Trailing Mix with M&Ms
This Trailing Mix with M&Ms is a crunchy, sweet-and-salty no-bake snack mix loaded with nuts, dried fruit, pretzels, and colorful M&Ms. Perfect for road trips, parties, kids’ lunches, or easy make-ahead snacking.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups roasted salted peanuts dry-roasted or lightly salted
- 1 1/2 cups roasted almonds whole or roughly chopped; salted or unsalted
- 1 cup cashews roasted, lightly salted or unsalted
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds shelled (hulled), roasted if possible
- 1 cup raisins regular or a mix with golden raisins
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup mini pretzels or pretzel sticks lightly crushed into bite-sized pieces
- 1 1/2 cups plain M&Ms regular or seasonal colors
- 1/2 cup peanut M&Ms or another favorite M&M flavor
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut unsweetened or sweetened, optional
Instructions
- Grab the largest mixing bowl you have to comfortably hold about 9–10 cups of trail mix and allow room for stirring.
- Add the roasted salted peanuts, roasted almonds, cashews, and sunflower seeds to the bowl. Gently toss with clean hands or a large spoon until evenly combined.1 1/2 cups roasted salted peanuts, 1 1/2 cups roasted almonds, 1 cup cashews, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- Add the raisins and dried cranberries. Break apart any clumps with your fingers so the fruit is evenly distributed.1 cup raisins, 1 cup dried cranberries
- Add the mini pretzels or pretzel sticks. If the pieces are large, lightly crush them first so they’re bite-sized. Gently toss to combine.1 cup mini pretzels or pretzel sticks
- Pour in the plain M&Ms and peanut (or other flavored) M&Ms. Stir gently so the colorful candy is scattered evenly throughout the mix.1 1/2 cups plain M&Ms, 1/2 cup peanut M&Ms
- Scoop a small handful and taste. If it’s too salty, add more dried fruit. If it’s too sweet, add more nuts or pretzels. If you want more chocolate, add extra M&Ms to taste.
- If using shredded coconut, sprinkle it over the top and give the mix one last gentle toss, breaking up any coconut clumps.1/4 cup shredded coconut
- Transfer the trail mix to airtight containers, jars, or small snack bags for easy grab-and-go portions. Store at room temperature, in the fridge, or freezer as desired.
Notes
Yield: about 9–10 cups of trail mix, serving roughly 12–16 people at about 1/2 cup per serving, or up to 14 servings at a generous 2/3–3/4 cup each.
Variations:
- High-Protein Power Mix: Increase nuts and seeds, reduce M&Ms by about half.
- Nut-Free School Mix: Skip nuts and use sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pretzels, cereal, and M&Ms (ensure all are from nut-free facilities if needed).
- Holiday or Themed Mix: Use seasonal or team-colored M&Ms for parties and game day.
- Tropical Twist: Use more cashews, coconut, dried pineapple, and mango with peanut M&Ms.
- Dark Chocolate & Cherry Mix: Use almonds, walnuts, dried cherries, dark chocolate M&Ms or chips, and pretzels. Storage:
- Room temperature: Store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.
- Refrigerator: Store in a well-sealed container for 3–4 weeks.
- Freezer: Freeze in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months; thaw 15–20 minutes before serving so the chocolate isn’t too hard. Tips:
- Use fresh nuts; discard any that smell stale or rancid.
- Balance salty and sweet by adjusting the ratio of salted nuts/pretzels to chocolate and fruit.
- Chop large dried fruit pieces to about raisin size so they mix evenly.
- If packing for hot weather or long hikes, keep the mix shaded or in a cooler to prevent the chocolate from melting.
- High-Protein Power Mix: Increase nuts and seeds, reduce M&Ms by about half.
- Nut-Free School Mix: Skip nuts and use sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pretzels, cereal, and M&Ms (ensure all are from nut-free facilities if needed).
- Holiday or Themed Mix: Use seasonal or team-colored M&Ms for parties and game day.
- Tropical Twist: Use more cashews, coconut, dried pineapple, and mango with peanut M&Ms.
- Dark Chocolate & Cherry Mix: Use almonds, walnuts, dried cherries, dark chocolate M&Ms or chips, and pretzels. Storage:
- Room temperature: Store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.
- Refrigerator: Store in a well-sealed container for 3–4 weeks.
- Freezer: Freeze in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months; thaw 15–20 minutes before serving so the chocolate isn’t too hard. Tips:
- Use fresh nuts; discard any that smell stale or rancid.
- Balance salty and sweet by adjusting the ratio of salted nuts/pretzels to chocolate and fruit.
- Chop large dried fruit pieces to about raisin size so they mix evenly.
- If packing for hot weather or long hikes, keep the mix shaded or in a cooler to prevent the chocolate from melting.
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