Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe
This Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe is the no-bake, crunchy, grab-and-go snack I lean on for busy workdays, road trips, and those afternoons when everyone is “starving” but dinner is still an hour away.
It’s a simple homemade trail mix recipe you can toss together in ten minutes, but it tastes like something you’d pay a small fortune for in one of those gourmet bulk bins. Think: roasted nuts, chewy dried fruit, a hint of chocolate, and just enough salt to keep every handful interesting. This sweet and salty snack mix is a healthy trail mix snack when you build it right—plenty of fiber, protein, and good fats to keep you going without a sugar crash.
And yes, it’s kid friendly, lunchbox ready, and perfect as a make ahead snack mix for hiking, sports tournaments, or just making it through a long Zoom day.
A Little Story Behind This Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe
When my three kids were younger and we were running between soccer practice and choir rehearsal, I learned very quickly that “just grab something on the way” adds up—both on the wallet and the waistline. That’s when this Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe became a regular part of my Sunday prep.
I started with a basic nuts and dried fruit mix, then played with the balance of salty, crunchy, chewy, and a little chocolate. Over the years I learned a few things:
- If the nuts aren’t salted and roasted, the sweet pieces taste flat.
- If there isn’t some chocolate, the kids will abandon it for granola bars.
- If the mix is too sweet, nobody feels great after a big handful.
This version hits that sweet-and-savory trail mix sweet spot. It’s a no bake snack mix, so you don’t have to heat up the kitchen. It’s easy to customize for different diets (gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free), and it works just as well as a salty sweet party snack in a big bowl as it does portioned out as an on the go snack mix for commuting or hiking.
And honestly? I still keep a jar of this in my office for those 3 p.m. “must have something crunchy” moments.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe
- No baking needed – Everything is ready-to-eat; you just mix and enjoy.
- Ready in 10 minutes – This is an easy trail mix recipe that fits into even the busiest Sunday prep.
- Perfect balance of sweet and salty – Roasted nuts, dried fruit, a touch of chocolate, and a pinch of salt in every bite.
- Great for kids and picky eaters – This kid friendly trail mix feels like a treat, but it’s actually a smarter snack.
- Portable, mess-free snack – Ideal as a sweet salty hiking snack, road trip fuel, or office desk stash.
- Customizable for allergies and preferences – Swap nuts, seeds, and mix-ins for a homemade trail mix recipe that fits your family.
- Make-ahead friendly – Stays fresh for weeks, so you can prepare a big batch of make ahead snack mix.
- Budget-conscious – Much cheaper than store-bought trail mix, especially when you buy nuts in bulk.
- Nutrient-dense – Packed with healthy fats, fiber, and protein from nuts and seeds for sustained energy.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this crunchy snack mix recipe. The measurements give you that classic sweet and salty trail mix balance, but feel free to tweak once you’ve made it once or twice.
- 1 cup roasted salted almonds (whole or lightly chopped; I like the Kirkland or Blue Diamond brands)
- 1 cup roasted salted peanuts (or cashews if you prefer a milder flavor)
- ¾ cup roasted salted cashews (for buttery richness)
- ½ cup raw sunflower seeds (or roasted, unsalted if you want more crunch)
- ½ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) (raw or dry-roasted; great for extra protein and crunch)
- ¾ cup raisins (regular or golden; they add a classic chewiness)
- ¾ cup dried cranberries (for a tart-sweet pop of flavor and color)
- ½ cup chopped dried apricots (or dried cherries for a “fancier” mix)
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips (60–70% cacao for a less-sweet chocolate note)
- ¼ cup mini M&M’s or candy-coated chocolates (optional, but very popular with kids)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (start here and add more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, but adds a warm, cozy flavor)
A few quick notes before you start:
- About the nuts: Using roasted salted nuts gives this sweet and savory trail mix that craveable salty crunch. If your nuts are unsalted, simply add a bit more sea salt at the end and taste as you go.
- Dried fruit tip: Look for dried fruit without added sugar when you can. The natural sweetness is usually plenty, especially with raisins and cranberries. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods 365 both have good options.
- Chocolate choice: Dark chocolate chips hold up better in warmer weather compared to milk chocolate, but use what your crew loves.
