Campsite crunching and munching

Camping season is officially upon us … whether I like it or not. But, as readers of this column may already know, I can be persuaded into the participation of things that are generally outside of my comfort zone as long as some type of delicious reward is involved. 

So this week, I’m sharing a recipe for a clutch camping or hiking-ready bite, a salty treat introduced to me by my plus one’s mother, who has a serious knack for snacks, and she isn’t afraid to spread the proverbial wealth. Gigantic bags of “Boy Scout Mix” have infiltrated my pantry, directly shipped from Oklahoma, and I wouldn’t be mad to munch on it during all of my summer adventures.  

If you’re headed out to a trail, lounging poolside, or setting up camp this weekend, this recipe is easy to make for yourself, keeps well in a resealable package, and yields a healthy amount of (a maybe not-so-healthy) snack mix. But, hey, the heart wants what it wants, especially after hours sweating, marching uphill while carrying a sleeping bag on your back for (my absolute favorite) Type 2 fun.  

Boy Scout Mix

Yields approximately 15 cups 

• One package Bugles 
• One seven oz. box Cheez-Its 
• One package oyster crackers (about four cups) 
• Two cups peanuts, almonds, or mixed nuts 
• Four cups pretzels* 
• Six tablespoons ranch dressing powder 
• One tablespoon chili powder 
• One cup popcorn oil** 

Preheat oven to 225 degrees. 

Mix dry ingredients in a large roasting pan. 

Microwave oil, ranch, and chili powder for one minute. Pour over dry mixture and stir thoroughly. 

Bake mixture for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  

Store in an airtight container. 

Cook’s notes

*Use pretzel balls if available. 

**Vegetable oil can be substituted for popcorn oil, but flavor may be affected.  

Word to the wise: You’re probably going to want to head out for a Costco run if you want to batch this out, as it requires quite a few packaged goods — Costco apparently also has Bugles, a snack I hadn’t seen since about 1994 before trying my first batch of Boy Scout Mix last summer. Consider your bulk-aisle shopping with a welcome dose of air conditioning an extra adventure tacked onto your outdoor exploits and bring plenty of water along with you to mitigate any potential dehydration. Seasonal salads, be damned, it’s the Summer of Snacks, and I love it! 

Katherine Roberts is a mid-Valley based writer and marketing professional who isn’t opposed to sleeping outdoors per se, but she’s likely more comfortable with a room service option. She can be reached via her marketing and communications firm, Carington Creative, at katherine@caringtoncreative.com.