Trail mix

I love making up trail mix (or “gorp” as some like to call it) to put into a little bag and pack in AJ’s lunchbox. Trail mix is also great for adding to a travel bag for a long car trip, packing for a hike or serving up for kids to munch on at the movies, a sleep over or out camping etc. If you can get your kids involved in choosing the ingredients and helping mix it all together it is almost guaranteed that they will munch it down happily.

A great idea is to make a big bowl of your mix, and then scoop it into little snack snap-lock bags and then store them in an airtight container so they are ready to go when you need them.

I have been having a look at various recipes online and have come up with a long and clunky list of ingredients for you to scan through (see the extended entry) for ideas but I have also included some of our favourite mixes. I think the thing to remember that there are no hard and fast rules about what and how much to include in your trail mix – it’s all about personal preference.

AJ’s Bestest and most Favouritest
Sweet and Savoury combo
Any or all of the following:
Tiny teddies (replace with any other favourite mini cookie)
Pop corn
Lightly salted pistachio nuts
Lightly salted roasted cashews
Dried apricots
Dried apple
Saltanas
Puffed Rice
Shredded Coconut
Mini Marshmallows (sometimes – and don’t add these to store, add them at the last moment)

Kiddley’s Crazy Mix (for special occasions)
M & Ms
Sultanas
Dried banana chips
Small pretzels
Various nuts but definitely including peanuts, brazil nuts, pistachios and cashews
Plain corn chips

The Kiddley Classic (for healthy folks and every day munching)
Peanuts
Cashews
Dried apricots
Dried apple
Puffed corn
Sultanas

Asian Explosion (for kids into spicy yumminess)
Japanese rice crackers of various kinds
Crispy chow mein noodles
Spicy Peanuts
Wasabi Peas (hot hot hot!)
Indian chickpea crisps