Satisfy your snack cravings with this Healthy Savory Trail Mix! This nourishing snack recipe is full of a variety of nuts, seeds, savory spices and chopped meat sticks. It’s packed with protein and healthy fats, while being super flavorful and satisfying. Make a big batch to have on hand for a grab-n-go snack throughout the week!
This recipe was developed out of true necessity lol. Every morning, I take my dog Calli on a walk first thing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come back from that walk hangry and frustrated. Safe to say, if I don’t eat within 30-60 minutes after waking, I’m kind of a monster.
My solution to the hanger? Prepping a batch of this healthy savory trail mix to keep in my pantry. It’s the perfect snack to hold me over until breakfast, especially because it’s high in protein and healthy fats. I can just grab a handful and munch on it while I’m walking.
If you work from an office, this would also be a great snack to keep at your desk! I’m sure it’s a bit healthier than what the office kitchen provides hehe. Plus, it’s incredibly flavorful and satisfying. We are truly addicted to it, and can’t wait for you to try it out!
Why You’ll Love this Healthy Savory Trail Mix
- It’s the perfect healthy snack that won’t spike your blood sugar!
- The smoky, savory flavor is totally addicting.
- This trail mix is rich in healthy fats and protein from the nuts, seeds and meat sticks.
- It’s easy to make with a handful of simple ingredients.
- You can prep this ahead of time and have a healthy grab-n-go snack ready.
- It’s super customizable – swap in your favorite nuts!
- This recipe is gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free.
What You Need to Make this Healthy Trail Mix
- Raw Cashews: One of my favorite nuts! I love how buttery cashews taste. However, you can use whatever kind of nuts you prefer in this trail mix recipe. Just make sure they’re raw (not roasted) and you have about 4 cups total.
- Raw Almonds: Whole almonds. Other options to consider are walnuts, pecans or peanuts.
- Raw Pumpkin Seeds: Also known as pepitas, these seeds are rich in magnesium, iron and selenium as well as protein and fiber. I wouldn’t recommend swapping them with any other type of seed.
- Avocado Oil: A bit of avocado oil (or olive oil) for roasting the nuts and seeds.
- Honey: To balance out the smoky, spicy flavors, we’re adding a touch of honey or maple syrup to the roasted nuts.
- Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper & Cayenne: This seasoning blend creates an absolutely addicting smoky, savory flavor.
- Meat Sticks: To add more protein to this healthy savory trail mix, I like tossing in a bunch of cut up meat sticks after the nuts are done roasting. These VT Smoke & Cure meat sticks are my favorite – I used a mix of beef and turkey! My code MADDIE will get you 15% off your order.
How To Make this Healthy Savory Trail Mix
Toss Nuts & Seeds in Oil, Honey & Spices:
First, preheat your oven to 325F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Then, in a large bowl, add almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, avocado oil, honey and seasonings. Stir with a spatula until all the nuts and seeds are coated.
Spread out onto Baking Sheet & Roast:
Next, spread nut and seed mixture evenly out onto prepared baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes total – stirring after the first 10 minutes, and then stirring again after the second 10 minutes. The nuts should be lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool down on the baking sheet – this will likely take 20-30 minutes.
Add Meat Sticks once Cooled:
Once cooled, break apart any large chunks. Then, add in the chopped meat sticks and toss to combine. Transfer the trail mix to an airtight container and store in your pantry for up to 2 weeks! Enjoy 🙂
Is Trail Mix Healthy?
Yes! Although health is subjective, I think trail mix is a great healthy snack. If you’re prioritizing blood sugar balance, trail mix is an awesome option because it’s compromised of mostly protein and healthy fats…AKA it won’t lead to a blood sugar spike!
Nuts and seeds are rich in healthy fats, protein and a variety of micro-nutrients. Additionally, this recipe incorporates meat sticks for an extra boost of lean protein. Even just a small amount of this savory trail mix will satisfy your hunger, making it a healthy snack to hold you over until your next meal!
Why Make Your Own Homemade Trail Mix?
Making your own trail mix at home is the way to go, for several reasons. Firstly, you can control the ingredients. Many store-bought trail mixes have seed oils and a bunch of added sugar, whereas this recipe uses avocado oil and only a bit of honey.
Secondly, store-bought trail mixes can be quite expensive, especially if you’re buying ones that are made with quality ingredients. It’s cheaper to buy nuts & seeds in bulk (at your local grocery store or on Amazon) and make a batch of this savory trail mix at home. This recipe yields about 6 cups, and probably cost me less than it would to get one small bag at the store!
What Brand of Meat Sticks Should I Use?
The addition of meat sticks to this healthy trail mix recipe adds a bunch of protein and flavor. A life hack if I’ve ever seen one! My personal favorite brand is VT Smoke & Cure – Vermont representtt! You can use my code MADDIE for 15% off your oder.
They have a bunch of different flavors and varieties and you can’t go wrong with any of them in this recipe. I used a mix of all three of their new flavors – oven roasted turkey, hickory smoked beef and hot & spicy turkey. To keep this on the leaner side, I’d recommend using only the turkey sticks.
Can I Use Different Nuts & Seeds for this Healthy Trail Mix?
This healthy savory trail mix recipe is definitely flexible! If you’re not the biggest fan of cashews or almonds, feel free to swap them out for whatever nuts you prefer. Walnuts, pecans or peanuts would all be great options. Whatever you choose, just make sure they’re raw (not roasted & salted) and in total you have about 4 cups.
I wouldn’t recommend swapping out the pumpkin seeds for anything else. You could certainly try using sunflower seeds, however since they’re a bit smaller I’m worried that they would cook quicker than the nuts and end up burnt. Let me know if you try it!
How Should I Store this Healthy Savory Trail Mix?
Make sure the trail mix has cooled down completely, and then you can transfer it to an airtight container – I love Weck Jars for this! Store it in a cool, dry place such as your pantry for up to 2 weeks…if it lasts that long 😉
Find the full recipe below. As always, please let me know if you tried it by commenting below or tagging me on Instagram, @munchinwithmaddie_.
Looking for More Healthy Snack Recipes?
- Tropical Green Smoothie
- Lemon Protein Balls
- Berry Chia Pudding
- Mini Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Cups
- Homemade PB&J Perfect Bars
- Strawberry & Blended Cottage Cheese Crostinis
Healthy Savory Trail Mix
Equipment
- spatula
- baking sheet
- parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw almonds *
- 2 cups raw cashews *
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1.5 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- cayenne optional, to taste
- 10 meat sticks cut into bite-sized pieces**
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, add almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, avocado oil, honey and seasonings. Stir with a spatula until all the nuts and seeds are coated.2 cups raw almonds, 2 cups raw cashews, 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1.5 tbsp honey, ½ tsp chili powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp paprika, cayenne, 1 tsp kosher salt
- Spread nut and seed mixture evenly out onto prepared baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes total – stirring after the first 10 minutes, and then stirring again after the second 10 minutes. The nuts should be lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool down on the baking sheet – this will likely take 20-30 minutes.
- Once cooled, break apart any large chunks. Then, add in the chopped meat sticks and toss to combine. Transfer the trail mix to an airtight container and store in your pantry for up to 2 weeks!10 meat sticks
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @munchinwithmaddie_ on Instagram and/or hashtag it #munchinwithmaddie.