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Travel With Taste: 30 Delicious Vegan Snacks on the Go
Plant-Based Lifestyle Tips For Women
Author: Plant-Based Susy
Portable Plant-Based Munchies for Your Adventures
New vegans always tell us that the trickiest part of trying to stay on a new eating plan — whether for weight loss or lifestyle — is getting hungry and not having a snack on hand.
It’s easy to grab a shop-bought snack, but you’re not always sure what nasties are in it or whether all ingredients are plant-based. Do you go hungry or eat the wrong thing?
We have a list of tasty and healthy vegan snack ideas for travel.
Table of Contents:
Introduction:
The best vegan snacks on the go are fresh or dried fruit and fresh or roasted vegetables. Try nuts and nut butter, and dips with crackers or pretzels for protein. Grain-based snacks like popcorn, granola, oatmeal, energy balls, and cookies promote satiety.
We always recommend carrying snacks to the office, for a road trip, for school and having quick meals ready at home. These ideas are all easy to prepare and are as little effort to make as they are to eat. Let's look at the best vegan snacks on the go.
Fruity Fun
The healthiest and most portable vegan snack is a piece of fruit, already packaged in its own skin for protection. But if you're tired of always reaching for an apple, here are some fantastic fruity ideas to keep you going while you’re on the road.
Dried Fruit
Satisfy your snack cravings with 100% dried fruit. You can nibble on raisins, freeze-dried strawberries, or deliciously crunchy banana chips.
Dried fruit is highly nutritious and fibre-rich, so eat them just as they are or use them to top your plant-based yogurt, granola, or oatmeal. Just take note of portion size, as these naturally sweet treats can be relatively high in calories.
Stuffed Dates
Dates are our favourite dried fruit, with their lush texture and delightfully nutty flavour. They give you a massive energy and fibre boost.
Add to their nutritional value by removing the pits and stuffing them — choose candied orange peel, raisins, or vegan chocolate spread.
Dates stuffed with nut butter are like mouthfuls of Snickers but more wholesome and guilt-free when you’re on the go.
Frozen Grapes
If you can transport your snacks in a cooler, here’s a healthy vegan snack for travel. Enjoy frozen grapes as a tasty plant-based snack.
Simply keep your fresh grapes in an airtight container in the freezer and enjoy a powerhouse of icy, juicy vitamins whenever you’re hungry.
Fruit Leather
Fruit leather falls between applesauce and dried fruit because it’s made not from whole fruit but from thinly spread fruit puree that’s dried and then sliced.
Take care when purchasing commercially made fruit leather, as it can contain refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colourants, and flavourings. Instead, make your own by pureeing fruit and drying it in an air fryer or oven.
Smoothies
One of our favourite grab-and-go snacks is a hearty fruit smoothie, which you can pump up with additional veggies, plant-based milk, and protein powder.
Add a scoop of hemp, flax, or chia seeds to boost your essential omega-3 fatty acids.
We all love banana and berry smoothies, but consider adding spinach, kale, white beans, or frozen cauliflower for hidden veg nutrition — this is an excellent tip for making smoothies for kids.
Try Vegan Susy’s super tasty veggie-packed smoothie.
Vibrant Veggies and Lovely Legumes
Vegetables are a cornerstone of a healthy plant-based diet: it's no surprise they feature in a list of healthy vegan snack ideas for travel.
Keep chopped veggies like cucumber, peppers, and carrots on hand to satisfy cravings. It’s better to reach for some tasty, crunchy vegetables rather than a packet of potato chips with added empty calories.
Here are some more plant-based snacks on the go.
Veggie Chips
Veggie chips are delicious baked or dehydrated sliced vegetables, often seasoned or lightly salted.
You can buy tasty versions of these, but making your own from potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips, or even sweet potatoes is straightforward and fun.
Veggie chips are super healthy and super easy to make in an air fryer.
Edamame
Whether nestling in their pods or conveniently shelled, edamame or soybeans are a plant protein powerhouse that is really low in calories.
Nutritionists highlight their many health benefits, including lowering the risk of diabetes and bad cholesterol.
Stock up on frozen edamame, which you can thaw instantly in the microwave or boiling water. Sprinkle the steaming beans with sea salt or soy sauce for a savoury delight.
Roasted Chickpeas
Garbanzo beans or chickpeas are highly nutritious legumes packed with protein, folate, iron, and other essential vitamins and minerals.
They’re great in stews and curries, but you can’t beat roasted chickpeas as a healthy vegan snack for travel.
Simply toss drained canned chickpeas with a dash of extra virgin olive oil and your seasonings of choice. We like to add a pinch of salt and chilli powder. Bake them for around 40 minutes in a hot oven until crunchy and nutty.
Chickpeas are also a great candidate for the air fryer; no oil needed!
Nuts About Nuts
Another excellent idea for vegan snacks on the go is nuts and seeds, filled with healthy fats and protein. These protein-packed items can be eaten as is — preferably unsalted — or transformed into a tasty treat that will keep you full for hours.
