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Easy take-along snacks for car journeys

Pack up satisfying snacks that adults and kids can both enjoy

If you're taking the car on your family holiday this year, you'll need to pack a picnic to keep everyone going, as well as snacks for when the kids get restless. It's tempting just to throw in some packets of crisps and chocolate bars. But with a little forward planning you can provide filling, healthy, crumb-free snacks the whole family can enjoy, without an E-number in sight. (Note: is not advisable to serve food containing nuts to children under three years old, in case of allergies).

Mid-morning Break
It's best to start your journey having had breakfast at home. Juice, fresh fruit or a blended smoothie, if you have time, are all great options, as are cereal, toast and tea. But by mid-morning you may find your stomach rumbling. These snacks will keep you going until lunchtime.

Maple Breakfast Bars with Dried Fruit and Nuts
You can use any type of dried fruit you like in these little oat bars. A wide variety is available in the baking section of most supermarkets, so choose your favourite, or mix and match.

Makes 10-12. You will need a 20 x 25cm/8 x 10in (or similar size) tin or baking dish.

150g/5oz butter
75g/3oz demerara sugar
75ml/3fl oz maple syrup
100g/3 1/2 oz dried fruit (cranberries, apricots, cherries, raisins or sultanas, dates, peaches, apples, pears and so on), chopped into small pieces 50g/2oz toasted, chopped hazelnuts 225g/8oz rolled oats

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/gas mark 5 and grease the tin or baking dish. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, then add the sugar and maple syrup and stir gently until the sugar dissolves. (Alternatively, you can combine everything in a large bowl and heat in the microwave, stopping every 20 seconds or so to stir.) Remove from the heat and stir in the dried fruit, nuts and oats. Spread into the tin and level the top.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly then mark out the bars with a knife. Allow to cool completely in the tin before removing and packing the bars. Wrap individually in greaseproof paper so they are easy to hand round.

Cheddar Cheese and Apple Muffins
Muffins aren't just for blueberries. These are made with the classic combination of apples and Cheddar cheese and are half sweet, half savoury. Paper muffin wrappers make them easy to eat on the go and help with crumb control.

Makes 12

125g/4 1/2 oz plain flour
125g/4 1/2 oz wholemeal flour
pinch of salt
2 tsp baking powder
100g/3 1/2 oz light brown sugar
175ml/6fl oz milk
1 egg
50g/2oz melted butter
2 dessert apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
100g/3 1/2 oz Cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/gas mark 5. Line a muffin tin with paper cases. Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder, then stir in the sugar.

Mix together the milk, egg and melted butter and stir into the flour mixture. Fold in the apple and cheese pieces. Spoon into the paper cases and bake for 20 minutes or until risen and golden.

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