When everyone is back at school and extra curricular activities kick in, it can be difficult to find time to have an after school snack, or evening snack ready to go for your kids. The same issue of business applies to our work lives when we are dropping kids off at daycare and rushing to work, it's hard to find time for breakfast. Making a big batch of trail mix is a great way to prevent your family from reaching for a candy bar in the cupboard when they're hungry, and instead, grabbing a handful of protein for the road.
1. Blueberry Superfood Trail Mix
Wild blueberries are my absolute favorite dried fruit. This healthy trail mix by The Creative Bite helps you get all anti-oxidants in your body throughout the day, with a kick of energy as well! This recipe also uses hemp, flax, and chia seeds (smothered in melted chocolate) to add a crunchy superfood bite to every handful.
2. Slow Cooker Paleo Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix
Trail mix can be tine consuming to make...if you don't have a crock pot! If you do, then you're in luck. This pumpkin spice trail mix by Cotter Crunch is easy. Toss the ingredients in and you'll come home to a delicious snack.
3. Healthy Banana Split Trail Mix
Stop! Do not reach for the ice cream to make a banana split. Instead, dig into this healthy trail mix by Veggie Balance that is filled with all the good stuff that is in a banana split (minus the ice cream). The dried fruit gives this trail mix a sweetness that makes it feel indulgent. Plus, you only need seven ingredients and you'll be road trip ready!
4. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Trail Mix
Skip the chocolate dipped strawberries and fill up on some delicious trail mix with this recipe from The Healthy Maven! Freeze dried strawberries and dark chocolate chunks help this mix live up to its namesake. The creator uses almonds and cashews, but you can use whatever nuts you have on hand (or are on sale) to customize this tasty snack.
5. Cherry Chocolate Pistachio Trail Mix
Sweet and salty, this trail mix by Cupcakes and Kale Chips is perfect for the foodie who can't decide if they want savoury or sweet. It's only four ingredients: pistachios, dark chocolate, dried cherries (yum!) and pretzels. It's lower protein than a traditional trail mix, but absolutely delicious and perfect for summer snacking.
6. Healthy Trail Mix
This healthy trail mix by The Harvest Kitchen is ideal for your next movie night. Instead of eating chocolate and popcorn, inhale this healthy mix while enjoying your favorite movie. Adding hazelnuts and goji berries really takes this mix up a notch!
7. Crock Pot Chunky Monkey Trail Mix
Another favorite by Cotter Crunch that also uses a crock pot is this fantastic chunky monkey trail mix. Eat by the handful or throw some on top of some greek yogurt for a healthy dessert. It's naturally gluten-free and paleo and uses dehydrated banana chips and dark chocolate to get the perfect flavor profile.
8. Pizza Trail Mix
Who ever thought of having a pizza flavored trail mix? Eating Bird Food did! This is a savory mix of nuts, Italian seasoning and sundried tomatoes that's naturally gluten-free and paleo. Nutritional yeast gives it a cheesy flavor and higher fat nuts like cashews and walnuts contribute to that 'za taste!
9. Tropical Trail Mix
While we're at it, this second trail mix recipe by Eating Bird Food - a Tropical Trail Mix - is perfect for summer days and those of us with a sweet tooth. It's fruit-heavy and actually perfect for hiking or other situations where you're less likely to pack fresh fruit!