Easy DIY Trail Mix Recipe + 5 Healthy Ingredient Ideas
Try out this easy DIY Trail Mix recipe! It’s a great source of protein, and perfect for on the go. It will also save you a bunch of money by creating your own mix. You can make it special by adding in some of your own favorites (be sure to check our recommendations below!) Make it healthier by cutting out candy-coated chocolates found in most name-brand varieties!
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In this recipe I used unsalted nuts, and the very least sugar-coated dried fruits I could find. That’s what you really want to look for while shopping for your own ingredients. You want to avoid extra sodium (salt) and sugar. If you have the time, you can dry your own fruits and control what’s in them. I have an old Ronco Food Dehydrator – my parents got it at a garage sale and we share it. Everyone in the family has put it to good use!
This recipe goes great with the Nutrisystem diet by providing 2 SmartCarbs, and 1 PowerFuel, and 1 Extra per 1 cup serving, making it perfect as a snack option throughout the day, or even a yummy addition to your breakfast cereal or yogurt. Feel free to add in some granola, or other Nutrisystem approved fruits & nuts, and change it up to include what you like! A whole cup is a lot of calories though, so I’d recommend more like 1/4 cup or less if you’re adding to another main ingredient.
Please note: trail mix is meant to provide calories and nutrients needed to keep you moving on the trail. It’s generally NOT low-calorie. Just because the ingredients are healthy doesn’t mean you should eat a lot of it. Trail mix should be eaten only in small amounts as an occasional snack. It’s a great snack when you’re hiking!
Idea: whip up a batch of trail mix, and then bag it up as individual snacks to grab on-the-go!
Trail Mix Ingredient ideas:
- Almonds: contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, muscle-building protein, are high in vitamin E and dietary fiber. Excellent for giving you energy, but steer clear of salted almonds as they may make you thirsty on the trail
- Seeds: the healthy fats and protein in seeds gives you long-term energy, and seeds add great texture to the mix. Try unsalted sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds (make sure the shells are removed). Use freshly ground flax seeds to get heart-protecting Omega 3 fatty acids
- Dark Chocolate: perfect way to add some sweet to your mix. Sugar adds some instant energy, and dark chocolate has a healthy dose of antioxidants. Use sparingly – a little goes a long way unlike milk chocolate or sugar-coated candies (like M&Ms)
- Dried Fruits: Raisins, dried cranberries, apples, pineapple, apricots, etc. Fruit contains vitamins and fructose – a natural sugar for ready-energy. Just make sure the fruit does not contain added sugar
- Oats: Toast rolled oats on a baking sheet in the oven. Flavor with vanilla extract or sprinkle of cinnamon. Adds fiber and helps reduce cholesterol and protect the body from heart disease.

Easy DIY Trail Mix
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 8 (1 cup) 1x
Description
Trail mix can be really expensive, so make your own and add the best ingredients for less money! You’ll get all the ready energy you need at a fraction of the cost.
Ingredients
- 6 oz Package of Dried Bananas
- 6 oz Package of All Natural Dried Cranberries
- 4.5 oz Package of Dried Apples
- 5 oz Package unsalted Sunflower Seeds
- 3.5 oz Package unsalted Dry-Roasted Almonds
- 3 oz Package unsalted Cashews
Instructions
- Dump contents of each package into a large bowl
- Cut in half larger Apple & Banana pieces
- Mix well
- Divide 1 cup servings into individual containers or baggies
- Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American