Last Updated on 22nd June 2023 by
During a road trip with your friends or family members, you want to prepare and make everything ready for the journey.
Before you commence your days out, you want to make ahead meals for road trips to keep travellers full and satisfied. The list below comprises some of the astonishing make-ahead meals that will keep you and your loved ones well-fed in your entire journey.
Table of Contents
Make Meals Ahead For Road Trips
You may consider preparing a couple of these meals before you leave home. That ensures that things go smoothly as intended during your road trip or when you’re out there.
1. Peanut Butter Banana Sushi
Leading on the list is sushi that remains fresh. The meal is also referred to as breakfast sushi since it’s a delicious meal to start the day with.
You’ll have to make this meal early since it can get dubious about cutting the pieces in the car. With this meal, apply the peanut butter on a tortilla and then add sizeable banana cuts.
Sprinkle cinnamon on the ingredients and role up the substances in the tortilla. Finish by cutting the folded up tortilla into sushi-sized nibbles. The unrefrigerated meal stays fresh till the day’s end.
Ingredients:
- 1 full grain tortilla;
- 2 peanut butter spoonfuls;
- 1 full banana;
- Cinnamon sprinkle;
- Mix out the ingredients into the tortilla;
- Chop into sushi chomps;
Benefits: This meal will liven up your state of mind, and bananas will additionally add you energy! Besides, you get some antioxidants loads from the sprinkled cinnamon.
2. Banana Apple Toast
If you want to remain healthy out there, this is the ideal meal for you. It’s termed as the group-up variant of the PB&J, not to forget that it can make a tasty breakfast.
You might need to make this before taking off. Toast one cut of whole-grain bread, then add the neatly cut apple cuts on top together with bite-sized pieces of bananas. Sprinkle with honey to wrap up.
The unrefrigerated meal will remain fresh until the day’s end.
Ingredients:
- 1 cut of entire grain toast;
- 1 entire banana;
- Cut 1 apple into thin cuts;
- Honey drizzle;
Benefits: Bananas and apples are useful for your heart, whereas honey has got antioxidants that keep you healthy.
3. No-Bake Oat Bites
The bites are energy-filled to assist in beginning your day. It’s recommended that you prepare this meal at home.
You’ll just combine every ingredient and fold into bite-sized balls. Leave them sitting for 60 minutes before eating.
The unrefrigerated meal will stay fresh for approximately two days. Ensure you don’t leave the meal inside a hot auto since it will melt.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of almond butter;
- 1 cup of folded oats;
- A bunch of craisins;
- 5 drops of vanilla concentrate;
- ⅓ cup of honey;
- ¼ cup of Dark chocolate chips;
Benefits: This tasty energy ball is full of nutrients and thus an ideal way to commence your day out and about.
4. Avocado Honey Bagel
The meal is impeccably delicious and nutritious to kick your day away from work. While it might be simpler to set at home, you can likewise prepare it in your auto. You can store all the ingredients within a reusable bag.
If you intend to make it from your car, ensure you carry a plate and knife with you to ease the preparation method.
You’ll begin by slicing your bagel into two and spreading avocado on every half. Then top the item with a bunch of equitably distributed pistachios.
Finally, sprinkle the meal with honey and put it within a sealed compartment in the vehicle. The unrefrigerated meal will stay fresh for one day.
Ingredients:
- 1 avocado;
- 1 whole-grain bagel;
- Honey sprinkle;
- Bunch of pistachios;
Benefits: This is ideal for individuals who appreciate exceptional flavours and need a kick-off for their day.
5. Tuna Salad
When the time for lunch comes, you should “tuna” those cravings around with the salad. You need to prepare this meal in the auto before consumption.
You might store all of the ingredients within a reusable bag. Remember to bring a bowl, a knife, and a fork to ease preparation.
To begin with, remove tuna from the can and void it into a bowl. Then, pound an entire avocado and mix with the cranberries into the fish. Utilise whole grain saltines to plunge into your salad of tuna.
Ingredients:
- 1 big can of fish;
- 1 avocado;
- ½ cup of cranberries;
- A bundle of whole-grain crackers;
Benefits: The well-balanced meal satisfies your tummy since it’s loaded up with healthy fats and lean protein.
6. Chicken Salad Sandwich
During those long road trips, you need this meal. The meal is to be set up in the vehicle directly upon utilisation.
You can store the entire ingredients within a reusable bag. Ensure you bring a plate and a can opener to simplify your preparation.
