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Do you want to get a hand on delicious hiking lunch ideas? Here I will share my favorite recipes you can make when going on trips or hiking. One of the biggest challenges when hiking is to keep the backpack as light as possible. But most of us don’t want to sacrifice delicious meals our taste buds are accustomed to.
This is where my hiking lunch ideas can give you a kick start with the energy by remaining as portable as possible. I love hiking with my friends in Zion National Park and Arches National Park, during my holidays. Whenever we go, I try something new for lunch. Today, I will share with you the lunch recipes I love the most for hiking. Let’s get started:
Related recipes you can try:
- No-Cook Lunch Ideas
- Grab and GO Lunch Ideas For A Busy Day
- Group lunch ideas for work
- Nut-Free Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
- Potluck Ideas For Lunch
- Lunch Ideas for Truck Drivers
- Field Trip Lunch Ideas
Main Meals
Instant Pot Ramen
Are you in a hurry to go? Grab ramen and make them in just 5 minutes. Great depth of flavors and richness of secret ingredients. A fast and easy-to-customize recipe.
This is confession time; I love Japanese instant noodles noodles because they relax me from the worries of cooking food for the kids. I customize them within a few minutes and give them to my kids to enjoy.
With fresh veggies, herbs, and extra eggs, the instant ramen or soup is a healthy, delicious, and cozy appetizer to serve. Better to make it at home instead of purchasing it from a store.
Lentil Curry
A perfect eye-opener and an incredible recipe with plenty of scrummy flavors. Creamy lentil curry consists of only two spices—a streamlined version of Indian Dal.
This curry is a lot less complicated than the actual Indian curry. Packed with Indian flavors and perfect to serve to the crowd.
A total crowd-pleasing recipe with tasty and satisfying flavors. Grab a few ingredients and present the lentil curry on the table within a few minutes. Thus lunch requires minimal effort but pleases the crowd with its magical uniqueness.
10. Pre-Made Dehydrated Meals
Pre-made dehydrated meals are perfect for people who love going hiking and camping. Easy to prepare, lightweight, and shelf-stable.
An ideal and delicious meal for going outside. Perfect meals with a variety of flavors. Stay rehydrated using hot water. These meals are not as best as home-cooked meals but are a delicious option for hiking people.
Can be presented in a variety of styles, including entrees and desserts. Hiking Meals are high in proteins, and calories, which means they are perfect for people who are active in physical activities.
Instant Pot Oatmeal
Oatmeal packets are easy to prepare and quick to make within a few minutes. That’s their specialty. Conveniently available in the individual packets that are pre-measures.
Filled with your favorite oatmeal ingredients. Add hot water or milk to the packet and leave for a few minutes. Packets come in various flavors: apple, cinnamon, plain, and maple brown sugar.
They are fortified with vitamins and plenty of minerals, making them a scrummy lunch idea while hiking. Satisfying, comforting, and so yummy.
Instant Pot Rice & Beans
Have you ever tried rice and beans? If not, then you must try them once. A perfect combination of flavors with just a few ingredients. Easy to make, smokey flavors, and spicy.
It is a perfect appetizer for rice lovers with melty cheese, tomatoes, sausages, red beans, and rice. Fan of spicy food? This recipe is worth trying, then.
A hearty and healthy side dish with your favorite seasonings and ingredients. If you are in a hurry, instant rice with beans is perfect for pleasing your taste buds.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Do you love potatoes? If yes, then this mashed potato recipe is for you. So delicious, satisfying, and comforting.
With just a few ingredients and balanced seasonings, mashed potatoes taste incredible and scrummy. My kids have been asking me for the mashed potatoes for the past few days. So, today I’m ready to make them again to please my kids.
Worth trying at least once. You will love the flavors and thick texture. Convenient food with your favorite green garnishing. A balanced diet for conscious people like me. Try it once and love it forever.
Dehydrated Black Bean Soup
We are not talking about the local vegan camping food—instant black bean soup, which is totally irresistible.
Black bean soup is one of the healthiest and yummy soups with a few ingredients, including garlic, onions, carrots, and spices. Some chili spices add flavor and enhance the ingredient’s quality.
High in proteins, light, shelf-stable, and the best food option as a quick meal. Not a simple smooth soup; it is grainy and tastes incredible. Want to try? You must do it today to try something creative this time.
Instant Pot Quinoa
Love quinoa? This quinoa recipe is perfect for your taste if you crave a quick recipe. Minimal measuring is required, and high results you will get.
