Snack Bar, Vol. 14: Road Trip Bites

Cheese that travels? Count me in. These crunchy rounds are made from tangy, salty hard cheese that’s been dried into cute little chips and come in tantalizing flavors like Hot & Spicy Cheddar, Asiago & Pepper Jack, and Garlic Parmesan. They’re also a great salad topper if you need something extra cheesy on your greens.

Nuts are a classic road trip pack-along, but these aren’t your typical boring mixed nuts. Karma cashews are large, creamy, and roasted, rather than fried in oil. This version is coated in sweet and savory coconut that adds texture and an extra dose of nuttiness.

Snack sticks like these smoky pork bites from Greenridge Naturals make protein portable and tasty, wherever you go. These sticks contain no added nitrates or nitrites and have a slightly smoky flavor with the mild taste of pork that some prefer to your more bold-tasting beef-based sticks.

These crowd-favorite bars from the snack pros at Bobo’s will satisfy your sweet tooth and help you get your whole grains for the day. They have a soft cookie-like texture enriched with coconut oil and cocoa butter, so you feel like you’re eating from a bakery without having to make a stop.

A bit salty, a bit sweet, totally crunchy, and consumable by the handful: Lesser Evil’s Himalayan Sweetness Popcorn is my ideal road trip snack. If you’re a fan of kettle corn, you’ll love the not-too-sweet flavor and airy and light texture of this bagged popcorn. But if you’re more of a cheesy corn fan, the brand’s white cheddar flavor is not to be overlooked.

Dried fruit comes in all shapes and sizes, but nothing beats the soft, buttery texture and rich, caramelized flavor of the Medjool dates from Rancho Meladuco Date Farms. The company packages their “imperfect” fruits into a handy pint-sized container that’s made for travel – and if these sweet gems are considered imperfect, it’s hard to imagine the grade-A version.

Driving takes focus, and if you can give yours a boost with a bite of chocolate, wouldn’t you? These sweet squares from Fx Chocolate contain adaptogens like ashwagandha and GABA that may help with cognition, clarity, and calmness. The individually packaged squares are lightly sweetened with allulose instead of sugar, so they’re keto-friendly.

This turkey jerky from jerky giants Country Archer Provisions is moist, tender, and deeply flavorful. It’s not the kind of dried meat snack you’ll be chewing on for ages. The hickory smoke flavor doesn’t overpower things, and the bags are shelf-stable so you can keep a stash in the glove compartment for an endless protein source. 

If you’re traveling a shorter distance, pack your favorite cheese for the journey. There’s nothing like an old-school cheese stick to bring you back to your lunchbox days – but these sticks from Sargento are every bit as satisfying and fun to eat. Sargento’s natural string cheese has a mild, milky flavor that’s great alongside jerky or dried fruit….like car-cuterire?

Halva is a nutty, sugary sesame-based treat from Israel for the sweet seekers in your car. This pistachio version from Joyva has a slightly savory note that makes this bar a great post-lunch pick-me-up to keep you alert for your afternoon drive.

These oatmeal bars make a great breakfast on the move, but they’re just as grabbable for lunch or an afternoon snack. They’re soft and doughy with a sweet blueberry filling and happen to include 10 grams of filling protein from almond and peanut butter plus whey protein,  if you’re considering their macros on the road.

While fresh fruit makes a great road trip snack, if you don’t want to care for delicate berries on the go, these exceptionally flavorful freeze-dried raspberries from Wildfare make an excellent substitute. Made from nothing more than berries, this snack truly captures the flavor of fresh raspberries in a crisp, crunchy form. You can snack on them straight from the bag or stir them into yogurt or oatmeal for a pretty pink tint.

These crisp, light crackers don’t need a dunk or spread to shine. They have a buttery flavor amplified by rosemary and sea salt and a crunchy, satisfying texture that will have you reaching for more. Of course, if you’re feeling fancy, you could always pair your flatbread with a smear of hummus or cream cheese for a heartier snack.

Speaking of hummus, Cedar’s snack packs are designed to be stashed in the car cooler. Individually portioned with corn flour chips and plenty of creamy hummus (with a high garlic quotient), they’re ready to travel and will keep you fueled for any adventure.

Avocado toast on the go might sound risky, but Acme’s smart snack boxes put it easily within reach. Each box contains a sleeve of crackers, a pouch of vibrant guacamole, and the brand’s signature smoked Nova salmon. This one might be easier for the passengers than the driver to assemble – or maybe you take a break from the road to enjoy more of a real meal.

These dried mango slivers are soft, sweet, and tender. Despite containing no added sugar, they’re naturally sweet enough to satisfy your sweet tooth without sending you for a sugar crash later. Of course, if you’re looking for the sweetened variety, Mariani has you covered there, too.