15+ Easy Hiking Food Ideas for Every Adventure

Every hike should include a snack or meal which can be done during pauses or when you reach your goal. Easy hiking foods are key to keeping your body nourished and your mind happy while on the trails. We’ve prepared a whole list of easy hiking food ideas and snacks you can use while exploring nature.

Key Features of Good Hiking Food

It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about backpacking food or hiking snacks; the ideal meal for the trail should be lightweight, shelf-stable—or should we say “backpack-stable”—require minimal cooking, and nourishing. This can include numerous types of foods. Whether heading out for a day hike or a multi-day trek, your food should be a key element of your planning.

Of course, taste and cost are factors to consider, but the most important aspects are packaging and variety. Choose foods you enjoy eating even when you’re not on the trail. Make sure it is either packaged in smaller, single-serving sizes or that you repackage it. The most crucial element is variety because you don’t want to repeatedly eat carbs or one type of food.

This brings us to the types of items you can use while backpacking. For instance, canned goods last a long time, but they are quite bulky and take up a lot of space and weight due to the can itself. The best option is to opt for easily packable dehydrated or freeze-dried foods. Fresh items are also great options if you prepare them ahead of time or make them trail-ready by adding water.

5 Quick and Easy Hiking Snack Ideas

Now, if you’re headed on a day hike, a hiking snack is something you should consider bringing with you. Here are our ideas:

• Dried Meats: If you want something that will keep your electrolyte levels up, dried meats like beef jerky, salami, summer sausage, and many others are great options. We love them because they don’t need refrigeration and are an excellent source of protein.

• Trail Mix: Needless to say, a blend of dried fruits and nuts is key to staying fueled while on the trail. This is why we truly believe a hike is only complete with trail mix. We recommend either making your own or buying pre-packaged.
• Energy Bars: These can even include bliss bars or muesli bars, which we love because they offer a lot of energy and are nutrient-dense. They can be vegan, gluten-free, and packed with fats and vitamins.

• Bars: The smartest and most versatile hiking snack is the bar. There are so many options, such as chocolate bars, granola bars, energy bars, or meal bars. Make sure to choose the right one for you, but it should be both nutritionally balanced and calorie-dense.
• Nut Butter: It doesn’t matter what nut butter it is—peanut butter or even almond butter—spreading it on some bread or crackers will give you a calorie-packed snack. They have it all: fats, protein, carbs, sodium, and plenty of calories. This is why we believe nut butter is key for snacking or even breakfast on the trail.

5 Simple Meal Ideas for the Trail

If you’re out on a multi-day hike or even a longer thru-hike, these easy hiking food ideas are key to staying fed while on the trail.

• Cheese and Crackers: At first, we thought this meal hack was too basic, but cheese, just like dried meat, is very stable and offers a lot of fat and protein. Combine it with the type of crackers you like, and it will be a quick yet nourishing meal for the trail.

• Wraps: It doesn’t matter what you place inside your wrap; make sure to bring enough tortillas. You’ll like the nut butter and tortilla combo, but a cheese and tortilla wrap is also a great option. Of course, try to add some vegetables, if possible, as well as protein sources.
• Couscous: We love couscous because it is a warm meal with plenty of carbs, and it is rapid and easy to make. All you need to do is season your couscous and add warm water to it. Wait for two minutes, and voilà—your meal is ready. We love to pair it with any type of protein, like chicken or beans.

• Ramen Noodles: What would a hike be without ramen noodles? All you need to do is either purchase store-bought noodles and place them in warm water on the trail, then add the seasoning, or buy pre-seasoned noodles with dried veggies and protein sources. Steam it on the trail; either way, you’ll have a nourishing meal.
• Pasta Salad: Another protein- and carb-dense option is pasta salad. This can be pre-made at home, which is why we love it. Just add pasta, olive oil, and vegetables to your container. Before serving, make sure to shake it well.

6 Instant & Easy Hiking Food Ideas

If you’re a thru-hiker, backpacker, or multi-day hiker, a quick and easy meal is what you’re looking for. These are the instant and easy hiking food ideas we have prepared for you that you can quickly make with or without hot water:

• Oatmeal: You can add hot water for a hearty breakfast when it comes to instant oatmeal. If you want to make your own, purchase plain oatmeal and add dried fruit, nuts, or anything else you like into the mix.

• Soup Packets: Soup powders and broths are extra light but perfect for a warm meal on the trail. If you’re looking for that, soup packets are your way to go.
• Mashed Potatoes: If you love the protein and mashed potato combo, this is the best option. Add powdered milk and hot water to your mashed potato mix, and on the side, add dried herbs, cheese, or some protein.
• Instant Pasta: A lightweight staple that requires minimal water and effort to prepare. It often comes with powdered flavor packets for some extra taste.

• Quinoa: Grains like quinoa are a great, easy hiking food idea because they’re light, need minimal storage space, and are very nutritious. To prepare it, you only need to cook it in hot water.
• Rice and Beans: It doesn’t matter what pre-cooked rice and dehydrated beans you bring. All you need to do is soak both ingredients in water and boil them before eating. Add any spices, and you’re ready for a quality meal.

Our Easy Hiking Food Idea: KAMUI Mixed Rice

Elevate your camping and backpacking meals with our Freeze-Dried Japanese Gomoku Mixed Rice! Packed with flavorful ingredients and incredibly easy to prepare, it’s the perfect choice for a satisfying trail meal or a quick, delicious option at home.

Conclusion

Make sure to prioritize food while hiking. In other words, proper nutrition is key to making the most out of your hike. That’s why these easy hiking food ideas are here to help you choose the right food for your adventure.