17 Portable Foods That Are Perfect For When You’re On The Go

Do you feel like you’re constantly on the go at mealtime and never know what portable foods to bring with you when on the go? Or are you traveling in the car after school running everywhere but the kids always want a snack? Before racking up those calories and the expense of takeout food and drive-thru’s every day, check out our list of the best portable foods for meal and snack options that are perfect for when you’re on the move!

What Should I Make to Eat When I am On The Go??

These recipes are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Prep and cook these at home ahead of time – even the night before! You can then take delicious portable food with you for when you’re traveling, to the office, and on those busy days when it feels like you’re non-stop on the go!

1. Healthy Recipe Antipasto Salad Kabobs on a Stick

You don’t always think of salads as a type of portable food, but they sure can be eaten on the go when they’re on a stick! These kabobs on a stick are super versatile and you can add or omit any ingredients you like to suit your individual tastes!

You can add meats for protein such as:

pepperoni
deli meats
sausage

Add vegetables such as lettuce, olives, and cherry tomatoes for fiber. Add on cheeses for healthy fats for long lasting energy all day!

2. Grab-and-Go Oatmeal Yogurt Cups

Have trouble getting the kids to eat oatmeal? Never again! Make Yogurt Cups!! YOu make them ahead of time, but they are SUPER transportable!! We love to freeze them so they are half-breakfast, half-dessert.

All you need is:

granola
oatmeal
fruit (our kids love berries and sliced bannanas)
Nuts & Seeds
Peanut Butter (or an alternative)
Raisins or Cranberries

Layer the yogurt and granola, then add your favorite fruit on top such as raspberries, blueberries or strawberries!

3. Hot Grab and Go Homemade Chicken Parmesan Wraps

Love the home-cooked taste of chicken parmesan, but think it’s too messy to eat on the go while traveling? Try this version – wrapping it in a tortilla makes it easy to eat anytime, anywhere!

Less mess and a delicious warm alternative to a boring sandwich. Try it with a whole wheat wrap for a healthy alternative, chicken and cheese!

4. Perfect for a Picnic Lemon-Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Poppers

Breakfast is often one of the “grab something and let’s go!” meals – everyone is typically off in a million different directions. With these pancake poppers, you can make breakfast ahead of time and give them a delicious irresistible treat either in the car or once you reach your destination!

This is the perfect alternative to grabbing pop-tarts to eat in the car on the way to practice or stopping for sugary donuts! Add a bit of protein powder to the pancakes and grab a piece of fruit to have a well balanced breakfast on the go.

5. Quick Portable Snack Honey Roasted Cashews

Nuts make a fantastic on-the-go snack – or even the perfect addition to a meal! These honey roasted cashews are great for long-lasting energy while hiking or in between sports for the kids and can easily be put into pockets, backpacks, or soccer bags for a quick treat on the run.

Cashews are full of:

vitamins
minerals
antioxidants

You can eat them salted, or make a salty-sweet snack to satisfy any craving by tossing in butter and honey, baking, and then dusting with salt and sugar.

6. Healthy Recipe Great for Travel Protein-Packed Eggs in a Mug

Many of us grab our coffee mug on our way out the door, right? Why not grab another mug and fill it with these SUPER easy-to-make scrambled eggs?

To make the eggs in a mug add in some cheese, your favorite breakfast meats and veggies, and you’ve got a healthy omelet that you can eat in the car! You can even exchange an egg for egg whites to save on fat. Pour this in to your favorite travel mug to keep hot for even the longest of drives.

7. Quick on the Go Cinnamon Raisin Energy Bites

Not only do these cinnamon raisin energy bites make you feel like you’re eating a delicious oatmeal raisin cookie, but they pack quite a nutritional punch as well! With no oil or butter, you can feel good about indulging in these good-for-you treats.

These are the perfect snack that will have you skipping the vending machine or a great addition to a protein-rich breakfast.

8. Travel-Friendly Easy Mini Pizza Quiche

Whether you are sending these with your kiddos to school, packing lunch for a family day out, or eating at your desk hunched over your computer at work, these pizza mini quiche’s are a perfect away from home food! With only a few ingredients you can whip them up in no time!

These easy mini pizza quiche’s can be easily reheated, eaten at room temperature, or even eaten cold!

9. Grab and Go Perfect Baked Banana Chips

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, or are a banana lover, these baked banana chips are a great snack to make ahead of time and take on the road with you. You definitely want to have these portable foods on hand for those snacking emergencies during long car rides.