Directions
-
Prep a big mixing bowl
Grab a large bowl—bigger than you think you need—so you have room to stir without flinging nuts across the kitchen. A big salad bowl or mixing bowl works well. -
Combine the nuts and seeds
Add the almonds, peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, and pepitas to the bowl. Give everything a quick toss with a large spoon or clean hands so the textures start to distribute evenly. -
Stir in the dried fruit
Add the raisins, dried cranberries, and chopped dried apricots. If any pieces are stuck together, break them apart with your fingers as you add them so each handful gets a good mix of chewy bits. -
Add the chocolate elements
Sprinkle in the dark chocolate chips and mini M&M’s. Gently stir from the bottom up. Try not to crush anything; you just want everything layered and combined. If you’re working in a warm kitchen, you can chill the chocolate chips in the freezer for 5–10 minutes first to keep them from melting. -
Season with salt (and cinnamon)
Sprinkle the sea salt and cinnamon over the top. Stir again, taste a small handful, and adjust the seasoning. If your nuts were unsalted or lightly salted, you may want another pinch or two of salt. You’re looking for that “Oh, I want one more handful” moment. -
Rest and taste again
This sounds fussy, but give the sweet and salty snack mix about 5 minutes to rest. The salt and cinnamon will spread a bit as the mix sits. Taste again and adjust if needed. -
Portion and store
Transfer your Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe to an airtight container or portion into small snack bags or reusable snack cups. Label with the date so you remember how long it’s been hanging around (if it lasts that long).
Servings & Timing
- Yield: About 6 cups of trail mix (12 servings of ½ cup each)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Rest Time: 5 minutes (for flavors to settle, optional but helpful)
- Total Time: 15 minutes
This batch size works nicely for one week of snacks for a family, or as a casual salty sweet party snack for game night.
Variations
You know what? This is where you can have some fun. Once you nail the base Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe, try one of these twists:
- Tropical Trail Mix: Replace raisins and cranberries with dried pineapple, mango, and coconut flakes for a sunshine-y on the go snack mix.
- Peanut-Free School Mix: Skip peanuts, add more sunflower seeds and pepitas, and use sunflower seed butter chips if you can find them.
- High-Protein Power Mix: Add roasted chickpeas or edamame and a few more seeds for a gym-bag-friendly healthy trail mix snack.
- Holiday Party Mix: Use red and green candy-coated chocolates, dried cherries, and a pinch of nutmeg for a festive salty sweet party snack.
- Super Dark Chocolate Mix: Double the dark chocolate chips, skip the candy, and add cocoa-dusted almonds for the chocolate lovers.
- Low-Sugar Trail Mix: Use unsweetened dried fruit, reduce chocolate to ½ cup, and bump up nuts and seeds for a more savory, balanced mix.
Storage & Reheating
No reheating here—just storage and maybe a little “reviving” if it sits too long.
-
Room Temperature:
Store your sweet and salty trail mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 weeks. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. -
Refrigerator:
If your kitchen runs warm (hello, summer), you can keep the mix in the fridge for up to 1 month. The chocolate will stay firm, and the nuts stay pleasantly crunchy. Let it sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before serving so the flavors soften a bit. -
Freezer:
For a long-term make ahead snack mix, freeze in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. The nuts and dried fruit hold up very well. You can eat it straight from the freezer, or let it thaw for 15 minutes on the counter.
If the mix ever tastes a little flat after a couple of weeks, sprinkle a tiny pinch of salt and give it a shake—almost like refreshing popcorn.
Notes
- Balance is everything: A great sweet and salty trail mix comes down to ratios. I’ve found about 60–70% nuts and seeds to 30–40% dried fruit and chocolate keeps it satisfying without feeling like candy.
- Chunk size matters: Large dried fruit pieces (like whole apricots) can be overwhelming in a handful. Cut them into small bite-size pieces so they mingle nicely with the nuts and chocolate.
- Mix as you go: If you store this in one big jar, give it a good shake or stir every few days. The heavier nuts like to settle at the bottom, and the fun stuff (ahem, chocolate) ends up on top.
- Salt slowly: Different brands of nuts can be wildly different in saltiness. Start with the recommended ½ teaspoon of sea salt, taste, and only then add more.
- Kid helper friendly: Little hands are great at pouring ingredients into the bowl and stirring. Just pre-measure everything and let them “be the chef.”
- Budget tip: Watch for sales on nuts at Costco, Sam’s Club, or Aldi. Buying nuts and dried fruit in bulk can cut the cost of this homemade trail mix recipe by half compared to pre-made bags.
FAQs
Can I make this Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe nut-free?
Yes. Replace all nuts with extra seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts) and even toasted coconut chips. Check your labels to confirm everything is processed in a nut-free facility if allergies are severe.
Is this trail mix gluten-free?
