Sparkle Kitchen: Car Snacks Round Up!
When I think car trips, my first thoughts are how long with it take? and what will we eat? I live in the west and often cities are few and far between. When we do find a place to stop, they usually don't offer the healthiest food — mostly gas station fare. So I like to bring my own food. I try to bring a mixture of fresh and dried foods as well as a few treats. I pack cut-up veggies and hummus, seasonal fruit that doesn't bruise easily, crackers or pretzels, a baked good of some kind, mixed nuts and dried fruit, and some sort of sweet treat.
We've created a list of nine Sparkle recipes that are great for the car and don't need refrigeration other than a cold pack. Stash a few of these in your car for your next trip and you'll be good to go!
Gluten-Free Star Crackers
These gluten-free crackers are so tasty. The mix of salt and rosemary is just perfection. These are a great healthy alternative to store-bought crackers for you car trip snacks.
Beefy Jerky
If your family eats meat, this beef jerky is a really great take-along for a car ride. Jerky is savory and filling, plus this one doesn't have lots of extra additives like the gas station versions.
Elephant Snack Mix
This elephant snack mix can be a bit messy in the car — somehow popcorn goes everywhere! However, it's a great snack to have your little ones put together in advance as they can combine all their favorite things together and feel like they helping to prepare for the trip.
Rosemary Spiced Nuts
These rosemary spiced nuts are a fabulous alternative to just plain old nut mixes. Like the gluten-free star crackers, the combo of rosemary and salt is just divine.
Avocado Yogurt Dip
You'll need a cold pack to travel with this yogurt dip, but it's so worth it! Cut up your favorite veggies and few wedges of bread or pita and you have a quick lunch, too.
Vegetarian Pemmican
Pemmican is the original granola bar. These are mix of dried fruits and nuts and make a great alternative to more costly granola bars from the store.
Double Berry Rock Cakes
These are a really fun treat for an early morning car ride. Portable breakfasts are the best for sleepy kids and adults alike!
Fruit Leathers
In our family, we eat a very low-sugar diet and so something like fruit leather is a special sweet treat. I feel good about making these as they made from whole fruit and don't require added sweeteners.
SugarPlums
These are the kind sweet treats I would usually reserve for last as they are a fun pick-me-up when kids get bored or whiny or just plain done in the car. They are so so tasty, so make a big batch of them!
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About the Author
KC Pagano
KC is a full-time radical homemaker and mama to two spunky little girls. She writes about all kinds of radical goodness, from gardening and cooking with whole foods to crafting, sewing, homeschooling, and mama musings. Read more on her blog The Nettlesome Life.
