I’ll admit it. I love snacks.
Whether I’m heading out on a long hike, sitting at my desk between meetings, or settling in for a road trip, I always want something to munch on. The problem is that so many convenient snacks come individually wrapped in plastic, and before you know it, you’ve filled an entire bin with wrappers from things that took five minutes to eat.
But cutting down on snack packaging doesn’t have to mean giving up convenience. With a little planning, it’s surprisingly easy to pack snacks that are healthier, cheaper, and produce far less waste than most supermarket options.
Here are 10 creative and tasty ideas that take just a few minutes to prepare, and many can be made in batches so you’ve got something ready to grab throughout the week.
1. Homemade Trail Mix
This is probably my go-to snack.
Buy nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and maybe a little dark chocolate from the bulk section (or in the largest packaging available), mix everything together, and portion it into reusable containers.
You can change it up every week depending on what you have at home.
2. Energy Balls
Energy balls sound much fancier than they actually are.
Blend together oats, dates, peanut butter, flaxseed, chia seeds, and cocoa powder, roll into balls, and keep them in the fridge.
They’re perfect before (or during) a hike or run and surprisingly filling.
3. Fresh Fruit
Sometimes the simplest option really is the best.
Apples, bananas, pears, grapes, peaches… they all come in their own natural packaging and require pretty much zero preparation.
4. Homemade Popcorn
Skip the individually wrapped microwave bags.
Pop kernels on the stovetop or in an air popper, season however you like, and store them in a reusable container.
I love nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, or just a little sea salt.
5. Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are crunchy, high in protein, and ridiculously easy to make.
Simply toss cooked chickpeas with olive oil and your favorite spices before roasting until crispy.
6. Veggies and Homemade Hummus
Carrot sticks, cucumber, bell peppers, celery, and so on…
Pair them with homemade hummus in a small reusable container for one of the easiest (and healthiest) snacks around.
7. Overnight Oats
If you’re after something a little more substantial, overnight oats aren’t just for breakfast.
Oats, plant milk, chia seeds, fruit, and a little maple syrup make a great afternoon snack that’s easy to transport in a glass jar.
8. Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
Simple, filling, and packed with fiber and healthy fats.
I like making my own peanut butter by simply blending peanuts until smooth. It’s cheaper, reduces packaging waste, and can be stored in a reusable container for easy snacks throughout the week.
9. Make Your Own Snack Boxes
Instead of buying pre-packaged snack boxes, create your own.
Fill a reusable lunch container with things like:
🌲 Grapes
🌲 Nuts
🌲 Crackers
🌲 Hummus
🌲 Carrot sticks
🌲 Cucumber
🌲 Olives
🌲 Vegan cheese
🌲 Dried fruit
It’s basically an adult Lunchable… but much healthier and with far less plastic.
10. Dark Chocolate
Okay, this one’s mostly because life is too short not to include chocolate.
Many high-quality chocolate brands now package their bars in paper or home-compostable wrappers instead of plastic. Pair a few squares with nuts or fruit and you’ve got a pretty perfect afternoon snack.
A Few Sustainable Snack Brands Worth Looking At
If you’re short on time or just want something ready-made, there are a few brands doing genuinely impressive things with both ingredients and packaging – compostable wrappers, plastic-free bags, and return programs for when composting isn’t available.
🌲 Sun & Swell Foods: a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member making organic, plant-based snacks (nuts, trail mixes, dried fruits, cookie bites) in fully compostable, plastic-free packaging. Their single-serve bags are home compostable, and if you don’t have access to composting they’ll send you a return mailer so they can do it for you. Really impressive setup. Only available in the US.
🌲 Wallaroo Foods: a UK brand making organic dried fruit and vegetable snacks (mango, pineapple, apricot, coconut, giant corn, fava beans) in paper packaging. Sustainably produced, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free. Ships to the UK, Europe, and the US.
🌲 Makadamia: An Italian brand offering customizable nut and dried fruit mixes in compostable packaging. They focus on simple, plant-based snacks and have also developed reusable snack containers for carrying mixes on the go. Only available in Europe.
🌲 Shār Snacks: A US-based brand making organic, plant-based trail mixes with a focus on reducing snack packaging waste. Their larger bags are made from 100% plastic-free compostable materials, while their refillable tubes and jars are designed to be reused rather than thrown away after every snack. Their blends include nuts, dried fruits, and other simple ingredients.
🌲 Two Farmers: Crisps might not be the healthiest snack in the universe, but if you’re craving something salty, this UK brand is worth checking out. Their hand-cooked potato crisps come in plastic-free compostable packaging, use locally grown potatoes, and are made with renewable energy. A simple example of how even classic snack foods can be made more sustainable.
🌲 Bulk bins: honestly still the best option if you have access to a zero waste shop or bulk food store. Bring your own containers, pay by weight, zero packaging whatsoever. Worth seeking out for nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and granola if there’s one near you. As always, buying larger formats reduces packaging waste per serving. Even a big bag of nuts beats a dozen individual snack packs.
I think low-waste snacking is actually one of those habits that’s much easier than it first seems.
You don’t need a pantry full of specialty products or a completely zero-waste kitchen. Simply swapping individually wrapped snacks for homemade versions, or buying ingredients in bulk and packing them into reusable containers, can make a surprisingly big difference over time.
And I think they usually taste better too. There’s something really satisfying about reaching into your bag for a snack you made yourself instead of another crinkly plastic wrapper.
