I packed a bag of this amazing trail mix in my go-bag for when I went to the hospital to give birth, and it has been a family favorite ever since. It kept my husband and me fed during the late night feedings when room service was closed and we were hungry and exhausted. I would definitely recommend putting this snack on your list of things to make before baby arrives! Or make it for a friend who is expecting!
Now, I have strict rules about trail mix, namely, that it must be at least 50% chocolate. Trail mix is a vehicle to eat more chocolate that is hidden behind the virtue of some dried fruits and nuts. It also needs to be a sweet-and-salty situation, and this recipe delivers on that front. Salty nuts meet dark chocolate and sweet dried berries. It checks all the boxes for the perfect trail mix!
Why you'll love this recipe
(Almost) One stop shop. You can get 75% of the ingredients in one store: Trader Joe’s. The only ones you’ll have to grab elsewhere are M&Ms and the Guittard super chips. If you can’t find the super chips, fear not. Chocolate chips or chunks work just the same.
It’s super customizable since this recipe already has the right ratios nailed down. I’ve swapped out the almonds for cashews, the M&Ms for Peanut M&Ms, and even added coconut candied nuts. You can also try a variation by seasons, like pecans, walnuts, dried oranges, and white chocolate for fall and winter.
It’s a big batch that will save money and last you a long time. Trail mixes are expensive when they’re pre-made. Thankfully Trader Joe’s offers great, inexpensive nuts along with some other fun ingredients to bring color and variety to this snack. This recipe will fill one gallon Ziplock bag plus one quart size Ziplock bag. I always keep a small container in my purse and a big bag in my desk.
Trail mix is a healthy snack! Full of fiber, unsaturated fats, protein, and antioxidants, a handful will keep you full, satisfied, and feel like you’re treating yourself.
Grab and go. I am a busy mom. Packing cute snacks and cutting cheese slices with cookie cutters haven’t made it on my agenda (yet?). This recipe is perfect for grabbing a handful and heading out the door.
What you need
- Power Berries – these are SUPER yummy chocolate covered berry-type candies. Costco and Target both sell a similar product by Brookside which is chocolate covered blueberry and acai. If the power berry isn’t your jam, dark chocolate covered raisins are equally excellent in this mix.
- Sweetened dried cranberries and blueberries – you can truly use any dried fruit you want. I do 8 ounces of each for 1 lb total of dried fruit. If you wanted something tropical, dried mango, coconut, banana, or pineapple could all be amazing!
- Roasted and salted peanuts and almonds – again, use any nut you like. I use 1 lb of peanuts plus 1 lb of almonds. Pecans and cashews are good in fall and winter, and even candied nuts if you want more of a treat. Trader Joe’s has the best prices on nuts besides Costco.
- Dark chocolate covered pistachios – this is one of my ultimate favorite products at Trader Joe’s. But truly any chocolate covered nut will do!
- M&Ms – I know there’s a big campaign against bad food dyes lately, but M&Ms are such an icon. They brighten up the colors of this trail mix. I hope they can come up with a colorful alternative. Otherwise, there are other kinds of candy-coated chocolates offered at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.
- Super Chips – these are giant chocolate drops by Guittard. I LOVE them in chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and this trail mix. I get them at Whole Foods when there’s a sale, but they can easily be substituted with regular semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks wherever you get your chocolate.
You can get most of these ingredients at Trader Joe’s. I know TJ’s also has their own chocolate covered candy if you aren’t particular about M&Ms, and they also sell semi-sweet chocolate chunks if you want a true one-stop shop.
Recipe: The Perfect Homemade Trail Mix
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Serves: 1.25 gallons…I have no idea how many servings that is, but it’s a lot.
Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 18 oz bag M&Ms (family size)
- 1 lb Salted peanuts
- 1 lb salted cashews
- 6 oz Dark Chocolate covered Pistachios
- 10 oz Semi-sweet chocolate Super Cookie Chips by Guittard (chocolate chunks work, too)
- 8 oz chocolate covered Power Berries (dark chocolate covered raisins work, too)
- 8 oz sweetened dried cranberries
- 8 oz sweetened dried blueberries
Tips, Variations, and FAQs
The ratio at the base of this recipe is essentially 2 lbs of nuts + 1 lb dried fruit + 2.5 lbs chocolate. How you get there can be your own, sweet (and salty), customized journey.
Here are some fun variations of this trail mix!
Thanksgiving trail mix for cocktail hour: 1 lb pecans, 1 lb cashews, 8 oz chopped candied oranges, 8 oz candied ginger, 10 oz white chocolate chips, 8 oz chocolate covered cranberries, 10 oz dark chocolate cherries, 4 oz of Bourbon caramel truffles
Tropical trail mix for a tiki themed party: 1 lb macademia nuts, 1 lb peanuts, 8 oz candied pineapple, 8 oz freeze dried bananas, 16 oz dark chocolate covered acai berries, 8 oz chocolate covered almonds, 4 oz chocolate coconut bonbons
How long does trail mix keep? Stored in a freezer Ziplock bag in your pantry, it’ll keep around 2-3 months, but I doubt it’ll take that long for you to cruise through the supply!
How do I serve trail mix? If making trail mix for a party, you can prepare and serve it in one big punch bowl with a spoon and some small dishes for people to self-serve. Or you can put together cute little custard dishes or shot glasses full of the trail mix and topped with a truffle for a fancier feel. We usually pack ours for a between-meal snack in a small container or Ziplock bag.
Give this trail mix a try and let me know your favorite mix-ins in the comments below! What is your favorite snack for on-the-go?
