Looking for some snack ideas? Check out our list of 10 quick and easy on-the-go snacks – perfect for your busiest days or long road trips!
With the summer swiftly approaching, with travel and schedules becoming even more hectic than they might already be, I thought you might need some help in the snack department.
When I poll people on Instagram and YouTube about what meal they need the most help with it's almost always a toss-up between dinner and snacks. Luckily we have lots of 30-minute meals already on the site, BUT snacks? We could dive a bit deeper there.
So today I'm going to share some of my favorite snack ideas that are perfect for on-the-go. You can bring them with you to work, pack them with you on a trip or just munch on them during a busy day of errands.
I'm excited to be sharing this article in partnership with iHerb as they're one of my go-to places for these snacks (both the ingredients needed to make some as well as some of the packaged options). What's great about iHerb is that they carry over 5,000 (!!) grocery products and can ship them to over 160 countries. So for those of you living outside the US and continually frustrated by not being able to find the ingredients I mention, iHerb will be a game-changer for you!
It’s also incredibly easy to shop on iHerb, that have super speedy shipping and their products are almost always cheaper than the grocery store!
My goal with this post is to show you how easy it is to keep simple, grab-and-go snacks on hand so you can reach for something you enjoy instead of relying on the candy bowl or vending machine.
1. Trail Mix
What I love about trail mix is how easy it is to customize. You can mix nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and maybe a little dark chocolate to create a tasty blend that fits your preferences. I know nuts and dried fruit can get a bit pricey at the store, which is why it’s great that iHerb has a wide selection (including organic options!) at really good prices.
My go-to recipe:
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup pistachios
- 1/2 cup golden berries
- 1/2 cup goji berries
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
⇢ Stir everything together, portion out into 1/2 cup servings and enjoy!
2. Energy Balls
You guys know I’m obsessed with energy balls, so of course, these are on the list! Energy balls are made with a base of Medjool dates, nuts, and nut butter, and you can also add some vegan protein powder if you like.
What I love about them, compared to trail mix, is that they taste like a dessert and are easy to bring with you on the go. Plus, all these ingredients can be found on iHerb at great prices!
Staple energy ball ingredients: Almond Butter, Raw Pecans (or Cashews), Raw Cacao, Mini Chocolate Chips
3. Dried Fruit
Think of dried fruit like nature's candy! I love tossing some dates, dried mango and dried figs into a little bag and just throwing them into my purse. What's great about dried fruit is that you don't have to worry about the fruit getting banged up in your bag, needing to carry a knife with you, and it's totally kid-friendly!
My iHerb Picks: Organic Dried Mango, Organic Medjool Dates, Organic Delget Noor Dates
4. Granola
Granola has been one of my go-to snacks forever. I love making a big batch over the weekend and packing little baggies to take with me on the go.
If baking isn’t your thing, there are plenty of great packaged options available these days, including gluten-free and vegan varieties. iHerb carries lots of brands, and here are some of my favorites!
iHerb picks: Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Granola, Purely Elizabeth Chocolate Sea Salt Granola, Go Raw Apple Cinnamon Granola
5. Smoothies
My snack list wouldn’t be complete without smoothies! They can sometimes feel like a tricky snack to take on the go, but there are a few ways to make them work.
If you’re having one for breakfast, you can make a little extra to enjoy later as a snack. Another option is to freeze smoothies in small mason jars and pull them out in the morning. They’ll thaw throughout the day, and by the time you’re ready to drink them, they’ll still be nice and cold.
What I love about smoothies is that you can really get creative with all sorts of ingredients. I love adding in protein powder (this grain-free one is my absolute fave), as well as green powders, coconut water powders, etc. The possibilities are endless – just remember to throw in some veggies too!
6. Protein / Breakfast Cookies
Who doesn’t love snacking on cookies, right!? Making cookies at home can be super easy, and you can enjoy them as a tasty treat anytime. The protein cookies I recently shared are one option, but you could also try one of my breakfast cookie recipes.
They’re a fun way to satisfy your sweet tooth without having to reach for the vending machine or a giant cookie from your local bakery.
And again, just wanna say that iHerb is also an awesome place for picking up baking supplies that might be hard to find locally (i.e. quinoa flakes!).
Staple breakfast cookie ingredients: gluten-free rolled oats, quinoa flakes, peanut butter, pure maple syrup & chia seeds
7. Veggies, Crackers & Hummus
I realize that most of these snack ideas are on the sweeter side, so if you prefer savory snacks, this one is for you! And it’s all about simplicity.
There’s nothing easier than slicing up a few veggies, tossing them in a bag with some crackers, packing a little tub of hummus, and heading out the door. I’ve got to be honest—I’m all about those store-bought crackers and hummus, and I love the selection iHerb has for gluten-free and vegan options. They carry many of my favorite brands with clean ingredients that taste great!
My iHerb picks: Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers, Mary's Gone Crackers, Julian's Bakery Paleo Crackers, Nut Thins
8. Chips
I bet you’re surprised to see this on my list! But I’m not talking about potato or tortilla chips—I mean chips made from fruits and veggies. Might sound boring, but they’re actually delicious!
If you have a dehydrator, you can make fruit and veggie chips at home. Personally, I don’t have the time or patience for that, so I’m all about convenient options.
Luckily, there are plenty of companies making fruit, veggie, seaweed, and other types of chips that are ready to enjoy. When you’re picking a chip, I like to choose ones with minimal added sugar or starches, so you’re really tasting the ingredients themselves.
My iHerb picks: Rhythm Carrot Sticks, Good Health Apple Chips, Karen’s Naturals Peach Crisps, Made in Nature Coconut Chips, Seapoint Farm Seaweed Crisps
9. Fresh Fruit (+ Nut Butter)
When all else fails, toss some fruit in your bag and call it a day! Apples, bananas, or other sturdy fruits travel well without refrigeration. You can also pack a single-serve packet of nut butter (available on iHerb) if you want an easy extra snack.
Nut butter packets to try: Justin's Almond Butter, Artisana Raw Almond Butter, Artisana Raw Cashew Butter, Justin's Classic Peanut Butter
10. Protein Bars
Last but definitely not least are protein bars. On long travel days, having a few on hand can be a real lifesaver. I always keep a variety in my fridge, and you’ll usually find at least one in my bag—because a girl needs options, right!?
If you’re new to protein bars, a good place to start is picking up a few at your local grocery store to see which ones you like. Once you’ve found a few favorites, you can order a box from iHerb. Buying in bulk can save you money and helps make sure you don’t run out when you need a quick snack.
My protein bar picks: Raw Rev Glo Chocolate Mint, Raw Rev Glo Mixed Nut & Caramel, Square Bars (any!) & Health Warrior Chia Bars
Your turn…
What's your favorite snacks while you're on-the-go? Share with us in the comments below!
And I also want to tell you about a very cool offer from iHerb: new customers can get 5% discount off their order by clicking this link! Plus, you'll also be qualified to add Promo Code, WELCOME5 to your shopping cart to get an additional $5 of your order of $40 or more!
This recipe is brought to you in partnership with iHerb. As always, all opinions are my own. I only share companies I love and trust, so thank you for continuing to support Simply Quinoa!