Most ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels on chocolate chips, candy, and dried fruit for hidden gluten or cross-contact warnings.
How do I keep the chocolate from melting on hikes?
Use dark chocolate chips or chunks (they melt more slowly), skip the candy-coated chocolates, and store your sweet salty hiking snack in a small insulated lunch bag with a cold pack on very hot days.
Can I reduce the sugar content?
Absolutely. Use unsweetened dried fruit, reduce the dried fruit by ¼–½ cup, and use less chocolate. You can also skip candy-coated chocolates and use more nuts and seeds instead.
What’s a good serving size for this trail mix?
For most adults, ¼–½ cup is a reasonable serving for a healthy trail mix snack, depending on your overall calorie needs and whether it’s a snack or a small meal replacement.
Can I add cereal to this mix?
Yes. Whole-grain cereal like Cheerios, bran flakes, or square wheat cereal adds extra crunch and stretches the batch for parties. Just know that cereal will go stale faster than nuts and dried fruit, so plan to eat it within a week.
How do I pack this for kids’ lunches?
Portion ¼ cup of this kid friendly trail mix into small reusable containers or snack bags. For younger children, you can chop nuts more finely or use more seeds and soft dried fruit for easier chewing.
Can I use raw nuts instead of roasted?
You can, but the flavor will be milder and less “snack-like.” If you use raw nuts, consider lightly toasting them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4–6 minutes, stirring often, and cooling completely before mixing.
Conclusion
This Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe is one of those little kitchen habits that quietly makes life easier—no bake, quick to mix, endlessly flexible, and genuinely satisfying. You get a crunchy snack mix recipe that works for school lunches, car rides, and even your desk drawer, without leaning on mystery-ingredient snack bags.
Give this homemade trail mix recipe a try, tweak the mix-ins to fit your family, and let me know what you add—chopped dates, coconut, pretzels? Leave a comment with your favorite combo, and if you’re hungry for more on the go snack mix ideas, check out my granola bar and energy bite recipes next.
Sweet and Salty Trail Mix
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted salted almonds whole or lightly chopped
- 1 cup roasted salted peanuts or cashews for a milder flavor
- 3/4 cup roasted salted cashews
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds raw, or roasted unsalted for more crunch
- 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) raw or dry-roasted
- 3/4 cup raisins regular or golden
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried apricots chopped; or use dried cherries
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips 60–70% cacao
- 1/4 cup mini M&M’s or candy-coated chocolates optional
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt plus more to taste if needed
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Grab a large mixing or salad bowl so you have plenty of room to stir the ingredients together without spilling.
- Add the roasted salted almonds, roasted salted peanuts, roasted salted cashews, sunflower seeds, and pepitas to the bowl. Toss briefly to start distributing the textures evenly.1 cup roasted salted almonds, 1 cup roasted salted peanuts, 3/4 cup roasted salted cashews, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- Add the raisins, dried cranberries, and chopped dried apricots. Break apart any clumps of dried fruit with your fingers so they’re evenly dispersed.3/4 cup raisins, 3/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup dried apricots
- Sprinkle in the dark chocolate chips and mini M&M’s or candy-coated chocolates, if using. Gently stir from the bottom of the bowl upward to combine without crushing the mix-ins. If your kitchen is warm, you can chill the chocolate chips in the freezer for 5–10 minutes before adding to prevent melting.3/4 cup dark chocolate chips, 1/4 cup mini M&M’s or candy-coated chocolates
- Sprinkle the fine sea salt and ground cinnamon (if using) over the top of the mix. Stir well, then taste a small handful and adjust the seasoning with more salt if needed.1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Let the trail mix rest for about 5 minutes so the salt and cinnamon distribute more evenly. Taste again and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Transfer the trail mix to an airtight container or divide into small snack bags or reusable snack cups. Label with the date and store according to your preference.
Notes
• Tropical Trail Mix: Swap raisins and cranberries for dried pineapple, mango, and coconut flakes.
• Peanut-Free School Mix: Omit peanuts; increase sunflower seeds and pepitas, and use sunflower seed butter chips if available.
• High-Protein Power Mix: Add roasted chickpeas or edamame and extra seeds.
• Holiday Party Mix: Use red and green candy-coated chocolates, dried cherries, and a pinch of nutmeg.
• Super Dark Chocolate Mix: Double the dark chocolate chips, omit candy, and add cocoa-dusted almonds.
• Low-Sugar Trail Mix: Use unsweetened dried fruit, reduce chocolate to 1/2 cup, and increase nuts and seeds.