With only TWO ingredients, these could not be any easier to prep at home ahead of time or healthier for you and your family!

10. Portable Dinner in the Car Chicken Pot Pies

Comfort food on the go? Absolutely! These delicious hand held chicken pot pies are full of all the goodness you love in a pot pie, you can have your cake, er pie, and eat it too!

This is a full meal stuffed into one small portable pie that will have you skipping the drive thru and rest area food and provides a satisfying meal. Bringing portable foods with you saves so much time!

11. Four Cheese Pepperoni Bites Perfect for Travel

Kids and adults alike love pizza-inspired recipes. These four-cheese pepperoni bites are just the ticket when it comes to a quick snack before a game or on the go.

Cook ahead of time in a muffin tin and these will be an amazing lunch, dinner or snack and will have your family skipping the local pizza shop.

12. Portable Food Idea: Homemade Popsicles (with veggies!!)

Did you know you can make your own popsicles at home?! With inspirations like these, you can make some of the best-tasting healthy treats around!

You can make super simple versions of your favorite popsicles with just fruit and water OR consider these veggie-blend ideas:

beet and berry (mix beets with rasberries, blueberries, cherries for a berry blast)
Blueberry and Kale (Don’t have kale, use spinach)
Banana & Sweet Potato (add a pinch of cinnamon!!)
Mango, Carrot & Turmeric (we call it orange goodness)
Celery and Green apple (add some sprigs of mint and lime for a mojito-like popsicle)

These are perfect for those hot days away from home and a great alternative to shelling out money at the ice cream truck. Throw these into an insulated cooler with a frozen ice pack and you will have a delicious cold treat for when you want it!

13. Healthy Breakfast On the Go Banana-Zucchini Oatmeal Cups

On even the most harried and crazy of mornings, you can still have a hearty, healthy breakfast ready and waiting for you with these portable banana-zucchini oatmeal cups. Up the nutritional value by adding in some protein powder.

The cups are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are sure to fill you up and keep you full for when you’re on the run.

All you need is:

banana
zucchini
oatmeal

14. Easy Hot Macaroni and Cheese Muffins Perfect for Travel

Who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese? Sometimes, when you need to be out the door in a hurry or you have people coming in and out at all different times, it can be daunting to figure out what meal will work for everyone that’s not cold, plain sandwiches, boring leftovers or fast food.

With these macaroni and cheese muffins, you can have a complete balanced meal by adding in some protein and veggies, and give everyone that home-cooked meal, just in a “let’s go” grab and go version!

Source: Real Food Real Deals

15. Portable Meal Homemade Ham and Cheese Pockets

Those store-bought hot pockets sure are convenient and delicious, but they’re not always the healthiest, or most cost-effective way to get a quick and portable meal. Try making these portable pockets instead with homemade pizza crust dough (but you could easily use store bought dough instead to save time.

Add in:

ham
creamy cheese

You’ve got the perfect lunch or snack that everyone is sure to love and the mess will be minimal with it all within a perfect travel pocket!

Source: Sally’s Baking Addition

16. Portable Foods: Pack Breakfast Smoothies

Oatmeal doesn’t always have to be eaten hot from a bowl, or even baked! You can drink your oatmeal in the form of a smoothie!

This peanut butter and chocolate filled version will satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you full for hours! This is perfect for when you don’t want to stop for donuts and you’re in the driver’s seat when on the go!

Source: What the Fork

17. Portable Sausage Egg & Cheese Breakfast Rollups

What could be easier than rolling up your sausage, egg and cheese breakfast into a crescent roll and baking it to buttered perfection? Yeah, we agree…nothing!

So do yourself a favor and try these portable sausage egg and cheese breakfast rollups asap – no plate or fork needed to enjoy! Roll up into a crescent roll:

your favorite type of pork or turkey sausage
egg or egg whites
cheese

Source: Flavorite

The Portable Foods You Need For Your Next Travel Day

What’s your favorite portable meal or snack? With these ideas, you’ll never have another “oh-no, what can I eat?!” moment again, and you can feel good about the effort you put into planning snacks and meals for those crazy moments in life! Your wallet and your kids will thank you! Which one will you try first?

Having portable foods on hand for when you’re hungry is an amazing way to save money and time!

Love these portable travel food options for when you’re on the go or traveling in the car?