Wholesome Homemade Fruit and Nut Trail Mix with Dark Chocolate
A thoughtfully balanced and nourishing trail mix combining toasted nuts, dried fruit, and rich dark chocolate for an easy, healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 6 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup raw almonds (140g), lightly toasted
- 1 cup raw cashews (130g)
- ½ cup dried tart cherries (60g), unsweetened or lightly sweetened
- ½ cup dried apricots (65g), chopped into bite-sized pieces
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chunks (110g), 70% cacao or higher
- ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds (30g)
- ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds (30g)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread almonds and cashews on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Toast nuts for 8–10 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through to promote even browning. Remove when golden but not dark brown.
- Remove nuts and let cool completely.
- Chop dried apricots into small, uniform pieces (about ¼ inch chunks).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine toasted nuts, dried cherries, chopped apricots, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. Toss gently to mix.
- Add dark chocolate chunks and sprinkle sea salt and cinnamon over the mixture. Toss carefully to distribute without breaking the chocolate too much.
- Transfer the trail mix to an airtight container and let sit for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld, though it can be eaten immediately.
Notes
Toast nuts to enhance flavor and avoid bitterness. Use dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao for best balance. Handle chocolate chunks gently to avoid breaking into crumbs. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Avoid refrigeration to prevent chocolate bloom. Let chilled mix sit at room temperature before eating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup (about 40g)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 6
- Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: trail mix, healthy snack, fruit and nut mix, dark chocolate, homemade trail mix, easy snack, gluten-free, vegetarian