40 Best Camping Snacks To Make Ahead Or Buy For Your Camping Trip

If you’re planning a camping trip soon, camping snacks are an important part of your camp meal planning! After all, you will need something to munch on during those long hikes or while sitting around the campfire.

But not all snacks are created equal when it comes to camping. You will want to choose snacks that are easy to pack, won’t take up too much space, and won’t spoil quickly. We’ve put together the ultimate list of camping snack ideas that include easy camping snacks to buy and camping snack recipes to make ahead too.

The Best Camping Snacks

When it comes to planning your snacks for camping, most thing snack foods will work, but some are certainly better than others.

While you don’t only need to pack healthy camping snacks, these are of course the best option if you want to stay energised and satisfied between meals. But we’re not here to focus just on those healthy snacks today!

This list includes some camping treats too and those sometimes foods that are fun to have when you’re relaxing around your campsite!

Best Camping Snack Ideas To Buy

When it comes to camping snacks, it’s always a good idea to have a mix of sweet and savoury foods on hand and yes, a few treats are okay too! Here are some of the best camping snack ideas to buy for your next outdoor adventure:

Granola Bars

Granola bars are a classic camping snack that are perfect for a quick energy boost. Look for bars that are high in protein and fibre to keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Nuts

Nuts are a great source of protein and make for a delicious and easy snack. Look for roasted and salted peanuts for a savoury treat, or go for honey-roasted for a touch of sweetness, cashews, walnuts, pecans, and macadamias. Or get a mixed bag of nuts that includes a variety.

Cheese

Cheese is a great snack to have on hand for a quick protein boost. String cheese, cheese sticks, cheddar cheese, and Babybel cheese are all great options that are easy to pack and store if you have some room in your cooler. We always pack a few nice cheeses such as brie and blue cheese, since a cheese platter or charcuterie board also makes for a quick and easy camping lunch.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

No camping trip is complete without a few sweet treats. Pack some cookies with chocolate chips or plain sweet cookies for a sweet treat after dinner or between activities.

Trail Mix

If you’re looking for a snack that has a little bit of everything, go for a trail mix. Look for pre-packaged trail mixes that include a mix of nuts, cereal, dried fruit and seeds.

Protein Bars

Protein bars are a great option for a quick and easy snack that will keep you fueled throughout the day. Look for bars that are high in protein and low in sugar for the best results. These can sometimes be a quick and simple camping breakfast idea too.

Dry Cereal

Dry cereal such as Cheerios is a great option for a quick and easy breakfast or snack, without having to worry about packing milk. My kids eat dried Cheeries all the time in their school lunches or for a snack at home.

Popcorn

Popcorn is a classic camping snack. Pack some pre-popped popcorn or bring along a bag of kernels to pop yourself for a fun and tasty campfire snack.

Fresh Fruit

There are many different types of fresh fruit that you can bring along that is perfect for a quick snack. If you do plan to pre-cut your fruit, give it a squeeze of lemon juice over the top to help prevent it from browning quickly.

Here are some favourite fruits to bring camping:

• Banana
• Apples
• Oranges
• Mandarins
• Watermelon
• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)
• Pears
• Stone fruit (nectarines, peaches, apricots)
• Mango
• Cherries
• Rockmelon
• Grapes

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is another great dry camping snack idea since they are generally shelf-stable and don’t require refrigeration. Dried fruit such as banana chips, apple chips, dried mango, cranberries, and sultanas.

Dip & Crackers

Bring along a few of your favourite pre-made dips and crackers to enjoy for an afternoon snack or lunch alternative. Dips such as hummus, capsicum, tzatziki and any other flavour you enjoy.

Fresh Veggies

Pair fresh vegetable sticks with your dip and cheeses. Yes, there is a little prep involved here but it’s not a recipe as such so we included it in the snacks to buy. Plus if your kids are anything like ours, there are some vegetables they do eat as is, such as cucumbers. They will eat them like apples!