To start with, open a canned chicken. The size should correspond to the number of people you want to feed.
After opening, empty the substance on a whole-grain bread slice. Then, toss on top salted veggies from an unopened container.
Finally, spread bundled sauces of your decision on the bread and entirely sandwich it.
Ingredients:
- 1 to 2 chicken cans;
- Packaged condiments;
- 1 jar of salted veggies;
- 2 whole-grain bread slices;
Benefits: It’s one of the fewest unrefrigerated meals that you choose to put veggies into keeping you energised out there! Besides, you get the fulfilment of a sandwich for your lunch.
7. Bean & Cheese Burrito
Burritos are part of the most satisfying meals that you can enjoy on an excursion. Make a point to bring a plate and a can opener to make preparations simpler.
You have to prepare this meal within the auto right upon utilisation. You can keep every one of these ingredients inside a reusable bag.
The formula is simple as well. Just wrap and distribute the entire ingredients with the tortilla as you find it fitting.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium-sized container of dark beans;
- 1 whole-grain tortilla wrap;
- Gouda cheddar cuts;
Benefits: This is an incredibly healthy and simple meal to make, and that offers you satisfaction outside there.
8. Taco Bowl
This is a fiesta for a road trip when eating this meal on your auto. This meal is to be set up in the vehicle directly upon utilisation.
Make a point of bringing with you a bowl and a can opener for easier preparation. Use a reusable pack to store the entire ingredients.
The meal is effortlessly made because you’ll put every other ingredient inside a travel holder. Ensure jarred, or canned food remain closed until consumption.
Ingredients:
- 1 beef can;
- ½ of a small container of salsa;
- Pack of tortilla chips
- 1 avocado;
- 1 jar of beans;
Benefits: This is a gluten-free meal, which is also nutritious. Besides, it’s balanced in proteins, healthy fats, and carbs to keep everyone full when outside there.
Healthy and Creative Kid Snacks on the Go
Here are some of the most filling and entertaining snacks to keep your kiddos invigorated during the drive.
Indeed, a portion of these are snacks for the kids, but who said you couldn’t participate in the good times? To keep the children occupied when they aren’t eating, look at these excursion snacks.
9. Caterpillar Kabobs
The snack is produced using lots of grapes; hence it’s a bunch of fun. You will have to prepare it before taking off.
You’ll initially take a paddle skewer (it’s safe for kids) then squirm grapes on individually. Put in a reusable can until the time of consumption. The snack will remain fresh within an ice cooler for 3 days.
Ingredients:
- A bunch of green grapes;
- 5 to 7 paddle skewers;
Benefits: Grapes are jam-stuffed with nutrients such as vitamins K and C. Besides, the caterpillar sticks are too adorable to miss attempting.
10. Ant Logs
Try not to let this meal name alarm you! This tidbit is an extraordinary blend of protein and fruits to keep kids full.
You can prepare the meal in advance or while in the vehicle. If you’ll make in the auto, make a point of carrying a plate and a knife to ease the process.
Spread the peanut butter over celery sticks and include raisins (they resemble the ants) on top. If you’ve to prepare this meal before commencing your journey, put the contents within a reusable container.
The snack stays fresh within an ice cooler for 3 to 4 days.
Ingredients:
- 5 to 7 celery sticks;
- Craisins;
- Peanut butter;
Benefits: These are profoundly engaging, simple to make, and you can serve them at room temperatures.
11. Apple Cookies
For long car rides, kids at times may require some little sweetness. You’ll need to prepare this prior to starting the journey.
Slice an apple into cuts that look like a cookie. Next is to put the remainder of the ingredients in the middle of two cuts to make the bite resemble an apple sandwich.
This snack will remain in the ice cooler for 2 days.
Ingredients:
- Peanut butter;
- 2 green apples;
- Almond cuts;
- Dark chocolate chips;
Benefits: You trick your little young into eating a cookie that comprises a nutritious sweet remix.
12. Necklace Snack
This is a snack that you wear and also enjoy! You can make this meal in the car or before setting out. If you’ve got the plan to prepare it in the vehicle, bring a plate with you to ease the preparation procedure.
You’ll entwine pretzels and Cheerios on a string to have a necklace resemblance for your kids to wear and nibble on. To keep the snacks for long, store them in an airtight bag.
Ingredients:
- String;
- Cheerios;
- Pretzels;
Benefits: The snack engages your little ones for some time.
