Trail Mix Recipe with Brown Sugar Pecans (2024)

Home » Recipes » Appetizers and Snacks

By Meredith Edwards | Published | Leave a review

In my world, trail mix is simply the best snack. It’s easy to store, requires no eating utensils, is both nutritious and delicious. Not to mention the fun in picking out your favorite part of the mix! In doing some research, I learned that the combination of nuts, fruit and chocolate as a snack dates back to the early 20th century when an outdoorsman named Horace encouraged it during one of his camping guides. With a name like Horace, how could you resist? His invention quickly spread across the country and a hundred years later, you can find trail mix interpretations at most any grocery store. There are even nut-free, gluten free and sugar free versions. Trail mix is literally for everyone.

Trail mix is also very simple to make! For my family, I like to create my own fruit and nut combinations. Today, I’m sharing my family’s favorite mix recipe, which includes grandma’s brown sugar coated pecans. Add in some salty peanuts, two kinds of dried fruit, a helping of dark chocolate and you’ve got yourself a crunchy, sweet and salty mix good enough to dream about. Sometimes I think our family creates adventures JUST so we can make this trail mix!

Are you ready to make a batch with me?

As with most trail mix recipes, you will need dried fruits, nuts and (unless you’re crazy), some chocolate! I use a 2:2:1 ratio – two fruits, two nuts and one chocolate. Now, you might be wondering what on earth an egg is doing in this trail mix photo. Haven’t you heard of hard boiled eggs in trail mix? (Just kidding 🙂 The egg is there because I am going to include my grandma’s brown sugar pecans. Friends, these pecans are amazing… I could make a batch of her pecans and eat them straight from the baking pan…but then it wouldn’t be trail mix, right?
The beauty of all this is that you don’t have to follow my recipe exactly. Below are some alternative ideas for nuts, fruits and add ins.

Nuts: almonds, cashews, macadamia or walnuts
Fruits: cranberries, chopped apricots, candied orange peel, shredded coconut
Add-ins: pretzels, oat clusters, pumpkin or sunflower seeds

Let’s start making those pecans! Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
Start by separating the yolk from the egg white in your large egg. I use a handy dandy egg separator to do this, but some special people out there can do it with their hands.

Using a hand held or standing mixer, beat your egg white in a large bowl until stiff peaks form – about 3 minutes.

Fold in 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar and 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract. This recipe was originally for 16 oz. of pecans, but since my package of pecans from Aldi is only 10 oz, theywill have extra coated goodness!

Coat the pecans evenly with the sugar mixtureand spread them onto a large baking sheet. Then pop them in the oven and set the timer for 12 minutes.

While your pecans are baking, get out an ol’ mixing bowl and pour in 1 cup salted peanuts, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup banana chips and 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips. We will later add 1 heaping cup of the cooled pecans. At this point, feel the freedom to double, triple or even quadruple the recipe to your liking!

Ding! The 12 minutes are up. It’s time to flip the pecans over (it’s normal for them to stick a little) and bake for another 3 minutes until golden. They will crunch up as they cool. Then,add 1 heaping cup of them to your other ingredients. Save the remaining brown sugar pecans for salads, more trail mix or just gobble them with a cup of hot tea!

Stir it all together and store your trail mix in an airtight container ready for the next adventure – if it will last that long! Whether you’re gathering energy for that summer hike, long car ride, afternoon snack or …just because. Trail mix is simply the best.

Enjoy!

Short on time but love dessert?

Four simpleMAKE AHEADdessert recipesin your inbox.

Trail Mix Recipe with Brown Sugar Pecans (10)

Created by: Lynette Rice

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox.Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Homemade Trail Mix


Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 14

14

Homemade trail mix made with seasoned pecans.

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 12 oz pecans
  • 1 cup salted peanuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup banana chips
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Brown Sugar Pecans

  • To make brown sugar pecans, preheat the oven to 325˚ F.

  • Separate the yolk from the egg white in a large egg. Using a handheld or standing mixer, beat the egg white in a large bowl until stiff peaks form.

  • Fold in 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar and 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract.

  • Depending on desired sweetness, coat pecans with the sugar mixture and spread them onto a large baking sheet.

  • Bake for 12 minutes, flip, and bake additional 3 minutes until golden. Let cool.

Trail Mix

  • For trail mix, stir together 1 cup salted peanuts, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup banana chips, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, and 1 heaping cup of brown sugar pecans.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 276mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you create this?

