Backpacking Snacks

The best homemade energy bars for hiking and backpacking (at least I think so!).

Backpacking snacks are possibly the most important food of the trip! I always bring more than I think I’ll need for those unexpected moments when energy is flagging or you just need a mood booster. Try to have sweet and savoury options and include a few items that are super convenient to eat like jerky or snack bars.

Quick grab snacks:

• Beef jerky, store bought or make your own (this is a good starter recipe and has instructions for an oven)

• Energy bars. Store-bought or make your own. These recipes are high energy and contain zero processed ingredients or refined sugars: homemade energy bars, raw snack bars, no bake protein bars

• Trail mix. Also called “Gorp” in some circles. Usually a combo of tried fruit and nuts, sometimes candy and chocolate.

• Toasted nuts. These spicy nuts are seriously addictive.

• Fruit leather – learn how to make your own fruit leather

• Dark chocolate – or milk chocolate, or any kind of chocolate you prefer

More time intensive snacks to savour over a good view:

• Hummus and crackers (I like oatcakes which are tasty, filling and contain lots of good slow-burning fibre) 

• Peanut butter (or other nut better) with oatcakes (bonus hack: extra peanut butter can be added to porridge for breakfast!)

• Cheese and olives and maybe that sneaky mini bottle of Prosecco you stashed for the perfect moment

• Pretty much anything covered above in the lunch section would also work for a snack!