100 Mess-Free, Travel-Friendly Snacks for Kids That Are Healthy and Delicious

100 Mess-Free, Travel-Friendly Snacks for Kids That Are Healthy and Delicious

Travelling with kids is an adventure — and also a challenge when it comes to food! Whether you’re taking a flight, a train ride, or a long road trip, keeping your little ones fed, happy, and healthy on the go is essential. But here’s the problem: most travel snacks are either messy, full of sugar, just plain unhealthy or the kids don’t like. 

At nomado, we spoke to 100 moms and compiled a list of 100 mess-free, nutritious, and travel-friendly snacks for kids, combining Indian favourites with global options — so you can pack smarter and worry less

 

Why Mess-Free and Healthy Snacks Matter

✅ Kids are more likely to eat when the snacks are tasty and easy to handle.
 ✅ Nutritious snacks keep their energy levels stable and avoid sugar highs (and crashes).
 ✅ Mess-free options make your trip stress-free — no crumbs, no sticky fingers, no hassle.

Here’s the ultimate list, along with their nutritious values & protein content — categorized for easy reference!

Category Snack Rich in Calories/100g Protein/100g (g)
Grains, crackers and dry snacks 1. Roasted Makhana Magnesium, fiber, low-cal 350 9
2. Khakhra (plain) Whole grain, fiber, low-fat 420 12
3. Millet Crackers Gluten-free, iron, fiber 430 8
4. Whole wheat breadsticks Fiber, carbs, B-vitamins 380 9
5. Mini Bagels Carbs, folate, iron 260 9
6. Popcorn (unsalted) Fiber, antioxidants, low-fat 380 12
7. Baked Banana Chips Potassium, iron, fiber 500 3
8. Baked Sweet Potato Chips Beta carotene, fiber, low GI 450 4
9. Oatmeal Cookies (low sugar) Fiber, B-vitamins, iron 450 6
10. Dry Poha Chivda Iron, light carbs, B-vitamins 450 7
11. Puffed Rice Mix Iron, light carbs, B-vitamins 350 6
12. Cereal Mix (dry) Iron, carbs, B-vitamins 400 8
Nut & Seeds 13. Almonds Vitamin E, healthy fats, calcium 575 21
14. Cashews Zinc, copper, iron 550 18
15. Walnuts Omega-3, antioxidants, fiber 650 15
16. Pistachios Potassium, lutein, fiber 560 20
17. Peanuts (roasted) Niacin, folate, protein 570 25
18. Pumpkin Seeds Magnesium, zinc, fiber 560 30
19. Sunflower Seeds Vitamin E, selenium, B6 580 21
20. Flax Seeds (roasted) Omega-3, fiber, lignans 530 19
21. Chia Seeds Calcium, omega-3, fiber 490 17
22. Mixed Seeds Trail Mix Variety, iron, protein 520 20
Laddoos and Bars 23. Dry Fruit Laddoos Iron, fiber, natural sugar 380 7
24. Dates + Nuts Energy Balls Magnesium, potassium, carbs 410 6
25. Granola Bars Fiber, iron, B-vitamins 450 6
26. Protein Bars (kids) Protein, calcium, iron 370 10
27. Peanut Butter Balls Healthy fats, protein, folate 450 15
28. Oats Energy Bites Fiber, iron, carbs 400 6
29. Sesame-Til Laddoo Calcium, iron, healthy fats 480 12
30. Amaranth Chikki Iron, calcium, gluten-free 450 8
31. Peanut Chikki Protein, iron, niacin 480 15
32. Coconut Balls Fiber, manganese, healthy fats 450 6
Dairy & cheese 33. Cheese Cubes Calcium, protein, vitamin D 400 25
34. Cheese Strings Portable calcium, protein 350 22
35. Yogurt Drops (freeze-dried) Probiotics, calcium, protein 400 12
36. Paneer Cubes (dry) Protein, calcium, iron 270 18
37. Milk Powder Mix Calcium, protein, B12 480 26
Fruits (dried) 38. Dates Iron, potassium, fiber 280 2
39. Raisins Iron, antioxidants, carbs 300 2
40. Dried Apricots Vitamin A, iron, fiber 240 3
41. Dried Cranberries Antioxidants, fiber, potassium 300 1
