Granola bar recipe that leaves them wanting more

Snacks for on the road are almost always unhealthy, and while you rarely have trouble getting anyone to wolf down a bag of Doritos, well, there's no question there's little in there that's good for anyone.

Not to mention, an hour later, everyone's hungry again.

Whole grains, nuts and fruit make these bars healthy.

These granola bars have no preservatives or anything bad in them, and they aren't even made with sugar -- they use brown rice syrup, which you can find at any natural foods store. Many regular groceries carry it now, as well. You can substitute honey or maple syrup, but the flavor will be different and they won't stick together as well.

These are kid-tested and hard to stop eating, because they contain dried fruits most folks love, and have a great texture and taste. They're also high in omega-3 fats, fiber and important minerals.

What's not to love? Extra bonus: You can substitute whatever nuts or dried fruits you prefer; it's a very forgiving recipe. The original called for macadamia nuts, but they are expensive and very high in fat. But they're also delicious. We've used hazelnuts and even pine nuts to good effect.

As for fruit, kids love Craisins in there. The original also called for wheat germ, but so many people have gluten issues we started leaving it out. But if you like it or need the extra vitamin E and protein, by all means, throw three tablespoons in; it will be delicious and provide that extra boost.

Fruit and Nut Bars
Makes about 8-10 bars. Store in airtight container. Will keep for a week at room temperature or two weeks in refrigerator.

1 c. pitted dates
Some kind of oil for pan (I use coconut)
1 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats, finely ground using food processor, or 1
c. quinoa flakes
4 1/2 oz. (1 c.) pecans, toasted, then ground in food processor (the
texture will be nice if you just chop half, but if you don't feel like
dealing with that, all ground is fine)
2 oz. (1/2 c.) some other kind of nut (have had success with walnuts, cashews, unsalted peanuts and pine nuts, and macadamia are heavenly when they're on sale), also chopped
1/3 c. dried papaya, cut into pieces
1/3 c. dried cherries
1/3 c. dried blueberries
3-5 tbls. ground flaxseed (or whole)
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 tbls. brown rice syrup

Preheat oven to 350. Place dates in small saucepan, cover with cold
water and bring to simmer. Drain. Puree in food processor until
smooth.

Coat 8 or 9 x 10 inch baking pan with oil.

Mix all dry ingredients with dried fruits, salt and cinnamon until well
combined. Mix in date puree and brown rice syrup until everything is
moistened. Press mixture into pan.

Bake until firm and edges just start to brown, about 25 minutes. Let
cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into preferred bar size.

The roadtripster is the handle of a longtime Coloradan who travels the country by any means possible, sometimes in an RV, sometimes car camping or in the backcountry, with kids and without.