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Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe
This Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe is my go-to no-bake, mix-and-snack treat—crunchy, a little indulgent, a little healthy, and perfect for tossing in a bag when life gets busy.
What Makes This Sweet and Salty Trail Mix So Special?
You know what? I’ve been making some version of this sweet and salty trail mix since my kids were in elementary school and I was packing three lunches at 6:30 a.m. with one eye open and a cup of coffee glued to my hand.
This Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe is my “house mix”—the one I fall back on for road trips, hiking, after-school snacks, and those days when dinner is running late and everyone is “starving.” It’s a simple homemade trail mix recipe that balances nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, and crunchy surprises so every handful tastes a little different, but always delicious.
A few things I love about it:
- It’s a no-bake snack mix, so you’re not heating the house or fussing with pans.
- It’s easy to customize for different diets and allergies.
- It feels like a treat but can still be a healthy trail mix snack when you choose smart ingredients.
And honestly, it’s also a bit of a “mom survival snack.” I keep a jar in my car during busy seasons—travel baseball, marching band, you name it. If you’re looking for an easy trail mix recipe that works as a sweet and savory trail mix for parties, lunchboxes, or hiking, this one checks all the boxes.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe
Let me explain why this mix has stayed in my rotation for years:
- No oven needed – It’s a completely no-bake snack mix; just stir and snack.
- Ready in 10 minutes – You can mix a big bowl faster than you can stand in line at a coffee shop.
- Perfect salty sweet balance – You get crunchy nuts, chewy dried fruit, and just enough chocolate.
- Make-ahead friendly – Stays fresh for weeks, so you can prep once and snack for days.
- Great for kids and adults – It’s a truly kid friendly trail mix, but grown-ups love it for office or travel snacks.
- Easy to customize – Swap nuts, use different dried fruits, or make it a salty sweet party snack with fun add-ins.
- No baking, no stove, no fuss – A simple mixing bowl and a spoon are all you need.
- Nutritious but not boring – Protein from nuts and seeds, fiber from dried fruit, and a little chocolate so it still feels fun.
This is one of those crunchy snack mix recipes that fits almost anywhere: lunchbox, hiking backpack, movie night, teacher gift jars, you name it.
Ingredients for the Best Sweet and Salty Trail Mix
Here’s the base Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe that I use most often. Feel free to tweak it to suit your pantry and your family:
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1 cup roasted salted almonds
Use whole or roughly chopped. The salt on these helps season the whole mix. (If you’re watching sodium, use lightly salted.) -
1 cup roasted salted cashews
Cashews bring that buttery flavor. You can trade them for peanuts if you like a classic trail mix vibe. -
¾ cup roasted peanuts (salted or lightly salted)
Peanuts are budget-friendly and give a traditional sweet and salty snack mix flavor. -
½ cup shelled pistachios (roasted, lightly salted)
Optional, but they add color and a lovely rich taste. Leave them out if you prefer a simpler nuts and dried fruit mix. -
¾ cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
Choose roasted, unsalted for a bit of crunch without extra salt. Pumpkin seeds are great if you want a heartier texture. -
1 cup raisins or dried cranberries
Raisins are classic. Dried cranberries are a little tangier and festive—especially nice around the holidays. -
½ cup chopped dried apricots or dried cherries
These add chewy pockets of sweetness. Chop them into raisin-sized pieces so they blend better. -
¾ cup dark chocolate chips or chocolate chunks
I like 60–70% dark chocolate so the mix doesn’t feel too sweet. Semi-sweet works if you’re making a more kid friendly trail mix. -
½ cup mini pretzels or pretzel twists, lightly broken
This is where that salty crunch really shines. Pretzel squares or sticks break up nicely. -
½ cup lightly sweetened cereal (like Cheerios or square whole-grain cereal)
Adds bulk and crunch. Look for lower-sugar cereals to keep this a healthy trail mix snack. -
¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt (optional, for finishing)
A pinch of flaky salt at the end can really bring out the “salty sweet” contrast. -
Optional add-ins (choose 1–2 if you like):
- ¼ cup shredded coconut (toasted or plain)
- ¼ cup yogurt-covered raisins
- ¼ cup butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon for a cozy flavor
A small note on ingredients: trail mix can be as simple or fancy as you want. Don’t feel like you have to buy eight different nuts and three types of dried fruit. Use what you have—this is a very forgiving no bake snack mix.
Step-by-Step Directions (Easy, No-Bake Method)
You’ll love how fast this homemade trail mix recipe comes together. Here’s how to do it:
-
Grab a big mixing bowl.
Choose a large bowl with plenty of room so you can toss everything without spilling. A salad bowl or a big glass mixing bowl works great. -
Start with the nuts and seeds.
Add the almonds, cashews, peanuts, pistachios, and sunflower or pumpkin seeds to the bowl.
Gently stir with a spatula or your clean hands. Getting an even blend here makes each scoop more balanced. -
Add the dried fruit.
