Road trip foods that stay fresh for longer

Planning to go on a road trip soon? One thing we know is that home-cooked food is less expensive than buying food on the road. It’s also the healthier option and you can relax knowing exactly what ingredients your family is eating. So forget the junk food with all those added preservatives and colourants, and get busy in the kitchen.

Before you start cooking, you also need to know which foods can remain fresh for hours in the car.  It’s also important to keep in mind that the food will most probably be eaten cold.

Here are a few options:

Cookies, muffins and bread

Make time before heading on the road to bake your own bread, muffins or cookies for the road. They can survive for days without going off and can be enjoyed any time of the day – breakfast, lunch and sometimes even for dinner.

Fruit

Instead of eating unhealthy snacks like potato chips and sweets, fruit makes a healthier alternative.  They are also filling and stay fresh for long. 

Stock up on your family favourites at your local supermarket, rather than buying from smaller shops along the route which might be more expensive. If you’re going to be passing through farming areas, keep an eye out for farmstalls along the way, you can usually pick up farm fresh fruit for great prices here.

Great fruits for travel include apples, berries, bananas, pears, and grapes. 

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Macaroni salad with ham and peas

This yummy and filling salad can sit in the cooler for up to four days. You can prepare it the night before leaving. It's easy to make and doesn't require a lot of ingredients. 

Roasted Vegetable Salad

This delicious veggie salad will be a hit with both vegetarians and meat lovers.

Meat

Apart from the obvious choice, which is biltong, chicken is also great for a roadtrip meal. There is no need to heat it, as it can be enjoyed when cold, and once cooked, it keeps quite well inside a cooler. 

Also consider making a batch of cocktail meatballs. They’re easy to make, it won’t go off inside a cooler and it can be eaten cold. Many kids love meatballs, and they make for an easy snack when you want something to nibble on.

Snacks

Why not pack your own home-made popcorn? Popcorn is not only delicious but it's a healthy snack.  To make it stay fresher for longer, keep it in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid, to minimise its exposure to air. Alternatively, you can store it in a resealable plastic bag. 

You can also learn how to make your own healthy and crispy potato chips. Get the recipe in the video below.

Remember to also pack plates and cutlery to avoid having to buy them on the road.