A Healthy Snack Mix Recipe: A Better Alternative

Snack and trail mixes come in many varieties and are the perfect indulgent party treat or energy boost during outdoor activities. You can also easily stuff them into your bag, so if you miss breakfast or start feeling cranky, you can grab a quick handful. 

These mixes often include cereals, pretzels, nuts, chocolate, and dried fruits. Since they are easy to carry around and have a good shelf-life, they’re an excellent option for campers and hikers (oh, and, office workers). And you can add pretty much anything in your pantry, save for the onion powder and worcestershire sauce. 

The high protein and fiber content makes trail mix the perfect healthy snack for your workday. It’s easy to miss lunch when you have back-to-back meetings, so keeping fun and healthy mixes around helps keep your energy up, decrease fatigue, and stave off the mental fog. 

It’s no secret, though, that some mixes are healthier than others. Sodium and sugar content can be through the roof in store-bought mixes. Plus, you may have an allergy to one of the ingredients since trail mixes contain common offenders like wheat and nuts. 

The good news about healthy snack mix recipes is that they tend to be quick and easy to make, and substitutions are easy. You can make snack mix recipes that are compatible with diets like keto, paleo, and vegan, and can be gluten-free or low-fat. You can mix in oats if you’re watching your cholesterol and looking for a lower calorie option. Either way, these treats are perfect for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

With no further ado, it’s time to mix up the healthiest, tastiest snack mix ever (and seven other variations). 

Make the healthiest (and tastiest) snack mix ever

Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes (15 minutes active)

Servings: Party size (will make 3 ½ quarts)

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of Corn Chex

• 3 cups of Rice Chex

• 3 cups of Wheat Chex

• 3 cups of  Multi-Grain Cheerios

• 1 cup of salted peanuts

• 1 ½ cups of pretzel sticks

• ⅓ cup of olive oil

• 4 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt

• ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder

Preparation instructions

1. Preheat oven to 250°F.

2. Combine the dry ingredients (Chex cereals, pretzels, and peanuts) in one bowl and whisk the liquids and powders together in another. 

3. Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and mix well. (We won’t stop you from using your hands.)

4. Transfer the mixture to two baking sheets coated lightly with cooking spray. 

5. Bake at 250°F for one hour, stirring roughly every 15 minutes. 

6. Let the mix cool before enjoying. If you have a wire rack, speed along the process by cooling the trays there. Serve in a large bowl. Store leftovers in an airtight container for future snacking. 

Nutritional values in a ¾ cup serving

• Calories: 150 

• Fat: 8 grams

• Cholesterol: 0 grams

• Carbohydrates: 19 grams

• Protein: 4 grams

• Sugar: 3 grams

• Fiber: 2 grams

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home

Kurt Holter – stock.adobe.com

Remixes: 7 types of snack blends

1. Italian herb snack mix

Source: The Chunky Chef

Give your regular mix an herby makeover with this Italian blend that will have your guests saying “mamma mia” after just a handful. Simply use cheesy, salty dry ingredients (crackers, pretzels) and spices in the Italian flavor profile. Don’t be shy with the garlic powder or the peperoncino.

Shop this recipe

• Cheez-It crackers

• Mini pretzels

• Peanuts

• Butter

• Italian seasoning

• Pepper

• Garlic powder

2. Paleo, Keto, Whole30, Gluten-Free Snack Mix

Source: Cook Eat Well

This mix is crunchy, savory, sweet, and smoky, which are all of the flavor boxes we look for in a good snack. This mix also checks many dietary boxes, like keto, paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, low-carb, no-sugar-added. Could this be a veritable snack unicorn? 

Shop This Recipe:

• Sliced almonds

• Walnuts

• Pecans

• Garlic-infused olive oil

• Smoked sea salt

• Smoked sweet paprika

• Smoked hot paprika

3. High-protein trail mix

Source: Plant-Based Cooking

The high-protein content in this recipe makes it perfect for staying energized, recovering from workouts, and staving off cravings. Plus, this mix is salty, a bit sweet, and contains chocolate—what’s not to love? 

Shop This Recipe:

• Pistachios

• Almonds

• Dry-roasted soybeans

• Pumpkin seeds

• Freeze-dried berries

• Whole oats

• Vegan chocolate chips or cacao nibs

4. Gluten-free omega-3 trail mix

Source: Marine Corps Nomads

Make your own version of an Omega-3-packed trail mix that’s as healthy as it is tasty. Did we mention the crunch factor is 10 out of 10? 

Shop This Recipe:

• Pistachios

• Dried cranberries

• Pepitas

• Walnuts

• Pecans

5. Vegan, gluten-free healthy cranberry orange trail mix

Source: Whisk and Shout

This quick and easy mix is the perfect snack to put out at a holiday party or sneak into your bag before heading out to work—or out on the town. This one is heavy on dried fruit and chocolate, so it’s best for someone with a sweet tooth. 

Shop This Recipe:

• Chocolate chips

• Dried cranberries

• Dried mandarin oranges

• Toasted pecans

• Shredded coconut

6. Healthy party snack mix

Source: Taste of Home

This recipe combines all the glory of the original Chex Mix with some healthier substitute ingredients. Who wouldn’t want all that goodness plus some healthfulness mixed in?

Shop This Recipe:

• Salted peanuts

• Olive oil

• Corn Chex

• Rice Chex

• Wheat Chex

• Multi-grain Cheerios

• Pretzel sticks (or mini pretzels)

• Seasoned salt

• Garlic powder

7. Classic trail mix

Everyone loves a classic, especially one that includes M&Ms. This on-the-go snack is equal parts salty and sweet, energizing and delicious, and all satisfying.  

greatandlittle – stock.adobe.com

Shop this recipe:

• Raisins 

• Peanuts 

• M&Ms 

• Almonds 

Check out the trail mix and snack mix offerings from Gopuff or pick up all the ingredients you need to make your own blend. Try adding a snack mix to your stash of treats and check out a drive-in movie, or simply stay ahead of the “hunger game” at the office.