If you’re wondering how to make THE BEST trail mix, let me show you how. I’ve made variations of this recipe dozens of times and have found the ideal combination of salty and sweet to keep you coming back for more.

Marj writes, “ Love this for snacking. Made a bunch and the kids went crazy for it, too. Will make it again! ★★★★★”

Homemade trail mix in glass jars. - 1

Making homemade trail mix is the best because you can customize it to your liking.

While trail mix is simply nuts mixed with some sweet element, knowing the right proportions is important. I’ve been making this recipe since my daughter was young, when I needed some tasty ‘emergency food’ on hand to prevent toddler meltdowns.

It’s the same recipe that I still take hiking, biking, or whenever we go out exploring. While the recipe as written is my absolute favorite, it’s also flexible and fun to play with!

What you’ll need for DIY trail mix

I use a mix of toasted cashews, pecans, and walnuts for the nuts in this recipe. Then, I add dark chocolate chunks, raisins for sweetness, coconut ribbons, and banana chips for extra crunch.

While I love this combination, you can switch it up based on what you like and what you have on hand.

  • Nuts and seeds: Pecans, walnuts, cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, or peanuts.
  • Sweet: Chocolate chunks, M&Ms, raisins, cranberries, dried mango, pineapple, or cherries.
  • Crunchy: toasted coconut ribbons, banana chips, or pretzels.
A homemade trail mix of assorted dried fruits and nuts, including walnuts, pecans, banana chips, cashews, chocolate chunks, coconut strips, and raisins, is artfully arranged in sections on a light surface. - 2

This combination of sweet and salty ingredients is my absolute favorite, but you can switch them up for your favs!

All the trail mix ingredients mixed together on a blue board. - 3

This recipe is as easy as choosing your favorite trail mix ingredients and mixing them together.

Expert tips

There are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to make the best trail mix:

  1. Always toast your nuts. You can also buy toasted nuts and skip this step. The flavor is so much better, and it’s 100% worth the few minutes.
  2. Chocolate chunks win over chocolate chips every time. They are less likely to melt, and their slightly bigger shape keeps them from falling to the bottom of the barrel. These are the ones that I like best.
  3. Thick coconut ribbons work best for trail mix. Like the chocolate, smaller coconut pieces will fall to the bottom. These coconut smiles are my favorite.

That’s it! Making homemade trail mix is easy and tastes a million times better than anything store-bought.

Storage

Containers: I like to store trail mixes in 4-cup glass jars as they fit nicely in my pantry, and it’s easy to pour out what I want for a snack. But reusable bags work well, too. If I’m packing this to go, I always put it in a bag.

Time: One of the things I love about making trail mix is that it lasts ages. Eventually, the oils in the nuts and coconut will go rancid, just like if you let them sit in your pantry for too long. It will last for at least two months in your pantry—even longer if it’s kept in a cool, dark place and the nuts and coconut you use are fresh.

A close-up of a jar brimming with homemade trail mix, featuring an enticing blend of mixed nuts, chocolate chunks, and dried fruit. - 4 A close-up of a jar brimming with homemade trail mix, featuring an enticing blend of mixed nuts, chocolate chunks, and dried fruit. - 5

Homemade Trail Mix Recipe

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Homemade Trail Mix - 6

Ingredients

  • ▢ 1 cup EACH: walnuts, pecans, and cashews
  • ▢ 1 cup EACH: banana chips and toasted coconut ribbons (see notes)
  • ▢ ½ cup EACH: raisins and chocolate chunks (see notes)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the walnuts, pecans, and cashews on a baking sheet and toast them in your oven for 6-8 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and smell fragrant. Remove them from the oven and let them cool. 1 cup EACH: walnuts, pecans, and cashews
  • Once the baking sheet is cool, add all the other ingredients and mix them together. Store in a sealed bag. 1 cup EACH: banana chips and toasted coconut ribbons, ½ cup EACH: raisins and chocolate chunks
  • Transfer the trail mix to a resealable bag or glass jar and store it at room temperature for up to 2 months.

Notes

Nutrition

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .

A close-up of a jar brimming with homemade trail mix, featuring an enticing blend of mixed nuts, chocolate chunks, and dried fruit. - 7 A close-up of a jar brimming with homemade trail mix, featuring an enticing blend of mixed nuts, chocolate chunks, and dried fruit. - 8

Did you make this?

We love to see what you made! Tag @theendlessmeal or hashtag #theendlessmeal !

The best trail mix recipe in glass jars. - 9

Homemade trail mix makes a wonderful gift. Whip up a big batch and put some in a pretty jar for a friend!

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Spicy Rum and Rosemary Mixed Nuts

A close-up of a jar brimming with homemade trail mix, featuring an enticing blend of mixed nuts, chocolate chunks, and dried fruit. - 10

Homemade Trail Mix Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup EACH: walnuts, pecans, and cashews
  • 1 cup EACH: banana chips and toasted coconut ribbons , see notes
  • ½ cup EACH: raisins and chocolate chunks , see notes

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the walnuts, pecans, and cashews on a baking sheet and toast them in your oven for 6-8 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and smell fragrant. Remove them from the oven and let them cool. 1 cup EACH: walnuts, pecans, and cashews
  • Once the baking sheet is cool, add all the other ingredients and mix them together. Store in a sealed bag. 1 cup EACH: banana chips and toasted coconut ribbons, ½ cup EACH: raisins and chocolate chunks
  • Transfer the trail mix to a resealable bag or glass jar and store it at room temperature for up to 2 months.

Notes

https://www.theendlessmeal.com/homemade-trail-mix/