My love for trail mix runs deep. It's practically one of my main food groups.
My answer to the ever difficult question, “If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?”. Trail mix, all the way.
The beauty of this tasty snack is the endless variety available. It can be mixed and matched for all dietary needs, taste & texture preferences, and so much more.
When I preparing for an outdoor adventure, roadtrip, plane ride, or really just a day at the Heather's Choice HQ, 9 times out of 10 you will find some sort of fruit and nut mix in my bag.
With my "endless" (term used lightly) knowledge on all things trail mix, I'll stick to 3 different recipes that each cover a different flavor palate.
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Asian Trail Mix
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Banana Split Trail Mix
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Everything But The Kitchen Sink Trail Mix
Asian Trail Mix
This was inspired by the cravings that inevitably come during those hot days on the trail when we need to keep replenishing our salt and water levels. If you are not a wasabi fan, trust me I hear ya.
Wasabi peas can often be a little too much for me, which is why I included wasabi edamame in this mix. It is a little lighter on the wasabi and if you really want to lighten it up, swap the wasabi almonds for raw almonds, or dry roasted & salted almonds!
You’ll still get the Wasabi flavor, without feeling like it’s gonna come out your nose.
This mix includes almonds, edamame, sesame sticks, cashews, and chickpeas.
Almonds are heart healthy with a stellar amount of antioxidants to help maintain and enhance exercise performance. Plus, the crunch of them is super satisfying.
Edamame is always a fun addition to trail mixes. It adds an extra boost of protein AKA amino acids. Amino acids support our bodies (on or off the trail) as they rebuild what was broken down during physical activity. Edamame also improves our immune system and keeps our metabolism extra healthy.
Chickpeas are an excellent way to add more protein into your diet. One cup of these crunchy treats contain 15 grams of protein. Not only that, but they are loaded with fiber to help you stay fuller longer.
Sesame sticks may not be the “healthiest” ingredient in this mix but, man oh man, they are delicious. These salty sticks do have a decent amount of calcium. Calcium is essential in keeping our bones healthy and key for muscle contraction.
If you have ever cramped up during a 1+ week backcountry adventure, the culprit could be calcium deficiency.
#ProTip - throw some popcorn in this mix to spice up your movie night! Get it… cause wasabi is spicy.. Okay, moving on!
Banana Split Trail Mix
I wanted to create something that I regularly reach for as a sweet treat when I am craving a little chocolate. But also included the benefits of banana chips, almonds, walnuts, coconut, and of course dark chocolate.
Banana Chips are a quick digesting carbohydrate - necessary while being active for long periods of time. These little slices of heaven have a key mineral, potassium, to refuel tired muscles.
Walnuts keep our brains functioning optimally on all cylinders. They are one of the highest nuts in omega-3s which improve our mood, sharpen our mind and help with concentration. Someone remind me to eat more of these…
Coconut Chips have a full spectrum of health benefits (ever heard of a Packaroon®?). Great fiber levels, rich in manganese (good for metabolism, bone health + wound healing), copper (think healthy thyroid), and selenium (also needed for thyroid function + aids in muscle protein synthesis).
Clearly we all should just eat more Packaroons!
Dark Chocolate can often get a bad rap. But, with careful selection and a keen eye for ingredients it can actually help your body function at peak performance. Be sure to reach for dark chocolate that is at least 70% and contains cocoa, cocoa butter, and cane sugar.
This blissful ingredient is high in fiber, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc - aka all the good stuff. I knew I was eating chocolate for the “right” reasons.
When I take trail mix outdoors, I tend to steer clear of including chocolate as it likely ends up as a melty mess with chocolatey fingers.
Overall, not the most fun experiences which makes this a great mix to have waiting at home or in the car after a full day in the backcountry!
Another chocolaty flavor mix-in you can add is cacao nibs! A smidge more bitter than dark chocolate, but they don't melt. You'll still get that chocolate fix without the mess.
Everything But The Kitchen Sink Trail Mix
Out of the 3, this is the most “traditional” trail mix and the one I always reach for over and over again.
This mix will be a winner on a day hike, trail run, or overnight adventure. The ingredients keep well, there is no chocolate I have to worry about melting, and it’s easy to snack on while I hike!
This mix includes pumpkin seeds, pistachios, dried apples, cashews, and golden raisins among other mix-ins already mentioned.
Pumpkin seeds with a high amount of beta-carotene, help decrease inflammation and improve the body’s recovery process. This seed is also high in potassium and magnesium which ups the electrolytes cycling through the body.
Pistachios support the body’s eyesight. If you are like me and often play the game “Bear or Rock?” when adventuring - bring pistachios next time and increase your chances of being right.
Dried apples have an amazing amount of soluble fiber to keep energy levels consistent all day long.
Cashews are different from any other nut. They are light, soft and almost buttery. Lower in fat than other nuts and include super nutrients to aid in the production of red blood cells to help boost energy.
Golden raisins are not only better tasting than the original raisin (don’t fight me on this) but they are an easily absorbed and digested carb containing natural sugar.
Everyone could use a little more sweetness in their life right?
If you’re like me, you include as much ingredient variety as possible in your trail mixes.
I mean, why not?
The beauty of this mix is how easy it is to add more or less of anything. Hence the name, Everything But The Kitchen Sink.
If you are crazy for craisins - throw in some more!
Not a fan of pistachios? Take ‘em out!
It’s all your preference. You have the power!
Time To Mix It Up
What you'll need: 1 air tight container of at least .75 L.
I like to use flip top, glass containers for my mixes. Easy to open and keeps my trail mix fresh!
These recipes will all fit into a .75 L glass container.
Asian Trail Mix (NOT Gluten Free)
- 1 cup Sea Salt Chickpeas
- 1 cup Dry Roasted Wasabi Edamame
- 1 cup Organic Sesame Sticks
- 1 cup Wasabi and Soy Sauce Almond
- 1 cup Roasted and Salted Cashews
- Gather all above ingredients
- Combine into your chosen container.
- Give it a good shake!
- Enjoy on the trail or anytime you need a tasty snack!
Makes 4 servings.
Banana Split Trail Mix
- ½ cup Halved Walnuts
- 1 cup Organic Banana Chips
- ½ cup Coconut Chips
- ½ cup Dark Chocolate Chunks
- ½ cup Honey Glazed Cashews
- ½ cup Salted Almonds
- 1 cup Vegan Mini Marshmallows
Instructions
- Gather all above ingredients
- Combine into your chosen container.
- Give it a good shake!
- Enjoy on the trail or anytime you need a tasty snack!
Makes 4 servings.
Everything But The Kitchen Sink Trail Mix
- 1 cup Pumpkin Seeds
- 1 cup Honey Glazed Cashews
- 1 cup Raw Almonds
- 1 cup Roasted Pistachios
- ½ cup Dried Cranberries
- ½ cup Golden Raisins
- ½ cup Dried Apple Rings
Instructions
- Gather all above ingredients
- Combine into your chosen container.
- Give it a good shake!
- Enjoy on the trail or anytime you need a tasty snack!
Makes 4 servings.
Brooke is a born and raised Arizonan. That is until 2013 when Alaska stole her heart and soul! Not only did Alaska give her the freedom, space and community to be herself - she also met her soulmates in both human and dog form.
When she is not running around the Heather’s Choice HQ, Brooke enjoys summiting Alaskan peaks, extended camping trips, and making a mess in the kitchen.
