These 10 Snacks Will Make or Break Your Fall Hike, #7 Will Surprise You

The snacks you pack for a fall hike can make or break your trip. Some snacks give you the fuel to power through, while others might leave you struggling. We’ve gathered 10 snacks that will keep you energized and satisfied—one of them is bound to surprise you. Don’t let your snack choices slow you down when you’re out enjoying the fall trails.

Twisted Bacon. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlic Knots

Garlic Knots are a doughy, garlicky snack ready in about 2 hours. Made with pizza dough, garlic, and butter, they offer a soft, comforting bite. Each knot packs a punch of garlic flavor that’s perfect for carb lovers. These are the kind of knots you’ll want to untangle as you hit the trails.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots

Soft Pretzel Knots

Soft Pretzel Knots take about 2 hours to prepare and bring the classic pretzel taste to your snack game. With a chewy texture and salty finish, these knots are made with a simple dough that’s boiled before baking. They’re the perfect balance of salty and satisfying. Grab a few for your pack, and let the hike feel like a stroll through Oktoberfest.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pretzel Knots

Bourbon Caramel Popcorn

Bourbon Caramel Popcorn takes about an hour to prepare and blends sweet caramel with a subtle bourbon kick. The main ingredient, popcorn, is coated in rich, boozy caramel, offering a sweet and slightly spiked treat. It’s a shareable snack that’s hard to resist once you start munching. A few handfuls of this and your hike might just feel like a fall festival.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Caramel Popcorn

Apple Bacon Beer Bread

Apple Bacon Beer Bread takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to bake and combines apples, bacon, and beer into a hearty loaf. The flavors are sweet, smoky, and robust, making it a snack that satisfies both cravings for savory and sweet. Each slice is a bite of rustic fall flavor. Pack it up, and your hike might just feel like a cozy pub crawl.
Get the Recipe: Apple Bacon Beer Bread

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

A serving basket of sweet potato fritters next to a bowl of dipping sauce and a single serving on a plate. — Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce are ready in 30 minutes and made with grated sweet potatoes and spices. These crispy fritters are served with a sauce that adds a mix of sweetness and heat. They’re a flavorful snack that brings energy to your hike. Toss them in your pack, and you’ll be frying up excitement at every trail stop.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Fried Ripe Sweet Plantains

A plate of fried bananas on a marble table. — Fried Ripe Sweet Plantains. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Fried Ripe Sweet Plantains, or Colombian platanos maduros fritos, are sweet, caramelized treats that take only 15 minutes to make. Made with ripe plantains, they’re crispy on the edges and soft inside, offering a satisfying texture. The sweetness makes them an easy-to-love snack. Pack them up, and you might just forget about the trail as you savor each bite.
Get the Recipe: Fried Ripe Sweet Plantains

Air Fryer Bananas with Cinnamon

Air fryer bananas on a white plate over a rustic wooden cutting board with a pink linen. — Air Fryer Bananas with Cinnamon. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Air Fryer Bananas with Cinnamon are a sweet, simple snack ready in just 10 minutes. Made with ripe bananas and cinnamon, they offer a warm, comforting flavor. The quick prep makes them a great choice for hikes. Once you taste them, you might find yourself taking a break just for a sweet bite of fall.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bananas with Cinnamon

Air Fryer Pasta Chips

Pasta chips in a white bowl. — Air Fryer Pasta Chips. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air Fryer Pasta Chips are a crunchy, savory snack that takes about 20 minutes to prepare. Boiled pasta is seasoned and air-fried until golden brown, with a hint of Italian herbs. These chips bring a satisfying crunch that’s hard to resist. Toss them in your pack, and you’ll be crunching your way through the fall foliage.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pasta Chips

Pumpkin Fries

Pumpkin Fries are a seasonal snack that takes about 30 minutes to prepare. Made with sliced pumpkin and seasoning, they offer a sweet and savory taste that feels like fall in every bite. The texture is similar to traditional fries but with a pumpkin twist. Munching on these might make your fall hike feel like a pumpkin patch adventure.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Fries

Twisted Bacon

Twisted Bacon puts a fun spin on classic bacon and can be ready in just 30 minutes. It’s simply bacon twisted and baked until crispy, delivering a savory, smoky crunch. This snack is ideal for bacon lovers who crave something meaty on the go. You might just twist your way through that hike with a little extra pep.
Get the Recipe: Twisted Bacon