The 5 Best Survival Food Bars of 2023

What to Look for in Survival Food Bars

Flavor and Texture

You want to bite into one of these and have a chewy texture, preferably one that tastes good, too. Survival food bars come in many different flavors, including chocolate, peanut butter, a variety of fruit flavors, and more. These bars are not supposed to provoke thirst, so one that is dry and crumbly is not the best option to keep on hand. Try a sample, if you can, before stocking up on supplies. 

Ingredients

Watch the ingredients label to ensure that you are getting what will work for your family, especially if dietary preferences or needs include gluten-free, soy-free, organic, or vegetarian diets.

Storage and Packaging

Check the shelf life for these bars on the packaging to not only see what the expiration date is, but so you know how fresh they are before buying them. Survival food bars are wrapped in a vacuum-sealed package that helps keep them fresh. Some manufacturers wrap them in individually but use the same outer package, and others are wrapped in blocks that are meant to be broken off in pieces as needed. Be cognizant of the type of packaging used, as some will state things like waterproof and easy to open.

FAQs

What are survival food bars used for?

Besides stashing up those emergency kits and bug-out bags or locations, survival food bars are good to have on hand when backpacking, hiking, camping, boating, traveling, and any other activity.

Where do you store survival food bars?

The shelf life of these bars is usually around five years or more, and for the best storage, they should be kept in a cool, dry place. Keep the bulk of them at that location, but grab a handful to store in easy access places, too. They are able to withstand extreme temperatures and won't spoil, so it is not unusual to have some stashed in different locations including an emergency kit, a bug-out location, or other selected areas.

What should be in an emergency kit?

Besides adequate food and water supplies, other items that you should keep on hand for an emergency include flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, a multipurpose tool, personal hygiene items, a radio, medications, matches, candles, blankets, and pet food, if needed.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best survival food bars on the market, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, calories, and price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

The Spruce Eats writer Alyssa Langer is a registered dietitian and foodie, always curious about the next food or ingredient craze and hungry to learn and try more. Having worked in cookbook publishing, CPG label data, nutrition writing, and meal kits, her diverse background and varied interests provide a unique perspective that fosters clear, well-researched, and trustworthy reviews.

Amanda McDonald is an editor at The Spruce Eats and has over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing about all things food — from what new products are at the grocery store to chef-approved hacks that keep tricky leftovers fresh for days. She updated this article to include the most up-to-date information.