Share it on Instagram and follow us on Pinterest for more Cleverly Simple recipes.

Trail Mix Recipe with Brown Sugar Pecans (11)

Created by Meredith Edwards

Meredith is a pastor’s wife and stay-at-home mom living in NW Ohio and is the author and photographer of many recipes on Cleverly Simple. She loves to adapt recipes to her family’s eclectic tastes and is learning to provide nourishment for any bellies who walk through the door at a moment’s notice.

Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply!

Trail Mix Recipe with Brown Sugar Pecans (2024)

FAQs

What are good things to put in trail mix? ›

While raisins are the most popular trail mix fruit, you can try banana chips, apple chips, dried apricots, dried nectarines, dried cranberries, dried strawberries, dried raspberries and more. Chocolate – Don't forget a few bits of chocolate for a quick boost of energy.

Is it worth it to make your own trail mix? ›

Making your own trail mix at home can also allow you to control its contents and maximize its potential health benefits. Healthy ingredients include almonds, pumpkin seeds, cashews, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, popcorn, and dark chocolate.

Is trail mix good for high blood pressure? ›

Some varieties contain unhealthy ingredients like chocolate, sugar-coated candy or cereal, and salted, oil-roasted nuts that increase the calorie, sugar, and sodium content of each serving. An excess in these can cause weight gain and contribute to heart diseases, cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Is trail mix good for losing belly fat? ›

People are most curious about trail mix for weight loss because trail mix consists of a high amount of calories. However, these dried fruits and nuts are rich in energy, making them an excellent healthy choice. The base of a trail mix consists of fruits and nuts, and dietitians highly recommend both for losing weight.

Is trail mix actually healthy for you? ›

Nuts and dried fruit are energy dense, but they're both good for you. The base of trail mix—nuts and fruit—are two foods that can help you lose weight. Nuts are packed with healthy fats, protein and fiber, three nutrients that help keep you full. Fruit delivers fiber and other key vitamins and minerals.

What is the healthiest nut mix? ›

Try the following mix.
  1. Walnuts. Not only do they look like brains, they may help protect yours. ...
  2. Pistachios. These green machines may help keep you lean. ...
  3. Pecans. ...
  4. Almonds. ...
  5. Peanuts. ...
  6. Cashews. ...
  7. Brazil nuts.
Dec 19, 2023

Which trail mix is good for diabetics? ›

Opt for unsalted nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds. These provide healthy fats, protein, and fiber without added sodium. Nuts and seeds are nutrient-dense and have been shown to improve blood sugar control in individuals with diabetes.

Can you live off trail mix? ›

A balanced diet of survival food will ensure that your body is getting all the protein, carbs, minerals, and vitamins it requires to remain healthy. If you could only select five foods to survive on, potatoes, kale, trail mix, grains, and beans would get you pretty far.

Does homemade trail mix go bad? ›

Trail mix keeps pretty well, but it's not immune to aging. Nuts can become rancid, and even dried fruit can pass its prime. When Manhart makes trail mix, she sometimes makes up to six months' worth at a time. She said it does fine if it's stored in a Ziploc bag and is refrigerated.

Do pecans affect blood pressure? ›

Pecans are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which help lower blood pressure. Most of the fat found in pecans is a healthy type called monounsaturated fat.

What is the number one food that causes high blood pressure? ›

Foods high in salt or added sugars — such as soda and caffeinated drinks, baked goods, and many packaged foods — can contribute to high blood pressure. Limiting or replacing these foods in the diet can help people manage or lower their blood pressure.

What is the number one fruit to lower blood pressure? ›

The top fruits for lowering blood pressure include bananas, apples, pears, apricots, grapes, raisins, kiwis, mangoes, watermelon, pomegranate, plums, prunes, avocado, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, tomatoes, citrus fruit, berries, and more.

Is trail mix a good workout snack? ›

It's known as a hiking staple, but trail mix is a good snack for any workout. Raisins give you a quick hit of energy that's easy on the stomach. Mix a small handful of them with a few almonds, which are high in protein and heart-healthy unsaturated fat.

Is trail mix a filling snack? ›

Because of its inherent protein, fiber, and fat content, trail mix can be an ideal snack for filling the gap between meals. Just a small amount will help keep your blood sugar stable and keep you satisfied until your next meal.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 5933

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.