DIY Homemade Trail Mix Ideas for Every Taste

Typically a combination of granola, nuts, dried fruit, and trail mix is a combination of food that is taken on hikes/adventure camps. The food is extremely lightweight, nutritious and easy to store.

It is easy to make, and people love to munch or nibble on things at camp! Trail mix gives you a quick energy boost, and this ultimate snack has endless variations.

A basic thumb rule is to add equal parts of seeds, nuts, and dried fruit. You can customize the trail mix by adding elements like chocolate chips!

Health benefits of trail mix

The main intent of homemade trail mix was to provide calories and fats for a quick intake while still in motion! The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in legumes and nuts help support your heart and protect its health.

Minerals and vitamins protect the wear and tear of your body by strengthening your immune system. Dries fruits suffice for the daily iron and potassium needs of your body. Salty bites, such as sesame sticks, pretzels, etc, help replenish the sodium that has been lost on a hot trail through sweating.

Types of Trail Mix

No matter if it’s a day hike, an adventure camp or a backpacking trip, a homemade trail mix is a perfect snack for an outdoor event. Trail mix can be fun to make as they allow us to customize the ingredients and keep the cost down. Following are some trail mix that are easy to make:

Maple glazed trail mix

Loaded with maple-glazed nuts, dark chocolate chips, and dried cherries, this sweet and crunchy trail mix is the perfect go-to snack! It has the perfect taste and texture, and the maple-glazed pecans, almonds, coconut flakes, and pumpkin seeds give it a satisfying crunch! You have to try this lip-smacking hiking snack! It will make your mouth water!

Sweet and spicy trail mix

Variety mixed with moderation is a standard for building a sustainable and healthy way of living! You should try the sweet and spicy trail mix to indulge in various flavors. This trail mix has the sweetness and blending of honey, salty pop, and sriracha spice.

Tired of the same old quintessential flavors of trail mix? Trickle your taste buds by trying the sweet and spicy trail mix. It has crunchy pretzels, peanuts, cashews, and cereal. All these flavors create a lot of variations and keep your taste buds engaged.

Festive trail mix

We all want to spend our holidays doing the things we love. We often plan our holidays doing the things we love. Camping is something we plan during/after festivals/ holidays. We can take a pack of festive trail mix with us to keep us fuelled during our trip. It has the following ingredients:

• 1 cup yogurt-covered raisins
• ½ cup almonds
• ¼ cup pepitas
• ½ dried cranberries
• ½ cup dark chocolate chip cookies

Chocolate and banana trail mix

The deadly combo of chocolate and banana is unbeatable! If you have a sweet tooth, you can go for this recipe while planning a hike. All you have to do is toast some nuts and then add them with raisins, chocolate and banana chips. This trail mix lasts for weeks and you can quickly grab it whenever you feel like having a quick bite!

Nut-free trail mix

If you want to eat something nutritious while on a hike, you can go for a nut-free trail mix. Following are the ingredients to make, but free trail mix:

• Pumpkin seeds: Use lightly salted seeds as they contain Monounsaturated fats. They also have protein and fiber.
• Raisins: Dried grapes are extremely high in potassium and they are a good source of antioxidants and fiber.
• Pretzel balls: These balls make an easy substitute for nuts.
• Chocolate chips: Dark chocolate add a flavor to your trail mix.

You can mix these ingredients and store them in an air tight container. You can create many variations of this recipe!

Cajun trail mix

A perfect blend of nuts and seeds coated with cajun-inspired seasonings are called Cajun trail mix. This trail mix is perfect for mid-afternoon snacking, a game day, or camping!

You can prepare the mix by tossing walnuts, almonds, peanuts, and sunflower seeds together! After you mix them, you can cover them in dried herbs and a spicy blend of seasonings!

Keto trail mix

Ketosis, often known as the keto diet, is a metabolic state occurring when your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. Increased energy and weight loss are major benefits of the Keto diet. The ‘keto’ formula is now also incorporated into the snacks of quick bites such as trail mix.

The ingredients in the low-carb keto trail mix are chocolate/chocolate chips, dried fruit, and nuts. The trail mix has no added sugar, and the nutritious ingredients in the mix satiate your cravings and help you deal with your hunger pangs.

We all are used to conventional mixes. However, this trail mix makes up for every other ingredient. It is a great option for health-conscious people!

Peanut lover’s trail mix

Peanut butter not only trickles your taste buds but is also loaded with many health-promoting nutrients such as vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, and vitamin E. The peanut butter trail mix comprises a healthy and crunchy mix of peanut butter chocolate, peanut butter cups, pretzel balls, and peanut butter chips.

It is the best food to take while going on a camping adventure! You are guaranteed to experience bliss in every little bite! Kids love chocolate. Thus, you can also top the trail mix with chocolate chips!

Final words

These protein-rich snacks are a great meat substitute. While you set out on a trek, you often tend to ignore what your body needs and opt for something that you can grab a quick bite of easily!

Cooking meat is time-consuming while on a camping adventure. It not only takes time, but there are too many hassled involved!

Thus, many people keep a packet of trail mix in their backpacks and munch on them whenever they feel hungry! It gives them a surge of energy!