This Easy Sweet and Spicy Chipotle Trail Mix is a spicy, savory blend lightly sweetened with maple syrup that combines the classic elements of a traditional trail mix with a zesty, smoky kick. This trail mix is quick to prepare, making it an ideal snack for hikers, campers, or a quick, energizing snack at work or home.
Well, I’m no hiker or camper, just a super busy person who loves having a quick delicious snack for a quick pick me up in the late afternoon or after a run.
What is Trail Mix
A popular portable snack mix originally developed for hikers, it’s typically made using a combination of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and granola. Other popular ingredients that can be included are popcorn, pretzels, cereal, chocolate candy and various spices and herbs.
History of Trail Mix
The first version of trail mix dates back to the ancient times when nomadic tribes and native Americans mixed dried fruit, nuts, and meats together for their long journeys.
Later in the 20th century Horace Kephart, an outdoorsman popularized the snack when he recommended it in his camping guide.
Nik Amartseff, the owner of Erewhon Trading Company, sold the first prepackaged version of trail mix in 1974.
Benefits of Trail Mix
Heart-Healthy: Nuts and seeds are a great source of heart healthy fats, such as poly-, monounsaturated, and omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help to reduce harmful LDL cholesterol.
High in Protein: Nuts and seeds are also an excellent source of protein, which is essential for tissue repair, strong muscle development, and immune health.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants: Although the fruits are dried they still contain most of the nutritional value as found in the fresh fruit. The nuts and seeds also contain nutrients and antioxidants.
Energy Boost: The ingredients in trail mix is great for a boost of energy, which is why it is so popular for hiking, biking and other physical activities. It is also great for a late afternoon energy boost.
Fiber: The fiber from the nuts, seeds, and dried fruit helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Ingredients For Easy Sweet & Spicy Chipotle Trail Mix
- Macadamia nuts
- Pepitas
- Whole almonds
- Whole cashews
- Coconut chips
- Vegan butter
- Maple syrup
- Chipotle chili pepper seasoning
- Carne asada seasoning
- Chopped dried mango
- Dried cranberries
- Fine sea salt
In a large bowl, mix together macadamia, pepitas, almonds, and cashews.
Add in the coconut chips, stir to combine and set aside. Warm vegan butter, maple syrup and seasonings in a medium saucepan until well combined and seasoning is well mixed. Pour syrup mixture into the bowl with the nuts, seeds, and coconut flakes. Toss until everything is well coated.
Spread onto a parchment lined baking pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until nuts start to brown, tossing halfway through baking time. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
Toss in the dried fruit and mix well.
Substitutions and Variations
Nuts and Seeds: Switch with nuts and seeds that suit you and your families taste.
Dried Fruit: Switch dried fruit with your favorites.
Vegan Butter: You can use regular butter.
How to Store Trail Mix
I recommend storing your trail mix in an airtight glass container. You can also divide your trail mix into individual storage containers for on-the-go snacking.
FAQ
Yes, To make your trail mix nut free simply omit nuts from your ingredient list. For more crunch add pretzels or sugar-free cereal like Chex.
Yes, choose Asian rice crackers, gluten-free pretzels, and cereal.
Trail mix definitely can be healthy, however, it is a calorie dense snack so beware of mindless snacking. A typical serving size is ¼ cup. You should also be mindful of your choice of ingredients. If you stick to nuts, seeds, dried fruits, pretzels, dried coconut and other healthy snack ingredients and avoid sugar laden cereals and candies your trail mix can remain healthy.
Look at that goodness! It has just a subtle spiciness, but for more spice add in more chipotle chili pepper and carne asada seasoning.
Beware, this stuff is so good, it's addicting. I packaged mine in small snack containers of ⅓ cup each for portion control.
Easy Sweet & Spicy Chipotle Trail Mix
This Easy Sweet and Spicy Chipotle Trail Mix is a spicy, savory blend lightly sweetened with maple syrup that combines the classic elements of a traditional trail mix with a zesty, smoky kick. This trail mix is quick to prepare, making it an ideal snack for hikers, campers, or a quick, energizing snack at work or home.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 20
- Category: Snack
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
- 2 cups pepitas
- 2 cups whole almonds
- 2 cups whole cashews
- 1 ½ cups coconut chips
- 4 tablespoon vegan butter
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon carne asada seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fine grind sea salt
- ¾ cup coarsely chopped dried mango
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees, and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together macadamia, pepitas, almonds, cashews and coconut chips and set aside.
-
Warm butter, maple syrup and seasonings in a medium saucepan until well combined and seasoning is well mixed.
-
Pour syrup mixture into the bowl with the nuts, seeds, and coconut flakes. Toss until everything is well coated.
-
Spread onto a parchment lined baking pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until nuts start to brown, tossing halfway through baking time.
-
Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
-
Toss in the dried fruit and mix well. Store in an airtight glass container.
Ashley says
This looks amazing!!!! Beautiful photos too!
Celeste says
Thank you so much, I appreciate your comment and thanks for visiting my blog.