The best Gluten-Free travel snacks
Your road to hunger-free, gluten-free journeys
Introduction
In an age of increasing health consciousness and food allergies, the demand for gluten-free products has skyrocketed. As more people discover they have gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, the quest for suitable snacks, especially during travel, has become more pressing. Enter: gluten-free travel snacks.
Important Note
When indulging in gluten-free snacks, be wary of cross-contamination. Always check with manufacturers or outlets about their food preparation practices to ensure your snack is truly gluten-free.
The best Gluten-Free travel snacks
Bars & Bites:
- Gluten-Free Bar (especially Cranberry Toasted Almond and Oatmeal Raisin flavors)
- GFB Bites
- Kirkland Signature Protein Bars from Costco (particularly Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough)
- Kind Bar (Nut Bars & Protein line; avoid oats in the Healthy Grains and granola lines)
Nut Butter Packets
- Yumbutter Protein Almond Butter
- Nut-free Chickpea Butter from Field Trip Jerky
Chips & Puffs
- Hippeas (chickpea-based puffs)
- Popcorners (especially Kettle Corn flavor)
- Late July chips (especially the Jalapeno Lime)
Nuts & Seeds
- Nuts.com’s gluten-free nuts (particularly roasted salted cashews)
- Gluten-free trail mix (like the one from Kar’s)
- Gluten-free almonds (cinnamon sugar flavored ones are a treat!)
Popcorn
- Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP (especially Kettle Corn flavor)
- Half Pops (especially Aged White Cheddar flavor)
Jerky
- Country Archer beef jerky (particularly Mango Habanero)
- Field Trip Jerky
Breads & Muffins
- Gluten-free pumpkin bread or muffins (like the ones from King Arthur Flour)
Fruits & Veggies
- Bananas
- Pre-washed grapes
- Bare Fruit Snacks (baked fruit snacks)
- Worthy Bowl Blended Fruit and Veggie Bowls
- Bear Real Fruit Snack Rolls
Crackers & Granola Bars
- Annie’s Organic Original Crispy Snack Bars
- RX Bars and their oatmeal packs
- Nature’s Bakery Gluten-Free Fig Bars
- Lance’s Gluten-free Peanut Butter Crackers
- Annie’s Gluten-Free Chewy Granola Bars
Other Snacks
- Boom Chicka Pop popcorn bags
- Freakin Awesome Chocolate Covered Almond Protein Balls
- Pirate’s Booty snack bags
- Kind’s chocolate-covered or caramel-drizzled bars
- Gluten-free oatmeal packs that can be prepared with hot water
Bonus Recommendation:
For those who happen to travel through California, do not miss the gluten-free double double with cheese, protein style, special sauce on the side, and french fries from In & Out Burger.
With this list in hand, your gluten-free snacking needs during travel are well taken care of. Safe travels and happy snacking!
Measures of Precaution
When it comes to gluten-free travel snacks, the primary concern is the prevention of cross-contamination. Establishments offering gluten-free options are now more vigilant in their preparation methods. This includes:
- Dedicated Preparation Areas. Many places have separate areas for preparing gluten-free snacks. This minimizes the risk of cross-contact with gluten-containing products.
- Specialized Training: Staff members are often trained to understand the importance of gluten-free requirements and how to handle food safely.
- Clear Labeling: Snacks are clearly labeled as gluten-free, providing peace of mind for travelers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Variety: There’s a growing variety of gluten-free travel snacks available, from baked goods to fruit-based treats.
- Flavor: Gluten-free doesn’t mean taste-free. Many of these snacks are delicious and satisfying.
- Health Benefits: Gluten-free snacks often use wholesome ingredients, making them a healthier choice for all travelers.
Cons
- Price: Gluten-free products can be more expensive due to the specialized ingredients and preparation methods.
- Waiting Time: Some places might take longer to prepare gluten-free options.
- Availability: While the availability is increasing, some destinations still have limited options.
Opinions of Customers
Customers who have experienced gluten-free snacks during their travels often share their satisfaction and relief. Here are a few snippets from their reviews:
- “I was amazed by the variety of gluten-free travel snacks available at the airport. They were a tad pricey but totally worth it for the peace of mind.”
- “As someone with celiac disease, finding gluten-free options while traveling has always been stressful. The clear labeling and dedicated preparation areas in some eateries made a world of difference.”
- “The only downside was the limited availability in certain smaller towns. But when I did find gluten-free snacks, they were delicious and safe.”
