Lunch & Snack Recipes
Power through the day with an energy-packed lunch
Many people tend to downplay the importance of lunch and snacks while backpacking or hiking. However, lunch is an essential part of the day when your body needs nutrients to keep itself moving! Whether you want a wrap, bread, or trail mix, we got you covered with plenty of backcountry lunchtime and trailside snack recipes. However, as suggested in our All About: Food & Nutrition article, it’s better to slowly snack throughout the day instead of stopping to eat lunch. Taking a long break sets you up for a potential sugar crash (as described in the article), but also causes your heart rate to return to normal, making it harder to get going again after lunch.For some alternatives to these do-it-yourself backpacking meals that require some preparation, check out our Pre-made Backpacking Food Ideas article for a list of prepackaged items to eat along the trail.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bars
Bars can be seen in the top right image
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 3/4 cup honey
- 3 cups quick (instant) oatmeal
Makes 16 (2×2 inch) bars
Customize by adding dried fruit, nuts, coconut, protein powder, seeds, flax, or wheat germ.
Hummus
- 2 12-ounce cans of chickpeas
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 6 Tbsp sesame tahini
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of three lemons
On the trail: Serve with slices of pita bread.
Makes 6 servings
Note: This is a great energy food as a snack of for lunch. It’s full of protein and calories and can last more than a week. If you want to carry less weight, you can bring dry hummus, which can be mixed with water on the trail.
Lemon Ginger Granola
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/4 cup wheat germ
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup candied ginger, chopped
This recipe courtesy of One Pan Wonders
Latte Bars
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup instant coffee crystals
- 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
On the trail: Unwrap and enjoy!
Makes 12 dozen
This recipe courtesy of One Pan Wonders
Logan Bread
- 7 cups whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup dry milk powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
- 1 cup raisins, craisins or other dried fruit
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 cup honey
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 3/4 cup melted butter or margarine
On the trail: Unwrap and enjoy!
Makes 2 dozen
This recipe courtesy of Backpacking Guide
Ford Wraps
- 1 package smoked salmon (in sheets)
- 2 single serving packages cream cheese
- 2 large tortillas
On the trail: Spread 1 package of cream cheese on each of the tortillas. Put half of the salmon on each. Roll and eat.
Makes 1-2 serving
This recipe courtesy of One Pan Wonders
Backpacking Tip:
Peanut Butter & Banana Wraps
- 1 tube squeeze peanut butter
- 1 small banana
- 1 tortilla
On the trail: Onto a tortilla, cut the banana into slices and lay on the peanut butter. Roll, eat, and enjoy!
Makes 1 serving