Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s made from whole‑food ingredients instead of heavily processed store‑bought mixes that often include added sugar, hydrogenated oils and excess salt.
It’s endlessly customizable — you choose your nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and optional treat‑add‑ons to suit your taste and dietary needs.
It offers healthy fats, fiber, minerals (from nuts and seeds), natural energy (from dried fruit) and even a little indulgence for balance — proving that “healthy snack” doesn’t have to mean boring.
It comes together in about 5 minutes, with no cooking required (unless you choose to lightly toast your nuts for extra flavor).
It keeps well, making it a convenient grab‑and‑go snack to have on hand.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Raw nuts (e.g., almonds, pecans, cashews, peanuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, macadamias)
Raw seeds (e.g., pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds)
Unsweetened, unsulphured dried fruit (e.g., raisins, dried cherries, dried mango, dried apricots, banana chips, dried blueberries, coconut flakes)
Fun add‑ins (your choice: e.g., chopped dark chocolate, popcorn, pretzels, peanut‑butter chips, white‑chocolate chips, cereal)
Optional spices: sea salt (or skip if watching sodium), cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg, optional cayenne for heat

Recipe card measurements:

1½ cups raw nuts
1 cup raw seeds
1 cup unsweetened, unsulphured dried fruit
Fun add‑ins: amounts vary (for example ~½ cup chopped dark chocolate, or ~1 cup popped popcorn/pretzels)
Spices: ~¼ tsp sea salt, ~½ tsp cinnamon, pinch nutmeg
“Go‑to” version example:
¾ cup raw pecans (toasted)
¾ cup raw cashews (toasted)
½ cup raw sunflower seeds
½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
½ cup unsweetened cherries
½ cup unsweetened raisins
½ cup chopped ~82% dark chocolate
¼ tsp sea salt
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg

Directions

Combine all your selected nuts, seeds, dried fruit, fun add‑ins and spices in a large bowl.
Mix thoroughly so everything is evenly distributed.
Store the mix in a zip‑top bag or in a large mason jar.
(Optional) For individual grab‑and‑go portions, divide into smaller bags or reusable snack bags.
If you want extra sweetness and a slightly clumped texture, you may drizzle ~2 tablespoons of maple syrup over the mix, spread it on a baking sheet to dry, then bag it.
The mix will keep for up to about one month when stored in a cool, dry place.

Servings and timing

Yield: roughly 4 to 5 cups of trail mix (depending on exact ingredient quantities)
Prep time: about 5 minutes
No cook time required (unless you choose to toast nuts or add a maple syrup coating)
Makes multiple snack portions — you can adjust by dividing into smaller bags for single‑serve convenience.

Variations

Swap in different nuts/seeds: e.g., pistachios, hazelnuts, macadamias, sesame seeds.
Choose different dried fruits: e.g., dried mango, dried apricots, banana chips, dried strawberries or cranberries (preferably unsweetened, unsulphured).
For a naturally sweet plus salty combo: add pretzels or popped popcorn.
For a bit of indulgence: add white chocolate chips (in moderation) or peanut‑butter chips.
For spicy/lively: include a small pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder in the spices.
For nut‑free version: omit nuts and increase seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, hemp).
For lower‑sugar version: reduce the dried fruit portion, avoid chocolate, or choose sugar‑free dark chocolate.
For gluten‑free: ensure any cereal, pretzels or popcorn add‑ins are certified gluten‑free.
For kid‑friendly: keep mix simple and include fun shapes or colors (e.g., cereal loops, mini marshmallows occasionally).
For travel/hiking: pack in durable resealable bags; include a portion in small individual pouches for easy access on the go.

Storage/Reheating

Store in an airtight container or resealable bag in a cool, dry place.
The mix keeps well for up to one month when stored properly.
There is no reheating required — this is a cold/room‑temp snack.
If you lightly toast nuts first, allow them to cool fully before mixing and storing.
For best freshness, keep out of direct sunlight and avoid humid conditions which might soften crunchy elements or cause moisture.
If you include popcorn or pretzels, try to consume those portions sooner for best texture.

FAQs

What nuts are best for trail mix?

Any raw, unsalted nuts work well. Almonds, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios and macadamias are all good choices. The key is choosing nuts that aren’t roasted in hydrogenated oils or coated heavily in salt.

Can I use roasted or salted nuts instead of raw unsalted nuts?

Yes — you can — but raw unsalted nuts are recommended if you want maximum nutrition and control over salt and oil content. If using roasted/salted nuts, just be mindful of higher sodium or added oils.

Why unsulphured dried fruit?

Unsulphured dried fruit means it wasn’t treated with sulphur dioxide (a preservative) which can affect flavor and potentially some people’s sensitivities. Also, choosing unsweetened dried fruit helps avoid added sugars.

How much fun‑add‑in (like chocolate or popcorn) should I use?

It depends on your preference. In the base ratio you might include ~½ cup of chopped dark chocolate or ~1 cup popcorn/pretzels in the mix. You can adjust up or down depending on your goals (treat focus vs. mostly whole‑food ingredients).

Can I make a large batch and portion it out for snacks later?

Absolutely. The recipe yields about 4‑5 cups. You can mix once and then portion into smaller snack bags or jars for easy grab‑and‑go servings.

Does this need to be refrigerated?

Not necessarily. If stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container the mix is fine at room temperature. If your ambient temperature is very warm or humid, you might prefer refrigeration to maintain crunch.

How long will the trail mix stay fresh?

When stored properly (airtight, cool, dry), it can keep up to about one month. If you include add‑ins like popcorn or pretzels, their texture may soften over time, so those portions are better consumed sooner.

Can I add cereal or other grains?

Yes — cereal (such as Cheerios or Chex) can be added as the “fun stuff.” Just ensure the cereal fits your dietary preferences (e.g., gluten‑free if needed) and be aware it may soften faster than nuts/seeds in storage.

Is this mix suitable for hiking or physical activity?

Yes — in fact this homemade mix is especially suited for activity: nuts and seeds provide healthy fats and some protein, dried fruit offers quick energy, and the optional treat adds flavour and enjoyment. It makes a great snack for hikes, road trips or anytime you need portable nutrition.

Can I make it allergy‑friendly (e.g., nut‑free or seed‑free)?

Yes — for a nut‑free version, you can omit nuts and increase seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower, hemp. For a seed‑free or nut‑and‑seed‑free version, you could substitute extra dried fruit and fun add‑ins, though you’ll adjust nutrition accordingly. Always tailor to dietary restrictions and check for cross‑contamination if needed.

Conclusion

This homemade trail mix is a wonderful go‑to snack combining wholesome ingredients with flexibility and flavour. It allows you to skip the additives and excess salt/sugar found in many commercial mixes, while customizing the mix exactly how you like it. Whether you’re prepping snacks for a hike, packing something for the office, or simply want a healthier store‑cupboard treat, this trail mix hits the spot. Try mixing your favourite combo of nuts, seeds, dried fruits and fun add‑ons—and enjoy the crunch, the energy boost and the satisfaction of a snack you made.