Prices
The prices presented below are estimates and may vary depending on location, brand and size. The following list is not exhaustive of all gluten-free travel snacks available in the U.S. Be sure to check labels carefully.
| Category | Snack | Brand | Price (USD) | Notes |
| Bars & Bites: | Gluten-Free Bar (Cranberry Toasted Almond, Oatmeal Raisin) | Various | $1.50 – $2.00 | Single bar |
| GFB Bites | Various | $3.00 – $4.00 | Bag | |
| Kirkland Signature Protein Bars (Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough) | Kirkland | $1.00 – $1.50 | Single bar | |
| Kind Bar (Nut Bars & Protein) | Kind | $2.00 – $2.50 | Single bar | |
| Nut Butter Packets | Yumbutter Protein Almond Butter | $2.00 – $3.00 | Pack of 2-3 packets | |
| Nut-free Chickpea Butter from Field Trip Jerky | $3.00 – $4.00 | Pouch | ||
| Chips & Puffs: | Hippeas (various flavors) | Hippeas | $3.00 – $4.00 | Bag |
| Popcorners (Kettle Corn) | Popcorners | $2.00 – $3.00 | Bag | |
| Late July chips (Jalapeno Lime) | Late July | $3.00 – $4.00 | Bag | |
| Nuts & Seeds: | Nuts.com’s gluten-free nuts (roasted salted cashews) | Nuts.com | $5.00 – $8.00 | Bag |
| Gluten-free trail mix (Kar’s) | Kar’s | $4.00 – $5.00 | Bag | |
| Gluten-free almonds (cinnamon sugar) | Various | $3.00 – $4.00 | Bag | |
| Popcorn: | Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP (Kettle Corn) | Angie’s | $4.00 – $5.00 | Bag |
| Half Pops (Aged White Cheddar) | Half Pops | $3.00 – $4.00 | Bag | |
| Jerky: | Country Archer beef jerky (Mango Habanero) | Country Archer | $7.00 – $8.00 | Bag |
| Field Trip Jerky | Field Trip | $8.00 – $10.00 | Bag | |
| Breads & Muffins: | Gluten-free pumpkin bread or muffins (King Arthur Flour) | King Arthur Flour | $4.00 – $5.00 | Package |
| Fruits & Veggies: | Bananas | N/A | $0.50 – $1.00 | |
| Pre-washed grapes | N/A | $2.00 – $3.00 | Bunch | |
| Bare Fruit Snacks (baked fruit snacks) | Bare Fruit | $3.00 – $4.00 | Bag | |
| Worthy Bowl Blended Fruit and Veggie Bowls | Worthy Bowl | $4.00 – $5.00 | Bowl | |
| Bear Real Fruit Snack Rolls | Bear Real | $3.00 – $4.00 | Roll | |
| Crackers & Granola Bars: | Annie’s Organic Original Crispy Snack Bars | Annie’s | $3.00 – $4.00 | Box |
| RX Bars and their oatmeal packs | RXBAR | $2.00 – $3.00 | Single bar/pack | |
| Nature’s Bakery Gluten-Free Fig Bars | Nature’s Bakery | $3.00 – $4.00 | Box | |
| Lance’s Gluten-free Peanut Butter Crackers | Lance | $3.00 – $4.00 | Box | |
| Annie’s Gluten-Free Chewy Granola Bars | Annie’s | $3.00 – $4.00 | Box | |
| Other Snacks: | Boom Chicka Pop popcorn bags | Angie’s | $2.00 – $3.00 | Bag |
| Freakin Awesome Chocolate Covered Almond Protein Balls | Freakin Awesome | $3.00 – $4.00 | Pack | |
| Pirate’s Booty snack bags | Pirate’s Booty | $2.00 – $3.00 | Bag | |
| Kind’s chocolate-covered or caramel-drizzled bars | Kind | $2.00 – $2.50 | Single bar | |
| Gluten-free oatmeal packs (various brands) | Various | $2.00 – $3.00 | Pack |
Conclusion and Recommendations
We’ve touched on an array of gluten-free travel snacks, but the journey doesn’t end here. The essential thing is to be informed and vigilant. Always communicate any dietary restrictions when dining out and don’t hesitate to ask questions about food preparation.
Embark on your next adventure with these delectable gluten-free travel snacks. Remember, your health is paramount, so always ensure the safety of your food, especially if you have gluten sensitivity. Safe travels and happy snacking!