Sprinkle in the raisins or dried cranberries and the chopped dried apricots or cherries.
If the dried fruit pieces are sticking together, rub them lightly between your fingers to separate them before adding. -
Fold in the crunchy extras.
Add the pretzels and cereal. I like to break the pretzels slightly as I toss them in, so they’re closer in size to the nuts.
Stir again, using a lifting motion from the bottom of the bowl so you don’t crush the cereal. -
Add the chocolate last.
Pour in the chocolate chips or chunks and any extra add-ins like coconut, yogurt-covered raisins, or butterscotch chips.
Adding chocolate at the end helps keep it from getting too dusty or broken. -
Taste and adjust the balance.
This part is surprisingly important. Scoop out a small handful and ask yourself: Is it sweet enough? Too salty? Not salty enough?- If it feels too salty, add a bit more dried fruit or cereal.
- If it’s too sweet, stir in a few extra salted nuts or pretzels.
-
Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt (optional).
If you want that restaurant-style salty sweet party snack experience, sprinkle a small pinch of flaky salt over the mix and stir once more. -
Portion and store.
Transfer your sweet and salty trail mix to airtight containers: mason jars, reusable snack bags, or a big glass jar with a lid.
For grab-and-go ease, I like to portion it into ½ cup servings in little snack bags or small glass containers.
And that’s it—no baking trays, no timers, no cooling racks. Just a fast, easy trail mix recipe you can make on a busy weeknight.
Servings and Timing
- Yield: About 6 cups of trail mix (roughly 12 servings of ½ cup each)
- Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
- Chill/Rest Time: None required (though you can chill it if your kitchen is very warm)
- Total Time: 10–15 minutes from start to snack
If you’re packing for a hiking trip or a long car ride, a ½ cup serving per person per few hours is usually a good rule of thumb. For active days, plan on a bit more and include plenty of water.
Creative Variations (Make It Your Own)
Here’s the thing: once you’ve made this Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe once or twice, you’ll probably start playing with flavors. That’s part of the fun.
Try these ideas:
-
Chocolate Peanut Butter Trail Mix
Use peanuts, mini peanut butter cups, chocolate chips, pretzels, and a little cereal for a dessert-style sweet and savory trail mix. -
Tropical Trail Mix
Swap cranberries and apricots for dried pineapple, mango, and coconut flakes; add macadamia nuts or cashews. -
High-Protein Hiking Snack
Use extra nuts and seeds (almonds, pepitas, sunflower seeds) and cut back on chocolate and cereal for a hearty sweet salty hiking snack. -
Kid-Friendly Rainbow Mix
Use peanuts, pretzels, raisins, and toss in a small handful of colorful candy-coated chocolate for a fun kid friendly trail mix. -
Spiced Fall Trail Mix
Add roasted pecans, dried apples or cranberries, a pinch of cinnamon, and a few white chocolate chips. -
Allergy-Friendly Version
Skip the nuts and focus on seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), pretzels, cereal, and dried fruit—great for nut-free schools when you check labels carefully.
You can even turn this into a “build your own mix” bar at a birthday party or sleepover. Set out bowls of different nuts, dried fruits, and crunchy extras, and let everyone make their own little jar.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
A good homemade trail mix recipe should stay crunchy and fresh for weeks if you store it well. Here’s how:
-
Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat so the chocolate doesn’t melt. -
Fridge:
If your kitchen runs warm or it’s the middle of summer, store your sweet and salty snack mix in the fridge for up to 3–4 weeks. It will stay extra fresh, and the chocolate will be firm. -
Freezer:
Yes, you can freeze it. Place the trail mix in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before eating so the dried fruit softens a bit. -
Make-Ahead for Trips:
Make the mix 1–2 days before travel, portion it into bags or small containers, and keep it in a cool spot. For long driving days, I like to keep it in a small cooler so the chocolate doesn’t puddle.
No reheating needed, of course—this is a simple on the go snack mix, just grab and eat.
Notes from My Kitchen (Little Things That Help)
After making this mix more times than I can count, here are a few personal notes:
-
Salt level matters.
If all of your nuts are heavily salted and you add salted pretzels, the mix can tip too salty. I like a blend: some salted nuts, some unsalted seeds, and then salty pretzels to finish. -
Mix sizes for better texture.
Keep everything close in size—break large pretzels, chop big dried fruit. When pieces are similar, you get a more even sweet and savory trail mix in every bite. -
Watch the sugar.
Many store-bought sweet and salty trail mix blends are loaded with candy and sugar. Making your own lets you control how much chocolate and how many sweet extras you add. -
Stir before scooping.
If you store your trail mix in a big jar, give it a little shake or stir before scooping. Smaller bits can settle at the bottom. -
Label your jars.
If you make multiple flavors (which happens a lot in my house), label jars with painter’s tape and a marker—“Spicy Mix,” “Kid Mix,” “High-Protein Mix,” etc.
