32 Healthy Camping Snacks To Make Or Buy
Planning healthy camping snacks for your next adventure is easy to do with these delicious camping snack recipes or snacks to buy for your next camping trip.
Camping is a fun way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature.
However, it can be challenging to eat healthily while on a camping trip if you don’t plan for it, especially when it comes to snacks.
In this blog post, we share 35 healthy camping snacks that are perfect for your next outdoor adventure. This includes simple camping snacks you can buy as well as a few delicious healthy camping snack recipes to make.
The Best Healthy Snack Ideas For Camping
When it comes to camping snacks, it’s important to choose options that are both healthy and convenient. The best camping snacks are those that are protein-packed snacks that are easy to pack or prep.
Those that you can keep at room temperature are a bonus too! And of course, you want them to be tasty snacks the whole family will enjoy eating. Many of these easy camping snacks also make great road trip snacks or hiking snacks too.
Here are some of the best healthy snack ideas for camping:
Healthy Camping Snacks to Buy
Not everyone has time to make their camping snacks before they leave home and even if you do, having a few quick grab store-bought healthy camping snacks is always a great time saver!
Some of these do require a few extra steps, such as chopping up veggies or boiling eggs, but pretty simple stuff overall.
Here are some quick and easy healthy camping snack ideas you can pick up at the store:
- Tuna packets: Tuna packets are a great source of protein and can be eaten straight out of the packet. They’re also convenient to pack and easy to store.
- Popcorn: Popcorn is a classic camping snack that is both healthy and delicious. Look for low-salt or unsalted varieties to keep it healthy.
- Beef jerky: Beef jerky is a great source of protein and is also low in fat. It’s a great snack to have on hand during a long hike or other physical activity.
- Hard-boiled eggs: Hard-boiled eggs are a great source of protein and can be boiled ahead of time for an easy snack option.
- Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds are a great source of healthy fats and can provide sustained energy throughout the day. Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are great to add in!
- Hummus & Veggie Sticks: Hummus is a delicious and healthy dip that pairs well with veggie sticks like carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
- Trail mix: Trail mix is a classic camping snack that can be customized to suit your tastes. Look for mixes with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
- Dried fruits: Dried fruits like apricots, cranberries, and raisins are a healthy snack option that is easy to pack and store.
- Fresh Fruit: Pack your favourite fruits like apples, oranges, and bananas for a healthy and refreshing snack option.
- Protein bars: Protein bars are a convenient and nutritious snack option that can provide sustained energy during long hikes or outdoor activities.
- Cottage cheese on crackers: A quick and easy snack to prepare is by using cottage cheese spread on crackers. You can also add slices of cold meat or tomato for extra flavour.
Healthy Camping Snacks for Kids
Kids need snacks that are both nutritious and fun to eat. Some of these Here are some healthy camping snacks that kids will love:
- Yogurt: Yogurt is a great source of calcium and protein and can be flavoured with fresh fruit or honey. You can get kid-sized yogurt pouches for easy grab-and-go snacks that kids will enjoy.
- Fruit chips: Fruit chips like apple chips or banana chips are a healthy and fun snack idea for kids.
Ants on a log: Ants on a log is a classic snack that kids love. Spread peanut butter on celery sticks and top with raisins. - Fruit kabobs: Fruit kabobs are a fun and healthy snack option that can be customized with different fruits.
- Dry Cereal: Dry cereal like Cheerios or Chex is a great snack option for kids that is low in sugar and high in fibre.
- Fruit Pouches: These pureed fruit pouches are easy to pack and don’t require any prep work. Plus, they come in a variety of flavours that kids will love.
- Energy bites: Energy balls made with oats, peanut butter, and honey are a healthy and delicious snack option for kids. The smaller size makes them great for kids compared to larger energy bars too.
- Veggie chips: Veggie chips like beet or sweet potato chips are a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips.
- Cheese Sticks: Cheese sticks are a great source of protein and calcium for kids, and they’re easy to pack and store.
- Berries & Yogurt: Mix fresh berries with yogurt for a healthy and delicious snack option that kids will love. This is a great alternative to frozen treats such as ice cream during the hot weather or when you don’t want to risk ice blocks melting in your cooler.
