Nut Butter Sandwich
Peanut butter and jelly is the default trail sandwich, but it’s susceptible to sogginess and squishing depending on how it’s packed.
“If you are going to do the PB&J route, spread peanut butter on both sides of bread and the jelly in the middle,” says Caldwell. “This way, the jelly doesn’t ooze through the bread during your hike.”
For an innovative twist on the beloved nut butter sandwich, Caldwell suggests combining almond butter with banana on whole wheat, or taking the combination a step further, mixing slaw, a hint of mint, cilantro and scallions into a cashew-ginger spread and slathering it onto a bun.
Nutella Sandwich
Speaking of nut butter sandwiches, Nutella on bread provides a just-right kick of sweet. Try it on an English muffin, dressed up with sliced banana and a drizzle of honey. It’s also excellent smeared on a tortilla, with a sprinkle of chopped or sliced almonds for some extra protein, or sliced apple for a refreshing balance of sweet and tart.
Sliced Turkey Sandwich
To keep the ingredients in this classic trail sammy tasting fresh, line two slices of bread with cheese and place the other ingredients in between. To take things up a notch, Caldwell recommends using smoked gouda with turkey and slices of Granny Smith apples, with an added bonus of mango chutney.