If you’re unsure which nuts are best for you, read this fascinating post comparing nuts’ nutritional values.
As with dried fruit, just take note of portion size, (a small handful of nuts is all you need) as these protein powerhouses contain healthy fats and are high in calories.
Roasted Nuts and Seeds
The advantage of roasting nuts at home is limiting the oil and salt you use.
Try pan toasting or oven-roasting almonds, pecans, macadamias, walnuts, cashews, and pistachios with seasonings and spices of your choice.
We love pan toasting (dry frying) nuts and seeds in a skillet. They contain healthy fats and toasting them brings out their natural flavours. Simply stir them to prevent burning and encourage even browning.
Pro Tip: Once browned, splash a little tamari or soy sauce on your toasted nuts or seeds for a next level savoury sensation.
Nuts and seeds are also a great candidate for the air fryer too!
Nut and Seed Butters
We love nut butter, from good old peanut butter, the highest protein of all the nut butters, to the more unusual but highly nutritious almond butter.
Seed butter (made from sesame, pumpkin, sunflower or mixed seeds) is just as yummy. Enjoy nut or seed butter on a piece of wholemeal toast, a rice cake, an oat cake or a seeded cracker.
You can also use nut butter as a delicious dip for sliced fruit (apples are a favourite) or veggies. If you don’t grind your own butter, be sure to purchase pure nut butter without the unnecessary added oil, sugar, or salt.
Peanut Butter and Banana Bites
Does a better combination than peanut butter and banana exist?
In one mouthful, you get vitamins, potassium, fibre, protein, and heart-healthy fats.
This cute idea involves sandwiching slices of banana together with peanut butter. It's another all-time favourite snack and a timeless classic, too; so simple but so tasty.
You can eat them immediately, or toast the bread in a couple of minutes, but try to hold back and freeze them for 30 minutes — you’ll thank us.
Delicious Dips
A nutritious dip with tasty crackers, pretzels, or veggie sticks can be more than a snack — it can make up a small and tasty meal.
There are endless vegan dip options to pack for a picnic, school treat, or work lunch, wherever you need a plant-based snack on the go!
Guacamole
Holy moly: This vegan stalwart is always delicious and pleases even the fussiest eater.
Make a simple avo mash with a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt & pepper, or load your avocado with onion, garlic, tomatoes, and chilli.
You can buy jars or tubs of guac, but take care that this otherwise healthy snack hasn't been marred by unnecessary added oil, salt, sugar, or sour cream.
Hummus
We can’t get enough of this Middle Eastern dip made by blending chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and pepper and a splash of extra virgin olive oil (add roasted garlic for extra oomph).
Ring the changes with lush cooked beetroot, which turns the hummus a gorgeous pink, or try this recipe with jalapeños.
Smooth or chunky, hummus is filled with the fibre, protein, iron, and selenium of the humble chickpea.
While most commercially available hummus varieties are still healthy, avoid those with hydrogenated vegetable oils and preservatives.
Baba Ghanoush
Another Middle Eastern favourite, baba ghanoush, is made from roasted aubergines or eggplants blended with tahini.
This richly flavoured, luscious dip is perfect with flatbreads and sliced vegetables and lasts well if kept cool when travelling.
Salsa
Simply meaning “sauce,” salsa usually means a raw tomato and onion dip with lime, chilli, and salt.
Salsa is rich in lycopene, which lowers your risk of heart disease. You typically eat salsa with tortilla chips, but the dip is also really good with crackers and chopped veggies.
Salsa makes a delicious topping for wraps, tacos, and burritos. Try Vegan Susy’s tasty sexy salsa recipe.
White Bean Dip
White beans are a secret gem in the vegan pantry, full of protein, iron, and fibre.
Transform a can of cannellini, butter beans, haricot or other beans into a delicious dip by blending them with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, garlic, a squeeze of lemon juice, and seasonings of your choice.
A great alternative to the classic white bean dip is the green edamame bean dip.
Check out our plant-based protein-packed recipe here.
Gorgeous Grains on the Go
A healthy wholemeal bread sandwich is an excellent portable snack with endless possibilities for fillings.
Similarly, a classic pizza with or without vegan cheese can be a super tasty snack when you're travelling. Homemade is usually the healthiest option, or if you're out of time, some pizza places have vegan cheese on the menu and if not, most will be able to simply skip the cheese topping.
Other Gorgeous Grains on the Go include wholemeal crackers, oat cakes and rice cakes.
What other grain-based snacks can you think of, to enjoy while busy on the go?
Popcorn
Popcorn is an inexpensive and universally loved vegan snack and a perfect idea when you're travelling.
Lightly salted popcorn is delicious, but consider some alternatives, like za’atar (a Middle Eastern spicy mixture of oregano, thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds).
For a nutritional boost, try sprinkling the popcorn with nutritional yeast, which has a savoury, cheese-like flavour and a massive boost of protein, zinc, fibre, and B vitamins including the all important vitamin B12.
