Homemade Trail Mix Recipe
Posted May 11, 2025
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This homemade trail mix recipe is a healthy and delicious snack that is easy to make in 5 minutes (or less)! Perfect for hiking, long car rides, back to school, etc.
We live in the mountains, which means we spend a lot of time being active outdoors. Whether it’s hiking in the warmer months or skiing in the winter, we always need nutritious snacks to bring on our adventures – and this homemade trail mix recipe is one of our favorites.
Homemade trail mix is so easy to make that I hesitated calling it a “recipe.” However, many people ask questions like, “What should I put in my trail mix?” and “What is standard in trail mix?” So I hope this post is helpful for my fellow moms out there who like to make your own snacks as much as I do.
This recipe makes a large amount – so you can mix it once and enjoy it for weeks!
Homemade Trail Mix: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Nuts – almonds, cashews and peanuts. I like using roasted & salted versions of nuts in this recipe. If you prefer to use raw, they work well and taste great too. There are an equal amount (10 ounces) of each nut. You can substitute your favorite nuts for the ones included like shelled pistachios, walnuts or pecans.
- Dried Fruit – cranberries & cherries. These are my family’s favorite dried fruits. You can substitute your favorites like raisins, or chopped up dates or figs.
- Chocolate. this recipe uses a combination of coated chocolate candies and chocolate chips. You can choose to use all of one or no chocolate at all.
- Chocolate candies. M&Ms are the most common choice here. I prefer the unreal milk chocolate gems. You can also use mini peanut butter cups if you’d like.
- Chocolate chips. chocolate chunks work well. Or, if you’re worried about melting, use all chocolate candies and no chocolate chips.
How to Make Trail Mix
This homemade trail mix recipe is so easy.
Begin by adding all the trail mix ingredients to a large (10 cup) bowl with a lid.
Then, either gently mix with a wooden spoon. Or, secure the lid and gently rotate the bowl until all the ingredients are mixed together.
Serve
Serve this recipe in individual portions by either scooping in into small bowls or making small container (see below).
Sometimes, if we’re going to bring it out on a hot day we will put it in the freezer first. Then transport it in a cooler so the chocolate chips don’t melt.
Store
You can store the homemade trail mix in a large bowl (at room temperature or in the fridge) and dole out portions as necessary. Or, you can store them in smaller containers for an easy grab and go snack. Some suggestions include:
- 4 ounce glass jars with lids
- Silicone storage bags
- Snack-size plastic bags
- 4 ounce plastic containers
Freeze
I often freeze this trail mix recipe if we’re taking it out with us on a warmer day to prevent melting. It can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly at room temperature.
Homemade Trail Mix Recipe FAQS
Yes, you can easily scale this recipe to make the amount you prefer!
Trail mix is a great source of protein, fat, fiber and nutrients. It is calorie-dense, so be mindful of how much you eat!
I suggest making a note of the earliest expiration date on the ingredients listed in the trail mix so you know how long it can last.
In addition to nuts, dried fruit and chocolate candies, you can add the following:
Granola
Seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.)
Baking chips (white chocolate, peanut butter, etc)
Chocolate covered fruit (raisins, etc.)
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
Homemade Trail Mix Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces dry roasted & salted almonds (2 cups)
- 10 ounces cashews roasted and salted (2 cups)
- 10 ounces peanuts roasted & salted (2 cups)
- 8 ounces dried cherries (2 cups)
- 8 ounces dried cranberries (2 cups)
- 5 ounces chocolate candies (1 cup)
- 6 ounces chocolate chips (1 cup)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl with a lid.
- Store at room temperature and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Nuts – almonds, cashews and peanuts. I like using roasted & salted versions of nuts in this recipe. If you prefer to use raw, they work well and taste great too. There are an equal amount (10 ounces) of each nut. You can substitute your favorite nuts for the ones included like shelled pistachios, walnuts or pecans.
- Dried Fruit – cranberries & cherries. These are my family’s favorite dried fruits. You can substitute your favorites like raisins, or chopped up dates or figs.
- Chocolate. this recipe uses a combination of coated chocolate candies and chocolate chips. You can choose to use all of one or no chocolate at all.
-
- Chocolate candies. M&Ms are the most common choice here. I prefer the unreal milk chocolate gems. You can also use mini peanut butter cups if you’d like.
-
- Chocolate chips. chocolate chunks work well. Or, if you’re worried about melting, use all chocolate candies and no chocolate chips.
- 4 ounce glass jars with lids
- Silicone storage bags
- Snack-size plastic bags
- 4 ounce plastic containers
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
