23 Best Trail Mix Recipes for an Energy Boost

Before you take a hike, read these trail mix recipes first!

Trail mix has so many uses that aren’t just limited to traversing through the forest.

It’s also great for parties, work lunches, or anytime you need an energy boost.

Dried Fruits and Nut Mix with Almonds, Cranberries and Raisins on a Wooden Bowl

Plus, it’s so easy to make. Most of these recipes come together in under 10 minutes.

Whether you’re looking for something sweet, savory, or spicy, one of these trail mix recipes will certainly hit the spot. 

1. Peanut Butter Monster Trail Mix

This recipe creates one of the most kid-approved trail mixes out there.

It’s a peanut lover’s paradise, between peanut butter chips, peanut butter-filled pretzels, and actual dry-roasted peanuts.

You also add in chocolate-covered raisins, which makes this trail mix taste like peanut butter and jelly. 

This trail mix will help you reach your hiking destination without running out of fuel.

2. Sweet and Salty Trail Mix

If you obsess over the sweet and salty flavor combination, you’ll have fun with this trail mix recipe. 

It’s loaded with sugary ingredients like peanut butter cups, cookies, and marshmallows. T

his offsets the salty components like pretzels and peanuts. 

This is one trail mix that can double as a party snack for movie night. You might even like it more than popcorn! 

3. Cajun Trail Mix

Spice up your trail mix with this tasty Cajun rendition.

Cajun spice is renowned for tasting sweet and smoky with a touch of heat. 

You coat a combination of nuts and raisins with garlic, cayenne, dried thyme, and paprika, just to name a few ingredients. 

Once on the trail, you’ll look forward to taking a rest so you can gobble up a handful of this delicious mix. 

4. Energy-Boosting Trail Mix

If you have a big hike coming up, do yourself a favor and make this energy-boosting trail mix.

It’s full of calorie-rich ingredients like nuts, dried cherries, coconut, and dark chocolate. 

Your palate will appreciate the combination of sweet and savory flavors, and your body will thank you for the energy boost. 

5. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Trail Mix

If you thought chocolate-covered strawberries were just for Valentine’s Day, think again!

This sweet, heavenly duo also makes a mean trail mix packed with flavor.

The trick here is using freeze-dried strawberries.

Not only does this make it ultra-light and portable, but you don’t have to worry about spoilage. 

6. Tropical Trail Mix

Send your tastebuds to the tropics with this flavorful snack.

If you’re bored with all the typical trail mix fixings, check out this amazing recipe. 

You pack this mix with dried bananas, mangos, coconut, and pineapple to create a tropical twist.

This recipe is a delicious way to get some much-needed calories on the hike. 

7. Reese’s Snack Mix

Any trail mix that bases its ingredients around Reese’s candy is always a win in my book.

This recipe creates the ultimate Reese’s experience.

To make this snack sensation, combine Reese’s Puff Cereal, Reese’s Pieces, and Mini Reese’s Cups, along with a few sweet additions.

This snack is ready in just 5 minutes, perfect for hiking trips and birthday parties alike. 

8. Banana Split Trail Mix

This banana split trail mix comes together in seven easy ingredients and tastes absolutely divine.

The dried strawberries, bananas, and pineapples add unparalleled sweetness to the mix, countered by the salty cashews and pumpkin seeds.

Whether you’re feeling the mid-afternoon energy crash or need a little extra boost on the hike, this mix will help you out. 

9. Keto Trail Mix 

It’s hard to find a trail mix that’s also keto, but this recipe makes it happen.

With no added sugar and only 5g of carbs per serving, this trail mix will energize you without compromising your keto diet.

You use sugar-free chocolate chips to keep the carb content low while still packing some sweet flavors in this mix. 

10. Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Trail Mix

This trail mix has it all: sugary honey sweetness, smoky Sriracha, and a pop of salty flavors to tie it all together.

You create this tasty trifecta by combining honey, Sriracha, and oil, then pour it over your trail mix ingredients. 

Each bite is so heavenly you’ll immediately be craving more. 

11. GORP Trail Mix

Gorp is a more amusing name for trail mix, but this recipe is no joke. 

It has all the classic fixings like nuts, chocolate chips, M&Ms, and raisins.

Together, these ingredients create a party on your palate with sweet and salty flavors. 

12. White Chocolate Trail Mix

Wanna switch up your classic trail mix? Try this white chocolate version instead!

It has all the familiar ingredients like pretzels, cereal, peanuts, and candy, except everything is coated in white chocolate. 

It might not look pretty, but trust me, this recipe tastes like pure heaven.

Expect every nibble to melt on your tongue with sweet and salty goodness. 

13. Crock Pot Chunky Monkey Paleo Trail Mix

This trail mix is so insanely delicious that you’ll have difficulty not eating it all after passing the first-mile marker.

You roast your ingredients in a slow cooker with sugar, butter, and chocolate.

After a couple of hours, everything becomes crisp and caramelized with a tasty buttery sweetness.

Not only does this recipe go easy on the taste buds, but it’s also gluten-free and paleo. 

14. Hot Cocoa Trail Mix

If you enjoy sipping on a piping-hot cup of cocoa while sitting by a crackling fire, bring the same experience to the trail.

