Knowing what food to pack for backpacking can be challenging, especially if you have a gluten allergy!
Finding delicious gluten free backpacking foods is hard enough! Then, you have decide what you’re going to want to eat on the trail days in advance. Fortunately this becomes a fine tuned practice, and after a few trips you’ll find out what your body craves, and also you’ll find new things mostly from your friends that go backpacking with you. It’s basically an instant reaction to want what the other person you’re backpacking with is eating, so hopefully they will share. HAHA. On that note, make sure to pack a few delicious snacks to barter with a friend for their provisions.
I hope you enjoy list list of gluten free backpacking foods. I’ve complied it over time, and will continue to update it!
Backpacking Breakfast Foods
KUJU Pour Over Coffee
Backpacking coffee is always such a debate. Look no further – we have found the PERFECT backpacking coffee! You do have to carry the grounds out, but the taste is worth it. I enjoy the dark roast, but there are many options to choose from.
Honey Stinger GF Waffles
Honey Stinger Waffles are the best breakfast on the go! Warm them up by putting them on top of your coffee and they melt in your mouth. Bonus – they come in gluten free!!
Dehydrated Eggs
If you have a chill backpacking trip where you have time to have a hot breakfast, I recommend the powdered eggs. I use this one because it’s gluten free, but the others are also very good from what I hear. The individual packages are pretty expensive, so I buy the can and reheat my servings in freezer bags. Pro tip – put in way less water than the recommended amount. Watery eggs are no fun!
Pre Cooked Bacon
I don’t think you need much more that that. I eat this basically all of the time. All day long. I bring a package with me for every trip.
ONE Protein Bars
These protein bars are the best tasting ones that I have found! They come in many flavors, and all are tasty. A great way to keep in line with your macros goals and treating yourself to a little delicious snack.
Backpacking Lunch, Snack, and Happy Hour Foods
Chicken Creations Individual Packages
These chicken packages make the perfect lunch. They come in a few flavors so yo ucan spice it up! Bonus – if you have the long spoon I recommended above, you won’t get your hands dirty while eating! You can also get tuna creations, but I prefer the chicken!
Kettle Chips – Avocado Oil & Himalayan Salt
OK – so I’m hesitant to share this secret, but you should know because these are amazing. Salty, delicious, and satisfying. We buy them in bulk. You will not regret it. Just leave some for the rest of us!
Peanut M & M’s
They don’t melt and they keep you from bonking. Keep them readily accessible and don’t be afraid to pop a few in your mouth at any time.
Clif Blocks
These will save your life. The electrolytes, the caffeine, the yum taste. Again something to keep readily accessible to keep you from bonking! My favorite flavor is salted watermelon, but you might like something else. Try the variety pack! PS – if you mix watermelon or strawberry with margarita – it’s a party in your mouth!
Oloves
These salty and delicious packages will be a real treat in the backcountry! They come in a variety of flavors and they are perfect for sharing with a friend! Try them with beef jerky for a backcountry pairing.
GF Cheese Its
Cheese It’s were always my favorite mountain snack, until I developed my gluten allergy. Now I swear my the Lance gluten free crackers. They also make gluten free Ritz style that I eat with peanut butter and an apple on the trail!
GF Ritz Cracker Dupe
These gluten free Ritz style crackers I like to eat with peanut butter and an apple on the trail! They are also great for snacking at happy hour with some cheese and charcuterie !
RX Nut Butters
Eat these with the GF Ritz crackers, fresh apple slices, or just eat it right out of the package for energy and a delicious snack!
Pickle Snack Pack
Pickles. Pickle juice is great for keeping you from getting cramps – and it tastes delicious. If you like pickles.
Beef Jerky
Beef jerky will never let you down! The salty flavor feels heavenly on the trail. I like Tillamook because the jerky is soft, and easy to eat.
Vermont Smoke & Cure Jerky Sticks
These sticks have 7-8 g of protein each and all flavors are delicious. I even eat these when I am not backpacking, they are so delicious, and bonus they are gluten free!
Wasabi Dry Roasted Edamame
I like to eat these with the Tillamook Beef Jerky for a quick de-bonking snack on the trail. I also add a few peanut butter M&M’s and boom – my energy comes right back, as well as the smile on my face 🙂
Hard Cheese Sticks
Hard cheese will last for days on the trail! Cheese can get oily on the trail once it’s warm, so that’s why these individually packaged cheese sticks are so clutch. They are perfect for Happy Hour, or just a snack on the trail. Try them with the Vermont Jerky Sticks!
GF Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
Full disclosure – I haven’t actually tried these, but I saw them on Fresh Off the Grid’s GF Foods list, and I have to try them, so I’m adding them to mine so I remember 🙂
Here’s a few things that should star refrigerated until you leave – so grab these at the grocery store and don’t forget them in the fridge when you leave for your trip!
- Lunch meat wrap for the first day – use the precooked bacon!
- Charcuterie (I like the individual packages made by Daniele) & Dubliner or Babybel cheese. Hard Cheese is what you need. Cheddar, Parmesan, etc.
- Fresh fruit – strawberries, grapes, pre-cut apple slices or an apple
- Fresh veggies – celery, carrots, cucumbers
- Hummus – Individual servings
Backpacking Dinner Foods
Backpacker’s Pantry Mashed Potatoes & Gravy with Beef
This meal is YUM! Fantastic. It reheated well and it tasted delightful. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. The perfect mix of carbs and salt. It’s also the perfect size.
Good to Go Backpacking Foods
Good to Go foods are made in Maine, with the best ingredients. We can’t recommend them more! Try all of the flavors. Most are gluten free!
Wild Zora Backpacking Meals
Wild Zora meals are delightful! I recommend trying the soup, meals, and bars. The soup is delightful for rehydration. The packages are also sized for one person, so you’re not carrying around rehydrated food trash.
Backpacking Beverages - Electrolytes & Happy Hour Cocktails
Propel Electrolytes
You can never go wrong with electrolytes. Bonus if you mix them with vodka for a nightcap! Speaking of cocktails…..it’s almost Happy Hour! My favorite backpacking cocktails are below.
Backpacking Wine Bladder
More of a wine person? We recommend this lightweight foldable wine bladder – it will hold a whole bottle! We drink Sauvignon Blanc on our backpacking trips!
Backpacking Flask
Perfect for carrying your vodka! These 300 ml flasks will keep you light on your feet and are easy to fill and take care of.
Pocket Cocktails Bloody Mary Mix
Even better – if you have a super chill backpacking day where you’re planning to drink – you can pack yourself some Tito’s vodka in your UL flask, and some powdered bloody mary mix. I recommend pickles & olives for a salty snack, so reach into your snack bag and make yourself a super treat on the trail!
