When visiting New Orleans, food takes center stage. Crawfish boils, gumbo, po-boys and fried chicken are hard to leave behind – nowhere else in the world does it quite like NOLA. Take a piece of New Orleans home with you with one of the delicious snacks below. Trust us – three hours into your drive, you’ll be glad you stocked up when you find that praline at the bottom of your bag.
Zapp’s Kettle Potato Chips
Crispy, spicy and oh-so flavorful, Zapp’s chips are a New Orleans favorite, a staple in the pantry of every New Orleanian’s home. Kettle cooked and packaged right outside of New Orleans in Gramercy, the chips come in a variety of flavors, from salt & vinegar to Voodoo to Spicy Cajun Crawtator to Evil Eye. It’s a party in your mouth every time you pop a chip. Find them online or at local grocery stores.
Loretta’s Authentic Pralines
Ms. Loretta started her praline company over 35 years ago and has built it to be a successful business with two New Orleans locations (French Market and the Marigny). Though she passed away in February 2022, her legacy lives on. The praline is a classic New Orleans confection made of sugar, milk, butter and pecans. Hard on the outside and creamy on the inside, Loretta’s pralines will satisfy your sweet tooth with an unbeatable flavor. Try the original, peanut butter, chocolate, coconut or rum pralines, plus check out other offerings including cookies, mini pies and king cakes. Browse the selection online or in store.
Jamboree Jams
When it’s time for a little sustenance, consider making a sandwich using Jamboree Jams. This small-batch local company uses seasonal ingredients, copper pots and no commercial pectin to create their delectable jams. Fig & lemon, satsuma kumquat and strawberry vanilla are just a few of their rotating flavors. Order online or follow their Instagram to see where they’ll be popping up next in New Orleans. Big time bonus if you happen to be around when they’re selling their jelly-filled donuts (another excellent road trip treat, in our humble opinion).
Elmer’s Chee Wees
You know a snack is good when they have “New Orleans” on the bag. Elmer’s Chee Wees come in a variety of flavors including original, bar-b-que, hot-n-spicy and taco. And that’s not all – why not throw in a bag of caramel corn or roasted salted peanuts for the journey. Made right here in New Orleans, you can find the snacks at local grocery stores or online.
Big Easy Bucha
Bubbly, refreshing and perfectly tart, the kombucha from Big Easy Bucha will quench your thirst and leave you wanting more. Infused with local and seasonal ingredients, flavors pack a punch and range from Jazz Juice Tea to Bayou Berry and more. Visit their Mid-City warehouse or local grocery stores to scoop up the beverage.
Boudin Balls
Boudin is a cooked sausage made of pork and rice, plus various seasonings and aromatics. It’s a staple in Cajun cuisine and can be found in different forms, including boudin balls. You’ll find the best at random gas stations throughout Louisiana. If you’re looking to find some before you leave New Orleans, check out Jacques-Imo’s or Red Fish Grill where they fry them up to order.
Kho Bo Ngoc Quyen (Vietnamese Beef Jerky)
Located on the West Bank of New Orleans, Kho Bo Ngoc Quyen is your go-to place for locally-made jerky. Try a range of flavors from spicy to sweet, and don’t leave without a stash for the road. Milk tea, candy and dried fruit are also available.
Haydel’s Hand Pies
Glazed to perfection with a filling of your choice, Haydel’s Hand Pies are baked fresh every day. Great for a road trip, these pies are individually packaged and easy to eat on the go. Filling choices include lemon, apple, coconut cream and cherry. Stop in store to survey your options or place a special order online.
TABASCO Brand Pepper Sauce Snacks
TABASCO sauce is our condiment of choice here in New Orleans, and it’s made right outside of the city on Avery Island. The brand has a line of road trip-ready snacks, including TABASCO-spiced jelly beans and individually-wrapped Spicy Dark Chocolate Singles. You can find these snacks online.
Still missing New Orleans once you’re home? Check out Goldbelly, which can ship roast beef po’boys from Parkway, seafood gumbo from Commander’s Palace and chocolate chip cookies from Willa Jean (plus more!) nationwide.