This hot cocoa trail mix has the same fixings as your favorite cozy drink, including chocolate and marshmallows.

Each handful provides the perfect punch of sugar to energize you on your long hike. 

15. Gluten-Free Chex Mix

Whether you’re looking for the best party snack or something to keep your appetite at bay, this gluten-free Chex mix aims to please.

This mix was made for snacking, with a healthy dose of Chex, Cheerios, gluten-free crackers, and peanuts in every handful.

You season using a blend of Lawry’s, Worcestershire, and Tabasco, to name a few ingredients. 

The result is an ultra-flavorful mix packed with smoky, salty, and spicy flavors. 

16. Trail Mix Granola Bars

You can’t beat the portability of these granola bars.

Sometimes trail mix can be messy, and it’s hard to eat on the go. That’s where these bars come in handy.

They’re packed with all your favorite ingredients but are super transportable. 

The next time you’re running out the door on a hectic morning, snag one of these bars for an effortless breakfast. 

17. Nut-Free Trail Mix

Many trail mix recipes use nuts as a base, but this rendition offers you the same healthy snack sans the nuts.

Instead, your palate is treated to a medley of sunflower seeds, dried fruit, pretzels, and cheesy crackers.

It’s perfect for packing in the kiddo’s lunch when there’s a peanut ban at school.

18. S’mores Trail Mix

No outdoor adventure is complete without this s’mores trail mix. 

You’ll find all your favorite campfire fixings, including graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. 

This 4-ingredient mix comes together quickly, making it a great last-minute addition to your camping meal plan. 

19. Dark Chocolate Cherry Trail Mix

Dark chocolate and cherries have to be one of the best flavor combinations out there.

The bittersweetness of dark chocolate is countered by the tartness of cherry, creating a heavenly flavor duo your taste buds will love.

Combined with the almonds and cashews, this trail mix contains a salty-sweet goodness that’s insanely delicious. 

20. Christmas Trail Mix

Are you looking for a last-minute snack for your holiday party? Or maybe you need something for a December bake sale?

No matter the reason, this trail mix will serve you well. 

It contains dried cranberries, chocolate, pretzels, and M&M’s, just to name a few ingredients.

You’ll love the pretty colors reminiscent of the holiday season. 

This recipe is called Christmas trail mix, but you can enjoy it all year round.

It’s a great way to use up leftover holiday candy. 

21. Frozen Yogurt Trail Mix Bark

Are you looking for a tasty way to cool off this summer? You can’t beat these frozen yogurt trail mix bark.

This recipe is so easy to whip together, requiring just 10 minutes of prep time.

Just mix your ingredients together and spread them onto a sheet.

Freeze your bark until firm, and store for up to 2 months. 

Whenever you need a quick energy boost, break off a piece of frozen bark and feel the cool wave of refreshment. 

Since you use Greek yogurt as a base, each serving has 7g of protein.

Noshing on this bark helps you stay full longer and keeps snacking at bay. 

22. Maple Cinnamon Breakfast Trail Mix

If you like your trail mix more sweet than salty, I have just the recipe for you.

This maple cinnamon trail mix will remind you of your favorite porridge recipe, complete with soothing sweet flavors.

You start with a base of almonds, cashews, pistachios, and coconut flakes.

Then, you flavor the ingredients with maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla. 

After a brief round in the oven, the nuts get nice and toasted with slight caramelization. 

Each handful of this mix tastes uber comforting and offers a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

23. Thai Curry Spiced Slow Cooker Snack Mix

This curry-spiced trail mix offers an innovative way to enjoy the staple hiking snack.

You slow-cook nuts and seeds with a crave-worthy coating consisting of curry, sugar, and gluten-free Tamari.

Then you toss some Goji berries and dried pineapple into the mix, which helps counter the spicy ingredients with some sweet flavors. 

Every bite tastes complex and sweet with the ideal amount of heat.

23 Best Trail Mix Recipes for an Energy Boost

When you need a pick-me-up, these trail mix recipes hit the spot! From sweet and salty to Cajun to spicy, there’s a mix on this list for everyone.

Ingredients

  • Peanut Butter Monster Trail Mix

  • Sweet and Salty Trail Mix

  • Cajun Trail Mix

  • Energy-Boosting Trail Mix

  • Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Trail Mix

  • Tropical Trail Mix

  • Reese’s Snack Mix

  • Banana Split Trail Mix

  • Keto Trail Mix

  • Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Trail Mix

  • GORP Trail Mix

  • White Chocolate Trail Mix

  • Crock Pot Chunky Monkey Paleo Trail Mix

  • Hot Cocoa Trail Mix

  • Gluten-Free Chex Mix

  • Trail Mix Granola Bars

  • Nut-Free Trail Mix

  • S’mores Trail Mix

  • Dark Chocolate Cherry Trail Mix

  • Christmas Trail Mix

  • Frozen Yogurt Trail Mix Bark

  • Maple Cinnamon Breakfast Trail Mix

  • Thai Curry Spiced Slow Cooker Snack Mix

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a trail mix snack in 30 minutes or less!
Trail Mix Recipes

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