What Makes a Good Trail Mix

Supremely satisfying and energizing, trail mix is a snack of choice. It is so simple to just grab a handful, make mini bags for everyone or leave it in a bowl for snacking throughout the day. It is the perfect snack and filler that is healthy and affordable!

• Protein: A satisfying trail mix needs a good protein that will quite hunger for a long time. Nuts and seeds are the protein of choice for trail mix. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, macademia, cashews and peanuts are just a few. Pumpkin seeds, and sunflower are nutritional powerhouse that are easy to add in.
• Dried Fruit: Dried fruit is the perfect option to help with low blood sugar and give you a natural boost of energy. Look for dried fruit that doesn’t have added sugars. Dried raisins, cherries, apricots, bananas, coconut, and even mango all taste great in a trail mix.
• Carbs or The Fun Stuff: This not only gives you added energy but helps to make it all appetizing. Yes M&Ms and chocolate chips are a favorite, but you can also add things such as peanut butter chips, pretzels, gold fish, cereals and small crackers like Teddy Grahams. All of these round out the trail mix making it a complete snack.

Chocolate Coconut Trail Mix

Classic trail mix is always a winner but sometimes you need to mix it up. Add in all your favorite ingredients to customize it to your liking. You can’t go wrong with trail mix! Here is What you need for Chocolate Coconut Trail Mix.

• Peanuts: Roasted salted peanuts add a nice saltiness that contrasts with the sweet.
• M&Ms: There is a huge variety of M&Ms and you can use any of them in this mix.
• Coconut Flakes: Use large flaked dried coconut and toast it if you desire.
• Cashews: These are a heavenly nut, but can be substituted for macademia nuts or pecans.
• Chocolate Chips: I like semi-sweet chocolate chips so it’s not so sweet. You can use milk if you like.

Dried Fruit Trail Mix

Using dried fruit is smart because it’s a great source of energy with natural sweetness. It pairs perfectly with chocolate and nuts!

• Dried Apricots: This can be replaced with dried cherries, blueberries or other dried fruit of choice.
• Cashews: If you are not a cashew fan you can try almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts.
• Chocolate Chips: Carob chips can be substituted here if desired.
• Raisins: Cran-raisins and golden raisins are also great.
• Flaked Coconut: I like to use large flaked coconut and you can roast it too.

Storing The Best Trail Mix

Trail mix is one of those snacks that can keep for a long time, especially if the dried fruit you use doesn’t have too much moisture left in it.

Keeping trail mix at room temperature in a tightly sealed container is the best for keeping it fresh. It can be kept in glass jars, plastic ziptop bags, or Tupperware containers with lids that seal tightly. It will keep for at least 1 month and sometimes even longer. Keep individually portioned snack bags filled and ready to go for days on the run.

Snacking can be a professional hobby and pastime. We all do it, but some of us choose better than others. It all starts with what we have. Keeping snacks that are scrumptious to eat as well as easy to make is a win win! Try these tried and true recipes and serve them with vegetables and fruit for snacks that will fuel your mind and your body!

Ingredients

Instructions