Toasted Trail Mix // JustineCelina.com
Baking, Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dessert & Treats, Food, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

TOASTED TRAIL MIX


Last weekend we were getting ready to go for a hike at Lake Louise and I decided (last minute, of course!) to make some trail mix for the road. It turned out to be really delicious (even the chipmunks liked it!), so today I’m sharing the recipe with you. My Toasted Trail Mix is more like a mixture of trail mix and granola — it’s full of awesome, nourishing, all-natural ingredients, and brimming with antioxidants to help fuel your day. It gets nice and toasty in the oven, and the toasted flavour is complimented by a bit of maple syrup, cinnamon, and a dash of cayenne powder for that little bit extra! I also like to enjoy this trail mix on top fruit parfaits and smoothie bowls to kick my breakfast up a notch — it’s a versatile recipe that I love having in my kitchen.


TOASTED TRAIL MIX


Toasted Trail Mix // JustineCelina.com

Whenever I’m putting my own spin on a classic recipe like trail mix, I try to think about what ingredients I can substitute out for healthier options. In this recipe, I swapped peanuts for almonds and pine nuts, added some extra seeds and oats. Then I swapped milk chocolate chips for antioxidant-rich dark chocolate (or carob) chips, and raisins for a medley of powerhouse goji berries, dried apricots and medjool dates. I cut the sugar down, and opted for my favourite unrefined sweetener, maple syrup, to sweeten the trail mix naturally. To balance things out and add some kick, I seasoned it with cinnamon and cayenne powder. This is so much better (and better for you) than the original!


Ingredients


Yield: 5 cups

Toasted Trail Mix // JustineCelina.com

• 1 1/2 cups whole almonds
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup flax seeds
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1 tbsp organic extra virgin coconut oil
• 4 tbsp 100% pure organic maple syrup
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 3 organic medjool dates
• 6 dried apricots
• 1/2 cup goji berries
• 1/2 cup organic 65% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips (or vegan carob chips if you don’t eat dairy) I used Carob Chips in my recipe, and they were delicious!
• 1/8 tsp pink Himalayan salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cayenne powder
This is just enough to add a little kick and enhance the other flavours. But if you’re not a fan of spice, omit it.

Toasted Trail Mix // JustineCelina.com

I’ve linked some hard-to-find ingredients to where I purchase them online, from Vitacost! If you want to try them out, and you haven’t ordered from Vitacost before, you’re welcome to use my referral link for $10 your first purchase of $30 or more.


Instructions


1. Preheat your oven to 375°.

2. Melt 1 tbsp coconut oil in a glass measuring cup and add 2 tbsp maple syrup.

3. Combine almonds, pine nuts and oats with the coconut oil and maple syrup mixture in a large bowl, and mix until well integrated.

Toasted Trail Mix // JustineCelina.com

4. Spread nut mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Turn and mix, and bake for another 10 minutes, or until nuts are lightly browned. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

5. In the meantime, chop medjool dates, apricots and goji berries together.

6. While the nut mixture is still warm, add 2 tbsp maple syrup, salt, cayenne powder, cinnamon and flax seeds. Mix thoroughly.

7. Once completely cooled, stir in chocolate (or carob) chips. Eat immediately, or store in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 1 month.

Toasted Trail Mix // JustineCelina.com


TOASTED TRAIL MIX
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
My Toasted Trail Mix is more like a mixture of trail mix and granola -- it's full of awesome, nourishing, all-natural ingredients, and brimming with antioxidants to help fuel your day. It gets nice and toasty in the oven, and the toasted flavour is complimented by a bit of maple syrup, cinnamon, and a dash of cayenne powder for that little bit extra! I also like to enjoy this trail mix on top fruit parfaits and smoothie bowls to kick my breakfast up a notch -- it's a versatile recipe that I love having in my kitchen.
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Servings: 5 cups
Author: Justine
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups whole almonds
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup flax seeds
  • 1 cup quick oats
  • 1 tbsp organic extra virgin coconut oil
  • 4 tbsp 100% pure organic maple syrup
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 3 organic medjool dates
  • 6 dried apricots
  • 1/2 cup goji berries
  • 1/2 cup organic 65% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips (or vegan carob chips if you don't eat dairy I used Carob Chips in my recipe, and they were delicious!)
  • 1/8 tsp pink Himalayan salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne powder (this is just enough to add a little kick and enhance the other flavours. But if you're not a fan of spice omit it.)
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°.
  2. Melt 1 tbsp coconut oil in a glass measuring cup and add 2 tbsp maple syrup.
  3. Combine almonds, pine nuts and oats with the coconut oil and maple syrup mixture in a large bowl, and mix until well integrated.
  4. Spread nut mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Turn and mix, and bake for another 10 minutes, or until nuts are lightly browned. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
  5. In the meantime, chop medjool dates, apricots and goji berries together.
  6. While the nut mixture is still warm, add 2 tbsp maple syrup, salt, cayenne powder, cinnamon and flax seeds. Mix thoroughly.
  7. Once completely cooled, stir in chocolate (or carob) chips. Eat immediately, or store in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 1 month.

