Salty Sweet Trail Mix

By Genevieve Ko

Updated Oct. 11, 2023

Salty Sweet Trail Mix
Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seniviratne.
Total Time
45 minutes, plus cooling
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
40 minutes, plus cooling
Rating
4(244)
Notes
Read community notes

Homemade trail mix is as easy as tossing together your favorite blend, but this version gets a little zip from toasting the nuts and seeds. They’re often coated in oil first to help salt cling to them, but that makes for greasy fingers and snack bags on a hike. Here, vinegar takes the place of oil and not only helps a pinch of sugar and salt stick to the nuts and seeds, but also gives them a little tanginess. That sweet-tartness is echoed by the dried fruit and keeps each bite interesting.

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Ingredients

Yield:About 3 cups
  • 1cup/5 ounces raw pepitas
  • 1½cups/6 ounces raw nuts, such as pecans and almonds
  • 2tablespoons sherry vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½cup/2 ounces tart dried fruit, such as dried sour cherries, cranberries or golden berries
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

270 calories; 24 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 12 grams monounsaturated fat; 8 grams polyunsaturated fat; 11 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 8 grams protein; 119 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 300 degrees. Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper.

  2. Step 2

    Combine the pepitas, nuts and vinegar on the pan and toss to evenly coat. Sprinkle with sugar and toss again. Spread in an even layer.

  3. Step 3

    Bake until the pepitas puff and turn golden brown, 20 to 23 minutes. Immediately sprinkle the mixture with the salt, then cool completely on the pan.

  4. Step 4

    Mix in the dried fruit and store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Ratings

4 out of 5
244 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

Previously Solved

As a fan of anything vinegary, I tried this immediately. Delicious! -- but why try to toss it on the baking sheet? I dumped the ingredients into a bowl, mixed them easily, and then poured the mixture onto the parchment-covered sheet. Much easier!

Food dreamer

A beaten egg white helps seasoning to cling, to crisp goodies and to eliminate greasy fingers.

Thom

A tbsp. of Worcester Sauce instead of the salt add super flavor notes and provides the needed cling.

Carol

This is good and a perfect companion for when we are out riding horses in the wilderness. Doesn't need to be kept cool and almost no sugar. Yea!

Rebekah

Watch the cooking time - I pulled it out at 23 mins and it was just before my pecans burned - nick of time!

Karen

This is my new addiction. Used sherry vinegar, half pecans and half almonds, mixed everything in a bowl (including the salt) then baked. So. Good.

janisani

Delightful! I used dried mandarin segments from TJ's. The colors of pepitas, almonds, walnuts, and the oranges were very pleasing.

Amanda

Delicious! Used sherry vinegar. Doubled the recipe and added egg whites and a tiny bit of extra sugar.

Amanda

Absolutely delicious! Doubled the recipe and used two beaten egg whites. Used sherry vinegar and a tad extra sugar

Gail

I mixed all together, doubled recipe, used Worcester sauce instead of salt and beaten egg whites (2) Cranberries to taste. Excellent.

Missy B

An instant favorite!

Love to eat

Used strawberry balsamic vinegar and omitted the sugar. So good and easy. it is becoming a staple at our place.

Leslie

This is tasty, but it is still sticky. Doesn’t work on a hike unless you want sticky hands. But it’s a great ice cream topping to add some crunch.

Bridget Clark

Made as written using sherry vinegar, pecans, pepitas and dried sour cherries. A bit "meh" bit will do the job on the trail.

janisani

Delightful! I used dried mandarin segments from TJ's. The colors of pepitas, almonds, walnuts, and the oranges were very pleasing.

Mbf

So, are the suggestions of egg white and Worcestershire in lieu of the vinegar?

Karen

This is my new addiction. Used sherry vinegar, half pecans and half almonds, mixed everything in a bowl (including the salt) then baked. So. Good.

Rebekah

Watch the cooking time - I pulled it out at 23 mins and it was just before my pecans burned - nick of time!

Carol

This is good and a perfect companion for when we are out riding horses in the wilderness. Doesn't need to be kept cool and almost no sugar. Yea!

Previously Solved

As a fan of anything vinegary, I tried this immediately. Delicious! -- but why try to toss it on the baking sheet? I dumped the ingredients into a bowl, mixed them easily, and then poured the mixture onto the parchment-covered sheet. Much easier!

Thom

A tbsp. of Worcester Sauce instead of the salt add super flavor notes and provides the needed cling.

Food dreamer

A beaten egg white helps seasoning to cling, to crisp goodies and to eliminate greasy fingers.

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