Wisconsin Road Trip Snacks (+ Snack Mix Recipe)

Cheese Curds

If I asked you what snack food is Wisconsin known for, no doubt you’d probably say cheese curds! Whether you like them fried or au naturel these squeaky morsels of goodness are a must-eat delicacy when road tripping through the state. They truly are one of the most iconic foods of Wisconsin.

It’s best to pick up some authentic Wisconsin cheese curds from a local cheese shop while on the road. Check out Mars Cheese Castle, Mousehouse Cheesehaus, or Ehlenbach’s Cheese Chalet!

In the snack mix recipe below I’ve represented Wisconsin’s famed cheese curds with moon cheese (think freeze dried cheese, buy it at grocery stores, drug stores, or online at Amazon) for texture and taste but you can also use cheese crackers (like Cheez-Its) if you can’t find any near you.

Cranberries

The cranberry is Wisconsin’s official state fruit. As the leading producer of cranberries in the US (with more than 60% of the country’s supply coming from the state) it’s no wonder this berry tops their list. So be sure to grab a bag of raisin-like dried cranberries to munch on while driving for the perfect Wisconsin road trip treat.

Corn

Corn is the state grain of Wisconsin. While corn itself might be a little too messy to consider road food, popcorn (especially cheesy popcorn) or corn nuts ( roasted or deep-fried kernels) will make a great Wisconsin road trip themed snack.

In the recipe below I used corn nuts. Though they aren’t technically nuts, they satisfy that crunchy element you look for in a trail mix. Don’t like corn nuts? Use popcorn instead!

Pretzels

With the state’s strong German heritage, Bavarian pretzels would be fierce contenders for national snack of Wisconsin. Authentic pretzels have a touch, chewy outer skin, a soft center, and are covered in thick salt. Paired with a cold beer, there might not be anything so Wisconsin of a treat.

You might want to stay away from beer if you’re driving, but pretzels are a great car snack. Stop for a Bavarian version on the road or just grab a bag of mini hard pretzels (like those used in the recipe below) for a road trip snack.

Sausage

With that German heritage in mind, sausages are another snack food synonymous with Wisconsin. Whether you’re grabbing a brat at an Oktoberfest celebration or munching on smoked sausage bites on the way there, sausage is an essential item on a list of Wisconsin snacks.

Kringle

In 2013 the Kringle was designated as the official state pastry of Wisconsin. What’s a Kringle? It’s an oval-shaped pastry that’s made from a flaky dough with a nut or fruit filling. This sweet treat was brought to the area by Danish immigrants in the 1800s and today is a favorite among locals. Find it in bakeries and convenience stores across the state.