- Banana Boats: Slice open a banana and stuff it with peanut butter, raisins, and chocolate chips for a fun twist on the classic PB&J sandwich and a good one for if you have a sweet tooth.
- Peanut Butter Banana Wraps: Spread peanut butter on a tortilla wrap and add sliced bananas. Roll it up and slice into bite-sized pieces for a quick camping snack.
Healthy Camping Snack Recipes
If you’re interested in making your own healthy camping snacks, here are some easy recipes to try for healthy camping food you can make before you leave for your next trip:
- Homemade Granola Bars: Make your own granola by mixing oats, nuts, seeds, and honey together and baking in the oven until crispy.
- Roasted Chickpeas: Roasted chickpeas are a delicious and healthy snack that can be seasoned with spices like cumin and paprika.
- Cacao coconut bliss balls: Energy balls are a great snack option that can be made with ingredients like dates, nuts, and coconut.
- Banana Applesauce muffins: This is one of our favourite muffin recipes. They make great snacks but they also double as a quick on-the-go make-ahead breakfast for camping too since they have oats and are really filling.
- Caprese Skewers: Alternate cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves on skewers for a healthy and tasty snack option.
- Chicken & Salad Pinwheels: Spread cream cheese on a tortilla wrap and top with sliced chicken, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. Roll it up and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Apple Nachos: Slice apples thinly and top with toppings like peanut butter or another nut butter such as almond butter, chocolate chips, and shredded coconut for a healthy twist on nachos.
- Oat Banana Cookies: These cookies are made with oats, bananas, and chocolate chips for a healthy and delicious snack option.
- Peanut Butter Oat Bars: Mix oats, peanut butter, honey, and dried fruit together in a baking dish and bake until golden brown for a filling and healthy snack option.
- Fruit leather: Make your own fruit leather by pureeing fresh or frozen fruit and spreading it on a baking sheet to dry in the oven. Cut into strips for a healthy and portable snack option.
Camping Tip: If you plan to pre-cut apples or other fruit before heading to your campsite, toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning. Aim to eat cut fruit and fresh veggies early in your trip.
Staying Hydrated
Having plenty of water to drink during your camping trip is equally as important as it is to keep up your energy with simple snacks and healthy camping meals.
You might be tempted to bring a lot of sugary drinks, such as soda or juices, but water is always the best option for staying hydrated and healthy.
Here are some ways to make sure you have enough water during your camping trip:
- Bring a refillable water bottle: Having a refillable water bottle will ensure that you always have access to fresh drinking water.
- Use a hydration pack: If youโre doing any physical activities like hiking or biking, a hydration pack will allow you to carry more water with you without weighing you down.
- Pack water purification tablets: If youโre camping in a remote location where clean drinking water may not be available, bring some water purification tablets to ensure your drinking water is safe.
- Drink herbal tea: If you want something other than plain water, try bringing along some herbal tea bags to add flavour and hydration.
- Eat water-rich foods: Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber, and strawberries are high in water content and can help you stay hydrated.
- Set a drinking schedule: Itโs easy to forget to drink enough water when youโre busy enjoying your camping trip. Set reminders on your phone or make it a habit to take sips of water throughout the day.
Remember, staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining your energy and health while camping. Don’t forget to drink water regularly and bring plenty of it with you on your trip.
The last thing anyone wants while enjoying the great outdoors is a case of dehydration!
Conclusion: Healthy Camping Snack Ideas
Eating healthy while camping doesn’t have to be difficult. With these healthy camping snack ideas, you’ll be able to satisfy your hunger while keeping your body fueled with nutritious options. Whether you choose to make your own snacks or buy pre-packaged options, there are plenty of healthy and delicious choices to explore on your next camping adventure.
More camp food tips & ideas:
- Camping food list
- Healthy camping snacks
- Best canned foods for camping
- Skillet meals for camping
- Camping griddle recipes
- Easy camping lunch ideas
- Outdoor cooking tips
- Winter camping meal ideas
- Crock pot camping meals
- Easy camping meals for kids
- Camping snacks to make or buy
- Dry camping snacks that don’t need refrigeration