10 Trail Mix Recipes That’ll Give You All-Day Energy

trail mix recipes
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It’s kind of rare to find a snack that ticks all the boxes (i.e., tastes good, is easy to carry around, packs a nutritional punch). But the good old trail mix never disappoints. Packed with heart-healthy nutrients (from the nuts) and flavor, the popular snack is a foolproof way to satisfy your cravings and put some pep in your step, especially when the midday slump hits. So, in honor of National Trail Mix Day(1) (August 31st), we rounded up our ten favorite trail mix recipes to help you stay energized throughout the day and tickle your taste buds, all in one crunch.

1. Peanut Lover’s Trail Mix

Few foods go together as well as peanuts and banana – and this trail mix recipe proves just that. Featuring other nutrient-dense treats like dark chocolate chips and almonds, the snack is also nutritious (besides tasty), so you hit two birds with one stone.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup peanuts
  • ½ cup almonds
  • 1/3 cup freeze dried bananas
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate chips (or peanut butter chips)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the almonds and peanuts with a bit of oil roast for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy on the spot or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

2. Tropical Trail Mix

No summer day is complete without a taste of the tropics. But since we can’t jet to the Bahamas, this trail mix recipe brings these exotic flavors to us, guaranteeing a mouth-watering experience.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the cashews and Brazil nuts with a bit of oil. Roast for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy on the spot or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

3. Nut-Free Trail Mix

Let’s be honest: Not everyone has a free pass on nuts. So, for those of you with a nut allergy, this trail mix recipe is just the thing.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup sunflower seeds
  • ½ cup pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ cup puffed rice
  • ⅓ cup freeze dried cherries
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
  • A pinch of chili powder

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the sunflower and pumpkin seeds with a little bit of oil and chili powder. Roast for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy on the spot or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

4. Fall-Inspired Trail Mix

Nutritious, aromatic, and comforting, this trail mix is the perfect grab-and-go solution for the midday munchies. The combination of spices and nuts will give you all the fall feels and make you reach for seconds.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pecans
  • 1/3 cup freeze dried apples
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ maple granola
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the pecans and pumpkin seeds with a little bit of oil and spices (cinnamon/nutmeg). Roast for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy on the spot or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

5. Post-Workout Trail Mix

Rich in protein, fiber, and the right amount of carbs, this trail mix is a great way to refuel after an intense workout. Thanks to its portability, you can carry it anywhere with you (to the gym, park, or elsewhere) and, for maximum post-workout gains, you even can pair it with a glass of chocolate milk. This sweet-salty combination will get you hooked!

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup almonds
  • ½ cup pistachios
  • ¼ soy protein beef bits
  • ¼ cup peanut butter-filled pretzels
  • A pinch of salt

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the almonds and pistachios with a little bit of oil and salt—roast for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy on the spot or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

6. Nutty Berry Trail Mix

Known for antioxidant properties, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries are the perfect way to sneak some energy-boosting nutrients into your body. Combine them with some heart-healthy nuts, and you’ve got a literal powerhouse in your hands.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the nuts with a bit of oil roast for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy on the spot or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

7. Coffee Lover’s Trail Mix

If drinking another cup of Joe sounds like too much for your stomach, opt for this trail mix instead. Containing just enough caffeine to help you get your buzz on (without the jitters), this snack is a nice change from your usual pick-me-up.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the hazelnuts and almonds with a little bit of oil—roast for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy on the spot or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

8. Pizza Trail Mix

A trail mix that tastes like pizza? That’s a snack we can get behind! Seasoned with the flatbread’s signature spices (plus a little bit of tomato powder), this trail mix got a delicious makeover that’s both exciting and innovative.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the cashews and almonds with the oil, spices, yeast, and tomato powder—roast for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy on the spot or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

9. Black Forest Trail Mix

Inspired by the iconic dessert, this trail mix recipe is as delicious as it is healthy. Packed with protein and fiber, it’s the most decadent way to shimmy your way out of a midday slump.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the nuts with a bit of oil roast for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy on the spot or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

10. Banana Split Trail Mix

Eating a banana split every chance you get is a dream come true, no? But since packing on the pounds isn’t on anyone’s list, this trail mix recipe comes pretty close to re-creating the sundae’s iconic flavor while sparing us the weight gain.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat the cashews, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds with a little bit of oil. Roast for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy on the spot or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Which of these trail mix recipes would you like to try out? Let us know in the comments down below!

References:

  1. NATIONAL TRAIL MIX DAY – August 31 – National Day Calendar
  2. https://chelseyamernutrition.com/nut-free-trail-mix/
  3. https://thebigmansworld.com/protein-lovers-trail-mix/
  4. https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/pizza-trail-mix/
  5.  https://www.veggiebalance.com/healthy-banana-split-trail-mix/