One handful has a way of turning into two, and after making this homemade trail mix, you’ll understand why. Maple-roasted nuts, crunchy peanut butter clusters, dark chocolate, dried fruit, and Redmond Real Salt create the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and satisfying. Whether you’re packing snacks for a road trip, fueling a hike, or stocking the pantry for busy weeks ahead, this homemade peanut butter trail mix is one you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Store-bought trail mix is convenient, but it often comes with added oils, excess sugar, and ingredients you may not recognize. Making your own at home takes just a few extra minutes and gives you complete control over what goes into every handful.

What I love most about this recipe is how customizable it is. The maple and peanut butter create lightly crisp clusters that taste far more special than anything you’ll find in the snack aisle, while Redmond Real Salt brings every flavor into balance. It’s become one of my favorite recipes to prep ahead for when I want real ingredients within easy reach.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS POST

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Recommended Equipment
• Step-By-Step Instructions
• Easy Ingredient Swaps
• Storage Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Hosting Tips
• Other Recipes You’ll Love
• Recipe Card

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Homemade trail mix is one of those recipes that’s easy to overlook until you make it yourself. A few pantry staples come together to create a snack that’s fresher, more flavorful, and made with ingredients you actually feel good about eating.

Here’s why I think you’ll love this recipe :

• Made with real ingredients. No unnecessary fillers, artificial flavors, or mystery oils. Just pantry staples you can recognize.
• Perfectly sweet and salty. Maple syrup, peanut butter, dark chocolate, and Redmond Real Salt create a balanced flavor that keeps you reaching for another handful.
• Great for meal prep. Make one batch and enjoy it throughout the week for lunches, afternoon snacks, road trips, or outdoor adventures.
• Easy to customize. Swap the nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, or seeds with whatever you already have on hand.
• Naturally gluten-free. With certified gluten-free crispy cereal, this recipe is a great option for anyone avoiding gluten.
• Better than store-bought. Homemade means you decide exactly what goes into every bite while creating a snack that tastes fresher than anything you’ll buy in a bag.

INGREDIENTS

One of my favorite things about this homemade peanut butter trail mix is that it relies on simple pantry staples. Each ingredient plays an important role in creating the perfect balance of sweet, salty, crunchy, and satisfying.

• Raw Cashews. Cashews become lightly buttery as they roast and add a creamy bite that balances the crunch of the other nuts.
• Raw Pecans. Pecans pair beautifully with maple syrup, developing a rich, almost caramel-like flavor as they bake.
• Roasted Unsalted Peanuts. Peanut reinforce the peanut butter flavor while adding extra crunch. Starting with unsalted peanuts lets you control the seasoning with Redmond Real Salt.
• Pure Maple Syrup. A touch of maple syrup lightly sweetens the trail mix and helps create those irresistible crunchy clusters.
• Natural Creamy Peanut Butter. Choose a natural peanut butter made with just peanuts and salt. It coats the nuts and cereal while adding richness without making the trail mix overly sweet.
• Coconut Oil or Ghee. A small amount helps the maple syrup and peanut butter coat everything evenly while encouraging crisp, golden clusters as the mixture bakes.
• Vanilla Extract. Vanilla rounds out the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the maple syrup and chocolate.
• Ground Cinnamon. Just enough cinnamon adds warmth without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Redmond Real Salt. This is the ingredient that ties everything together. A small amount mixed into the coating balances the sweetness, while a final sprinkle after baking enhances every bite and makes the chocolate, maple, and peanut butter flavors shine.
• Crispy Rice Cereal. A lightly sweetened or plain crispy rice cereal adds an airy crunch and helps create snackable clusters throughout the mix. If needed, use a certified gluten-free variety.
• Unsweetened Dried Cherries or Cranberries. Their tartness balances the richness of the nuts and chocolate while adding a chewy texture.
• Dark Chocolate Chunks. Dark chocolate melts just enough against the warm clusters to create little pockets of chocolate throughout the mix.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

You don’t need any specialty equipment for this recipe.

• Large mixing bowl
• Small saucepan
• Whisk or silicone spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large rimmed baking sheet
• Unbleached parchment paper
• Cooling rack (optional)

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the Baking Sheet. Preheat your oven to 325℉ and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. The parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup quick and easy.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the raw cashews, raw pecans, roasted unsalted peanuts, and crispy rice cereal. Toss briefly so the ingredients are evenly distributed before adding the coating.
3. Make the Maple Peanut Butter Coating. In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together the maple syrup, natural peanut butter, coconut oil (or ghee), vanilla extract, cinnamon, and Redmond Real Salt until smooth and fully combined. The mixture should be warm and pourable but never boiling.
4. Coat the Trail Mix. Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the nut and cereal mixture. Using a silicone spatula, gently fold everything together until every piece is lightly coated.
5. Bake. Spread the mixture into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 – 22 minutes, stirring once about halfway through, until the nuts are lightly toasted and the coating looks glossy and caramelized. Keep a close eye on the final few minutes, as the maple syrup can darken quickly.
6. Finish with Sea Salt. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately sprinkle with another pinch (or two) of Redmond Real Salt while the mixture is still warm. That finishing touch enhances every flavor and creates the perfect sweet-and-salty balance.
7. Cool Completely. Allow the trail mix to cool completely on the baking sheet without stirring. As it cools, the maple peanut butter coating will harden, creating crunchy clusters throughout the mix. If you’re tempted to stir the trail mix while it’s cooling, resist! Letting it cool undisturbed allows the maple syrup and peanut butter coating to harden into crunchy clusters before you break it apart.
8. Add the Mix-Ins. Fold in the dried cherries and chocolate chunks (or chips) until evenly distributed. Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container for storing.

EASY INGREDIENT SWAPS

One of the best things about homemade trail mix is how easy it is to customize. Once you have the maple peanut butter coating, you can mix and match ingredients based on what you have in your pantry. Here are a few of my favorite substitutions :

• Change the Nuts : walnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts
• Swap the Dried Fruit : chopped dried apricots, raisins, dried blueberries, freeze-dried strawberries, dried mango
• Try a Different Chocolate : milk chocolate chunks, semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, mini peanut butter cups
• Add Even More Crunch : unsweetened coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, hemp harts, chopped pretzels, cacao nibs

STORAGE TIPS

Once completely cool, transfer the trail mix to an airtight container.

• Room Temperature : Store for up to 2 weeks in a cool, dry place.
• Refrigerator : Keeps well for up to 1 month, especially during warmer months when you want the chocolate to stay firm.
• Freezer : Freeze in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Allow it to come to room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOSTING TIPS

One of my favorite ways to make guests feel at home is to have something simple ready to nibble on the moment they walk through the door. It doesn’t have to be elaborate.

Pour this homemade trail mix into a beautiful wooden bowl or glass jar and set it out before everyone arrives. It’s perfect for casual conversations in the kitchen, afternoon coffee on the porch, or enjoying alongside a cheese board before dinner. Sometimes the smallest touches are the ones people remember most.

OTHER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Maple Sweetened Crunchy Ancient Grain Granola
• Crunchy Protein Granola
• Coconut Chocolate Chip Protein Bites
• Brownie Batter Protein Bites
• Cinnamon Roll Protein Bites
• Maple Pecan Protein Bites
• Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bites
• Tiramisu Protein Bites
• Chocolate Espresso Protein Brownie Bites
• No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• Brown Butter Mocha Banana Bread
• Roasted Rosemary Cocktail Nut Mix
• Better-For-You Rice Krispie Treats
• S’Mores Brownie Bites with Graham Cracker Crumble

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