From sfgate.com
Trail-tested bites that go the extra mile, minus the animal products
A common challenge with vegan or plant-based snacks is that they focus more on carbs and sugars than on protein levels. But on longer treks, balance is everything. After nearly a decade as a vegan outdoorist, I’ve zeroed in on go-to staples to fuel any adventure.
There’s now a bounty of vegan-friendly, nutrient-dense options that are lightweight, packable, and satisfying these days. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best vegan hiking snacks by category, plus tips for buying in bulk, making your own, and discovering plant-powered brands worth trying on your next hike.
Tasty vegan hiking snacks to bring with you on the trails.
Billy Cadden
Best vegan hiking snacks
1. Trail mix
A hiking staple, trail mix balances protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. Many packaged trail mixes are vegan-friendly, but it’s always worth checking labels for sneaky ingredients like milk powder in chocolate chips or yogurt-covered treats.
DIY mix: Combine your favourite nuts, seeds, dried fruit, coconut flakes, and dairy-free dark chocolate chips. Customize with spices like cinnamon or cayenne for a flavour boost.
Bulk buy: Purchase raw or roasted ingredients in bulk from Thrive Market, Azure Standard, or local co-ops for less waste and better prices.
Pre-made mixes worth trying:
2. Vegan jerky
Plant-based jerky offers traditional jerky's chewy, savoury satisfaction minus animal products. Most are made from soy, mushrooms, seitan, or jackfruit, providing a protein-packed, umami-rich snack perfect for long hikes.
DIY jerky: Marinate thin strips of mushrooms, eggplant, tofu, or rehydrated TVP for 4 to 8 hours in a mix of soy sauce (or tamari), liquid smoke, maple syrup, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and apple cider vinegar. Dehydrate at 135°F for 4 to 8 hours until chewy.
While DIY jerky is a fun project sometimes, if you don't have access to a dehydrator, there are plenty of options for pre-packaged plant-based jerky.
Vegan jerky worth trying:
3. Granola bars and energy bites
Easy to stash in any pack pocket, vegan granola bars and energy bites deliver carbs, fats, and protein for quick, no-fuss fuel. Just watch out for honey and dairy, especially if there's any chocolate.
Homemade bars: Combine 1 cup of oats, ½ cup of nut butter, ¼ cup of maple syrup, ¼ cup of seeds, and ⅓ cup of dried fruit. Press into a pan and chill for 1 hour or bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes until set.
DIY energy bites: Blend dates, nuts, cocoa, chia seeds, and coconut into balls for a nutrient-dense snack.
Vegan granola bars and energy bites:
4. Nut butters and spreads
Nut butter is a versatile and tasty trail snack with high calories, protein, and healthy fats. Single-serve squeeze packs are convenient, but bulk jars with refillable containers are more budget- and waste-friendly.
DIY nut butter: Making nut butter is deceptively simple: roast your favourite nuts at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then blend them in a food processor with a pinch of salt. It takes 10 to 15 minutes of blending, scraping down the sides occasionally, for the nuts to break down into a smooth, creamy texture.
Bulk options: Buy large jars from Wild Friends Foods, Thrive Market, or local co-ops and portion them into small reusable silicone pouches or screw-top containers.
Single-serve nut butter options:
5. Dried fruit and veggie chips
Sweet, chewy dried fruits and crispy veggie chips provide quick energy, fibre, and natural sugars to keep you moving.
Homemade: Dehydrate mango, apple slices, or kale chips at home with minimal ingredients.
Bulk buy: Most natural food stores have bulk bins for dried fruit.
Pre-made vegan options:
6. Vegan candy
A hit of sugar on the trail can lift spirits and deliver quick, fast-digesting energy, especially during long mileage days or steep climbs. Plus, candy is usually available in corner stores and gas stations when you're in a pinch. While classic gummy bears and sours often contain gelatine, many brands offer plant-based versions without animal-derived ingredients, and many classics like Sour Patch Kids or Swedish Fish are also vegan.
Bulk candy: Many bulk food sections in grocery stores carry vegan gummy bears, fruit chews, and sour belts in bulk. Just check that the ingredients are free from gelatine and dairy, and you should be good to go!
DIY gummy candy: You can use agar-agar (a seaweed-derived gelling agent) to make homemade vegan gummies flavoured with fruit juice.
Vegan candy brands:
7. Roasted chickpeas and bean snacks
Crunchy, protein-packed, and naturally vegan, roasted chickpeas and broad beans are lightweight, shelf-stable, and packed with fibre and plant-based protein. Plus, they're easy to make at home! If you're not into beans, Corn Nuts are always a nice salty treat on the trail, but not all flavours are dairy-free.
DIY roasted chickpeas: Toss canned chickpeas with olive oil and spices, then roast until crispy (usually around 30 minutes). Other beans work for this as well.
Vegan bean snacks to try:
8. Vegan cheese snacks
While plant-based cheese used to be a struggle for hikers to find, newer shelf-stable vegan cheese crisps and spreads make savoury, salty snacks possible on the trail. There are still limited options and spreads only really work for day hikes or cold-weather trips.
Trail-tested vegan cheese snacks:
Final thoughts on vegan hiking snacks
There’s never been a better time to be a plant-based hiker. With so many vegan hiking snack options available and plenty of ways to make your own or buy in bulk, you can fuel your outdoor adventures without sacrificing classic trail cravings.
Wherever possible, opt for bulk bins, refillable containers, or homemade recipes to reduce packaging waste and save money. Thoughtful, plant-based snacking makes the trail better for you and the planet.
https://www.sfgate.com/shopping/article/best-vegan-hiking-snacks-20769070.php
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