Save My daughter started calling trail mix "hiking candy" when she was four, and honestly, that's stuck with me ever since. I was packing for a weekend camping trip when I realized the store-bought stuff was either too sweet, too salty, or full of ingredients nobody in our family liked. So I dumped everything we did love into a bowl, gave it a good toss, and that became our go-to blend. Now we make a big batch every few weeks, and it disappears faster than I can refill the jar.
The first time I brought this to a book club meeting, three people asked for the recipe before we even started discussing the book. One friend admitted she'd been buying the exact same packaged mix for years and had no idea she could just make it herself. We ended up talking more about our favorite add-ins than the novel, and I went home with a list of new combinations to try.
Ingredients
- Raw Almonds (1 cup): These add a satisfying crunch and hold up beautifully over time without getting stale or soft.
- Cashews (1 cup): Creamy and slightly sweet, they balance out the earthier nuts and make every handful feel indulgent.
- Walnuts (½ cup): A little goes a long way with walnuts since they have a stronger flavor, but they add richness and omega-3s.
- Pumpkin Seeds (½ cup): Sometimes labeled pepitas, these bring a subtle nutty taste and a nice bit of crunch that's different from the nuts.
- Sunflower Seeds (¼ cup): Small but mighty, they fill in the gaps and add texture without overwhelming the mix.
- Dried Cranberries (½ cup): Tart and chewy, they cut through the richness of the nuts and chocolate with a bright pop of flavor.
- Chopped Dried Apricots (½ cup): These add a natural sweetness and a soft chew that contrasts perfectly with the crunch.
- Raisins (½ cup): Classic for a reason, they're sweet, familiar, and tie the whole mix together.
- Dark Chocolate Chips (½ cup): Use good quality chips because they melt slightly in your hand and make every bite feel like a little reward.
- Shredded Coconut (¼ cup, optional): Adds a tropical vibe and a delicate sweetness that surprises people in the best way.
- Banana Chips (¼ cup, optional): Crunchy and sweet, they bring a playful texture and work especially well if you like a sweeter mix.
- Yogurt-Covered Raisins (¼ cup, optional): A little indulgent, but they turn the mix into something that feels more like a treat than a healthy snack.
Instructions
- Gather Your Favorites:
- Pull out a large mixing bowl and measure out all your nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and chocolate chips. This is the fun part because you get to see the whole rainbow of textures and colors come together.
- Toss in the Extras:
- If you're adding coconut, banana chips, or yogurt-covered raisins, now's the time. Don't be shy, this is your mix and you get to make it exactly how you want it.
- Mix It All Up:
- Use your hands or a big spoon to toss everything together until it's evenly distributed. You want every scoop to have a little bit of everything, not a pile of just raisins at the bottom.
- Store and Snack:
- Transfer the mix to an airtight container or divide it into smaller bags if you want grab-and-go portions. It'll keep at room temperature for up to two weeks, though in my house it rarely lasts that long.
Save Last summer, my son's soccer team devoured an entire batch during halftime of a tournament, and the coach asked if I could make it a regular thing. I started bringing a big container to every game, and it became this little tradition where the kids would line up with their water bottles in one hand and a scoop of trail mix in the other. One mom told me her kid finally stopped begging for candy at the concession stand, and I'm still not sure if that was a compliment or just relief.
Making It Your Own
The beauty of trail mix is that it's never the same twice if you don't want it to be. Swap in pecans or hazelnuts if that's what you have, or try dried cherries, blueberries, or chopped dates instead of the fruit listed here. If you want a savory version, skip the chocolate and dried fruit entirely and add roasted chickpeas, sesame sticks, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. I've even made a spicy batch with cayenne-dusted almonds and chili-mango strips that my husband ate in one sitting.
Storage and Portioning
I keep a big glass jar of trail mix on the counter and smaller resealable bags in the pantry for packing lunches or tossing in my purse. If you live somewhere humid, store it in the fridge to keep the nuts from going soft and the chocolate from melting. Portioning it out ahead of time also helps with mindless snacking, because it's way too easy to stand at the counter and eat half the batch without realizing it. I learned that lesson the hard way during a Netflix binge.
What to Serve It With
Trail mix is obviously perfect on its own, but I've also used it as a topping for yogurt bowls, stirred it into oatmeal, and even sprinkled it over vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert. My kids like to eat it alongside apple slices with peanut butter, and I've packed it with cheese and crackers for picnics. It's one of those things that fits into almost any snack situation without feeling out of place.
- Try sprinkling a handful over a smoothie bowl for extra crunch and protein.
- Mix a few spoonfuls into pancake or muffin batter for bursts of flavor and texture.
- Pair it with a thermos of hot tea or coffee on chilly morning hikes.
Save Once you make your own trail mix, it's hard to go back to the store-bought stuff. There's something satisfying about knowing exactly what's in every handful, and even more satisfying when people ask where you bought it.
Recipe Help & FAQs
- → How long does homemade trail mix stay fresh?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, this trail mix stays fresh for up to 2 weeks. Keep it away from direct sunlight and moisture to maintain optimal freshness and crunch.
- → Can I substitute different nuts or dried fruits?
Absolutely! Swap almonds for pecans or hazelnuts, replace cranberries with dried cherries or blueberries, or use any combination you prefer. The base ratio of nuts to dried fruit works with most substitutions.
- → How do I make this trail mix vegan?
Simply use dairy-free dark chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips. Most nuts, seeds, and dried fruits are naturally vegan, but always check labels for any processing agents.
- → What's the best way to portion trail mix for grab-and-go snacks?
Divide the mix into small resealable bags or containers, approximately ½ cup per serving. This makes it easy to grab for lunch boxes, hiking trips, or desk snacks without overeating.
- → Can I add savory ingredients to this mix?
Yes! For a savory twist, add a pinch of sea salt, smoked paprika, or chili powder. You can also include roasted chickpeas, pretzels, or wasabi peas for extra flavor and crunch.
- → Should I roast the nuts before mixing?
Raw nuts work perfectly fine, but lightly toasting them in a dry pan for 5-7 minutes enhances their flavor and adds extra crunch. Let them cool completely before mixing with chocolate chips.