I have a confession. One of my favorite food groups is trail mix. While I enjoy the traditional simple GORP, I tend to like the fancy versions even more. Give me a mix of fruit and nuts with a little sweetness mixed in (ooo… dark chocolate peanut butter cups!), and my hand will be dipping in on repeat. Before I know it, I’ve polished off half the bag. The one that was supposed to serve six. Salty, sweet, and endlessly snack-able. And, at least for me, way too easy to overeat. And all those handfuls add up into feeling slow and sluggish—sapping away my energy whether we’re hightailing it back home or heading out to explore a new trail.
In the past, I’ve just done my best to avoid the trail mix altogether. Sadly. Now, I’ve found I don’t have to. I just make it myself with what many consider a surprising ingredient: popcorn.
Popcorn trail mix is my new favorite way to, er, have my trail mix and eat it too. The popcorn adds crunch and volume without piling on way too many calories. So, I can eat my trail mix by the handful without feeling weighed down.
Why Popcorn Trail Mix?
Here’s what makes popcorn even better: it’s not just a carrier for my beloved trail mix. When air-popped, three whole cups clock in at under 100 calories. That means I can eat until I’m satisfied. In comparison, a handful (about a 1/2 cup) of trail mix contains somewhere between 140 for a fruit and nut blend and 250+ calories with candy and granola tossed in.
How many handfuls did I just have…?
Popcorn is also a whole grain, so it’s bringing healthy fiber to a mix that can be short on it—especially the indulgent trail mix loaded with chocolate or candy pieces.
What’s more, popcorn is inexpensive, keeps well, doesn’t take up a whole lot of pantry space (unpopped), and is gluten-free (if that’s important for your belly).
In short, popcorn lets me enjoy all of the sweet-salty flavor I love in trail mix, is also easily snack-able, yet lets me stretch out servings. My energy levels remain smooth—even on a long stretch behind the wheel.
Let’s Get Popping
Personally, I enjoy popping my own corn. There’s just something so satisfying about the sound of kernels exploding.
The easiest option is, obviously, microwave—as long as you have power (shoreline, inverter, or generator). For trail mix, I’d recommend skipping the heavy butter-drenched versions and going with something that’s only lightly salted and plain (e.g., Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted or 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic No Oil or Salt). That way you can make the most of the flavors you’ll be adding.
I prefer to skip the bags (and their mysterious ingredients) altogether. One way to do so is with this clever little gizmo: Salbree Collapsible Microwave Popcorn Popper. The simple silicone bowl pops loose kernels right in the microwave. Better yet, no oil is needed, and it collapses for easier storage. That’s just about as RV-friendly as popcorn making gets. (As long as you have a microwave on board.)
If you have one (or have room on your rig), an air popper is another good option. You can find compact plug-in popcorn poppers that almost feel like they’re made with RVers in mind. Again, you can skip the oil, and there’s minimal cleanup.
If you can’t pull yourself away from the campfire (and who could blame you?!), you can always pull out your trusty cast-iron skillet and pop your corn directly over the coals.
Since this method is new to many of us, a few quick instructions can help.
Step 1: Add a couple of tablespoons of oil to a warm cast-iron skillet. Then place the skillet directly over your hot coals, rather than over an open flame.
Step 2: Give the oil a minute or two and then add a kernel to test. Once it pops, you’ll know the temperature is right, and it’s time to add your kernels in a single layer and cover with a lid.
Step 3: Gently shake the skillet every 20 to 30 seconds, low, over the flame to prevent the popcorn from sticking (and burning).
Step 4: Listen. Once the popping slows to a few seconds between pops, pull the skillet off the coals immediately. Don’t wait or you could be eating burnt pieces. (Not good, even when made into trail mix.)
Step 5: Let it rest, covered, for a couple of minutes. When you lift the lid, do so carefully, as there may be steam and perhaps a few stray unpopped kernels that could surprise you.
Step 6: Dig in and get mixing!
Check out the video below to see it in action:
Finally, if you don’t have a campfire and want to skip popping altogether, you can always opt for pre-popped bags like Skinny Pop or Kirkland’s signature Sea Salt Popcorn (Costco’s take, which is honestly a solid dup). Just open the bag and start snacking or, better yet, trail mixing.
Popcorn Trail Mix: 3 Surprisingly Good (and Easy) Recipes
Classic GORP, Popcorn Style
Gorp—good old raisins and peanuts—is the trail mix that started it all. It’s just as easy to stretch with popcorn as anything else I’ve tried.
- 3 cups popped popcorn
- 1/2 cup peanuts
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips, M&Ms®, or Raisenets®
Toss it all together in a lock-top container, shake, and enjoy!
Strawberry & Crunch Popcorn Trail Mix
One of my favorite treat-yourself mixes, this one’s a little sweet and a little fancy.
- 3 cups popped popcorn
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries (or your preferred fruit or fruit mix)
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips or yogurt-covered cranberries
- 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds (or nuts or seeds of your choice)
This one takes a gentler touch as the freeze-dried fruit is delicate. Also note, this one doesn’t hold up as well over time, softening within a few days. Not that I would know—as this mix doesn’t last long enough for that to be an issue. But if you’ve got a bit more restraint than I do, portion it into smaller bags and eat it within a couple of days.
Chili-Lime Savory Popcorn Trail Mix
Snacking doesn’t necessarily have to be sweet. In fact, some of the best snack foods are savory or even spicy.
- 3 cups popped popcorn
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup dried mango, chopped
- 1 tsp chili-lime seasoning (like Tajin)
Preferably while the popcorn is slightly warm, toss it with the chili-lime seasoning and pumpkin seeds. This helps the seasoning stick to the corn rather than dropping to the bottom of the bowl or bag. Then fold in the dried mango. The sweetness cuts the heat just enough.
Make It Your Own
Now that you have a better idea of popcorn trail mix combos, why not have some fun and build your own version? To get you started, here are a few categories to pull from:
- Nuts & seeds: peanuts, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, pepitas, pistachios
- Dried fruit: raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, banana chips, dried mango, freeze-dried fruit (strawberry, banana, apple, etc.)
- Something sweet: chocolate chips, M&Ms, yogurt-covered raisins, peanut butter chips, mini marshmallows (I may have to try s’mores mix next time!)
- Something savory or spicy: chili-lime seasoning, everything bagel seasoning, wasabi peas, a pinch of sea salt, or popcorn seasoning of your choice.
Just pick a couple from each category, toss in with your popcorn, and you’ll create a delicious mix that’s uniquely your own.
Popcorn Trail Mix Takeaways
Popcorn trail mix has upped my snacking game—on the road and around the campsite. I can enjoy the mix without feeling too weighed down to take on the next adventure.
Whichever way you pop it, whatever you toss in, give one of the recipes a try on your next trip or, better yet, build your own, and let me know what combo you like the most.
I’m off to get popping!
