Perfect 3-Ingredient Trail Mix: A Recipe

My simple, magic mix of fruit, nuts and chocolate to fuel your day on the trail and off.

Jun 11, 2025

But first…

For all my fellow water-goers out there, check out my latest local newspaper article on staying safe this summer from toxic blue-green algae (where I also touch on our effect as humans on its growing prevalence around the world).

Click here to read Toxic Algae a Growing Concern (with Humans to Blame), then come back for a yummy recipe you can make ahead and take with you when you hit the water (safely)!

A long time trail mix lover, I consider myself a master mixer. It's all about the blend - what's actually in it - and the ratio - how much of each thing.

Some things are just better simple. Like this three ingredient trail mix I make at home.

I've always had trouble finding a store-bought, pre-mixed trail mix that I love. The ratios are all off, many have candy pieces I don't like and almost all of them add sugar coatings to dried fruit (why?). Anyone else feel me here?

I'm a purest of sorts when it comes to things like chocolate, granola, granola bars, and matcha lattes. Just give me a few simple low/no processed ingredients and I'm good.

Mason jars have become my go-to homemade trail mix storage for the pantry. When I need some to go, I pour a few handfuls into a reusable travel pouch.

To ensure it all fits in my mason jar with the proper ratios, I start by pouring ingredients into a large mason jar, one at a time until it's full, layering as I go.

Read on for my favorite homemade trail mix recipe that makes a great snack on-the-go, on the trail or anywhere you need an energy boost.

Magic Blend Trail Mix

Ingredients

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Dried Tart Cherries
Roasted Pistachios (I love Trader Joe's Pistachio Nutmeats for this!)
Dark Chocolate Chips/Chunks

Preparation

Time: less than 5 minutes

You'll need a large mason jar, a large bowl and a spoon (or a clean hand).

Add cherries to jar until it's 1/3 full. Gently tap the jar on a hard surface to settle the cherries, making more space for your pistachios and chocolate.

Add pistachios on top of the cherries until the jar is 2/3 full, again gently tapping so everything fills in the little gaps.

Add chocolate on top. Repeat gentle tapping. Then top off your jar with a little extra chocolate.

Now, empty the jar into your large bowl and mix.

Carefully pour or scoop your trail mix back into the mason jar, gently tapping as you go, making room for every last delicious morsel.

Best enjoyed outdoors 🥾

And since I'm all too familiar with the cost of pistachios, when I'm on a tighter budget I'll swap them for peanuts and sometimes add almonds to balance the strong peanut flavor, also adding a little more nutrition.

Still-Delicious Budget Blend Trail Mix

Ingredients

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Dried Tart Cherries
Roasted Peanuts and/or Roasted Almonds
Dark Chocolate Chips/Chunks

Want more of my favorite recipes? Click here!

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Where will you eat your new favorite trail mix?