How To Make Healthy Homemade Trail Mix

Having a quick and easy snack on hand like this homemade healthy trail mix can be a lifesaver when you are setting out for the day on an adventure. It makes the perfect snack when don't have time to stop and enjoy a proper meal, and want to keep those hunger pangs at bay. Loaded with cheerios, popcorn, and lots of nuts and seeds, this healthy snack is full of goodness and easily packed into little snack packs to keep in your handbag or day pack.

If you love having quick and easy snacks on hand to keep your belly full when out and about for the day then try out these Peanut Butter Choc Chip Banana Oatmeal Muffins next.

Homemade Trail Mix

When we travel the 80% clean eating, 20% whatever I want rule tends to get a bit relaxed. If a place has some item of food they are famous for, I am going to be trying that food. 

For example, if there are 3 supposedly amazing doughnut shops, and 4 out of this world ice cream shops close to our accommodation - we will be venturing to them all.

We balance things out by preparing breakfasts and snacks in the caravan, or if staying in apartments, we make sure to get something with a small kitchen to prep easy meals like eggs or oatmeal.

The beauty of this homemade trail mix is that I can make a big batch before heading off for the day and simply divvy it up into little individual bags to take with us.

The next best thing is that it is easily customizable to individual tastes, so you can leave out and add in ingredients without throwing anything off balance.

Why Make Your Own Trail Mix?

I always make a big batch of fruit and nut mix to bring with us when we are heading out and about for some tourist time or on a day trip.

It is the one thing I can whip up before we leave and be guaranteed that it will travel well all day.

There are a number of reasons you should add homemade trail mix to your meal-prep repertoire, including that it is:

• cost effective - so much cheaper than store-bought mixes
• customizable - don't like goji berries? simply leave them out and carry on
• healthier than most store-bought versions which are usually loaded with oils, sugars, and preservatives. Raw nuts are high in protein and healthy fats and are also a great source of vitamins and minerals
• sustainable - you can divvy it up into reusable containers, not like the individual single-use bags the mixes come in at the store

Essential Ingredients For Homemade Trail Mix

As mentioned, one of my favorite things about making my own trail mix is that it is highly customizable based on personal tastes, dietary restrictions, or simply what I happen to have hanging out in the pantry.

Feel free to mix the ingredients up and create a mix that suits you, but do try to get a mix of sweet, salty, and savory in there to keep it interesting.

Try using a mix of these ingredients:

Base: nuts such as almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, peanuts, or walnuts

1. Base: nuts such as almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, peanuts, brazil nuts or walnuts
2. Dried fruits: raisins, cranberries, apricots, goji berries, banana chips or mango
3. Seeds: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, or chia seeds
4. Extras: chocolate chips, pretzels, popcorn, cereals like cherries, coconut flakes, or spices like curry powder or smoked paprika

Add a sprinkle of curry powder or smoked paprika to some popcorn for a savory twist to your next batch of homemade trail mix.

Mixing and Storing Trail Mix

Gather all of your ingredients together and mix well in a large bowl, being sure to evenly distribute the ingredients to ensure there is a balance of flavor in each mouthful.

Keep the mix stored in an airtight container in the pantry to keep it nice and fresh, and simply divvy up into small bags or containers when needed.

For a fun twist sprinkle some homemade trail mix on some yogurt in the mornings for a quick breakfast option with a crunch!

Trail Mix Variations

My trail mix concoctions tend to change with the seasons.

In summer I favor a mix of dehydrated pineapple, coconut flakes, and macadamia nuts, and in winter I tend to add in some popcorn and pretzels sprinkled with some curry powder or smoked paprika.

Try some of these flavor combinations:

• Sweet & salty trail mix: almonds, pretzels, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and a sprinkle of sea salt 
• Tropical trail mix: macadamia nuts, dried pineapple, dried mango, dried papaya, and coconut flakes 
• Energy-boosting trail mix: cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, dried blueberries (hello antioxidants), and dark chocolate chunks  

As always, mix this recipe up with what you have on hand or your preferences. I have a whole drawer in my pantry dedicated to nuts, and can never decide which are my favorite, so a little bit of everything tends to get thrown in there.

Happy snacking.

xx