Good old raisins and peanuts, known in the old school outdoor world as GORP, have long served a much needed nutritional role as a trail snack throughout the years. Although raisins and peanuts alone certainly suffice as a quick energy hit of protein, fat, and carbohydrate, the desire for more complex flavors has manifested in the addition of chocolate chips or candy, other dried fruits and nuts, and the occasional oddball crunchy chip or cracker bite.
The best thing about GORP is that it can be made to suit every individual’s taste and preference. Peanut allergies can easily be avoided by omitting them altogether or substituting different nuts to keep the crunch. Spices can be added to the seasoning to make it more savory or turn up the heat, and dried herbs can add more depth to the mix. Use your imagination and your favorite flavors to come up with a trail snack that no commercial brand could touch! Here are just a couple recipes for inspiration.
Spicy Wasabi Trail Snack
- 1 c wasabi peas
- 2 c twisted pretzels, slightly broken
- 1.5 c chow mein noodles
- 1 pkg dry ramen noodles, crushed
- 1 c packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Coat a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray, and preheat the oven to 250F. Add the pretzels, ramen, and chow mein noodles to a bowl. In a smaller bowl, mix together the sauces, powders, and brown sugar until dissolved, and pour over the dry mix. Toss the dry mix until thoroughly coated with the sauce mix, and spread evenly on the cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stir well, and bake for another 15 minutes. When the mix is cool, add the wasabi peas and shake up to spread the coating to every morsel.
Monkey Munch
- 1 c banana chips
- 1 c peanuts
- 1 c almonds
- 1 c semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 c raisins
- 1 c shredded coconut
This sweet trail snack couldn’t be easier to put together: Just toss everything in a locking plastic bag and throw it right into your backpack for a great day outdoors!
Featured Image from Usman Yousaf/Unsplash
