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Go Beyond GORP With These 40 Tasty Trail Mix Ingredients

trailmix

There’s nothing like a bag of trail mix on a hiking or backpacking trip. Originally called GORP, for “Good Old Raisins and Peanuts,” this mix of dried fruit, nuts, chocolate and other dry ingredients can be a good energy source on the trail.

Almost anything can go into a trail mix, but many people try to find a good balance between sweet and salty items. Here are 40 tasty trail mix ingredients that you might want to try. Mix and match them to create your own perfect trail snack.

NUTS, SEEDS AND LEGUMES

Loaded with protein and fiber, nuts and seeds also pack plenty of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional benefits. Some experts say that 50 percent of your trail mix should be made up of these ingredients, but be aware of allergies.

  • Peanuts
  • Cashews
  • Pecans
  • Almonds
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Walnuts
  • Pistachios
  • Sesame seeds
  • Flax

DRIED FRUITS

Dried fruits don’t spoil as fast as fresh fruit and won’t moisten the other ingredients. In moderation, these sugary treats can be a great source of fiber, calcium and vitamins.

  • Raisins
  • Banana chips
  • Dried cranberries
  • Dried apricots
  • Dried apples
  • Candied orange peel
  • Dried blueberries
  • Coconut
  • Dried cherries

CHOCOLATE AND SWEET STUFF

Add in your favorite sweet treat to round out the mix. Just be sure to use sparingly. Be careful in warmer climates, because chocolate can melt and make a big mess.

  • Chocolate chips
  • White chocolate chips
  • M&Ms
  • Reese’s Pieces
  • Sweetened coconut
  • Peanut butter chips
  • Marshmallows

CEREALS AND GRAINS

These crunchy carbohydrates boost energy levels and leave you feeling full. Everyone loves the satisfying texture of these ingredients.

  • Granola
  • Chex cereals
  • Popcorn
  • Pretzels
  • Unsweetened cereal, like Cheerios
  • Sweetened cereal, like Fruit Loops
  • Cheetos
  • Wasabi peas

SPICES

Lightly sprinkle your trail mix with one or more of these spices for extra flavor. But be careful, a little goes a long way.

  • Salt
  • Cinnamon
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Curry powder
  • Chili powder

21 Comments on Go Beyond GORP With These 40 Tasty Trail Mix Ingredients

  1. How could anyone not like this. You put in it what you like! My 3 boys, in Boy Scouts. Always wanted this snack. It’s delicious. Um, pretty easy to make.

  2. The first time I had this stuff was on a hike in 1960. Our Scout Master had learned about it in a training seminar and it was called “Hikers Bird Seed”.

  3. Except for severe nut allergy scouts!

  4. Tan_Tan_Tan_=} // February 21, 2021 at 7:44 pm // Reply

    I never made it or anything but it sounds SO good! Looking forward to it!

  5. There are only 2 ingredients in trail mix: M&Ms and disappointment

  6. I made my own (sort of) trail mix one time. I didn’t actually take tit to a trail though. I used teriyaki beef jerky, pretzel sticks, some chocolate, and saltines. It was AMAZING!!!!!

  7. joethenachoguy11 // November 11, 2018 at 9:42 pm // Reply

    VERY VERY tasty

  8. LouieDog13 // July 15, 2018 at 1:34 pm // Reply

    Love it. Especially the chocolate!!

  9. Longhouse162 // July 22, 2017 at 3:26 pm // Reply

    That is probably some awesome ingredients. But butterscotch chips.

  10. Sparkmike1113 // September 5, 2016 at 5:17 pm // Reply

    I love it all it can make the best trail mix I believe ha ha believe haaaaaa

  11. toasted coconut is much better than plain (it is easy and quick to toast in a skillet) and try dried date nuggets for sweetness

  12. Sounds like enough energy.

  13. You haven’t priced dried fruit lately,, huh !!!

  14. Some of these taste sooooo good!!

  15. We made this in scout’s

  16. Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!

  17. very imaginitive!

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