Growing up in the Midwest, I was no stranger to Lake Life. I was lucky enough to have grandparents with a lake house that we would visit almost every weekend during the summer, despite the 4-hour drive it took to get there. Lake days for me are a combination of high-energy activities, such as tubing, skiing, or swimming, and spending hours lying out in the sun to get a tan. (although in my case, it’s more of a sunburn, typically) But, throughout the entire day, the thing I do the most is eat! Lake snacks were always a very important part of the day.
Lake days for me are mini vacations, and I treat them as such with my diet. I love a sweet treat, and you cannot have a lake day without grilling out at some point. Over the years, as my siblings and I have grown older, we have taken on the responsibility of preparing meals and snacks for lake days. After a few years of trial and error, I believe I have truly refined a list of the best lake snacks to have on the boat or the shore.
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What Makes a Great Lake Snack?
Before deciding on the lake snacks of the day, I like to think about my plans. A lot of times, when I’m at the lake, I’m on the boat for most of the day, so my lake snacks need to be portable, and I choose food that makes a minimal mess. Now that I live in Chicago, though, my lake days look a little different. The day is typically spent lying on the beach next to Lake Michigan. I still like to have something easily portable, but I can usually bring larger items, and messier foods don’t matter as much.
My go-to formula includes: A combination of both cold and non-perishable foods. Cooler space is a hot commodity for keeping the drinks cold, but I like to leave some room for snacks to take to the lake. I also like a good combination of something sweet and something sweet.
10 Quick and Easy Lake Snack Ideas
Check out some of my absolute favorite lake snacks ideas for this summer!
1. Watermelon and Tajin
To be fair, watermelon in the summer is nothing new, but my love for a little zest ensures that I always bring the Tajin as a quick and easy topping. This checks the sweet and salty box every time, and is super easy to prepare!
2. Caprese Skewers
I love a caprese salad in the summer because it’s so refreshing. Add a cherry tomato, a mozzarella pearl, one basil leaf, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and sprinkle a little bit of salt to finish off the mini toothpick skewers. Bonus points if the cherry tomatoes come from your home garden!
3. Trail Mix or Chex Mix
On the saltier side of lake snacks, consider bringing a pre-made trail mix or Chex Mix. The best part about bringing a mix is your ability to customize what goes in it. You only have to put in the things that you like! I personally really enjoy this Ranch Chex Mix Snack recipe.
4. Frozen Sugared Grapes
This is a real treat, but also still healthy… maybe? Either way, try covering your grapes in lime juice, rolling them in sugar, and then freezing them for a sweet & sour treat on the boat. If you are looking for a fun way to mix up this recipe, try rolling them in Starburst-flavored powdered Jell-O mix instead.
5. Mini Sub Sandwiches
I feel like this one is self-explanatory; there is nothing I want more than a nice, cold sub sandwich on the lake. In the past, I’ve just ordered catering the night before on 12 half sandwiches or 18 sandwich thirds, but you can also make them yourself if you have the time.
6. Guacamole & Chips
I enjoy making guacamole, so I’ll make a big batch the day before and store it in the fridge in an airtight container. I’ve also purchased the individual serving cups from the store, which makes it convenient for everyone to have their own.
7. Cheese Cubes & Salami
Charcuterie and cheese board, but make them good snacks for the lake. Use a storage container to pack up some bite-sized cheese cubes and rolled-up salami. Customize your on-the-go charcuterie box with your preferred cheeses and meats.
8. Chips & French Onion Dip
Nothing better or easier than packing a salty potato chip for your lake day snacks. I don’t know if it’s a midwestern thing or a universal thing to love French onion dip, but this dip always seems to make it to the lake day! Honorable mention for Sea Salt and Vinegar Chips as well. These are some of my favorites and are just begging to be enjoyed by the water.
9. Fresh Strawberries & Fruit Dip
Can’t go wrong with too much fresh fruit. To add a twist, try making this super-easy fruit dip to enjoy with your strawberries. This is something my grandpa taught me how to make when I was younger, and it’s still one of my favorites.
10. Hummus Dip
Hummus fits in perfectly with the other lake day snacks because you can dip almost anything in it. Pita chips, crackers, veggies, etc.
Must-Have Lake Essentials
Cooler Backpack
Skip the long trudge to the water with a massive cooler and opt for a more convenient option. Fill up the cooler with drinks and snacks, and then just use the straps to carry it like a normal backpack. This has saved me so many times, after deciding that bringing the massive cooler with no wheels was not worth the effort.
This cooler backpack has a top section to separate out snacks, a pocket for your phone, and a side pocket that can fit two wine bottles.
Brumate Insulated Tumbler
These 3 in 1 tumblers have come in handy on the lake. Insulate a 12-oz and 16-oz can or use it as a normal tumbler. It keeps my drinks cold all day long, or at least until I finish them!
Check out all the colors and finishes available here.
Bento Boxes
Pack your snacks in these bento boxes so that you don’t have to bring the entire container of dip with you, and you can create your own individual snackle boxes.
Check out all the colors available here.