Light and flavorful instant quinoa is a scrumptious snack for those planning to backpack for hiking. Nutty, savory, and gluten-free.
This gluten-free quinoa instant pot dish is a quick recipe to surprise your kids and family. A healthy snack is also best for breakfast. Substitute with rice or serve with soup. Tastes incredible.
Tortillas & Dehydrated Refried Beans
Lightweight, easy to make, and high in proteins. Adds a lot of cheese and enjoy its scrummy flavors. Creamy, rich, and smooth. The refried beans are exactly what I want from this recipe.
A hearty burrito tastes perfectly delicious with steamed rice. Can you imagine its fascinating and appealing look? Homemade recipe which fills the mouth with creamy and scrummy batch. Refried beans are gluten-free.
Delicious as you serve it. A combination with tomato salsa or Avocado guacamole looks incredible, right?
Packaged Indian Meals
If you are an Indian or love Indian food, then Indian packages are best to satisfy any time craving.
Perfect snack or food for people who do not have enough time to cook. Grab cooked or prepared meal packages and start enjoying. No effort is needed; just cook the meal as it is in the package by placing it in the oven.
Can be presented in a variety of flavors and styles, including non-vegetarian and vegetarian flavors. Ashoka, Tasty Bite, and Haldiram’s are the biggest brands, run toward them and purchase your favorite meal package.
Dehydrated Pasta
Dehydrated pasta is another delicious and lightweight recipe for hiking lunch. It’s already dry, so it’s a perfect appetizer for people camping and hiking.
Less-expensive and affordable meal with plenty of flavors. If you love pasta, then there is nothing better than dehydrated pasta.
While packing the dehydrated pasta, grab a Bolognese sauce also. It tastes scrummy and incredible. Delicious, hearty, and easy to rehydrate.
Instant Pot Grits
Instant Pot grits are the perfect appetizer for the ones who go hiking. This classic southern recipe is my all-time favorite due to its piquant flavors of only a few ingredients.
Slow-cooked, easy to prep, and quick to serve. Just prep the night before and pack for lunch before going hiking.
These instant grits can transform your whole afternoon into something magical. Perfect and instant grits are in your hand; why not take advantage of them? Take a few extra ingredients and create something finger-licking this time.
Protein-Packed Meals
Tuna and Crackers
Want something healthy for your kids? How about tuna salad and crackers? Full of proteins, refreshing and easy-to-customize snack.
A fun twist is using the wheat cracker instead of bread. Imagine the recipe in mind; it seems scrummy, right? Tuna salad with crackers is no joke. It was my mom’s favorite, and now it’s my favorite.
A classic, simple, and delicious recipe with your favorite ingredients, whatever you like. Boiled egg mixed with sweet pickles, onions, crispy celery, and creamy mayo is the perfect combo ever.
Dried Salami & Cheese
Cheese with dried salami is the perfect combination ever. The salty salami pairs with the creamy and chewy cheese to give rich flavors. Both ingredients’ textures complement each other, making it the best recipe. The chewy and dense cheese flavors are the best magical thing for cheese lovers.
A great appetizer for kids and those who love lighter food with a few ingredients. Going hiking? Grab cheese and dried salami and pack them for a delicious mountain lunch. Satisfying and filling snack. And, if you love salami, check out our favorite pasta salad with salami.
Cheese & Crackers
Cheese crackers are the perfect combination of fun and enjoyment. Classic food with plenty of light flavors. Fast and easy to make.
This timeless cheese cracker recipe is quick to customize and fancy to present on the table. Want magic on your hiking journey? Make these nutritious and delicious cheese crackers and amaze everyone.
My fellows always ask me about its recipe, never told them. It is my secret recipe. Cheese and crackers go together whenever we crave something piquant and addicting. Its buttery and jelly texture can make you feel like you are in heaven. Make them and enjoy your journey.
Egg Salad
A perfectly devoured and wonderful recipe. If you are an egg lover, this egg salad is best for your cravings. Healthy egg sandwich with lettuce and low-carb wraps, totally irresistible.
A fresh egg filling melts in the mouth like cream. Cheesy, creamy, and delicious with every bite. Easy to customize and everyone’s favorite because of high proteins and easy-to-prepare ability.
The best thing? You can customize it with ingredients you love. Top with healthy green veggies and serve to surprise your kids in lunch. They will shout with happiness to see this scrummy egg salad.
Whole Grain Crackers and Tuna
Want something healthy for your kids? How about whole-grain tuna salad with crackers? Yummy!
