Make these simple car snacks the whole family will love

Summer road trip season may be over. However, families still spend a lot of time in their cars with the school year well underway. With carpools, sports practice, music lessons and everything else, families can feel like they live in their cars. In fact, a 2016 AAA study showed Americans spend 17,600 minutes in the car each year.  During those busy days, the “hungries”can easily kick in. Instead of pulling up to a drive-thru window, plan ahead with some delicious and healthier car snacks.

These tried-and-true recipes have the seal of approval from bloggers and even professional chefs.

Photo by stevendepolo

1. Tropical Popcorn

First up, celebrity chef Cat Cora’s tropical-tasting popcorn includes dried apricots, sunflower seeds and nuts. It’s a perfect combination of sweet and salty.  You’ll have to cook this one up ahead of time, as it calls for corn syrup and butter. The recipe, as written, makes about 10 cups.

This version from Get Green Be Well with coconut chips and dried pineapple sounds delightful as well.

2. Pizza Popcorn

You could also try this recipe for pizza popcorn from the Foxes Love Lemons blog. It’s perfect for when you’re craving lunch but just don’t have time to stop the car. This one is simple—just mix all the ingredients, toss them in olive oil and you’re done!

3. Sweet & Spicy Snack Mix

While not a straight-up popcorn recipe, this one includes popcorn along with other sweet and spicy items. Chef and entertaining expert Heather Christo says her homemade snack mix is loaded with nutritious foods like dried cranberries and macrons almonds. It could be also be used as a party mix. But taking it on the road is as easy as putting it in a container and packing it up. This one might not be as kid-friendly as the others, but it’s pretty healthy!

4. Cinnamon Toast Crunch Road Mix

Here’s a recipe kids of all ages probably would love! Introducing Food Network star and host of Sandwich King, Jeff Mauro’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch Road Mix. It’s made with, you guessed it, Cinnamon Toast Crunch. With pretzels, chocolate chips and smoked almonds, this is sure to be a winner.

If that’s not enough for all those CTC lovers out there, then check out these other genius treats ‘on the road’ treats with your favorite cereal.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch popcorn combines two favorite summer treats for what looks like an insanely delicious mix. Just combine those two ingredients with vanilla candy coating and you’re officially in vanilla cinnamon heaven.

And because you literally cannot have too much trial mix, try this simple recipe.  Simply combine Cinnamon Toast Crunch with some Cheerios, cranberries, pretzel pieces, butter and sugar and you have another sweet treat!

You could also pack these Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars for your road trip dessert. With CTC, butter and marshmallows, pretty sure you can’t go wrong with this one.