10 High-Protein Indian Winter Snacks Every Traveller And Trekker Should Pack

Winter mornings on a train platform, mist curling around your shoes, or the bite of cold wind on a Himalayan trail – these are moments where food isn’t just sustenance; it’s comfort, energy, and survival, all in one! Long journeys, unpredictable stops, and physical exertion mean that snacks need to do more than fill your stomach. They must fuel muscles, keep you warm, and stay fresh without refrigeration. Protein-rich Indian snacks are ideal. They are light, portable, and surprisingly versatile, combining pulses, nuts, and dairy in ways that travellers have relied on for centuries.

10 High-Protein Snacks For Travelling In Winter

1. Roasted Chana

Dry-roasted chickpeas are crunchy, lightweight, and ideal for carrying on the go. They are long-lasting, mess-free, and easy to snack on during long journeys. A pinch of chaat masala adds the spicy tadka without reducing shelf life.

Roasted Chana (chickpeas, often whole and unshelled as chana zor garam or bhuna chana) is perhaps the most fundamental, ancient travel snack. It is almost pure fuel: high in both plant-based protein (around 19 grams per 100g) and dietary fibre.

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2. Masala Roasted Makhana

In this snack, fox nuts or lotus seeds are roasted with turmeric, black pepper, or cumin to create a warm and crisp snack. They remain dry and stable, making them perfect for cold-weather travel.

Masala Roasted Makhana (fox nuts) are a superb choice for winter travel due to their extremely lightweight and puffy texture, which provides volume without adding bulk to your baggage. Since they are so dry and crisp, they naturally resist spoilage and humidity, staying fresh and crunchy for weeks, a major advantage over less stable snacks on long, multi-day journeys or treks.

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3. Peanut Chikki

Peanut chikki combines roasted peanuts with jaggery or sugar. They are compact and sweet, with the touch of being slightly crunchy, it provides energy for long stretches when fresh food is not available.

This classic Indian brittle is arguably the perfect high-energy travel snack, especially in winter. The combination of peanuts (rich in protein and healthy fats) and jaggery (a complex carbohydrate with essential minerals like iron) creates a dense, non-perishable food source. The high sugar content acts as a natural preservative, guaranteeing freshness without any packaging fuss.

4. Sprouted Moong Salad

Sprouted moong beans mixed with chopped onions, tomatoes, and lemon create a filling and satisfying snack. It is easy to prepare in advance and helps maintain steady energy during winter journeys.

5. Moong Dal Chilla

These charming pancakes made from ground moong dal are warm, filling, and easy to cook with minimal equipment. Chillas are perfect for a snack or light meal while trekking or stopping at roadside eateries.

The magic of the Moong Dal Chilla lies in its density and versatility. Unlike wheat pancakes, chillas made from soaked and ground split yellow lentils (moong dal) are inherently rich in protein and slow-releasing carbohydrates, providing sustained warmth and energy essential for cold-weather exertion. For travellers, the batter can be prepared in advance (if refrigeration is available for a day or two), or the pre-mixed dry flour can be carried and simply combined with water at a roadside stop or homestay kitchen.

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6. Paneer Cubes

Nothing feels as satisfying on a freezing winter journey as paneer cubes dusted with spices. With 18 grams of protein per 100 grams, they are filling yet surprisingly portable. The creamy, slightly tangy bites contrasted with the icy window glass and winding mountain roads are the perfect snack that makes the cold bearable.

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7. Besan Laddoo Or Chilla 

Besan is a winter staple. Besan ladoos or chillas offer around 22 grams of protein per 100 grams, plus fibre and a sense of homely warmth. On cold winter mornings, a hot besan chilla, golden-hued and fragrant, can feel like someone pressing a “comfort button” in your stomach.

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8. Mixed Nuts And Dry Fruit Laddoo

Almonds, cashews, peanuts, sesame, and flax seeds are all rolled into a small ball or carried as a trail mix. Nuts pack protein between 21–26 grams per 100 grams, along with fats that keep you warm. It is the perfect snack to grab while watching mist settle over pine forests. It is crunchy and satisfying, one handful, and the energy is instantaneous.

9. Chana Chaat

Boiled chickpeas with onions, tomatoes, and spices make a filling snack. Around 15 grams of protein per cup, and warm or cold, it’s one of the most flexible travel snacks. The tangy, spicy notes of this dish feel like a jolt of life, keeping you alert for long bus rides ahead.

10. Soya Snacks 

Roasted soya nuts or simple soya chunks stir-fry deliver concentrated protein, often more than many pulses. Perfect for vegetarian travellers, they are portable, sustaining, and surprisingly versatile. For long winter journeys, soya is a protein powerhouse that punches far above its weight. Soya chunks (also known as meal maker) are incredibly dry when packed, meaning they take up very little space and have an exceptional shelf life.

Travelling in winter is never just about the scenery; it’s about how your body keeps up with it. From roasted chana to peanut chikki, from paneer cubes to sprouted moong salad, these snacks mix protein, warmth, and practicality. This is your sign to pack them thoughtfully, eat them mindfully and let your journey be fuelled not just by sights and sounds, but by food that keeps you strong, warm, and surprisingly happy.

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