Berry Walnut Trail Mix Is the Afternoon Snack You’ve Been Waiting For
Trail mix has a lot of good things going for it. It’s easy to throw together and take on the go, and the combinations are seemingly endless. But we’ve probably all experienced subpar trail mixes — those that don’t have enough flavors and textures. This trail mix recipe will take your snacking game up a level. It turns walnuts into sweet-savory spiced nuts, then combines them with delicious add-ins. It’s trail mix so good, you’ll want to snack on it even if you’re not out on a long hike.
Berry Walnut Trail Mix
Say No to Plain Nuts
A tasty snack mix should have enough protein and fat in it to keep you going for a while, and nuts are a favorite for a few good reasons: they’re portable, easy to flavor, and just plain delicious. California walnuts are the star of this trail mix, and when warmed up in a pan with some sweet-scented cinnamon, maple syrup, and a sprinkling of salt, they turn into addicting toasted, spiced nuts. They’re so good, you might want to make a double batch to sprinkle on top of salads, too.
Fun with Freeze-Dried Fruit
To round out the trail mix, add some popcorn, mini pretzels, and a handful of dark chocolate chips to balance all the savory flavors. Instead of chewy dried fruit, throw in some freeze-dried raspberries and strawberries. These crunchy, light-textured fruits add a pop of color and sweet-tart flavors (with no added sugar).
Since this trail mix is so easy to make, skip store-bought versions and just keep your pantry stocked with these ingredients instead. With a bag of California walnuts stashed away, a healthy trail mix is just minutes away, ready to get you through a long afternoon between lunch and dinner.
Berry Walnut Trail Mix
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 3 minutes to 5 minutes
Makes 9 cups
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 cups
California walnut halves (8 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon
vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon
maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 4 cups
popped popcorn
- 1 cup
freeze-dried raspberries
- 1 cup
freeze-dried strawberries
- 1 cup
mini pretzel twists
- 1/2 cup
dark chocolate chips
Instructions
Place 2 cups California walnut halves, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium bowl, and toss until evenly coated.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the nuts to a large sheet of parchment paper and spread into an even layer. Let cool completely.
Transfer the spiced nuts to a large bowl. Add 4 cups popcorn, 1 cup freeze-dried raspberries, 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, 1 cup mini pretzel twists, and 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, and toss to combine.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.