How To: Build the Ultimate Trail Mix (+ 8 Recipes to Try!) (2024)

Hey there, snack enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers! Today I’m sharing a full guide about How to Build the Ultimate Trail Mix at home, plus 8 awesome trail mix recipes to try. It’s that time of year when the crisp fall air and bright orange and red leaves make for perfect hiking conditions. What better way to fuel up on those hikes than trail mix?! Trail mix is so versatile that you can create a mix that just about any hiker, at any age, will love.

If you’re anything like me, you know that the perfect trail mix can make or break an exciting hiking or camping trip. But why settle for the store-bought stuff when you can craft your very own, tailor-made concoction that’s as unique as you are? Whether you’re gearing up for a wilderness expedition, looking for a healthy office snack, or simply want to satisfy your sweet and salty cravings, I’ve got you covered. I’ve put together eight yummy trail mix recipes that will keep you energized on all your adventures.

So, grab your mixing bowls, start dreaming of your favorite ingredients, and let’s embark on a mission to build the ultimate trail mix that’s bound to make your taste buds dance with delight. Let’s get snacking!

With all the crazy and delicious trail mix flavor combos on the market today (lookin’ at you, Target), you may be asking yourself why in the world you’d ever make your own. The answer: for the same reasons you cook and meal prep at home! The biggest one for me is that you get to control exactly what goes in the mix – don’t like almonds? (Hi, it’s me!) Don’t pick around them, just leave them out! I find that a lot of the sweet Target trail mixes have wayyy too many added sweets/candy and not enough nuts or dried fruit to keep things balanced. At home, I balance things just the way I like.

The other big reason to make your own trail mix at home is cost – because let’s face it, trail mix ain’t cheap. But when you can buy the ingredients in bulk and make a whole lot more than one of those little bags from the store, it’s can definitely be cheaper. If you have a family of hungry kiddos at home, that can make a huge difference in your snack budget!

Yes and no. Trail mix can be healthy thanks to the protein, fiber, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fats found in nuts. That said, it’s usually dense in calories thanks to those same healthy fats and needs to be enjoyed in moderation. This is one of the reasons I love making trail mix for days that I’m actually hitting the trails and I need all those calories to keep me fueled for a long hike. Depending on what you add to the mix, there can also be a lot of added sugar and sodium. When shopping for dried fruits, try to find the ones that are unsweetened or have no added sweeteners.

I recommend storing trail mix in a mason jar with a lid or reusable silicone bag like Stasher, but really any air tight container will do. Most trail mixes will last as long as the individual ingredients. For example, if you’re making the Classic Trail Mix recipe below and the raisins you bought expire in a year but the peanuts expire in 6 months, the whole mix will probably be good for about 6 months.

This math changes a bit when you start adding “extra flair” ingredients like cereal or popcorn. Obviously those items aren’t going to stay fresh and crunchy/crisp as long as roasted nuts, especially if they’re in contact with something like raisins that contain some moisture. In that case, the mix may only stay fresh for about a couple of weeks. For reference, the and S’mores mixes did very well in airtight containers on my counter for 3+ weeks. When in doubt, make smaller batches more often and keep the ingredients separated in the meantime.

Pop Container

Glass Containers

Small Bites Containers

Stasher Pocket Bag

Chances are that the trail mixes you love all combine a few basic types of ingredients to achieve those sweet + salty flavors and crunchy + chewy textures you love. Here are the basics:

1. Nuts and Seeds

• Peanuts
• Cashews
• Almonds
• Macadamia nuts
• Soy nuts*
• Pumpkin seeds / pepitas
• Sunflower seeds
• Pistachios

*I know soy nuts aren’t really nuts, but with the word “nut” in the name, I had to throw them in this category. These are dried and crunchy soy beans that come with a variety of flavors and seasonings. I opted for the plain ole salted ones for maximum versatility.

2. Dried Fruit

• Raisins
• Dried cranberries
• Dried cherries
• Dried or freeze dried blueberries
• Dried or freeze dried strawberries
• Dried or freeze dried pineapple
• Banana chips
• Toasted coconut
• Mango chunks
• Papaya chunks

3. Sweets

• Chocolate chips or chunks
• Candy coated chocolate
• Chocolate covered raisins or nuts
• Peanut butter chips
• Yogurt covered raisins or nuts
• Marshmallow bits

4. Extra Flair

• Toasted corn
• Sesame sticks
• Wasabi Peas
• Cereal
• Popcorn
• Freeze dried yogurt
• Pretzels
• Extra Seasoning or Spice

Trail mix tends to have a lot of allergens, especially nuts and dairy. The recipes you find below are no different and all have nuts in them. But what did you expect when you visited a site called Peanut Butter and Fitness?! That said, there are a lot of good nut free options on the market these days. Things like soy nuts, dry roasted edamame, chickpea snacks, roasted fava beans, and crunchy roasted lentils. It may be challenging to find the right match for the flavor profiles below, but a quick search on Google or Amazon will help you brainstorm!

See Also

22 Keto-Friendly Comfort Recipes To Make This Winterginger peanut asian slaw recipe – use real butter10 Easy Cleanse Recipes for New Year Detox2B Mindset Mediterranean Tuna Salad Recipe

Leave a Reply

1. Kathy

   October 25, 2023

   
   Great new healthy snacks! Love all your trail mix recipes. Awesome PBF post!

   Reply

   1. Erin

      November 3, 2023

      Thanks Kathy!

      Reply