13. Cheese & Apple Pirate Ships
These apple pirate ships and cheese are lovable and something you’ll adore to have out and about. You might need to prepare them before taking off if you don’t have pre-cut slices of apple or cheddar squares.
Chop the apples into the shape of wedges and to resemble the boat base. Attach those cheeses in toothpicks and fix them on the apple to have the flag figure.
Pack into a reusable holder and bring them out for nibble time! The snacks remain in the ice cooler for 2 days.
Ingredients:
- Pack of toothpicks;
- Pack of apple cuts;
- 6 to 8 small cheddar cheese squares;
Benefits: Apples are an excellent source of cheese and antioxidants, while cheese is an incredible source of calcium. This tidbit will, without a doubt, astound your little ones.
Healthy Road Trip Snacks That Hold You Over
At times, road trips feel a bit dull, mainly directly around the halfway point. In your excursion, you begin to believe nothing will inspire you to arrive at the destination.
It’s occasionally exhausting, and you’ll likely lose vitality the more stay in the vehicle. Fortunately, there’re many snacks to hold you over, and one of them is the healthy trail mix remix.
14. Healthy Trail Mix Remix
If you’re seeking for a substantial bite, trail blend is the ideal selection to keep you invigorated. You’ll need to prepare this before taking off.
With the remixed recipe, you don’t have to stress over feeling exhausted. Just combine every ingredient and gather into reusable packs to eat later.
The unrefrigerated trail blend can remain fresh for one week if not deserted in a hot auto.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of craisins;
- ¼ cup of dark chocolate;
- ¼ cup of pumpkin seeds;
- ½ cup of walnuts;
- ⅓ cup of almonds;
- 1 ½ cups of plain popcorn;
Benefits: Pumpkin seeds are nutritious and contain magnesium, protein, iron, and the sky is the limit. The raisins will assist in supporting low blood sugar when you are feeling tired.
Healthier snacks and meals not only give you the necessary energy, but they also make you enjoy the trip. When you give your body the needed nutrients, it gives you the vitality and satisfaction that’s required to make the most of your days out. Whether traveling soon or in the future, you shouldn’t thus hesitate to make ahead meals for road trips!
FAQs
What are the best make-ahead meals that don’t require refrigeration?
Trail mix, sandwiches made with peanut butter or other non-perishable spreads, whole fruits, granola bars, and baked goods like muffins or banana bread can all be good options. If you have a cooler or a way to keep things cold, you can expand to options like pasta salads, cold chicken or turkey sandwiches, or cheese and crackers.
How can I keep my make-ahead meals fresh during a road trip?
Using a high-quality cooler can help keep your food at a safe temperature. You should also pack your food in airtight containers or bags to maintain freshness. If you’re bringing along perishable items like meat or dairy, make sure they’re kept cold to avoid foodborne illness. Frozen water bottles can help keep things cool while also providing a source of cold drinking water as they thaw.
Can you suggest some vegetarian or vegan make-ahead meals suitable for travel?
Absolutely! Grain salads with farro, quinoa, or bulgur wheat that are dressed with vinaigrette can be a hearty option. Chickpea salad sandwiches, vegetable wraps, or cold sesame noodles can also be delicious and filling. For snacks, consider cut-up vegetables and hummus, trail mix, or homemade granola bars.
What are some easy and nutritious make-ahead breakfast ideas for road trips?
Overnight oats made with your choice of milk (dairy or non-dairy), chia seeds, and your favorite fruits and nuts can be a great, filling breakfast. Hard-boiled eggs can also be a good protein-packed option. If you prefer something sweeter, consider making a batch of healthy muffins or breakfast bars. Remember to include some fresh fruits for a balanced meal.
How can I incorporate dietary restrictions into my make-ahead meals for travel?
If you or your travel companions have dietary restrictions, the key is planning. For gluten-free travelers, focus on meals based around proteins and naturally gluten-free grains like quinoa or rice. Vegans and vegetarians might enjoy grain salads, nut butter sandwiches, or bean salads. For those on a low-carb or keto diet, focus on protein-based meals like cold chicken salad or hard-boiled eggs, along with cut-up veggies and dip. Always double-check labels if you’re purchasing pre-packaged food to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
I'm Pauline, a mother of four grown children, my passion for cooking stemmed from the joy i get cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes, especially when dining out but creating and sharing my own recipes is my favourite thing to do!
