Last Updated on 31 March 2026 by Cycloscope
Simple bikepacking food with easy ingredients: quick, affordable meals you can cook anywhere on the road with minimal gear.
When we first started traveling by bike, our stove was a homemade creation. We carried it all the way from Italy to China: a simple tin can cut in half, built by trying to replicate a design we found on The Zen and the Art of Alcohol Stoves. As the name suggests, it ran on ethanol alcohol—something we quickly discovered isn’t always easy to find outside of Europe.
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For the rest of our journey across Asia, we actually traveled without any cooking gear. Food is often so cheap and accessible that it hardly seems worth buying ingredients and cooking for yourself. Still, sooner or later, your body starts craving something different—something simple, nourishing, and homemade.
There are countless stove options available today, with multifuel stoves being among the most popular choices for long-distance riders. If you’re interested in gear, you can check out our article on the best stoves for bikepacking.
In this article, instead, we want to focus on the practical side of things: what to cook on the road. You don’t need elaborate recipes or hard-to-find ingredients—just a few simple ideas that are quick to prepare, satisfying, and based on ingredients you can find almost anywhere in the world.
Pasta
Pasta is lightweight and easy to carry, and it is literally available even in remote villages in Mozambique. Usually, it is either penne or spaghetti (you are allowed to break them if they do not fit in your pot).
A simple sauce can be made with tomato paste, garlic, and a bit of oil. In many countries, you’ll also find ready-made sauces or canned vegetables that can be quickly turned into a satisfying meal. Add cheese if you can find it. In Africa, we often use soy mince mixed with onion or other vegetables.
Lentils and Legumes
Lentils cook relatively fast compared to other legumes and are packed with nutrients. In many parts of the world, especially in Asia, they are widely available and inexpensive.
Cook them with water, salt, and spices if you have them. Add rice or bread on the side for a complete meal. Red lentils, in particular, are ideal because they cook quickly and don’t require soaking.
Couscous
Couscous is one of the fastest “cooking” foods you can carry—it doesn’t really need cooking, just hot water.
Pour boiling water over it, cover, and wait 5 minutes. Then add:
- canned chickpeas or beans
- chopped vegetables
- olive oil and spices
It’s light to carry and perfect when you want to save fuel.
Instant Noodles Reinvented
Instead of eating plain instant noodles, upgrade them.
Cook them normally, then add:
- fresh vegetables (spinach, carrots, onions)
- eggs (drop them in while boiling)
- peanuts for extra calories
With a few additions, it becomes a much more nutritious meal.
Wraps, Flatbreads
Flatbreads like tortillas, pita, chapati, or naan can be filled with peanut butter, cheese, canned fish, or vegetables for a fast meal. In many countries, from Tanzania to India, chapati or other flatbreads are sold for just a few cents.
One-Pan Meals
One-pan dishes, like shakshouka (eggs cooked in tomato sauce) or fried rice with leftover vegetables. These meals save time and fuel, and they’re perfect after a long day of riding.
Carrying eggs can be a bit tricky. We used a plastic egg container like this one to try to keep them safe. In many countries, you can also find pre-boiled eggs, which are perfect for a quick breakfast or to add to the less nutritious instant noodles.