Trail Mix Recipe with Brown Sugar Pecans (2024)

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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!

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Trail Mix Recipe with Brown Sugar Pecans (10)

Created by: Lynette Rice

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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

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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.

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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? ›

In case you need convincing on why you don't need to buy trail mix anymore, here are a few reasons to try your hand at homemade trail mix: It's cheaper than store-bought trail mix. You can easily control how much oil, salt and sugar is added so it's usually healthier. You can include all YOUR favorite things!

Is trail mix good for high blood pressure? ›

Certain types may also be rich in sodium, especially if they contain high sodium seasonings or salted nuts and seeds. Consuming high amounts of sodium could increase blood pressure levels in some people, especially those who are sensitive to the effects of salt ( 9 ).

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.

What is the best nuts for trail mix? ›

  • Hello,
  • The nuts and seeds found in trail mix are rich in heart-healthy fats, including poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids. ...
  • According to the same website, the best five are 1) Brazil nuts; 2) walnuts; 3) almonds; 4) pistachios, and 5) peanuts.
Aug 2, 2022

Is trail mix good for losing belly fat? ›

Trail mix can be good for losing weight, but only if portion control is applied. Nuts, dried fruit, seeds, and granola make trail mix a calorie-dense snack that should not replace a well-balanced whole meal.

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.

Is trail mix okay to eat everyday? ›

Is It OK to Eat Trail Mix Every Day? Moderation and variety are standard for building a healthy and sustainable way of eating, but if you just can't stay away, from the delicious mix you've selected, be sure to make it part of a balanced day of meals and snacks.

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 drink before bed lowers blood pressure? ›

The top drinks for lowering blood pressure include water, fruit juices (pomegranate, prune, cranberry, cherry), vegetable juice (tomato, raw beet), tea (black, green), and skim milk.

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 single food you can survive on? ›

The only food which comes close to being something you could survive on long term as a sole ingredient is the potato. The fact that the potato has Vitamin C means that scurvy is not a risk like it would be with almost any other food source lacking in this nutrient.

What is the single food you can live on? ›

However, there is no known food that supplies all the needs of human adults on a long-term basis. Since Taylor is determined to follow a one-food diet, then potatoes are probably as good as anything, as they contain a wider range of amino acids, vitamins and minerals than other starchy foods, such as pasta or rice.

What 5 foods can you survive on? ›

You can survive on a balanced diet of potatoes, kale, trail mix, grains, and beans. This combination offers plenty of protein, carbs, minerals, and vitamins to keep your body healthy and energized.

Is trail mix healthy or unhealthy? ›

Typically, trail mixes are high in protein which helps with muscle growth and development. Protein-rich snacks help curb cravings for refined carbohydrates or junk food. Trail mixes are also high in fibre and healthy fats so you'll feel full and sustained all day.

Is trail mix healthy to eat everyday? ›

Is It OK to Eat Trail Mix Every Day? Moderation and variety are standard for building a healthy and sustainable way of eating, but if you just can't stay away, from the delicious mix you've selected, be sure to make it part of a balanced day of meals and snacks.

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