Our 20 favorite trail mix ingredients

We love almonds and pretty much anything made with almonds—and there are a lot of those foods nowadays. So if we welcome almonds in our milk, butter, creamer, and more, of course, we also welcome them in our trail mix. Almonds are also good for lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol and contain solid servings of fiber, protein, and vitamin E.

We like banana chips by themselves—as well as plain ol’ bananas (or in a smoothie!)—so we enjoy them in our trail mix, too. Bananas are rich in fiber and potassium, but store-bought banana chips can also be fried in oil or loaded with added sugar. Keep the ingredients in check by making them at home, and skip the oil by baking them instead!

Of course, cashews are a common contributor to our trail mix—they’re our favorite nut! Cashews are also tasty (especially with a bit of salt) and have some health benefits, as they contain healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals, as well as 5 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber in every ounce.

“Dried cherries” is a bit of a misnomer because even in dried form, cherries burst with juicy tartness. They’re like fruit snacks, but with less added sugar, no artificial dyes, and, you know, they’re actually fruit. 

Sure, many of the Chex pieces will get crushed to bits, but the ones that stay intact are so satisfying to crunch into and tasty, too. This ingredient shouldn’t be too surprising in a trail mix, as Chex proved themselves a worthy member of an ensemble cast way back when Chex Mix was first invented in the 1950s.

Some people like coconut, some don’t. If you’re in the former camp—like us—you’re going to want to add coconut to your next trail mix. Not juicy chunks of coconut, of course, but thin, unsweetened flakes that blend easily with all your other ingredients.

If you’re not a raisin fan (we are; more on that later), you might still be down with dried cranberries. They’re about the same size and consistency of a raisin but with added tartness along with the sweetness. Cranberries also contain potassium, calcium, and numerous antioxidants.

This one’s a given in any trail mix we buy or make. Since we associate trail mixes with physical activity, this calorie-dense and nutrient-packed food—which is generally high in protein and fiber, too—is an essential part of our snack medley.

M&M’s don’t add any nutritional value to your trail mix, so use them in moderation. However, they add a little sweetness to balance the typically salty ingredients found in most trail mixes, and that helps get kids into trail mix, too! We prefer M&M’s over chocolate chips, as the candy shell keeps the chocolate from melting all over the other ingredients on warmer excursions.

We honestly enjoy dried mango just as much as we enjoy fresh mango—thus, we’re always looking for an excuse to eat it. And as far as excuses go, making a trail mix is an excellent one. The fact that mangoes are also loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is a pleasant bonus.

Peanuts are a must in our trail mix, as they contain more protein than any other typical nut—and that fuel is vital for powering our biking, paddleboarding, or other outdoor adventure. Generally, peanuts contain a whopping 7 grams of protein for every ounce, so throw a handful into your next mix.

Pecans are a perfectly balanced nut: They have a not-too-hard, not-too-soft texture, and they’re just a little bit sweet. They also contain 19 vitamins and minerals—including vitamins A, B, and E, as well as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus—and also some fiber and protein. They’re sort of similar to walnuts but a bit cheaper!

In Pineapple We Trust. So if we trust pineapple in our tacos and on our pizzas (and in both cases, we do—don’t fight us), then we definitely trust it in a trail mix. In fact, we love this delightfully sweet treat! Combine dried pineapple with the aforementioned almonds, banana chips, dried mango, and coconut flakes, and you’ve got yourself a nice little “tropical” trail mix.

Like cashews, pistachios technically aren’t nuts—they’re seeds—but that doesn’t matter because, also like cashews, pistachios are great in a trail mix. Additionally, pistachios contain healthy fats and about 6 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per ¼-cup serving. Just be sure to take the shells off first, of course!

Pumpkin seeds aren’t just something that gets thrown away when making a jack-o-lantern—they’re a delicious and nutritious food! Hulled pumpkin seeds add a nice crunch to any trail mix, and they’re packed with powerful antioxidants and nutrients like magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, and vitamin E!

When you want something sweet that’s not candy, raisins are one of your best options. They’re juicer than some other dried fruits, and they contain vitamin C, calcium, iron, potassium, and numerous antioxidants.

When we’re craving something sweet that won’t quickly melt, but M&M’s just won’t do, Reese’s Pieces are the perfect upgrade. You get the taste of peanut butter without the messiness of peanut butter chips or just scooping a spoonful of peanut butter into your trail mix (not recommended). 

Sunflower seeds may be tiny, but they’re mighty in both taste and benefits. These salty little seeds contain vitamin E, flavonoids, and other compounds that may reduce inflammation, and they’re also a sneaky source of protein (6 grams per ¼ cup) and fiber (4 grams per ¼ cup).

If you like the consistency of pecans but want something a little less sweet, go with walnuts, which are perfect in a trail mix, whether they’re whole or chopped. We also dig the hearty helping of healthy fats and antioxidants provided by these nuts.

We hated these as kids but love them now—especially in trail mix. Then again, we didn’t like any spicy food in our younger days, and the little bit of spice they add to a trail mix is the exact reason that they’re one of our favorite ingredients. Plus, they add a nice pop of green color if you’re into trail mix aesthetics.