Why You’ll Love This Homemade Trail Mix with Dried Fruit

• It’s completely customizable. Don’t like walnuts? Swap in pecans. Prefer tart cherries over cranberries? Go for it! This recipe is a template for your perfect snack, freeing you from the tyranny of pre-mixed bags.
• The flavor and texture are next-level. By toasting the nuts and seeds yourself, you unlock a deep, nutty aroma that you just don’t get from store-bought mixes. The combination of warm, salty nuts with sweet, chewy fruit and rich chocolate is honestly addictive.
• It’s a powerhouse of energy. This isn’t empty-calorie snacking. With a great mix of healthy fats, protein, and complex carbs from the fruit, it provides sustained energy for a hike, a long work session, or chasing after kids.
• It’s incredibly economical. Buying nuts, seeds, and fruit in bulk and mixing them yourself is significantly cheaper than purchasing small, branded bags. You get more snack for your money, and it feels a little thrifty, which is always a win.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 cup raw walnuts
• 1/2 cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup dried apricots, chopped into raisin-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks or chips (at least 70% cacao)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil or avocado oil
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for a subtle kick)

Tools: A large baking sheet, parchment paper, a large mixing bowl, a small bowl for melting oil, a spatula or large spoon for mixing.

The quality of your ingredients really shines here, so try to source the best you can. Fresh, raw nuts are key—you’ll toast them yourself for maximum flavor. And for the dried fruit, look for options with no added sugar or oils if you can find them; the natural sweetness is more than enough.

Serves: 8-10 (makes about 5 cups) | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Why toast the nuts? Toasting is non-negotiable for the best trail mix. It deepens the flavor of the nuts and seeds dramatically, making them taste richer and nuttier. It also gives them a satisfying crunch that holds up against the chewy fruit.
• The secret to even seasoning? Tossing the warm, toasted nuts with a little oil before adding the salt and spices is the trick. The oil helps the seasonings cling to every nook and cranny, ensuring every single bite is perfectly seasoned.
• Chopping the apricots matters. Cutting larger dried fruits like apricots or dates into smaller, raisin-sized pieces helps everything mix together evenly. You won’t get a huge clump of apricot in one bite and just nuts in the next—it creates a more harmonious blend.
• Wait for the cool down! This is crucial. You must let the toasted nut mixture cool completely before adding the dried fruit and chocolate. If you add them while the nuts are still warm, the fruit can become tough and the chocolate will melt into a messy, albeit delicious, puddle.

How to Make Homemade Trail Mix with Dried Fruit

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• Apple Slices with Almond Butter — The crisp, fresh apple and creamy nut butter make a fantastic light lunch or substantial snack alongside a small handful of trail mix.
• A Simple Greek Yogurt Parfait — Sprinkle a few tablespoons of trail mix over a bowl of plain Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a breakfast that’s packed with protein and texture.
• A Hearty Salad — Use a small handful as a crunchy, savory-sweet topping for a kale or spinach salad with a bright vinaigrette.

Drinks

• Cold Brew Coffee or Iced Tea — The bitter notes of coffee or tannins in tea contrast beautifully with the sweet and salty elements of the mix, making for a refreshing pick-me-up.
• A Crisp Pale Ale or Lager — If you’re enjoying your trail mix on a picnic or après-hike, a light beer complements the toasted nuts and salty notes wonderfully.
• Sparkling Water with Lemon — The clean, bubbly finish helps cleanse the palate between bites, especially if your mix is on the richer side.

Something Sweet

• Dark Chocolate-Covered Orange Slices — The citrusy dark chocolate echoes the flavors in the trail mix and provides a more decadent, focused sweet ending.
• A Simple Oatmeal Cookie — The warm, spiced, chewy texture of an oatmeal cookie feels like a natural extension of the trail mix flavors.
• Vanilla Bean Ice Cream — For a real treat, sprinkle a generous spoonful of trail mix over a scoop of high-quality vanilla ice cream for an incredible crunch.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Adding chocolate before the mix is cool. I’ve made this error more than once in a hurry, and you end up with a chocolate-coated cluster instead of distinct chunks. The warmth from the nuts will melt the chocolate on contact.
• Mistake: Over-toasting the nuts and seeds. They continue to cook for a minute or two after coming out of the oven, so it’s better to pull them out when they’re *just* fragrant and lightly golden. Burnt nuts taste bitter and can ruin the whole batch.
• Mistake: Using stale or old nuts. Nuts have oils that can go rancid over time. Always give your raw nuts a quick smell before using them. They should smell mild and nutty, not sharp or paint-like.
• Mistake: Storing the mix in a warm place. Heat is the enemy of freshness here. It can make the nuts soften and the chocolate melt. A cool, dark pantry is ideal, not a cupboard next to the stove.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make a double batch and store the seasoned, cooled nuts separately. Keep a big container of the toasted, salted nuts and seeds in your pantry. Then, each time you want a fresh batch of trail mix, just take out a cup or two and mix in your favorite dried fruit and chocolate. This keeps the fruit from making the nuts soft over time.
• Tip: Add a splash of flavor with extracts. When you toss the warm nuts with the oil, add a quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract or even a drop of almond extract. It adds a subtle, bakery-like depth that’s really special.
• Tip: Go savory for a change. Omit the cinnamon and chocolate, and instead toss the warm nuts with the oil, salt, a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of smoked paprika, and a pinch of garlic powder. Bake for a few more minutes until glazed. It’s a completely different, addictive snack.
• Tip: For extra-clumpy trail mix, use a binding agent. If you love those big clusters in store-bought mixes, whisk an egg white until frothy and toss the raw nuts with it (and your spices) before baking. The egg white bakes into a crispy glue that holds everything together.

FAQs

Can I use different nuts and seeds?
Absolutely! That’s the beauty of this recipe. Cashews, pecans, peanuts, and pistachios are all fantastic. For seeds, try flax seeds (add them after toasting as they burn easily) or sesame seeds. Just try to keep the total volume of nuts and seeds roughly the same for the toasting time to work. The mix is your canvas.

How long does homemade trail mix last?
Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry, it will be at its best for about 2 weeks. The nuts will start to lose their crunch after that. You can extend its life by storing it in the refrigerator for up to a month, which helps prevent the nuts’ oils from going rancid. Let it come to room temperature before eating for the best texture.

My trail mix got soft. What happened?
This usually happens for one of two reasons: either it wasn’t stored in an airtight container and moisture from the air got in, or the dried fruit you used was particularly moist and transferred that moisture to the nuts over time. Using a very airtight container is the best defense. If it’s just slightly soft, you can often re-crisp the nuts by spreading the mix on a baking sheet and warming it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, then letting it cool completely again.

Is this trail mix healthy?
This mix is made from whole food ingredients like nuts, seeds, and fruit, which provide healthy fats, fiber, protein, and vitamins. However, it is energy-dense, meaning the calories can add up quickly if you mindlessly munch. A serving is typically around 1/3 to 1/2 cup. Portioning it out into small bags when you make it can help with mindful eating.

Can I make this nut-free?
Yes, you can create a delicious nut-free version! Use a combination of seeds like pepitas, sunflower seeds, and toasted coconut flakes as your base. You could also add roasted chickpeas or soy nuts for extra protein and crunch. The toasting and seasoning process remains the same.