Toasted Trail Mix // JustineCelina.com


WAYS TO EAT IT


Enjoy my Toasted Trail Mix on its own, or use it to spice up your breakfast! These are my favourite ways to eat it.

MAKE A FRUIT PARFAIT

Add some trail mix on top of fresh fruit with a splash of almond milk. If you eat dairy, substitute almond milk with regular milk or greek yogurt.

Toasted Trail Mix Parfait // JustineCelina.com

SPRINKLE IT ON TOP OF A SMOOTHIE BOWL

Add a little extra nutrition and crunch to your smoothie bowl! This one has a smoothie base of bananas, strawberries, spinach and vanilla protein powder blended with coconut water. The trail mix will compliment any smoothie!

Toasted Trail Mix Smoothie Bowl // JustineCelina.com

TAKE IT TO GO

Pack it up and take it to go! It’s great for hikes, camping, or road trips. But, if you’re going hiking on a hot day, the chocolate (or carob) chips may melt. So eat it fast, or just eat it melted. It was actually better that way! It’s definitely nature approved — we did the Lake Agnes Tea House Hike last weekend, and the chipmunks at the summit literally went into our backpack to get this trail mix! They totally chowed down on it (and I didn’t feel so bad, since it’s made with all natural, good for you ingredients)! They were really friendly little guys, crawling all over us looking for more. Aren’t they so cute?!

Toasted Trail Mix Chipmunk // JustineCelina.com

Look at how full his cheeks are!


What are your favourite snacks to bring on a hike or a road trip? And what are your favourite Alberta hikes? I’m hoping to get out a lot more this summer and early fall, so if you have a suggestion, leave it for me in the comments. And if you try my Toasted Trail Mix, let me know how you like it — tag me on social media, or use the hasgtag #justinecelinarecipes, so I can find it. Have a great weekend, whatever you’re up to!

Toasted Trail Mix // JustineCelina.com


Thank you to The Food Network and The Calgary Herald for featuring this recipe.


Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored, and contains my genuine thoughts and recommendations. JustineCelina uses affiliate and referral links, which allow me to receive a small commission when you make a purchase through one of my links. Your purchases help to support JustineCelina.com!

Previous Post Next Post

You Might Also Like

24 Comments

  • Reply Lyndsay Baker August 7, 2015 at 11:11 am

    This trail mix looks incredible. I’ve been searching for a great gluten free trail mix recipe. Thank you for sharing

    • Reply Justine August 7, 2015 at 11:21 am

      Hi Lyndsay, thanks for stopping by. Let me know how you like it if you make it! I’m actually eating it in a smoothie bowl right now. 🙂

  • Reply Julia (@Imagelicious) August 7, 2015 at 11:19 am

    oh, what a wonderful combination of goodies! I love everything about it! I like how there’s very little oil and it’s coconut. Also maple syrup instead of sugar. This is amazing! I’m bookmarking this recipe!

    • Reply Justine August 7, 2015 at 11:20 am

      Thanks Julia! Let me know how you like it! Heading over to check out your blog now. 🙂

  • Reply Sahar August 7, 2015 at 11:43 am

    This looks absolutely delicious, I love your photos and blog. I’m such a snacker and trail mix is how I get through long road trips. I’ll definitely make some of this soon, I feel like one batch won’t be enough 😉 xo

    • Reply Justine August 7, 2015 at 12:11 pm

      Thanks Sahar! Love your blog too! Thanks for stopping by, hope you’ll visit again soon.