42. Dried Figs Calcium, potassium, fiber 250 3
43. Dried Mango Vitamin C, iron, fiber 320 2
44. Freeze-dried Strawberries Vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber 350 1
45. Freeze-dried Apples Potassium, fiber, low-cal 350 1
46. Dried Blueberries Antioxidants, fiber, vitamin K 350 1
47. Mixed Dried Fruit Vitamins, fiber, iron 300 2
Legumes & Pulses 48. Roasted Chickpeas Iron, protein, fiber 380 20
49. Roasted Moong Dal Protein, folate, iron 400 24
50. Roasted Chana (whole) Fiber, protein, low-fat 360 22
51. Roasted Soy Nuts Protein, iron, calcium 450 35
52. Edamame (dry roasted) Protein, folate, fiber 440 40
Baked & Savoury 53. Whole Wheat Crackers Fiber, carbs, iron 420 9
54. Masala Puri Sticks Carbs, iron, B-vitamins 430 8
55. Mathri (baked) Carbs, fiber, iron 470 7
56. Soya Sticks Protein, fiber, iron 450 20
57. Mini Baked Samosas Carbs, iron, folate 370 7
Milk based 58. Milk Bikis Calcium, carbs, B-vitamins 470 7
59. Powdered Hot Chocolate Mix Iron, calcium, carbs 370 6
Veggie based chips 60. Beet Chips Folate, fiber, iron 450 6
61. Kale Chips Vitamin K, fiber, antioxidants 430 8
62. Carrot Chips Beta carotene, fiber, potassium 400 5
63. Spinach Chips Iron, calcium, fiber 400 6
Biscuits & cookies 64. Ragi Cookies Calcium, iron, fiber 470 7
65. Oatmeal Biscuits Fiber, iron, carbs 480 6
66. Multigrain Biscuits Fiber, B-vitamins, iron 480 7
67. Digestive Biscuits Fiber, iron, carbs 470 6
Crunchy snacks 68. Corn Nuts Carbs, fiber, protein 470 15
69. Rice Crackers Gluten-free, carbs, low-fat 380 8
70. Murukku Carbs, fiber, iron 490 7
71. Sev (baked) Carbs, iron, folate 450 10
72. Mixture (low-oil) Carbs, fiber, protein 470 8
73. Bhakarwadi (mini) Carbs, iron, fiber 480 8
74. Sprouted moong (dry, roasted) Folate, fiber, protien 350 25
75. Dry Kuttu chips Gluten free, magnesium, fiber 450 7
76. Roasted Lentil Puffs Fiber, iron, protein 420 18
Sweet & natural 77. Jaggery Chunks Iron, folate, energy 380 0
78. Honey Sesame Bars Calcium, iron, healthy fats 460 10
79. Chocolate Covered Nuts Iron, antioxidants, protein 500 12
Global snacks 80. Rice Cakes Gluten-free, low-cal, carbs 380 7
81. Mini Pretzels Iron, carbs, low-fat 380 9
82. Quinoa Puffs Protein, iron, fiber 410 12
83. Chickpea Pasta Snacks Protein, fiber, iron 400 20
84. Protein Crisps Protein, fiber, low-fat 420 30
85. Fruit roll ups Vitamin C, fiber, carbs 350 1
Mini cakes & bakes 86. Banana Bread (slice) Potassium, iron, carbs 300 5
87. Millet Muffins Iron, fiber, calcium 320 6
88. Carrot Cake (mini) Beta carotene, fiber, carbs 350 4
89. Teething Biscuits Iron, calcium, B-vitamins 400 7
90. Yogurt Melts Calcium, probiotics, carbs 400 12
91. Peanut Butter Sachets Healthy fats, iron, protein 600 20
Ready to eat 92. Roasted Suji Halwa Good fats, carbs, iron 610 12
93. Ready Millet Upma (dry) Fiber, iron, carbs 350 7
94. Ready Poha (dry) Iron, carbs, fiber 370 6
95. Idli Dry Mix Bites Iron, carbs, calcium 300 8
96. Bhel (dry) Iron, carbs, fiber 370 6
97. Mini Pancakes (dry) Iron, carbs, fiber 300 6
98. Theplas Fiber, magnesium, carbs  300 8
99. Ready Millet Pongal Mix (dry)  Low GI, iron, fiber 350 7
100. Ready-to-Eat Paratha Rolls (vacuum packed)
filled with paneer bhurjee, soya, moong dal		 Carbs, protein, iron 270 6

 

Don’t worry, we are also collating recipes and will be adding that soon. In the meantime, please DM or ask in comments for any specific recipes.

 

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