Sprouts has at least a dozen trail mix blends, generally priced below $8/lb, to fit nearly every diet and lifestyle. Except mine, because I can't have hard nuts. The only one that doesn't have whole almonds or another hard nut is all fruit. I need a little protein if I reach for a bowl.
The original trail mix is affectionately called GORP by hikers: Good Old Raisins and Peanuts. It's roasted and salted split peanuts, raisins, and often M&Ms. It does what trail mix is supposed to do: be a shelf-stable, portable snack that gives you protein, a little fat, a little salt, and some sugar when you don't have time for a proper meal.
As I was picking through the bins, looking for the ingredients I wanted for my own mix, I realized that I was putting together something that would be less than $5/lb. The most expensive ingredient was the cashews, which were on sale for $5.99. Everything else came in under the average price of a bin trail mix.
Ok, yes, there are cheaper places to shop. Sprouts isn't Whole Foods expensive, but you do pay for the clean and/or organic sourcing. I'm sure Costco trail mix is much cheaper. But if I crack a tooth on it, am I really saving any money?
The mix I'm showing here is to demonstrate the basic proportions I prefer. I like half sweet, which includes any dried fruit and candy. The coconut is fat, maybe 10%, and the rest is nuts for protein. This batch was for Passover, which influenced my choices. I added sunflower seeds to the leftovers afterwards, plus a little more dried fruit to compensate the sweetness.
*1/2 C chopped pecans
1/2 C roasted cashews
1/4 C raisins
1/4 C dried apricots, diced
1/4 C white chocolate chips
2 Tb unsweetened coconut flakes
Makes about 1 pint, 6-8 servings
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