Hiking is one of my favorite pastimes. I enjoy discovering new trails, embarking on small adventures, and soaking up beautiful views — all while getting a healthy, enjoyable workout.
A good hike needs good snacks. Whether I’m trekking, biking, or enjoying another outdoor activity, I always pack something to eat. Lately I’ve been making more homemade hiking snacks. They’re often tastier and healthier than many packaged options, and making them at home can also save you money — store-bought hiking snacks can be expensive.
The recipes below are ideal for hiking or backpacking, but they also make great everyday snacks.
Other recipe roundups to explore:
- 10 Meatless Monday Recipes You Should Try
- 10 Budget Lunch Ideas and Cheap Easy Meals You Should Try
- 10 Budget Recipes and Cheap Easy Meals You Should Try
- 14 Best Camping Breakfast Recipes For Your Next Trip
Note: If you’d like easy weekly meal plans featuring budget-friendly recipes, consider the $5 Meal Plan service, which delivers a weekly meal plan and shopping list for a small monthly fee.
10 Easy Hiking Snacks and Backpacking Foods to Make
1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Bars
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These bars combine rich chocolate, nutty peanut butter, and fiber-rich chia for a satisfying, energy-dense snack that travels well. They’re simple to make and can be customized with your favorite mix-ins.
2. Homemade Crunch Bars
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Simple three-ingredient crunch bars are an easy option for fueling a long day outdoors. Choose gluten-free or vegan ingredients if you have dietary preferences, and press the mixture into a pan for quick cooling and slicing.
3. Dark Chocolate Fruit Bites
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Dark chocolate-coated fruit and nut clusters offer a mix of quick sugars and healthy fats — easy to portion and great for a morale boost on the trail. Use dried fruit and toasted nuts for the best texture.
4. Trail Mix Energy Cookies
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Energy cookies packed with trail mix ingredients—nuts, seeds, oats, and dried fruit—provide chewable, portionable fuel that’s more substantial than a typical cookie.
5. No Bake Trail Mix Bites
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No-bake bites are quick to prepare, easy to customize, and convenient for packing. Combine nut butter, oats, dried fruit, and add-ins like coconut or chocolate chips, then roll into balls.
6. Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge
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Peanut butter fudge provides dense calories and comforting flavor. Make small squares and wrap them individually for convenient portions that won’t melt quickly in cool conditions.
7. Chewy Fruit Nut Granola Bars
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Chewy granola bars filled with dried fruit and nuts are classic hiking fare — portable, filling, and easy to adapt to your preferred flavors and textures.
8. Fruit Leathers
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Homemade fruit leathers are lightweight, chewy, and naturally sweet. They’re a great way to use seasonal fruit and make a compact snack that won’t take up much room in your pack.
9. Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars
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These bars capture the familiar flavors of a PB&J in a durable, portable form — great for kids and adults alike when heading out on day hikes.
10. Vegan Jerky
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Vegan jerky made from mushrooms, tofu, or seitan is a savory, protein-rich alternative to traditional jerky. It stores well and offers a satisfying chew on the trail.
What are your favorite hiking snacks and backpacking foods?