Veggie sticks such as carrots and celery are great to snack on.

Seeds

There are some delicious seeds that make great snacks… not just for birds! Try sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a few great options. They can be eaten alone or mixed in with cereal, dried fruit and nuts.

Yogurt

A tub of yogurt can make for great quick grab-and-go snacks. Mix in muesli, berries or apple slices for extra flavour. Or if you are camping with kids, the small yogurt pouches are great for a quick snack they can eat without needing a spoon too.

Tortilla Chips & Salsa

Who doesn’t love some salsa and chips? Bring your favourite corn chips or tortilla chips along and dip them into a jar of pre-made salsa for a quick and satisfying snack.

Muffins

Muffins are a favourite on-the-go snack for us and we often do make our own at home for school lunches, road trips and camping trips, however, you can also buy some delicious muffins already made at your local bakery or supermarket. These are great if you need a sweet treat too.

Potato Chips

You can’t go past a packet of chips for a quick snack and there aren’t too many people who would pass up this snack idea. Bring a few bags of chips to share.

Jerky

Beef jerky, turkey jerky, or even vegan jerky are all great options for a protein-packed snack that doesn’t require refrigeration. A very popular option for shelf-stable snacks.

Chocolate Bars

If you’re someone with a serious sweet tooth, a couple of chocolate bars might be an essential camping snack for you! Make sure you keep them chilled so you don’t end up with a melted mess though.

Camping Snacks To Make Ahead

When you’re out camping, it’s always a good idea to have some ready-to-eat snacks on hand. Preparing snacks on the spot can be time-consuming and messy. That’s why it’s also a good idea to make some snacks ahead of time.

Here are some ideas for make-ahead camping snacks & recipes:

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Pre-boil a few eggs before your trip for a quick high-protein snack on the go. Easy and filling.

Homemade Granola Bars

If you prefer homemade snacks over the store variety, since you know exactly what goes into them, homemade granola bars are easy to make and delicious.

Campfire Cones

Campfire cones are a fun and tasty treat that you can make ahead of time. To make them, simply fill a waffle cone with your favourite ingredients like marshmallows, chocolate chips, and fruit. Wrap them in aluminium foil and store them in a cooler until you’re ready to cook them over the campfire. The best dessert!

Smores

Yes, this is more of a camping dessert but desserts and snacks can be interchangeable. Bring your graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate for your own yummy campfire smores.

Banana Boats

Banana boats are another that can be in the dessert category but a little healthier. A banana topped with yummy chocolate or Nutella, mini marshmallows and crushed crackers split down the middle, a little like a campfire banana split. This is a warm treat cooked in campfire or grill.

Energy Balls

Energy balls or bliss balls are a great snack for a long hike when you don’t want to carry lots of heavy food and you also want something that will give a great energy boost! Many are made with coconut oil or nut butters for healthy fats as an alternative to energy bars.

Fruit Leather

Fruit leather is essentially rolled up dehydrated fruit for a sweet snack that you can make ahead of time. This can be a lighter option than packing loads of fresh fruit if you’re going on a longer trip and need compact foods and snacks.

Ants On A Log

For a camping snack that the kids will love, that is easy to make with pre-sliced apple slices, smear on some peanut butter or another nut butter and put sultanas or chocolate chips on top to look like ants on a log. This is fun and easy.

Rice Krispies

If you’re keen on some extra treats, the whole family will love some rice krispie treats for a fun snack. There are so many variations of these, using Rice Krispies cereal, melted marshmallows and other various fillings.

Conclusion: Best Camping Snacks

Whether you’re camping with kids or planning a multi-day backpacking hike, having the right camping snacks matters to make sure you’ve got something to keep you full between meals. Especially with all those extra outdoors activities you might have planned.

Whether you’re looking for something sweet or savoury, there are plenty of options for the perfect camping snack to buy or make before you leave home.