A fun twist is using the wheat cracker instead of bread. Imagine the recipe in mind; it seems scrummy, right? Tuna salad with crackers is no joke. It was my mom’s favorite, and now it’s my favorite.
A classic, simple, and delicious recipe with your favorite ingredients, whatever you like. Boiled egg mixed with sweet pickles, onions, crispy celery, and creamy mayo is the perfect combo ever.
Want to grab it for hiking lunch? Serve with potato chips. Creamy tuna sandwiches will taste incredible.
Couscous Salad
A fresh instant couscous salad with lemon herb dressing is the perfect crunchy food for the hiking lunch. The colorful vegetables, olives, feta cheese, and garbanzo beans are the best ingredients, making the recipe a perfect appetizer for all healthy food lovers.
A healthy side dish packed with crunch and flavors is so satisfying. The salad strikes the perfect balance of phytonutrients and fiber-rich vegetables, which makes it more appealing.
I enjoy the benefits of lovely nuttiness, little sponges, and citrus soak dressing in making couscous salad. A wonderful solution when you need a light and quick meal.
Healthy Options
Greek Avocado Salad Pita Pockets
Family favorite Greek avocado salad pita recipe, which is absolutely amazing and easy. Its marination gives immense flavor to the one who eats it. These pita pockets are loaded with veggies, hummus, and feta, a perfect appetizer treat.
Using leftover vegetables and chicken is the best thing to stand out in your dish. Assemble the veggies, fill in the pita pocket, and yes, it is ready to serve.
Feta and veggies complement each other well and melt in the mouth with each bite. Whenever I make chicken pita pockets for my kids, I top them with lemon juice, a perfect savory addition. Kids would love it.
Hummus & Pita Bread
This snack’s specialty is spreading the hummus on the pita bread. A delicious and creamy dip makes the recipe’s flavors stand out—a perfect healthy snack for kids to amaze them.
I always wonder about making this delicious recipe; the process is simple and short. Silky and smooth. Best to serve on your favorite plate with spices and garnishing.
Though it is a summer recipe, your favorite ingredients will make it however you want. A perfect scrummy recipe to take while going hiking.
Hummus & Veggies
Want to pack something healthy for your hiking journey? Let’s make hummus and veggies together. Great adventure for the vegetables and fun to make.
Super light and non-perishable. Add delicious and creamy hummus to the dunk veggies when you crave something fancy on your trip.
A delicious recipe with plenty of hummus flavors. Smooth, creamy, and so good. Customize with dried chickpeas and enjoy your afternoon with authentic and vegan flavors.
Lentil and Veggie Salad
Looking for a vegetable salad? Lentil and veggie salad are here for you. Savory, healthy, and delicious with every bite. A hearty and nutritious salad is filled with your favorite vegetables.
Best part? Flavored with plenty of veggies that you love. Nutrition filled with lentils and veggies can make anyone fall in love.
Protein-packed lentil is the best combination with veggie salad. Wrap the salad inside the lentil and get ready to enjoy your hiking lunch. Turn your meal into a fantastic salad and experience something you might never have before.
Chia Seed Pudding
Fun and my favorite seed pudding recipe, which I love making. Healthy, effortless, and protein-packed recipe. Chia pudding is a perfect healthy snack for kids. If your kids are picky eaters, then chia pudding is best.
Its creamy, satisfying, and delicious flavors make everyone crave it more and more with each bite. Vegan, gluten-free, keto, and paleo. It is the perfect time for this if you have never tried it before.
Snacks
Trail Mix
A healthy trail mix with nutty and chocolaty flavors. No salt, no sugar, and a perfectly nutritious appetizer.
The best thing about it is no cooking is needed to customize this delicious recipe. I’ll always associate the homemade trail mix with hiking adventure. I love this combo.
The trail mix perfectly combines proteins and nutrients with your favorite nuts, like almonds and peanuts.
With chocolates, dried fruits, and a few healthy seeds, your trail mix is ready to pack for the hiking adventure. Perfect snack for family and friends.
Beef Jerky
Have you ever heard about beef jerky? If not, you have missed the most delicious meat recipe ever. Beef jerky is actually dried meat made from lean cuts of beef.
Seasoning the pieces with salt and pepper makes them savory, tangy, and scrummy. The smokey flavor of the meat slices can make anyone fall for them.
Chewy, salty, and juicy meat flavors are worth tasting because of their uniqueness. Whenever my husband requests beef jerky, I make this special recipe with my favorite seasonings. Worth trying once if you have never tried it before.
Peanut Butter Banana Roll-Ups
Creamy, buttery, and chocolaty wraps are worth trying whenever you go hiking. Making the sliced banana wraps with butter and chocolate chips is simple and quick.
