The long, warm days of summer call for one thing: hopping in the car and exploring with the whole family. It’s tough to stick to your diet when you’re on the road, but these thirteen portable treats will more than do the trick and keep you from giving in to the lure of gas station food. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet, salty, or anywhere in between, these simple snacks have you covered.
1. Spinach and Feta Make-Ahead Breakfast Sandwich
These sandwiches are great for breakfast, but they work in a pinch any time of the day and are only three Weight Watchers points per serving. With hearty, healthy spinach, egg, and zingy feta cheese sandwiched between an English muffin, you’ll get a powerful protein kick that will keep you full no matter where the road takes you. Plus, you can make a big batch and freeze it for up to three months. You just need to reheat and pack them away for easy snacking.
2. Cinnamon Twists
Your sweet tooth and your waistline will rejoice with these super simple, two-point cinnamon twists that are perfectly portable and road-ready. You only need four ingredients: reduced-fat Pillsbury crescent rolls, sugar, cinnamon, and apple sauce, and they come together in twenty minutes. These twists are also a universal crowd-pleaser and make a great, low-calorie treat between meals.
3. Chicken and Broccoli Biscuit Pies
I love these savory, portable pot pies, which are just three Weight Watchers points per serving and packed with chicken, veggies, and a delicious crust. Pillsbury biscuits are an excellent shortcut ingredient and make an inspired base for tender, shredded chicken breast and broccoli. Low-fat condensed cream of chicken soup, and light cheese add silkiness, and grated Parmesan, crispy crumbled bacon, and panko round off each miniature pie.
4. Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Mini Muffins
Are you craving something comforting on the road? Check out these delightful peanut butter and banana mini muffins. They’re just two points a serving and full of creamy peanut butter, miniature chocolate chips, and banana flavor. Unsweetened applesauce does a great job keeping the points down and the mini muffins nice and moist. Plus, they pack perfectly in a ziplock bag for easy transport.
5. Bacon and Cheese Broccoli Bites
At a single point per serving, these decadent-tasting bacon and cheese broccoli bites are always on the menu, but they shine when you take them on the road. They’re full of protein and cheesy goodness to keep you satisfied and have plenty of textural interest, thanks to panko breadcrumbs. I keep them light with reduced-fat grated cheese and center-cut bacon, and the broccoli is full of Vitamin C and iron.
6. Philly Cheese Steak Biscuit Bites
Philly cheese steak is a notoriously messy snack, but these two-point bites give you all of the flavor you crave without messing up your car. They’re a win-win for the road and really easy to put together. Simply use store-bought biscuits as the base, roll them out, and fill them with a savory mixture of deli roast beef, green peppers, onions, and reduced-fat mozzarella cheese. Then pinch them close, brush with an egg white wash, and bake for about twenty minutes.
7. Oatmeal Blueberry Cookies
Pack up some of these two-point cookies on your next road trip, and thank me later. They’re full of tart blueberries and quick oats, with the sweetness of brown sugar and warm cinnamon for a layered and delicious taste that will also keep you full. I bulk them up with mashed bananas and applesauce for a chewy consistency without too much fat and add in some ground flaxseed for Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
8. Buffalo Chicken Empanadas
This handheld treat starts with an inspired mix of self-rising flour and Greek yogurt for the dough and is filled with shredded chicken, light cream cheese, reduced-fat shredded cheese, Ranch dressing, and hot sauce. Each serving is only five Weight Watchers points and absolutely bursting with flavor and creamy goodness, but since it’s all contained in the empanada, you won’t have any mess to clean up. I like to use two tablespoons of Frank’s hot sauce for the filling but feel free to adjust the spice level to your liking.
9. Maraschino Cherry Muffins
These pretty-in-pink muffins are only three Weight Watchers points apiece and an adorable treat to pack up for your next road trip. You only need a handful of ingredients, like flour, baking powder, skim milk, eggs, vanilla, and applesauce, plus maraschino cherries and a touch of pink food coloring. The food coloring is optional, but I appreciate the presentation, and I think you will, too.
10. Turkey Sausage Rolls
These three-point sausage rolls are excellent for on-the-road munchies. Turkey keeps them a bit on the lighter side and really shines when you add sage, thyme, garlic powder, and a bit of onion. Each bite is encased in flaky, delicious puff pastry, so you’ll enjoy different textures and a rich, meaty center. Since they’re small, you can pack away several into a bag and enjoy smart snacking as you explore.
11. Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
No road trip is complete without chocolate chip cookies, and these two-point beauties do not disappoint. Plus, they’re packed with pecans, too, so you’ll enjoy extra crunch and protein in each bite. I keep these cookies light and luscious with non-fat vanilla yogurt, which lends them a chewy consistency and adds sweet flavor. A little extra splash of vanilla and mini chocolate chips round off things nicely and will definitely keep you from hitting up the drive-thru on your trip.
12. Weight Watchers Egg Bites
If you start to feel your energy flagging on a long road trip, turn to these tasty one-point egg bites to power you through. With plenty of protein-rich eggs and ham, Parmesan cheese, juicy diced tomatoes, spinach, and fresh herbs, they’re absolutely worth their weight in flavor gold. I love how delicious they are, warm or cold, and how they come together quickly for that impromptu road trip.
13. Mini Raspberry White Chocolate Cupcakes
White chocolate and raspberries are a magnificent match, as these two-point delights prove. Storebought white cake mix, apple sauce, egg whites, vanilla, white chocolate chips, and a few fresh raspberries are all you need. Simply mix up your batter, stir in the white chocolate chips, and crown each mini cupcake with a fresh raspberry. In just twelve minutes, they’re done. I like to top mine with a bit of melted white chocolate for an extra touch of goodness.
If the open road is calling you this summer, remember that you can stick to your diet while you’re off exploring. These thirteen easy, portable recipes are your secret weapon and will keep you full, satisfied, and happy through it all.
