Dark Chocolate Chunks: Deep, indulgent flavor adds richness, pick high-quality chocolate with 70% cocoa or more.
Sea Salt: Elevates entire mix, use fine-grain for even distribution.
Mixing Tools for a Rich, Nutty Trail Combo
Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining all ingredients smoothly.
Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for gently folding ingredients without crushing delicate nuts and seeds.
Measuring cups: Helps ensure precise ingredient proportions for balanced flavor.
Airtight container: Essential for storing trail mix and maintaining freshness.
Optional sea salt grinder: Allows easy sprinkling of salt for perfect seasoning.
How to Toss Together a Gourmet Trail Mix
Gather Your Flavor Party Mix Ingredients gather all the delicious nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and chocolate you want to include in your trail mix.
Create Your Trail Mix Masterpiece combine all dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, letting the different textures and colors blend together naturally.
Chocolate Magic Moment gently fold dark chocolate chunks into the mix, ensuring they're evenly distributed throughout the nutty goodness.
Season With Sea Salt sprinkle a light touch of sea salt across the mix to enhance and balance all the flavors.
Store and Enjoy transfer your trail mix to an airtight container, where it will stay fresh and delicious for up to two weeks, ready for quick energy boosts and snacking adventures.
Ideas to Adjust Sweetness or Add Spice
Divide the trail mix into small, pre-portioned snack bags for easy grab-and-go options during busy days or workouts.
Melt dark chocolate slowly using a double boiler to ensure smooth, glossy coating on nuts and seeds without burning.
Swap ingredients to create gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free versions by substituting almonds with seeds or using dairy-free dark chocolate chips.
Lightly toast nuts and seeds before mixing to enhance their natural flavors and add a deeper, richer taste to the trail mix.
Keep the trail mix away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent chocolate from melting and maintain the crisp texture of nuts and seeds.
Serving Trail Mix with Dark Chocolate for Anytime Snacking
Snack Time Adventure: Pack this trail mix in small ziplock bags for a perfect grab-and-go hiking companion that keeps energy levels high during outdoor activities.
Breakfast Booster: Sprinkle a handful over morning yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothie bowls to add delightful crunch, rich chocolate flavor, and extra nutritional punch.
Movie Night Munchies: Replace traditional popcorn with this dark chocolate trail mix during movie marathons or game nights for a healthier, more satisfying snacking experience that feels indulgent yet nutritious.
Gifting Delight: Create cute mason jar gifts by layering the trail mix and adding a personalized ribbon, making it a thoughtful homemade present for friends, teachers, or wellness enthusiasts.
Store This Trail Mix Without Melting the Chocolate
Keep the trail mix in a cool, dry airtight container to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent moisture from softening the nuts and seeds.
For extended freshness beyond 2 weeks, store in the refrigerator where ingredients can stay crisp and delicious for up to 1 month without losing flavor quality.
Divide the trail mix into small grab-and-go portions using snack-sized zipper bags, making it super convenient for quick workplace, hiking, or gym snacking.
Always seal the container tightly after each use, protecting the dark chocolate from melting and preventing nuts from absorbing ambient humidity that could compromise their texture.
Dark chocolate trail mix brings together rich, indulgent cocoa with crunchy nuts and seeds for a perfect snack adventure. Energizing ingredients dance in harmony, offering a delightful blend you’ll crave between meals or during outdoor explorations.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup dark chocolate chunks or chips (70% cocoa or higher)
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup raw almonds (lightly roasted if desired)
1 cup raw cashews
½ cup pumpkin seeds
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup dried cherries
½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
¼ tsp sea salt (optional)
Instructions
Preparation: In a spacious mixing vessel, amalgamate all nuts (almonds, cashews), seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), dried fruits (cranberries, cherries), and coconut flakes to create a robust base for the trail mix.
Chocolate Integration: Delicately incorporate dark chocolate chunks or chips throughout the mixture, ensuring an even distribution of decadent chocolate pieces.
Seasoning: Elegantly dust the entire blend with sea salt, gently tossing to guarantee uniform flavor and coating.
Storage: Transfer the completed trail mix into a hermetic container, preserving its freshness and crunch.
Serving: Savor immediately as a nutrient-dense, energy-boosting snack or keep at ambient temperature for up to two weeks, ready to fuel your adventures.
Notes
Fold chocolate gently to prevent melting and ensure even spread throughout the mix.
Adjust seed and nut quantities based on personal preference or dietary needs, maintaining similar total volume.
Use fine sea salt sparingly to enhance flavors without overwhelming the natural sweetness of dried fruits and chocolate.
Store in a cool, dark place in an airtight container to prevent moisture absorption and preserve crunchiness of nuts and seeds.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.