26 Camping Snacks: No-Cook & Over The Fire Snack Ideas

Camping gear is important for a successful overnight trip, but planning what to eat is probably the heart of any camping preparation. Unless you plan on ordering delivery (which kind of defeats the whole point of getting away from the city), the focus shifts from 'where to sleep' to 'what to eat.' After all, who wants greasy fast food or pizza to disturb the serenity of the wilderness? Here are the best camping snacks to buy or prepare at home easily.

What to Look for Your Camping Snacks

Selecting the perfect camping snack isn't as simple as grabbing your favorite treats from the pantry. Successful camping relies on thoughtful and healthy snack choices that match the demands of the outdoors. When preparing for your trip, you can choose between no-cook camping snack ideas and campfire treats.

No-Cook Camping Snacks

No-cook camping snacks are exactly what they sound like: snacks you can enjoy while camping without cooking or preparation. These snacks are usually lightweight and easy to pack, have a long shelf life, and can be eaten as is. Additionally, they are often full of nutrients, such as protein and fiber, to provide energy.

1. Roasted Chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are healthy camping snacks made by roasting chickpeas in the oven with olive oil and spices; they are tasty and high in protein and fiber. Try them with smoked paprika and cumin, chili powder, or with an Italian seasoning of your choice.

2. Granola Bars

Granola bars are a nutritious snack made with oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. They are a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. You can prepare granola bars in many flavors and enjoy them on the go. Here’s a little tip if you’re planning to prepare granola bars at home: for a chewier bar, bake for 15 minutes, and for a crispier bar, bake for 20 minutes.

3. Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Peanut butter protein balls are a good source of protein and energy. They are made with peanut butter and other ingredients such as oats, honey, and chocolate chips. You can enjoy peanut butter protein balls as a pre-camping snack before setting up your gear or as a post-camping recovery treat.

4. Hummus with Veggie Sticks

Hummus is a Mediterranean snack in a creamy dip made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. It is easy to prepare at home and is a good source of protein and fiber. Pack some veggie sticks such as carrots, celery, and bell peppers to enjoy hummus; they are easy and healthy camping snacks, provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and are really delicious together.

5. Kale Chips

Kale chips are a tasty snack and a good source of vitamins and fiber made by baking kale leaves with olive oil and spices. One tip is to flavor kale chips with garlic, parmesan, cheddar cheese powder, or a combination of chili powder, cumin, and paprika.

6. Dried Fruits

If you're a fan of dried fruits, this is just for you, as they're among the best camping snacks. Apricots, dates, figs, raisins, and the list goes on, with many fresh fruits that can be eaten dried. They can be easily packed and are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

7. Rice Cakes

Rice cakes are a low-calorie snack made from puffed rice. Rice cakes are quite filling, especially when topped with healthy fats. You can enjoy them with toppings such as peanut butter, avocado, or cheese.

8. Trail Mix

Looking for camping snack ideas? Trail mix is a popular choice for hiking and camping made from a combination of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and sometimes chocolate chips. This is a versatile and nutrient-packed snack, that provides a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to fuel outdoor adventures.

9. Jerky

What about a dried meat snack made from beef, pork, or other types of meat? It is a high-protein and low-fat snack popular among campers. One tip when preparing jerky at home is to marinate it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

10. Popcorn

You read that right! Popcorn isn't just for movies; it's also a good camping snack. You can pack it easily and enjoy it anytime without any cooking or preparation. Try it salted or with various flavors like caramel or cheese.

11. Raw and Roasted Nuts

Raw and roasted nuts are delicious and good camping snacks. Raw nuts such as almonds and walnuts have more nutrients, while roasted nuts such as roasted macadamia nuts and roasted pistachios offer a more intense flavor.

12. Cheese and Crackers

A simple mix of cheese with crackers like wheat crackers or water crackers. One advice is to choose hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, or gouda because they are less likely to melt or spoil in warm temperatures.

13. Veggie Chips

Veggie chips are made from vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beets. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals. They offer a crunchy, satisfying alternative to traditional potato chips. Packed with natural flavors and nutrients, veggie chips make a wholesome snack choice for health-conscious individuals.

14. Cereal

Cereal is often enjoyed as a breakfast food but can also be a convenient snack. You can pack a small bag of cereal along with some powdered milk to enjoy as a campground snack.

15. Pretzels

Pretzels are a salty snack made from dough shaped into knots or sticks and then baked. They are often enjoyed plain, coated with seasonings, or paired with dips like mustard or cheese for added flavor.

16. Cup Noodles

Cup noodles make easy snacks to bring camping. While some preparation is needed, it's minimal; you can find hot water readily available at many campsites or prepare it with a small campfire.

17. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a warm breakfast food often enjoyed as a snack. You can prepare it with water or milk and top it with fruit and nuts sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, creating a nutritious and customizable meal snacks to make camping.

18. Muesli

Muesli is a breakfast cereal made from rolled oats, nuts, and dried fruit. You can enjoy it with milk on your camping trip. It’s also good to mix with yogurt or sprinkle over fresh fruit for a quick and healthy snack option while outdoors.

19. Tortilla Wraps

Tortilla Wraps are good snacks to bring camping because they're delicious and easy to prepare. Use tortilla wraps to prepare breakfast burritos with scrambled eggs and vegetables or lunch wraps with deli meat, cheese, and vegetables. Nothing is more satisfying when you're feeling hungry than a tortilla wrap filled with your favorite ingredients.

Campfire Treats

The crackle of a small campfire brings joy to camping, and some campfire treats are simple pleasures that take the entire camping experience to a whole new level. Campfire treats are easy to prepare and cook over an open fire and are perfect snacks for camping trips.

1. Roasted Marshmallows

This is probably the most popular camping treat in Hollywood movies. Roasted marshmallows are a classic campfire treat made when marshmallows are toasted over an open flame until golden brown and slightly melted.

2. S’Mores

S’mores is a classic camground snack made with graham crackers, chocolate, and roasted marshmallows. Place the marshmallow between two cracker halves with some tasty chocolate and then toast until the marshmallow melts.

3. Nachos

Nachos is a popular Mexican dish made from tortilla chips topped with cheese, often melted, and other ingredients such as ground beef, beans, and salsa.

4. Grilled Cheese Sticks

Grilled cheese sticks are simply slices of bread cut into sticks, filled with cheese, and then grilled or toasted until the cheese melts.

5. Banana Boats

As the name suggests, banana boats are made by splitting a banana lengthwise, filling it with chocolate chips and marshmallows, then wrapping it in foil and baking or grilling until the chocolate melts.

6. Baked Fruits

Another idea for campground snacks: you can easily prepare baked fruits at a campfire by wrapping fruit and sweetener in foil and then placing them directly on hot coals, not flames, for 20-30 minutes.

7. Bruschetta

Bruschetta is an Italian appetizer made from grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil, tomatoes, and basil.

Camping snacks don't have to be boring, and you don't have to feel lost about what snacks to take camping. With the right planning, you can enjoy flavorful and satisfying meals throughout your camping adventure.