Tropical Trail Mix
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Trail mix is a great snack combination of nuts, dried fruit and more, and is developed to keep hikers’ stomachs full and full of energy along the way. Rather than a snack mix filled with candy coated chocolate and additional oils and sugar, this one is made with simple and flavorful ingredients for a delicious and healthy-ish snack mix to take on the go for summer adventures. It’s so easy to make at home and to customize it with your favorite combinations. Also, I love making a big batch and dividing it among smaller portioned resealable bags to be grabbed for quick snacks.
Tropical Trail Mix
Table of contents
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Nuts – I use a combination of toasted almonds and macadamia nuts to stick with my tropical theme, though a variety of nuts can be used based on preference.
- Dried fruit – I add dried pineapple and mango for a tropical twist to classic trail mix. Though it is often made using additional sweeteners, I enjoy the combination. I like to cut the dried mango into smaller pieces so it’s more easily incorporated.
- Fruit chips – Banana chips, deep fried or dried slices of banana, add a great crunch. So, look for unsweetened banana chips.
- Chocolate – Rather than including candy-coated chocolates, I use chunks of dark chocolate. It adds a subtle sweetness without tons of sugar.
- Coconut – If adding coconut, I recommend using thicker pieces known as chips or ribbons rather than shredded coconut which tends to fall to the bottom rather than staying combined. Coconut adds sweetness without additional sweeteners.
How to Make Tropical Trail Mix
Step 1: Toast nuts.
Heat oven to 325ºF (160ºC). Arrange the nuts on a baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and fragrant, about 10 to 15 minutes. Let the nuts cool completely (so it doesn’t melt the chocolate), about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Combine trail mix ingredients.
Add the almonds, macadamia nuts, banana chips, mango, pineapple, chocolate chunks and coconut to a large mixing bowl or container.
Step 3: Portion out and serve.
Stir or use your hands to mix until evenly combined. Store in a large container or divide among smaller serving bags. Trail mix can be stored for up to one month.
Tips and Tricks for This Recipe
Swaps and substitutions
- Swap the combination of almonds and macadamia nuts in the tropical trail mix for other nuts like pecans, cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or Brazil nuts.
- Add other crunchy elements like pretzels or sesame sticks.
- Swap the dried pineapple for other dried fruit like mango, raisins, apricots, cranberries or dates. Candied ginger also makes a great addition.
For the best trail mix
- Toast your nuts. Toasting the nuts adds additional flavor. You can also buy them already toasted to save time.
- Think of textures. Make sure you have a bit of every type of texture!
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this topical trail mix recipe, give these a try and follow me on Instagram:
Tropical Trail Mix
Rate this Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup macadamia nuts
- 2 cups banana chips
- 1 cup roughly chopped dried mango
- 1 cup dried pineapple
- 1 cup dark chocolate chunks
- 1 cup toasted coconut chips
Instructions:
- Heat oven to 325ºF (160ºC). Arrange the nuts on a baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and fragrant, about 10 to 15 minutes. Let the nuts cool completely (so it doesn’t melt the chocolate), about 10 minutes.
- Add the almonds, macadamia nuts, banana chips, mango, pineapple, chocolate chunks and coconut to a large mixing bowl or container.
- Stir or use your hands to mix until evenly combined. Store in a large container or divide among smaller serving bags. Trail mix can be stored for up to one month.
Nutrition:
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This tropical trail mix is so good. It has all my favorite dried fruit, nuts and a little chocolate to sweeten things up. We always called it gorp growing up! No matter what you call it the end product is fantastic!