Food is personal, and snacks are even more personal. Don’t be afraid to adjust this Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe until it feels like your house mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe healthy?
It can be! When you use mostly nuts, seeds, and unsweetened dried fruit, it’s a healthy trail mix snack with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Keep chocolate and sugary add-ins moderate if you’re watching sugar.
2. Can I make this trail mix nut-free for school?
Yes. Replace all nuts with seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), pretzels, cereal, and dried fruit. Always check school policies and read labels to be sure everything is nut-free.
3. How long does homemade trail mix last?
At room temperature in an airtight container, your homemade trail mix recipe should stay fresh for about 2 weeks. In the fridge, it can last up to a month.
4. Can I leave out the chocolate?
Absolutely. For a less sweet, more savory mix, skip the chocolate and add extra nuts or seeds, or even roasted chickpeas for crunch.
5. What’s the best nut to use in trail mix?
It’s really about what you enjoy. Almonds and peanuts are classic in a crunchy snack mix recipe, while cashews and pistachios feel a bit more special. Use a variety for flavor and texture.
6. My chocolate keeps melting—what can I do?
If your kitchen is warm or you’re packing this as a sweet salty hiking snack in hot weather, use candy-coated chocolate instead of plain chips, and keep the mix in a cooler or insulated bag.
7. How much trail mix is a serving?
A typical serving is about ¼ to ½ cup, depending on how you’re using it. For an on the go snack mix, I usually portion ½ cup per adult and ¼ cup per child.
8. Can I add popcorn to this mix?
You can, but eat it within a day or two. Popcorn tends to go stale faster than nuts and dried fruit, so it’s best for same-day or next-day snacking.
Wrapping It Up (And Grabbing a Handful)
This Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Recipe has seen my family through little league seasons, long road trips, college move-ins, and more Monday afternoons than I can count. It’s simple, flexible, and just feels comforting to have on hand.
If you try this recipe—or your own twist on it—I’d love to hear what you added. Share your version of this sweet and salty trail mix in the comments, and if you’re craving more no bake snack mix ideas, check out my other snack recipes on the blog for granola bars, energy bites, and more easy, make-ahead treats.
Sweet and Salty Trail Mix
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted salted almonds whole or roughly chopped; use lightly salted if watching sodium
- 1 cup roasted salted cashews can substitute peanuts for a classic trail mix flavor
- 3/4 cup roasted peanuts salted or lightly salted
- 1/2 cup shelled pistachios roasted, lightly salted; optional
- 3/4 cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas) roasted, unsalted
- 1 cup raisins or dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots or dried cherries chopped to raisin-sized pieces
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chocolate chunks 60–70% dark chocolate or semi-sweet for a sweeter mix
- 1/2 cup mini pretzels or pretzel twists lightly broken into smaller pieces
- 1/2 cup lightly sweetened cereal such as Cheerios or square whole-grain cereal; choose lower-sugar options
- 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt optional, for finishing
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut optional add-in; toasted or plain
- 1/4 cup yogurt-covered raisins optional add-in
- 1/4 cup butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips optional add-in
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional add-in, for a cozy flavor
Instructions
- Choose a large mixing or salad bowl with plenty of room so you can toss everything without spilling.
- Add the roasted salted almonds, roasted salted cashews, roasted peanuts, shelled pistachios, and sunflower or pumpkin seeds to the bowl. Gently stir with a spatula or clean hands until evenly mixed.1 cup roasted salted almonds, 1 cup roasted salted cashews, 3/4 cup roasted peanuts, 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, 3/4 cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- Sprinkle in the raisins or dried cranberries and the chopped dried apricots or dried cherries. If the dried fruit pieces are clumped together, rub them lightly between your fingers to separate before adding.1 cup raisins or dried cranberries, 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots or dried cherries
- Add the mini pretzels or pretzel twists and the lightly sweetened cereal. Break the pretzels slightly as you add them so the pieces are closer in size to the nuts. Stir with a gentle lifting motion from the bottom of the bowl to avoid crushing the cereal.1/2 cup mini pretzels or pretzel twists, 1/2 cup lightly sweetened cereal
- Pour in the dark chocolate chips or chunks and any optional add-ins such as shredded coconut, yogurt-covered raisins, butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, or ground cinnamon. Stir just until everything is evenly distributed.3/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chocolate chunks, 1/4 cup shredded coconut, 1/4 cup yogurt-covered raisins, 1/4 cup butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Scoop out a small handful and taste. If the mix is too salty, add more dried fruit or cereal. If it’s too sweet, stir in a few extra salted nuts or pretzels until the balance is to your liking.
- If desired, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the trail mix and give it one final gentle stir to create a pronounced sweet-and-salty contrast.1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- Transfer the trail mix to airtight containers such as mason jars, reusable snack bags, or a large jar with a lid. For grab-and-go portions, divide into 1/2-cup servings in small containers or bags.
