Homemade Trail Mix: Sweet Maple Roasted Recipe for Snackers
Nutty and wholesome, this maple roasted trail mix blends crunchy textures with irresistible sweetness that dance across your palate.
Carefully selected nuts and seeds come together in a symphony of flavor, creating a snack that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
Each handful promises a perfect balance of salty and sweet undertones.
Maple syrup caramelizes delicate almonds, pecans, and sunflower seeds with a golden sheen that beckons you closer.
The roasting process transforms raw ingredients into a deeply satisfying treat that packs serious flavor.
Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness, making this trail mix an ideal companion for adventures or quiet moments of indulgence.
You’ll want to make a double batch to keep this addictive snack within easy reach.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 150 kcal
Servings: 7
Ingredients in Maple Roasted Trail Mix
For Nuts and Seeds:
Almonds: Crunchy base that adds protein and healthy fats, choose raw whole almonds for best texture.
Pecans: Buttery and rich, select fresh pecan halves with a deep golden color and no signs of rancidity.
Seeds: Provide extra nutrition and crunch, look for raw sunflower or pumpkin seeds with a vibrant green color.
Coconut Flakes: Adds tropical sweetness and crispy texture, opt for unsweetened large flakes.
For Liquid Coating:
Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener that caramelizes beautifully, choose pure maple syrup for authentic flavor.
Olive Oil: Helps bind ingredients and create even roasting, select a mild, high-quality extra virgin variety.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements nutty flavors, use fresh ground cinnamon for maximum aroma.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall taste, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
For Optional Mix-Ins:
Dried Fruit: Adds chewy texture and natural sweetness, choose unsweetened dried cranberries or raisins.
Chocolate Chips: Introduces rich indulgence, select dark or semi-sweet chips for a balanced treat.
Tools That Help You Roast and Mix with Care
Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting the trail mix evenly and collecting all ingredients.
Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup super easy.
Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining nuts, seeds, and coconut.
Small Bowl: Needed for whisking maple syrup mixture.
Whisk: Great for blending syrup, oil, cinnamon, and salt smoothly.
Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Helps stir ingredients and spread mix on baking sheet.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
Airtight Container: Keeps trail mix fresh and crunchy for storage.
How to Make Maple Trail Mix That’s Toasty and Sweet
Warm Up the Oven Prep a cozy baking space by heating your oven to a toasty 325F and laying down a soft parchment paper blanket on your baking sheet.
Create the Nutty Base Toss all your favorite crunchy companions like almonds, pecans, seeds, and coconut flakes into a spacious mixing bowl, getting ready for their flavor adventure.
Craft the Magic Sauce In a separate small bowl, blend maple syrup, oil, warming cinnamon, and a pinch of salt into a harmonious liquid that will transform your mix from ordinary to extraordinary.
Coat and Combine Pour your liquid gold over the waiting nuts and seeds, gently stirring until every morsel is lovingly embraced by the sweet, spicy mixture.
Spread and Bake Arrange your coated treasures in an even, welcoming layer across the parchment-lined sheet, sending them into the warm oven for 18-22 minutes until they turn golden and release an irresistible aroma.
Cool and Customize After pulling out your perfectly roasted mix, let it rest and cool completely, then sprinkle in dried fruit and chocolate chips for an extra burst of deliciousness.
Store and Enjoy Tuck your creation into an airtight container, where it'll happily wait to be devoured for up to two weeks of snacking bliss.
Recipe Tips to Add Crunch or Heat
Stir the trail mix halfway through baking to ensure even golden browning and prevent burning, creating a perfectly crisp and caramelized texture.
Swap out nuts and seeds based on personal preference or dietary needs, like using sunflower seeds for nut-free versions or pumpkin seeds for added crunch.
Experiment with different spices like cardamom, nutmeg, or vanilla extract to create unique flavor profiles that elevate the basic maple roasted trail mix.
Replace maple syrup with a sugar-free maple syrup or honey for a lower-glycemic option that still delivers delicious sweet-and-savory notes.
Prepare large batches and portion into small containers for quick grab-and-go snacks, perfect for work, hiking, or post-workout energy boosts.
Serve Maple Trail Mix at Gatherings or Snack Time
Sweet Morning Breakfast Booster: Sprinkle this crunchy trail mix over Greek yogurt or morning oatmeal for a delightful protein-packed breakfast that adds texture and natural sweetness.
Snack Time Energy Kick: Pack small portions in zip-lock bags for quick workplace or hiking snacks that provide sustained energy and satisfying crunch between meals.
Dessert Topping Upgrade: Crumble this trail mix over vanilla ice cream, pudding, or baked apple crisp to transform simple desserts with nutty, maple-infused complexity and delicious crunch.
Gifting Gourmet Touch: Package in cute mason jars with ribbon for homemade holiday gifts that showcase your culinary skills and offer a personal, wholesome treat to friends and family.
Store This Mix Without Losing That Crunch
Keep your trail mix in a sealed glass jar or airtight container to maintain maximum freshness and crunch.
Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent nuts from becoming rancid or losing their delightful texture.
Divide mix into small grab-and-go portions using snack-sized resealable bags for quick workplace or hiking snacks.
Refrigerate for extended shelf life up to 4 weeks, which helps prevent natural oils in nuts from breaking down quickly and preserves overall quality.
Sweet maple caramelizes this irresistible trail mix, blending crunchy nuts and seeds with subtle honey undertones. Hearty snacking becomes a delightful adventure when golden maple glaze coats each morsel, promising rich flavor in every handful.
Ingredients
Scale
2 tbsps maple syrup
1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil
1 cup raw almonds
1 cup pecan halves
½ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
½ cup dried cranberries or cherries
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup dark chocolate chips (optional, add after baking)
Instructions
Preparation: Calibrate the oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine Ingredients: Thoroughly blend almonds, pecans, seeds, and coconut in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring an even distribution of components.
Create Coating: Whisk maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, and salt in a separate vessel until the mixture achieves a smooth, consistent texture.
Merge and Coat: Drizzle the syrup mixture over the nut blend, gently stirring to guarantee uniform coverage of all ingredients.
Roasting Process: Distribute the coated mixture across the prepared baking sheet in a uniform layer, allowing maximum heat exposure and crisp development.
Baking Technique: Roast in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, pausing midway to rotate and promote even browning, until the mixture radiates a golden hue and releases an appetizing aromatic profile.
Cooling and Finishing: Allow the roasted trail mix to cool completely at room temperature, then gently fold in dried fruit and chocolate chips to introduce additional flavor complexity and textural contrast.
Storage Protocol: Transfer the cooled trail mix to an airtight container, where it will maintain optimal freshness for up to two weeks when stored at ambient temperature.
Notes
Stir the trail mix once during baking to ensure even roasting and prevent nuts from scorching, which can quickly turn the mix bitter.
For extra crunch, let the trail mix cool completely on the baking sheet without stirring, allowing it to crisp up naturally.
Swap ingredients freely – use gluten-free oats, replace nuts with seeds for nut allergies, or use sugar-free chocolate for low-sugar diets.
Add delicate ingredients like chocolate chips and dried fruit after cooling to preserve their texture and prevent melting or over-drying.
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.