Hikers Cookie
A delicious trail mix cookie packed full of energy for your outdoor adventures!
What is your go-to hiking snack?
Mine is often a granola bar or trail mix (mixed nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and often chocolate). Easy, delicious, and full of energy to keep you going. So I thought it would be fun to put a spin on a classic hiking snack and make a trail mix cookie!
Fun Fact: The original recipe that inspired me to create this cookie was shared with me by my friend, nurse and midwife, Linda Brandes. I spent a summer between university years volunteering at The Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic is Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, which is a non-profit organization committed to delivering professional medical care to the most vulnerable and underprivileged women of the Jeffreys Bay, and surrounding, community. This is where I first met Linda.
Linda and I quickly realized we shared a love for the outdoors and hiking, and went on a few hikes together during my 3 months at the clinic. This is when she shared her family’s favourite “Oaty Cookies” recipe with me, which I quickly fell in love with. From her original recipe, I adjusted the flour-butter ratio, added some cinnamon (because I’m obsessed with cinnamon), and added in some nuts.
Nutrition Nugget:
Now let’s quickly chat about snack choice for different activities.
This hikers cookie is a great choice for low-intensity activities, like walking/hiking, canoeing, kayaking, casual biking, etc. It is full of fibre, protein, and fat provided by the oats, butter, nuts and seeds. Because of this, it takes longer for your body to breakdown and release energy into your system to be used by your muscles and brain. This is ideal for low-intensity activities where you body needs a steady supply of energy for 1-4+ hours.
Good choices for high-intensity activities, like running, steep incline hiking, intense biking, swimming, etc. are carbohydrate-rich snacks which provide quick, easy digestible energy. Examples are:
Dried fruit and fruit leather (some ideas for fruit leather flavours, here)
Gummies or candy
Fruit
Muffins (small)
Sports drink/gels
Make this recipe your own by experimenting with your favourite trail mix or combo of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit! Let me know your favourite combos below!
More Snack Ideas
Hikers Cookie
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup oats (large flake or quick oats)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup trail mix of your choice (I suggest 1/4 cup seeds/nuts, 1/4 cup dried fruit)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
- Measure butter, brown sugar, and honey into microwave safe bowl. Melt for 1 min until smooth. Transfer to large mixing bowl.
- Add flour, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and trail mix. Stir together.
- Using your hands or a cookie scoop, shape into 1 inch balls. Place on greased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 mins, until just browned but still soft to the touch.
- Enjoy on the trail or with a cup of coffee!
