We’re in the swing of summer adventure: hiking, kayaking, tubing—even just laying out by the pool, it all counts! While we love spending hours outdoors this time of year, it does come with one big caveat: no access to the kitchen. The last thing you want to do when you’re soaking up the sun is go back to the house, or hop in the car to the closest drive-thru. Luckily, there are several quick make-ahead recipes you can prepare ahead of time and whip out right when hunger strikes.
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Seafood Boil Crackers
Peyton Beckwith
Five minutes to prep, 30 in the oven, and you’re good to go with what is sure to be your family’s new favorite snack. Herby, savory, and with just enough punch, these crackers are just as easy to enjoy as they are to make.
Candied Almond Bark Popcorn
Two ingredients and 30 servings? This is a great recipe to keep handy when you have lots of people to feed. Pack it along with your drinks and and enjoy poolside, on a boat, or at a summit after a great hike.
Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Easy to pack and quick to eat, this no-mess oatmeal bar is a great on-the-go snack. “Made exactly as directed,” said one Allrecipes member. “Add-ins were raisins and chopped walnuts. It came out beautifully! They are best after refrigerating overnight, which gives them some time and the temp to firm up for portability. Perfect on-the-go breakfast.”
Zucchini Tots
Who says poolside snacks are limited to chips, crackers, or dips? You can still get your 5-a-day in with these yummy zucchini tots—packed with carrot, zucchini, breadcrumbs, feta, and herbs. Make it easier on yourself by buying pre-shredded veggies, and you can put this recipe together in the time it takes to preheat the oven.
Chex Muddy Buddies
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Whether you’re team Muddy Buddies or team Puppy Chow, we can all agree that the combo of chocolate, peanut butter, Chex Cereal and powdered sugar is super delicious. Easy to scale, this recipe takes only 15 minutes to make and can feed a big crowd.
2-Ingredient Stuffed Peppers
France Cevallos
You can get the kids involved in this one! These simple Stuffed Peppers pack an incredible punch that demonstrates that the whole can truly be greater than the sum of its parts. Grab your favorite spreadable cheese or cheese product, and fill the sweet, tangy, crunchy Peppadew Peppers in just minutes. Then, watch it disappear just as fast.
Corn Dog Muffins
“I’m shocked how much I enjoyed these,” said one Allrecipes member. “I made it for the kiddos but all of the adults ate them too. I tried it with the hotdogs cut in half and chopping them up and including in the batter. I preferred adding them to the batter. This is especially good if you’re feeding younger kids. Thanks for the recipe.”
The Best White Chocolate Almond Bark
Need a sweet treat to enjoy in the great outdoors? Try this simple White Chocolate Almond Bark. It’s endlessly customizable. The recipe calls for almonds, but I’d reach for dried cherries and pistachios. It only takes five minutes to prep, so try a few of your favorite combos.
Air Fryer Apple Chips
The air fryer makes easy dehydrating apples especially simple. “Such an easy way to make apple chips,” says one Allrecipes member. They taste as good as the ones you buy. Will try with cinnamon sugar the next time.”
Homemade Top Tarts
If you have little ones to look over on your outdoor adventure, try packing these homemade Pop-Tarts. Sweet, flaky, and fun to decorate, pack a bunch to snack on throughout the day and satiate your sweet tooth. “Super easy,” says one Allrecipes member. Tasted better than I expected, and thankfully better than a regular Pop-Tart! We will make this again.”
Apricot Leather
This 3-ingredient snack comes together in a pinch. Don’t like apricots? Try blueberry, raspberry, strawberry or even apple. One Allrecipes member called this a “why didn’t I do this sooner?” recipe, and suggested using parchment paper sprayed with vegetable oil instead of plastic wrap if your oven doesn’t go down to 150 degrees F.
Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
LaDonna Langwell
What could be better than a loaded potato? A loaded potato you can take on the go. These Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs combine all your favorite baked potato fixings such as Cheddar cheese, bacon, and chives. If you can pack a side of sour cream, even better!
Savory Palmiers
LaDonna Langwell
Palmiers are a French pastry (french for “palm leaf”) made of puff pastry and sugar, traditionally. Through the years, several sweet and savory iterations have been made, including cinnamon sugar, jam-filled, goat cheese, and pesto varieties. This recipe calls for the addition of gruyere, caramelized onion, and bacon—yum! Allrecipes member LaDonna Langwell suggests keeping horseradish sauce or honey mustard on the side for dipping.
Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“I replaced some of the oil with butter and added the zest of one orange,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “They were the best muffins I’ve EVER made — even my very picky roommate loved them.”
More Inspiration:
Allrecipes/Qi Ai
Ham and Cheese Biscuit Muffins
This filling recipe is a complete meal all in on. The protein, dairy, carbs and keeps you full and sated, and the method keeps things easy to eat on the go. Plus, you can swap out the ingredients for your favorite (or your kids’ favorite) sandwich fillings. Allrecipes Culinary Producer Nicole McLaughlin says “Change up the fillings with sausage, bacon, eggs, leftover barbecued chicken, the possibilities are endless! Get your kids to help with this one.”