Fun, yummy, and healthy snack. Honey and granola around the banana are a perfect tasty sandwich of flavors.
Creamy sweet banana and almond butter rolled inside the wrap and melted in the mouth like cream. So delicious and creamy, right? A low-carb and healthy snack for the kids. Make it for the kids; they will surely love it.
Rice Cakes with Almond Butter
A perfect healthy snack for the kids. With less than 200 calories, rice cakes with almond butter are the best combo ever.
Packed with proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins. Interesting, right? Scrummy, colorful, and flavorful with each bite. Holding a party or going to the mountains for a picnic party?
The quick rice cakes with almond butter taste incredible. I have tried them many times; my kids and I love them because of their piquant flavors. So satisfying and comforting with each bite.
Bagels & Nutella
Do you love chocolate or Nutella? Try it with bagels. You will surely fall in love with it. Nutella tastes perfect with bagels due to their chocolaty flavors.
So simple and quick to make. If you have Nutella at home, spread its layer over bagels and enjoy each bite. Brings whimsy to anyone’s day. Piquant, delicious, and scrummy at the same time.
Love berries? Decorate your delicious bagels with strawberries and add juicy flavors and texture to your recipe. Colorful, bright, and full of flavors. Enjoy your hiking with juicy strawberries and chocolaty Nutella.
Chocolate Bars
How could someone dislike chocolate? There must be no one who can say no to chocolate. Chocolates are high in calories yet delicious, scrummy, and irresistible.
One of the best snacks to carry for the hiking journey. Going to travel? Chocolates are a must for your cravings while enjoying hiking in the mountains.
Me and my kids love chocolates. So, whenever I go somewhere, I purchase a lot of chocolates and enjoy them with my kids. Due to the high calories, they are perfect for satisfying the taste bud’s cravings at any time.
Dried Fruits
Want something healthy and nutritious? Here I am with the dried fruit benefits.
Dried fruits are the best lunchbox for going on a journey. If you love hiking, then grab your favorite dried fruits, and let’s go hiking.
Easy to pack and a great source of energy. Nutty, satisfying, and full of proteins. The benefit of dried fruit? No cooking or customizing is necessary. Easy to get and easy to serve.
I love dried fruit flavors. The best thing is you can select your favorite fruits and enjoy your favorite flavors. Colorful and delicious.
Gluten-free Crackers
Cheese with crackers is the perfect combination ever. With gluten-free ingredients, it tastes like plenty of flavors and ingredients are in it.
A perfect dish how it should be. This salty, crunchy, and scrummy appetizer is for hiking lovers. The best part is they are fancy and presentable.
Thick cheese with crackers tastes magical with each bite. A total crowd-pleasing dish that can feed and please the taste buds of the entire crowd. A delicious snack for lunch boxes.
Energy Bars
Super delicious and packed with proteins. Energy bars are filled with crunchy, nutty, and energetic flavors.
Super convenient, comforting, and relaxing. It is Crumbled with granola, making it the perfect appetizer when nothing is available during hiking.
Nothing beats the energy of these energy bars. Just one slice contains a lot of proteins and eye-opening flavors. Refined sugar-free and perfect for picky eaters. Were you in search of a gluten-free recipe? Try these energy bars; you will be a fan.
32 Creative Hiking Lunch Ideas For Backpackers
Ingredients
- Trail Mix
- Beef Jerky
- Peanut Butter Banana Roll-Ups
- Tuna and Crackers
- Hummus & Pita Bread
- Dried Salami & Cheese
- Couscous Salad
- Instant Pot Ramen
- Lentil Curry
- Pre-Made Dehydrated Meals
- Instant Pot Oatmeal
- Instant Pot Rice & Beans
- Rice Cakes with Almond Butter
- Bagels & Nutella
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Cheese & Crackers
- Hummus & Veggies
- Egg Salad
- Dehydrated Black Bean Soup
- Instant Pot Quinoa
- Tortillas & Dehydrated Refried Beans
- Chocolate Bars
- Packaged Indian Meals
- Chia Seed Pudding
- Dried Fruits
- Whole Grain Crackers and Tuna
- Dehydrated Pasta
- Instant Pot Grits
- Gluten-free Crackers
- Energy Bars
- Greek Salad Pita Pockets
- Lentil and Veggie Salad
Instructions
- Select any one of these lunch recipes for hiking.
- Make sure you gather the ingredients before you go for hiking.
- Get the recipe and make it in no time.
