Healthy Trail Mix
Large walnut pieces, whole almonds, and hazelnuts make this trail mix nut-forward, while pumpkin and sunflower seeds add smaller bites of crunch. Raisins and dried cranberries bring chewy contrast. The mix stays loose and uncoated, ready to scoop into a dish or divide into portions.
All seven ingredients are ready to eat, so there’s no cooking or cereal base to prepare. Toss them together in a roomy bowl, then stir again before portioning if the small seeds have settled.
Ingredients for Healthy Trail Mix
- 1 cup ready-to-eat walnut halves and pieces (about 100g)
- 1/2 cup ready-to-eat whole almonds (about 70g)
- 1/2 cup ready-to-eat hazelnuts (about 65g)
- 1/3 cup ready-to-eat pumpkin seeds (about 45g)
- 1/4 cup ready-to-eat sunflower seeds (about 35g)
- 1/2 cup raisins (about 75g)
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries (about 45g)
Use dry nuts and seeds that are ready to eat as purchased. Keep the almonds and hazelnuts whole and the walnut pieces fairly large rather than chopping everything to the size of the seeds.
How to Make Healthy Trail Mix
- Combine: Measure the nuts, seeds, raisins, and dried cranberries into a large mixing bowl with enough room to toss without spilling.
- Toss: Stir until the green and pale seeds and both dried fruits are distributed throughout the nuts. The mix should remain dry and loose.
- Serve or portion: Spoon into a shallow serving dish or divide among airtight containers. Stir again first if the seeds have collected at the bottom, so each portion gets some.
Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 0 minutes | Total: 5 minutes | Yield: About 7 servings, approximately 1/2 cup each
Trail Mix Variations
For a sweeter mix, toss in 2 to 3 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips. You can replace one nut variety with cashews, peanuts, or pecans, or swap the cranberries for dried cherries or chopped dried apricots.
For a cereal-containing version, replace some of the nuts with ready-to-eat whole-grain cereal and add popcorn if desired. This makes a less nut-forward mix than the main recipe.
Serving and Storing Trail Mix
Serve from a shallow dish or divide the mix into small containers for portable snacks. For another portable no-cook option, try these hummus and veggie snack cups.
Keep the trail mix in an airtight container to protect its crunch from moisture. Refrigeration is an option; follow the storage guidance on the ingredient packages. Stir before serving if the seeds settle.
Nutrition
Approximate per 1/2-cup serving, based on 7 servings: 330 calories, 9g protein, 26g fat, and 21g carbohydrates. Approximate per 100g: 525 calories, 14g protein, 42g fat, and 34g carbohydrates. Values are estimates for the seven-ingredient main recipe and vary by product and portion size.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup ready-to-eat walnut halves and pieces (about 100 g)
- 1/2 cup ready-to-eat whole almonds (about 70 g)
- 1/2 cup ready-to-eat hazelnuts (about 65 g)
- 1/3 cup ready-to-eat pumpkin seeds (about 45 g)
- 1/4 cup ready-to-eat sunflower seeds (about 35 g)
- 1/2 cup raisins (about 75 g)
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries (about 45 g)
Instructions
- Measure the walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins, and cranberries into a large mixing bowl.
- Stir until the seeds and dried fruits are evenly distributed throughout the nuts.
- Serve in a shallow dish or divide among airtight containers. Stir again before portioning if the seeds have settled.
Tips
- Use dry nuts and seeds that are ready to eat as purchased.
- Keep the almonds and hazelnuts whole and the walnut pieces fairly large.
- Stir before serving or portioning if the small seeds have settled.
Variations
- Chocolate Trail Mix: Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips.
- Alternative Nut or Fruit Mix: Replace one nut variety with cashews, peanuts, or pecans, or swap the cranberries for dried cherries or chopped dried apricots.
- Cereal Trail Mix: Replace some of the nuts with ready-to-eat whole-grain cereal and add popcorn if desired.