Homemade Granola
Granola is a delicious combination of baked oats, nuts, and seeds. Store-bought granola usually contains extra sugar, honey, and refined vegetable oils, so health conscious vegans should avoid it.
Instead, make your super-healthy version with steel-cut oats, nuts, and seeds combined with coconut oil, maple syrup, and cinnamon for extra flavour. Add plenty of dried fruit once the granola has been baked.
Snack on granola with plant-based milk or yogurt, fresh and dried fruit, or straight from the tub to crunch happily as you travel.
Energy Balls
These bite-sized balls of sweetness are often called protein balls because they contain nuts or nut butter. However, the basis of most energy balls is oats, making them fibre-rich and super satisfying.
Make your own from a mixture of oats, finely chopped nuts, seeds, nut butter, agave or maple syrup, and minced dried fruit.
Add coconut, chocolate chips, and other treats as you like, and store them in the refrigerator as a healthy vegan snack. Protein balls are perfectly portable and a great go-to snack for when you're on the go, too.
Loaded Oatmeal
If you have access to a microwave or a hob, you can always make a quick bowl of oatmeal as a healthy vegan snack on the go.
Don’t discount the power of oatmeal at any time of the day: Research published in the Foods Journal lists oatmeal’s nutritional components as “carbohydrates, dietary soluble fibre, balanced protein, lipids, different phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals.”
We enjoy it as a breakfast food with plant-based milk or yogurt, or as a morning snack with nuts, seeds, or fresh fruit.
However, you can also treat oatmeal like couscous or quinoa and create a savoury bowl with steamed or air-fried vegetables, grilled tofu, and a flavoursome sauce.
Cookies
Vegan cookies are a handy treat so long as you don’t enjoy them too often, as they’re usually high in calories and tend to contain sugar.
Make lactose-free plant-based cookies with coconut oil for tenderness and binding and wholegrain flour for additional nutrients and fibre.
Sweet Treats
Who says sweet treats can't be healthy? Consider these fantastic snack ideas to satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your health goals.
Apple Pizzas
Making apple slice pizzas is a fun way for your kids to eat more fruit.
Spread thickly sliced apples with your favourite nut or seed butter, and then top with fresh or dried fruit, seeds, and vegan chocolate chips.
Ants on a Log
Kids love this rather gruesome name for celery sticks stuffed with peanut butter and raisins.
Adults also enjoy the contrasting textures of smooth and crunchy and the juxtaposed sweet and savoury flavours in each bite. It's like Snickers and salted chips with a fraction of the calories, without the guilt!
Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is ideal for meal prep: making a lush chia pudding takes only a few minutes and will happily sit in the fridge, ready to be enjoyed for several days.
Take care buying commercial brands as they may not be vegan and often contain added refined sugar, refined oils, and salt.
Combine chia seeds with your favourite vegan yogurt, plant-based milk, or fruit puree. Top with seeds or nuts for a nutritious treat.
For more great inspiration, see Vegan Susy's chia pudding recipes.
Trail Mix
At its most basic, this beloved plant-based snack contains nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Mix your own blend and experiment with dried coconut, vegan chocolate chips, and even miniature seed crackers.
Take care buying commercial brands as they may not be vegan and often contain added refined sugar, refined oils, and salt.
Fruit and Nut Bars
These are the handiest on-the-go vegan snacks, as you can pick them up at most stores.
There are great brands available that are totally plant-based and have no nasties inside: try LRÄABARs, KIND bars, and GoMacro bars for high protein, vitamin, and mineral content.
Making bars with nuts, dried fruit, and maple or brown rice syrup is easy. Simply combine the ingredients, spread in a baking pan, and bake for around 20 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best vegan snacks for travel?
Fresh fruit, nuts, roasted chickpeas, granola, and energy balls are easy, nutritious, and travel-friendly vegan snacks.
How can I make my own healthy vegan snacks?
Roast nuts and chickpeas, make energy balls with oats and nut butter, or blend fruit for homemade smoothies and fruit leather.
Are store-bought vegan snacks healthy?
Some are, but always check labels for added sugars, oils, and preservatives. Homemade snacks are often healthier and cheaper.
What protein-rich vegan snacks are best for travel?
Edamame, roasted chickpeas, nut butter with fruit, and homemade protein balls offer plant-based protein on the go.
How do I keep my vegan snacks fresh while traveling?
Use airtight containers, insulated lunch bags, or coolers for perishable snacks like hummus, cut veggies, and frozen grapes.
Conclusion:
There's no need to panic when you're faced with travel or making a packed lunch — there are plenty of healthy vegan snack ideas for travel. Most can be prepared at home, remain fresh, and are portable, making life on the road a breeze.
Learn more about healthful plant-based snacks on the go in our popular article here:
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Plant-Based Susy
Plant-Based Nutrition Professional & Weight Loss Coach
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