Life
11 Sweet and Savory Snacks for Your Next Road Trip Because You’re Better Than a Gas Station
For the first thirty minutes, a road trip is nothing short of glorious. You’re driving with the top down, channeling Thelma & Louise , and there’s nothing standing between you and the sunset. Maybe you’re headed across the country or just to the next town over — it doesn’t matter. You’re free, and nothing can stop you.
And then you get hungry. So hungry. You start dreaming of Slim Jims, of gas station hot dogs, of slushies the color of nuclear waste. But you can do better. This summer, with a little planning, we’ll pack a cooler full of road snacks that would put a food truck to shame. Go healthy with spring rolls or dangerous with homemade candy bars — this is a menu worthy of the open road.
Image: My Name Is Yeh
Bar None
Forget your store-bought energy bars with five thousand ingredients you can’t even pronounce. Half Baked Harvest’s blueberry-studded, yogurt-drizzled confections will keep you going — and leave you feeling good about it.
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Go Nuts
You know those sad snack packs with three, carefully portioned nuts in a tin foil bag? Yeah. Let’s not do that. Cookie Monster Cooking has a recipe for cocoa-roasted nuts that’ll satisfy your both your sweet and salty cravings.
Image: Cookie Monster Cooking
Hit the Trail (Mix)
Made a big batch of those cocoa-roasted nuts? Throw the leftovers into this popcorn trail mix from Good Life Eats.
Image: Good Life Eats
Smoothie Operator
Around mile eighty, you will be thanking the carrot gods for this bright, summery smoothie from Jelly Toast.
Image: Jelly Toast
Rice Ballin'
Maybe you’re more of a savory kind of road snacker. These bacon rice balls from My Name Is Yeh are just the thing — and the best part? They’re perfectly portioned, with a strip of seaweed around the bottom to hold on to.
Image: My Name Is Yeh
A Bark with Bite
Apart from being ridiculously delicious, this chocolate bark stars coffee-roasted almonds, which means you’ll get an extra energy boost for the drive ahead. Thanks, Half Baked Harvest!
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Apple a Day
Is it just us, or all fruits and veggies better when they’re chips? Food Fanatic has a recipe for baked apple slices that make a convenient snack on the go.
Image: Food Fanatic
What a Jerky
Jerky is a road trip classic — but you can do better than mystery meat sticks at the gas station. Head over to Pass the Sushi for a smoky, cola-drenched recipe.
Image: Pass the Sushi
Muffin Top
Muffins are meant to go places. They’re cute; they’re individually wrapped; and they fit in the palm of your hand. How Sweet Eats has a hearty blueberry crumb muffin that’s perfect for those long days on the road.
Image: How Sweet Eats
That's How We Roll
The beautiful thing about summer rolls is that you can put anything on them. Classic shrimp and lettuce? Yup. Cali-style with some avocado? Sure, why not? Grab some rice paper and stuff it however you like — because that’s how you roll. Thanks, Green Kitchen Stories!
Image: Green Kitchen Stories
Oh, Joy
Let’s be honest — we’ve all stopped at a corner gas station to load up on as many candy bars as we can carry. Do one better this time and make your own Almond Joy. A Pastry Affair shows us how.
Image: A Pastry Affair
