Fuel Your Adventure: DIY Trail Mix Recipe
Are you planning your next adventure? Whether it is a hike, camping trip, or a weekend getaway, it is important to keep your energy levels high. However, it can be a challenge to find healthy and nutritious snacks that pack well for your adventure. That’s why we recommend creating your trail mix recipe! This DIY trail mix recipe is customizable, easy to make, and will keep you fueled for your adventure.
The Benefits of Trail Mix
Trail mix is a popular snack for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers because it is easy to pack, high in protein, and provides a quick energy boost. It is a mixture of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and sometimes chocolate. The combination of these ingredients creates a nutrient-dense snack that can be easily customized.
The high protein content of nuts and seeds provides sustained energy, which is necessary for the physical exertion required during outdoor activities. Dried fruit, on the other hand, provides quick energy because it is high in carbohydrates. Chocolate, while not as healthy as nuts and seeds, provides a quick spike in energy because of its sugar content.
Customizing Your Trail Mix
The best part about making your trail mix recipe is that you can customize it to your liking. Choose your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits and mix them together. Below are some examples of ingredients to add to your trail mix:
Nuts
Almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts.
Seeds
Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and flax seeds.
Dried Fruit
Cranberries, cherries, blueberries, apricots, figs, mango, and raisins.
Other Additions
Chocolate chips, coconut flakes, cereal, and pretzels.
Creating the Perfect Trail Mix
Creating the perfect trail mix requires some thought and planning. Below are our tips on how to make your trail mix recipe:
1. Choose high-quality ingredients.
Since trail mix is all about nutrition, it’s important to choose high-quality ingredients. Select organic nuts, seeds, and dried fruits when possible.
2. Mix up the textures.
Add a variety of textures to your trail mix. Choose some nuts that are crunchy, some dried fruits that are chewy, and some seeds that are slightly crunchy.
3. Mix sweet and savory.
Mix sweet and savory flavors to create a more complex snack. Add salty nuts like cashews and mix them with sweet dried fruit like cranberries.
4. Avoid high sugar content.
While dried fruit can be sweet, try to avoid adding any additional sugar like candy or chocolate that will cause your energy levels to spike and then crash.
5. Store properly.
When it comes to packaging your trail mix, choose resealable bags or containers to keep it fresh. You can also portion out individual servings in small bags to make it easier to grab and go.
Our DIY Trail Mix Recipe
Below is our favorite trail mix recipe. Feel free to make any adjustments to fit your preferences.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup cashews
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Spread the almonds and cashews on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the roasted nuts, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and coconut flakes.
- Mix well until everything is evenly distributed.
- Store in an airtight container or portion out into individual bags.
Conclusion
Fueling your adventure starts with a nutritious snack that will keep you energized and focused on your journey. Trail mix is a great snack that is easy to pack and customize to your liking. By creating your trail mix recipe, you can choose high-quality ingredients and avoid added sugars. Follow our tips and our DIY trail mix recipe to create the perfect snack for your next adventure.