and a touch of stevia. I love ’em. End of story. Period.
Simple Mills Crackers
When you need a go-to cracker that doesn’t have a ton of weirdly pronounced ingredients and made with healthy, real food, look no other than Simple Mills Crackers. Farmhouse cheddar crackers, almond flour crackers, and sprouted seed crackers are perfectly crunchy and convenient for any road trip.
Paleo Valley Beef Sticks
Packed with protein (obviously) and so convenient on the go! I dig the summer sausage flavor while my husband is a big fan of the jalapeño. Just peel back, eat, and power through your day. These Paleo Valley Beef Sticks are great for stuffing in the side pocket of every purse I own 😉
KitchFix Grain Free Granola
Highly addicting and hard to pick a favorite! I love how crunchy KitchFix grain free granola is – not to mention to the perfect hint of sweetness. Every back is packed with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, coconut, etc etc etc! Click here to get yourself a few bags asap. You may get addicted, just sayin’….
Coconut Chips
Ok so this is a little bit of a cheat. I do toast my coconut chips before consumption, because it makes a world of difference. But you can buy coconut chips almost anywhere. And eat them plain or toasted. If you’re a fan of coconutty flavor, toasted coconut chips are where it’s at. Prefer your coconut chips already toasted and ready to go? Try a bag from Dang.
Nut Butter Packets
I mean, can you get any more convenient?! Plus who doesn’t love nut butter? Grab one a few nut butter packets (most grocers including Walmart and Target carry nut butter packets)and squeeze it all over your favorite fruit, crackers, or vegetables. Squeezing directly in your mouth is completely acceptable too.
Hippeas Puffed Chickpeas
Love crunch? These protein Hippea Chickpea Puffs are fun and totally reminiscent of something you ate as a kid that I’m sure was pretty much packed with artificial ingredients and colors. But these aren’t! Plus anything ‘puffed’ is just plain awesome.
Seven Sundays Grain Free Muesli
May as well just open the back and pour right into your mouth. This coconut-based paleo cereal from Seven Sundays is made with toasted coconut, almonds, pecans, super seeds, strawberries, cherries, bananas, dates, and vanilla. It sounds delicious and IS delicious.
LaraBars
You can’t get better than a bar made with all-natural ingredients, no added sugar, and gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. I love Larabars when I need a sweet fix on the go. My favorite flavor is coconut cream, but there are SO many varieties it will be hard to pick just one!
Additional Ideas
Olive Packets
I find ’em at Trader Joe’s and more recently found a squeaky clean brand at my local Walmart. Olive packets are great when you want a savory, salty, and deliciously satisfying snack
Popcorn
Popcorn fans listen up – SkinnyPop or Boom Chicka Pop individual packs or large bags are fantastic for road trip snacking. My advice? Go simple with sea salt or original to avoid extra sugar (found in varieties like kettle corn).
Applesauce Pouches
A great option for kids, or adults who need a little sweet fix too! Look for pouches with no-sugar added.
Hummus
Hummus is now more convenient than ever – check your local grocer for individual hummus packs. They’re great used as a dip for easy veggies like baby carrots, celery, or sliced bell peppers.
Veggie Chips
Kale chips, seaweed snacks (like these from SeaSnax), beet chips, or the roasted okra or roasted broccoli from Trader Joe’s are all great road trip snacking options too!
Those are just a few of my favorites healthy gluten free road trip snacks! For a few homemade eats to bring with you, try making these 3-Ingredient Strawberry Pistachio Energy Balls, Deli Meat Roll Ups, Almond Cocoa Mocha Energy Balls,Paleo Protein Brownies, and 4-Ingredient Coconut Pistachio Clusters.
What are your go-to, non-refrigerated snacks?
Disclaimer: Please note that there may be some affiliate links on this page and I will earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. However, all opinions are my own. Thank you for your support.
2.8K Shares
