Best snacks for winter walks

For recipes to make at Christmas, check out our Christmas coffee serves, Christmas desserts and Christmas cocktails.

Best snacks for winter walks

Sweet snacks

Make your winter walks 10 times more exciting with a container full of treats. We've given brownies a festive twist in these Christmas brownies, laced with warming cinnamon, tangy cranberries and a swirl of nut butter. Cookie lover? These chunky, nutty dark chocolate pecan cookies can be made in just 20 minutes, perfect for a spot of baking before you set off (depending on how long you leave them, they may still be warm and soft). Flapjacks are a solid choice for portable grazing: for your next walk try these easy no-bake flapjacks, using dates and nut butter to bind everything together.

You could even make a homemade white chocolate salami, combining festive flavours such as pistachios, almonds and cranberries. It's really easy to make, plus it goes well with a hot coffee in your reusable coffee cup.

Nuts and savoury snacks

If you're more partial to savoury than sweet, rustle up an easy savoury nut mix: these Marmite-glazed nuts and seeds make a killer alternative to crisps, though be warned they are seriously moreish. Alternatively, mix it up with a salt and sweet combo – these sticky miso nuts and seeds feature a heady combination of umami with luxurious caramel flavour. Check out these salted honey nuts, a delicious medley of nuts coated in a glossy salted honey sauce, or go one step further with a crunchy slab of salted cashew nut brittle. All these recipes are quick and easy to make, simply pop into a container and pack in your bag for your next adventure.

There's always the option to opt for a healthier snack – turn your hand to these colourful vegetable crisps pepped up with an easy curry spice. It's a smart way to use up veggie peelings as well as any loose leftover veg. We also have coconut butter, date and cranberry protein balls. They have a great sweetness from the fruit and a crunchy texture thanks to the nuts.

Warming soups and stews

Fill your flask with soup before you head out into the cold: warm up with rich and creamy tomato soup or try out new flavours with our spiced cauliflower soup and Red thai butternut squash soup. For a real winter warmer see our smoky sweet potato soup, or add bacon lardons to a rich winter minestrone.

You could even cook a hearty seasonal stew to enjoy on your walk: our chorizo and butter bean stew is ready in just 20 minutes and calls for simple ingredients, or give this versatile meatball stew a go, made rich with homemade meatballs and vibrant with coriander chutney.

For vegetarians, see our easy vegan chickpea stew for a frugal option, packed with seasonal winners like dates, crunchy almonds, cinnamon and turmeric. Or nourish yourself with a butter bean stew, made zingy with ginger, turmeric and creamy coconut milk broth.

Festive tipples

There's nothing quite like warming up via hot chocolate, especially with a glug of dark rum and sweetened with chocolate flakes, marshmallows and fudge chunks. You could opt for an on-the-go Irish coffee – a hot, strong, sweet coffee laced with whiskey or bitter Fernet-Branca. Go all-out and bring a little container of whipped or double pouring cream and pour over the top.

Experiment with spices in this dreamy masala chai, a fitting winter pick-me-up bursting with fragrant flavours such as cloves, cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. Change the spice mix quantities to suit your preferences, or make it vegan by using an alternative milk like oat, almond or soya.