Best Gluten-Free Travel Snacks: With Dairy-Free Ideas too

There are so many jokes about moms having snacks in their bags. But, celiacs I know carry more snacks than most moms! Having snacks is one of the most important things you can have for a successful trip as a celiac. Whether it’s on a plane, on a road trip, on a hike, or exploring a new city these are my recommendations for the best gluten-free travel snacks.

Just remember, my celiac isn’t your celiac or gluten-free journey (or anyone else’s). Some of the things I’m comfortable with, you may not be, and you may have a different experience with the restaurants than I did. I hope you do because I had a great experience! But, you do you, no judgment and no pressure. I hope to shed some insight to make your planning easier.

A Note About Gluten-free & Dairy-free Snacks for Travel

For a long time, I couldn’t eat dairy or gluten. Now, I can have lactose-free dairy but I don’t often push it when traveling. My husband can’t eat dairy at all. So, for the most part, all of our travel snacks are gluten and dairy-free. If one of the items I suggest has dairy in it I’ll suggest an alternative to it.

They’re also sesame free because I’m allergic to sesame too!

Gluten-Free Travel Snacks: Road Trip

One of the great things about a road trip is that you can take more with you since there aren’t luggage restrictions like there are when you’re flying. I even bring my rice cooker with me on road trips because it’s my favorite kitchen appliance. If I can bring it with me I always will.

Without a Cooler

I know it’s not always possible to bring a cooler with you. This is a list of snacks that don’t require a cooler.

• Bake something you love to bring with you. I always love cookies and this is one of my favorite recipes.
• Individual Packs of GF Oatmeal (as long as you don’t react to oats). I prefer the cups for road trips because I think they taste better.
• I have 3 nephews and I’ve recently fallen in love with Squeezable Apple Sauce. I don’t think it’s different than regular applesauce but I love it.
• I take a box of Goodie Girl cookies with me on every trip. I love the fudge stripe but they have dairy. The birthday cake cookies are dairy-free and a close second.
• The Schar entertainment crackers are the best for eating with peanut butter. They have dairy but are lactose-free. The Glutino versions are good alternatives if you need dairy-free.
• Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks. Especially on a road trip.
• Safe and Fair Granola – The birthday cake granola is a staple for me but there are other great flavors too.
• Popcorners – Every flavor isn’t dairy-free. Or, just bring your favorite chips.

You may notice a lot of the snacks linked are single-serve bags. That’s because I hate traveling with chip clips. So, I end up using my hair ties and that’s just frustrating.

With A Cooler

If you can bring a cooler with you on your road trip you should. If your accommodation doesn’t have a kitchen, you can even bring a little camp stove and pan so you have the option to cook things.

• Prep some fruits and veggies, stash them in snack bags and enjoy a fresh snack on the road.
• Bring sandwich or salad-making supplies (just pack the necessary plates/cutlery too)
• I’m also a fan of squeezable yogurt if you don’t have to eat dairy-free.
• Make a meal with good leftovers so you can heat it up in the hotel microwave at your stops. It won’t be perfect but it can feel safer than being stuck looking for a restaurant on the road.
• Bring some of your favorite drinks to keep you hydrated.

Gluten-Free Snacks for Air Planes

When you’re flying the restrictions for what you can bring can be limiting. Make sure you have all of your liquids in the correct size; less than 3.4 oz per item and in a quart-sized ziplock bag.

I don’t usually take snacks that are liquids on airplanes but it’s an option. The squeezable applesauce is TSA-appropriate but will take some room in your liquids bag.

• Bobo’s Bars are some of my favorite snacks. Just make sure you get the ones that are certified gluten-free.
• Kind Granola Bars are my favorites.
• Individual Trail Mix packets. Kars is a gluten-free option but PowerUp is gluten and dairy-free.
• Individual Instant Oatmeal (if you don’t react to oats).
• I love bringing candy with me on a flight, especially a longer flight. Some of my favorites are Albanese Gummy Bears and Unreal Candies.
• Use silicone bags to bring fruit, cookies, or homemade treats with you. Just make sure they aren’t things that smush easily.
• Fruit snacks are a favorite for me. They always taste good; even after a 10-hour flight.
• I’ve recently come to love meat sticks. There are some good brands at Costco!

No matter what snacks you plan to bring with you request a gluten-free meal from the airline before you fly. I find it easy enough to do this on the app or website; typically under the “special requests” part of your flight itinerary. You can also call the airline to request.

Make sure you do this at least a couple of weeks before your flight. The airline won’t guarantee the meal but I’ve always had great luck.

I’ve found that TSA sometimes flags large quantities of food. I stash mine in gallon-sized plastic bags. I take mine out when I go through security so they don’t have to search my bag. You don’t necessarily have to do that but it makes it easier for me!

Exploring a New City

Exploring new cities is always so much fun but even in the most gluten-free-friendly city I still pack snacks with me. You never know when you’re going to need a snack. Gluten-free restaurants are notoriously bad for being closed randomly or being far away from where you’re exploring.

I go for snacks that are small and packable.

• Lara bars are a staple for us when we’re traveling.
• These gluten-free Nature’s Bakery bars are some of my favorite snacks!

Other Useful Things on a Day Trip

• To make a day trip go well you need a good bag. My favorites are this Madewell bag and my Kanken backpack.
• Always back a water bottle. My swell bottle is my favorite.
• Have a rain jacket just in case. You may not have to take it with you but it’s worth having if you need it.
• A power pack is a must on a day trip. You’ll use your phone for directions, music, and probably photos.
• A good pair of in-ear headphones are a must. Listening to music on the trains makes the train rides super smooth. These are pricey but they are the best.

No matter what kind of trip you’re taking there are lots of possibilities for snacks. Be sure to pack things you like to eat and bring a variety of options so you always have something that sounds good! Then enjoy your gluten-free vacation as much as you can!