Trail Mix

Would playing in the wilderness even be enjoyable without trail mix? Everyone has a favorite mishmash, the salty or sweet little morsel hidden in their bag that makes that hike/ride/camping spot feel all the more….well, excellent. Some of us love the goldfish crackers and corn chips hidden in the mix, others would fall over for a handful of nearly melting chocolate candies, and I think we all can agree that the too-hard raisins are okay to leave at home.

The best part about trail mix is that anything goes, which means that so many favorite snacks can get tossed in. So, In honor of National Trail Mix Day, it felt only fitting to flex a few new renditions of our favorite, simple trail snack – each with its own flavor profile and personality, and all with a healthy and happy mix of textures, treats, and trail fuel that will power you through your next hike in a fresh new way. 

The Health Nut

If you’re the kind of person that just maybe keeps trail mix in your car or your gym bag, this tame and power-packed mix is for you. Combining salty, sweet, and nourishing ingredients to power you through your next adventure on the trail or climbing wall. Use your favorite chunky granola and sweet potato chips if carrot chips are tricky to find. Freeze-dried raspberries are bright and crunchy – a perfect alternative to too-hard dried fruits.

• Roasted + salted cashews
• Chopped Medjool dates
• Freeze-dried raspberries
• Cacao nibs
• Carrot chips
• Raw pumpkin seeds
• Chunky coconut granola

The World Traveler

Going somewhere? Now you are. Toss this internationally-inspired mix into your pack for flavor explosions, wherever you’re headed. Salty, sweet, and spicy this one is loaded with not-too-common snacks to spin away hunger. Candied ginger is a great travel buddy that soothes stomachs, and helps altitude sickness too. Check the international foods aisle, or your local Asian or Indian grocery store for harder-to-find items.

• Sesame sticks 
• Kale chips or dried seaweed
• Mini rice cakes
• Toasted pistachios
• Candied ginger
• Roasted spiced chickpeas
• Goji berries
• Sliced dried mango

The Peak Bagger

If high calories, and sating salty, sweet cravings and deep hunger pangs are your M.O., this mix is for you. A mish-mash of favorite textures and snack characters, everyone will have a favorite in this bag and you’ll want to get a morsel of each snack in every handful.

• Sweet Kettle corn
• Nut-butter filled pretzels
• Sliced dried figs
• Quicos (or crunchy corn)
• Maple-Candied Pecans or Honey Roasted Peanuts
• Sour Peach Rings or Gummy Bears
• Nut butter filled chocolate candies such as M&M’s
• Dried peaches

The Wild Child

If you’re the one in the group who likes eating all the “good stuff” out of the mix, and if you love any excuse to buy mini bunny crackers and Swedish fish, this riff is for you. This mix combines unique ingredients that are tasty when you pop them in your mouth together but are equally satisfying when you snack on them separately.

• Cheese puffs (like Pirate’s Booty or Cheetos)
• Golden Grahams cereal
• Mini bunny crackers (or chocolate graham crackers) or Cocoa Puffs cereal
• Toasted + salted almonds
• Chocolate candies such as M&M’s
• Swedish Fish or gummy bears

Lentine Alexis is a former professional endurance athlete & classically trained chef. The former Culinary Director at Skratch Labs, she uses a real-food philosophy to create recipes for athletes and everyone looking to eat well and adventure better. Find more recipes and info on her upcoming cookbook for athletes at lentinealexis.com, or follow her @lentinealexis.