Lunch Box Series 6: BBQ Trail Mix & Muesli Bars

Lunch Box Series 

Welcome to the last Lunch Box Series of 2024 - someone pass us the tissues! We're wrapping up the year with two snack ideas that tick all the boxes: BBQ Trail Mix and Rustic Muesli Bars (YUM)!

These are not only perfect for popping into school lunch boxes but are also amazing festive-season treats, ideal for school holiday adventures, road trips, or picnic pit stops. Plus, they’re a fun way to get your mini involved in the kitchen – from stirring to sprinkling, these recipes double as a delicious bonding activity. Let’s get into it!

BBQ Trail Mix

What goes hand in hand with sunshine, a refreshing pool and some cold beverages? A delicious, moreish snack! Be prepared to batch-make this BBQ Trail mix because it will have yourself and the whole family grabbing it by the handful. 

This is super easy and fun to customise using your favourite crackers and fillings to impress and satisfy your friends and family this festive season! 

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups salted mini pretzels 

• 1 packet ‘In a Biskit’ Drumstix crackers

• 2 cups chex cereal (we used broken up rice cakes)

• 6 tbsp melted butter 

• 1 tbsp onion powder 

• 1 tbsp smoked paprika

• 2 tsp chilli powder 

• 2 tsp garlic powder 

• 1 tsp mixed herbs 

• ½ tsp brown sugar 

• 1tsp each of salt & black pepper

Method: 

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees

2. Prepare a lined baking tray 

3. Melt the butter in a large microwave safe bowl 

4. Add the spices to the butter and combine 

5. Add the pretzels, drumstix and chex to the bowl and coat in the spiced butter 

6. Spread on the prepared baking tray and cook in the oven until golden brown and crispy 

Museli Bars

Is there anything more nostalgic than a good, chewy muesli bar? Rustic Muesli Bars are the perfect blend of wholesome and delicious! Packed with oats, dried fruit, and a touch of sweetness, these bars are great for lunch boxes, holiday road trips, or as a quick energy boost between festive activities. 

Simple to make and endless customisable options, they’re a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike - completely tailored to you!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rolled oats 

• ¼ cup whole meal flour 

• ½ cup shredded coconut 

• ⅓ cup brown sugar 

• 1 cup cranberries 

• ½ cup oil of choice 

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup honey 

• ½ cup block of dark choc

Method:

1. Pre-heat to 180 degrees

2. Mix dry ingredients together 

3. Whisk wet ingredients together 

4. Pour wet mixture into the dry oat mixture and combine well 

5. Place into a lined baking tray, shaping into a rectangle. Using the back of a spoon, press firmly down into the tray ensuring ingredients will hold together

6. Bake for 30-40 minutes 

7. Allow to cool completely before drizzling the melted dark chocolate over the whole tray and place into the fridge for choc to set

8. Slice into bars

Pack Lunch With Us

Pack lunch with us and make holiday outings a breeze! Our Bento Lunch Box, featuring 3-fixed compartments is your ultimate companion for keeping everyone fueled and happy while you’re out and about. For this trip, we’ve packed a Turkish toastie in the large compartment, a homemade Rustic Muesli Bar in one of the smaller compartments, and a mix of fresh, juicy fruit in the other. 

To round things out, we’ve added the BBQ Trail Mix to one of our handy nesting containers, perfect for snacking on the go. Whether you’re off to the park, beach, or enjoying a day packed with school holiday activities, these essentials make it easy to enjoy homemade goodness anywhere.

This wraps up not only our last Lunch Box Series for the year but also our last Journal entry for 2024! We’ll see you back on the Journal in 2025 for a new year of sharing tips, tricks and of course, our favourite recipes. Miss us already? You can stay up to date with us on our social platforms over at @elaandearth

From our family at Ela & Earth to you and yours - be safe, be happy, be full of delicious food and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!