  • Reply Shareba @ In Search Of Yummy-ness August 7, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    I love the combination of ingredients that you put into this trail mix!

    • Reply Justine August 7, 2015 at 12:42 pm

      Thanks Shareba! Sometimes when I’m trying to use things up in the pantry I come across the most delicious combinations. Have a fantastic weekend! 🙂

  • Reply Jason Sandeman August 7, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    Love this recipe. I live 5 minutes from one of the best sugar shack in Quebec. I am definitely going to make this recipe!

    • Reply Justine August 7, 2015 at 12:43 pm

      Thanks Jason! That sounds amazing. Let me know how you like it!

  • Reply Sarah | (Cooking for) Kiwi & Bean August 7, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    This looks lovely. I love the addition of pine nuts — so unexpected! If the chipmunks love it I’m sure my little chipmunks would be into it too :-).

    • Reply Justine August 7, 2015 at 4:02 pm

      Thanks for checking it out Sarah! If you make it, let me know how you and the littles like it. Have a great weekend!

  • Reply Mel 2 avirtualvegan.com August 7, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    Hi Justine,
    This is my first visit to your blog (which I found through FBC) and can I just say that I love it and your photography is awesome.
    Your trail mix recipe looks amazing and I will be definitely making it sometime in the near future. Those lucky chipmunks!
    Whilst on the subject of chipmunks your post brought back so many lovely memories for me. We did a road trip last Summer from our home on Vancouver Island all the way through The Rockies and back. It was the best couple of weeks ever and Lake Louise was just beautiful. We also did the Lake Agnes Tea House hike. What an amazing little place that is! And those chipmunks are so unbelievably cute and friendly. I was tempted to smuggle a few back with me in my backpack!
    I still can’t believe that the tea house only has a couple of helicopter drops made to them a year and the rest of the time the staff hike up with the supplies on on their backs! Truly awesome and the food up there was great, especially when you consider they have no electricity, gas or even a water supply except for the lake. I loved it there and hopefully we can make it back sometime soon. Thanks for bringing back some precious memories!

    • Reply Justine August 7, 2015 at 11:45 pm

      Thanks so much for such a lovely comment! So glad we could connect via FBC, and that I could bring back some fond memories for you. Definitely let me know how you like the trail mix if you try the recipe. We’re actually out of town this weekend and I packed it again!

  • Reply A DAY AT LAKE LOUISE – Justine Celina August 12, 2015 at 10:31 am

    […] how friendly (and cute) they were. If you’re interested, here’s the recipe for my Toasted Trail Mix. What are your favourite hikes or things to do on a long weekend? If you have any recommendations, […]

  • Reply CLIF ORGANIC TRAIL MIX BAR REVIEW – Justine Celina September 30, 2015 at 11:03 am

    […] were full of simple, clean, nourishing ingredients — and we all know I’m a big fan of trail mix! Today I’m chatting about 5 different flavours and giving you the run down on which ones I […]

  • Reply ELEVATE YOUR BREAKFAST BOWLS WITH OATBOX - Justine Celina February 24, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    […] person who loves clean breakfasts, whole foods and granola (but doesn’t always have time to make my own), Oatbox‘s product offering sounded right up my alley. Each month they deliver fresh, healthy […]

  • Reply GOLDEN KIWI PIÑA COLADA POPSICLES - Justine Celina July 9, 2016 at 9:00 am

    […] Toasted Trail Mix […]

  • Reply ALLERGY FREE ALOHA BANANA BREAD - Justine Celina August 25, 2016 at 7:07 pm

    […] Toasted Trail Mix (awesome on top of a smoothie bowl!) […]

  • Reply APPLE PIE STEEL CUT OATS WITH CANDIED MAPLE PECANS - JustineCelina October 13, 2016 at 10:39 pm

    […] Toasted Trail Mix […]

  • Reply PROTEIN PACKED CHERRY ALMOND GRANOLA - JustineCelina June 23, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    […] Toasted Trail Mix […]

  • Reply PLANT BASED PUMPKIN PIE ENERGY BITES - JustineCelina October 13, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    […] Toasted Trail Mix […]

  • Reply HAZELNUT OATMEAL GOLDEN RAISIN ENERGY BITES - JustineCelina June 5, 2019 at 1:22 pm

    […] Toasted Trail Mix […]

  • Leave a Reply

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.