GORP {a.k.a. the original trail mix}

With a little bit of sweet and salty goodness in every bite, GORP is a snack mix that my family devours every time we make it. Lucky for all of us, it’s an easy hassle-free trail mix to make.

GORP is the classic trail mix you probably recall from childhood and I’m happy to report that it’s just as tasty as I remembered. Whether it’s for a quick road trip, a movie night, or a longer camping trip, GORP has long been a favorite for all of us.

What Is GORP?

GORP is an acronym for “good old raisins and peanuts” which was, according to some, the very first trail mix. Chocolate is traditionally included in most recipes for GORP. Today, GORP and trail mix are more or less synonymous.

I grew up munching on GORP whenever my family was road tripping. Some variation of this recipe was always our trail mix of choice. Typically, my family made their trail mix with peanuts, raisins, and m&ms or chocolate chips.

I’ve been traveling a lot over the past 6 weeks and am constantly in need of quick, easy, and tasty snacks to enjoy on the go. There are so many pre-packaged snacks available these days but GORP has remained the travel-friendly snack I reach for the most.

GORP

Trail mix is the perfect sweet and salty snack for long driving days, or for days spent on the go exploring a new city.

GORP probably became THE travel food (and the snack hikers took on long trails) because it’s easy to pack and carry and doesn’t spoil. Luckily, it also happens to be pretty nutritious for a convenience food!

The blend of dried fruit for energy and nuts for protein and fat helps keep hunger at bay and keeps you going all travel day long.

That said, GORP is also one of my favorite snacks for a night-in or to have in my bag on a long day of running errands. Easy to proportion into ziploc bags or small serving containers, this trail mix is also ideal for packing in lunches and tucking into backpacks.

This handy square canister of snack mix has a regular place in my camper kitchen and we all reach for it often. I have probably mixed together a batch of GORP at least once if not twice a week all summer long.

GORP Recipe

Over the years, I’ve made countless trail mix combinations, some have been fancy and others not so much. I always go back to my favorite basic four ingredients: nuts, raisins, m&ms, and honey nut cheerios.

The honey nut cheerios are a MUST for me. I love the sweet crunch and they help keep it a little lighter. Not that I’m a calorie-counting kind of girl, but I don’t like feeling lethargic if I snack on a decent size bowl.

I also find that the addition of cereal in my GORP, compared to the kind with nuts and raisins only, makes for a more satisfying variety of textures and tastes.

What is in GORP?

To make GORP, you simply combine honey nut cheerios, raisins, nuts, and M&Ms in a container and mix well. Snack away immediately or stash it in the pantry until your next craving.

If you’re not a fan of peanuts or being mindful of a peanut allergy, feel free to experiment with using different kinds of nuts in this recipe. I like the variety of using a mixed nut combination in the snack mix, myself. It would also taste good with all almonds or all cashews.

I store the snack mix in an old mixed nut container from Costco. I suppose I could say a “recycled” or “repurposed” container and be far more trendy that way.

But truthfully? I just like the square-sided containers from Costco for their space-saving storage and the fact that they’re something I already buy and can reuse. I store flours, sugars, nuts, dried fruits, countless other pantry items in these handy containers.

This trail mix includes chocolate candy so be sure to store your trail mix in a place that’s cool enough for the chocolate not to melt.

That said, I’ve brought GORP along with me in plenty of hot cars and been fine. Sure, the M&Ms might get a little soft in your hand, but that’s part of the fun!

Kitchen Tip: I use these measuring cups and these containers (see above) to make this recipe.

How To Make GORP

1. Combine cheerios, raisins, nuts, and candy in a large bowl.
2. Stir well to thoroughly mix.
3. Transfer to an airtight container or individually portioned zip-close bags.

GORP Trail Mix

While GORP is the original, most simple, and truly the most loved trail mix in my life, I enjoy pretty much every variety of trail mix you can make. I tried adding bits of granola to my trail mix and loved the added flavor and crunch from this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola.

Speaking of granola, did you know that you can make granola in the crock-pot?? That was an epiphany for me last year and I may never again use the oven to make granola.

Slow cooker granola is a lifesaver when I want homemade granola in the summer. No longer do I have to fire up the oven and subject my family to even more heat when it’s hot outside. We can have granola and granola trail mix all year long.

This Cherry Chocolate Pistachio Trail Mix looks heavenly and I can’t wait to mix up a batch for our next family game night. You can never go wrong with combining cherry and chocolate flavors.

I’m also intrigued by the inclusion of crunchy chickpeas in this Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix and I’ve added it to my list to make for noshing on a future road trip.

I’m usually a pretty simple girl when it comes to my trail mix, which is maybe why GORP continues to hold the number one spot in my heart. Still, I love a fancy and indulgent snack mix every now and then.

{originally published 7/13/18 – recipe notes and photos updated 6/1/23}