Five Trail Mix Recipes to Liven Up Your Trip

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Whether you’re lacing up your explorin’ boots or gassing up your car for a cross-country adventure, trail mix is every traveler’s best friend. But we don’t like to limit ourselves to the standard chocolate candy, nuts and fruit recipe (although that’s pretty tasty too). No, no. We want to explore the far reaches of the trail mix universe to bring you a handful of recipes you’ll want… well… more and more handfuls of. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the sweet, savory or spicy camp — there’s a trail mix out there waiting for you.

1. Kickin’ Cajun Trail Mix

You don’t have to be in Louisiana to enjoy this crunchy snack with a kick! 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raw peanuts
• 1/2 cup raw walnuts
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. Place everything except dried cranberries in a large bowl and toss to combine so all nuts have an even coating of seasoning.
3. Spread mix evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking stone.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes and toss mix halfway through roasting.
5. Remove once nuts are golden brown (but not burned).
6. Add cranberries and stir mix together.
7. Enjoy or save it for your next adventure!

Inspired by Eating Bird Food.

2. Pepitas Punkin’ Pie Granola Mix

Even if it isn’t fall, who doesn’t love pumpkin pie? We won’t tell anyone if you make this mix out of season.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup pepitas
• 1 cup pecan halves
• 1/2 cup crushed raw cashews
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup pumpkin pie filling
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tablespoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Toast oats, cashews, pecans and pepitas in the oven for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
3. Combine all the remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Add the nuts, seeds and oats to the saucepan and stir to coat.
6. Spread mixture evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake at 300° for 20 minutes.

Inspired by Grace and Good Eats.

3. End of Summer Beach Vibes Mix

When the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, it’s nice to have a tasty reminder of summertime.

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
• 1/2 cup peanuts
• 1/2 cup sesame sticks
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried pineapple
• 1 cup dried mango
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients together in a large plastic bag or bowl of your choice and mix thoroughly.
2. Enjoy those last sweet tastes of summer!

4. Globally Inspired Spicy and Savory Mix

There’s no shortage of unique flavors in this mix — flavors from around the world combine to bring your tastebuds bliss.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/2 green chili pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons wasabi peas
• 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons puffed quinoa
• 2 tablespoons raw cashews

Instructions:

1. Heat canola oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add mustard seeds and fennel seeds when oil is hot.
3. When mustard seeds start to crackle, add green chili pepper and chopped cilantro.
4. Stir together and crisp the cilantro.
5. Remove from heat and let cool.
6. Add ingredients from pan and all other ingredients to a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
7. Get your glass of milk or water ready and enjoy this spicy treat!

5. Toasted and Roasted Rosemary Mix

With toasted rosemary and figs to boot, this last one is almost a Mediterranean-inspired mix!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups coconut chips
• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• 1/2 cup raw walnuts
• 1/2 cup raw pecans
• 1 cup dried figs, chopped
• 1 sprig of rosemary leaves
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Combine all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
3. Spread everything out on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
4. Toast in the oven for about 20 minutes (until the coconut chips start to brown). Mix about halfway through.
5. Remove from oven and allow mixture to cool before snacking!

Inspired by The Work Top.

So pack your bags (and your lunchboxes) for your next adventure and don’t forget to include a little flavor!