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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: Jun 12, 2024 |

    How To Make Healthy Homemade Trail Mix

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    Loaded Fruit and Nut Mix with Dark Chocolate Studs. Make a fun and healthy snack for the whole family.

    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.

    Fruit and nut mix served in a black and white spotty bowl

    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.

    Loaded Fruit and Nut Mix with Dark Chocolate Studs

    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
    Making Popcorn on The Stovetop: A bowl of homemade popcorn in a white bowl

    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

    « Pizza Seasoned Cauliflower Gnocchi In The Air Fryer
    Veggie Noodles 101: How To Make Veggie Noodles »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Wendy says

      August 26, 2016 at 11:01 am

      This is just perfect! I was just saying that I needed to make snack recipes more of a priority so I don't reach for the wrong things.

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        August 26, 2016 at 2:12 pm

        Oh I know, it is so easy to reach for the easy pre-packaged stuff, especially whilst traveling!!

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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    Hello and welcome, I'm Donna!

    I am so glad you are here!

    Since I have a part-time job, 3 little kids, and a love of good food (as do you I assume), I have learned how to get the most out of the kitchen in the smallest amount of time.

    Forget about hunting down weird ingredients and making trips to specialty shops.

    We are going to make the most of what is available at the store and farmer's markets all whilst enjoying some delicious meals the whole family (hopefully...if you have fussy eaters I guarantee nothing) will enjoy.

    Pop on that apron and let's get creative in the kitchen!

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