Searching for the perfect snack that’s convenient, nutritious, and comforting? Look no further than timeless trail mix. It’s the ultimate grab-and-go option for busy days, lunch boxes, and outdoor adventures. While you can easily find it in stores, homemade trail mix is cheaper, tastier, and endlessly customizable. Best of all, you can control the ingredients to fit any dietary need. In fact, all of these dairy-free trail mix recipes can easily be made vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free, too!
Why Dairy-Free Trail Mix is the Perfect Snack
If you need more convincing, here’s why trail mix reigns supreme:
- Effortless to Prepare: No cooking required! Just measure, toss, and store. It’s one of the simplest snacks you can make.
- Perfectly Portable: It’s shelf-stable and travels anywhere in a simple bag or container. Cooler weather even means your dairy-free chocolate won’t melt!
- Nutritionally Balanced: A good mix combines quick-energy carbs (dried fruit), with sustaining protein and healthy fats (nuts and seeds) for a mini-meal that keeps you going.
- No Waste: Dairy-free trail mix is the perfect way to use up all those leftover portions of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, cereal, and more in your pantry!
- Completely Customizable: Vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, or paleo? No problem. You are in complete control of the flavors and ingredients.
10 Dairy-Free Trail Mix Recipes to Choose From
- Directions: Stir all ingredients together or put them in an airtight container and shake to combine.
- Storage: Most types will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. You can store them in the refrigerator or freezer to preserve freshness for several months.
- Travel Tip: Most types will keep in baggies for a few days, but only add chocolate if the mix will be at room temperature or cooler the whole time.
- Note: In all cases, use nuts and seeds that have been de-shelled. You can toss them in whole, halved, slices, or chopped. It’s your choice!
Monkey Mix
This Central American-inspired blend is a tasty twist on GORP. The classic combination of banana, peanuts, and chocolate is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- ¾ cup banana chips or dried banana slices
- ½ cup lightly salted peanuts
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- ¼ cup raisins
Protein Power Mix
The ingredient choices in this mix will depend on the flavor profile of your protein bar. It’s a great way to turn a protein bar into a mini meal!
- 1 dairy-free protein bar, chopped
- 1/4 cup pecans, cashews, almonds, or pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup raisins, dried blueberries, or dairy-free chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened flaked coconut (optional)
Berry-Topped Cereal Mix
Cereal fans will love the breakfast appeal of this grab-and-go version.
- 1 cup whole grain cereal
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup dried berries (I combine dried blueberries and cherries)
Autumn Granola Mix
A hint of cinnamon rounds out the fall-inspired ingredients. You can substitute pumpkin spice mix if preferred.
- 1 cup dairy-free granola (can sub toasted oats)
- 2/3 cup chopped dried apples
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or to taste)
Chocolate GORP
“Good ‘Ol Raisins & Peanuts” (plus chocolate) is my husband’s favorite. You can substitute pecans, pistachios, or even pumpkin seeds for a delicious twist!
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup peanuts
- 1/2 cup mini pretzels
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Mix
This classic dessert makes a tasty snack in its dried form, too. True chocoholics can dust the nuts with cocoa powder.
- 1 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup pistachios
- 1/2 cup dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup dried cherries
Hit the Trail Mix
For me, the classic trail mix is a simple blend of just fruit and nuts – sustainable energy in its most wholesome form. If you prefer a sweeter blend, add chopped dates or double the raisins.
- 1/2 cup almond
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup raisins
For the Birds Mix
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed into the mix for even more seedy action. It will cling to the dried fruit.
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/3 cup cranberries
- 1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
Hawaiian Delight Mix
Most tropical trail mixes contain white chocolate, but this version is naturally dairy free!
- 2/3 cup cashews
- 1/3 cup macadamia nuts
- 1/4 cup dried pineapple pieces
- 1/4 cup diced dried mango
- 1/4 cup diced dried papaya
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes or coconut chips
Low-Carb / Keto Mix
This savory, lightly salty mix is high in protein and fat, but has just enough low-sugar sweetness to keep things interesting.
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup almonds (preferably roasted and lightly salted)
- 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut chips
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried berries
- 1/4 cup sugar-free, dairy-free chocolate chips
Leftover Dairy-Free Trail Mix?
Don’t let it go to waste! Use it to make these amazing dairy-free recipes:
- Dairy-Free Trail Mix Cookies
- Friendly Trail Mix Cereal Bars
- No Bake Trail Mix Bars
- Banana-Oat Trail Mix Muffins
