Nut-Free Sweet and Spicy Trail Mix

Craving a snack that’s equal parts sweet, spicy, and nut-free? This Nut-Free Sweet and Spicy Trail Mix is the perfect balance of bold flavors and satisfying textures, making it ideal for allergy-friendly snacking. Packed with crunchy puffed rice cereal, roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and sweet bursts of dried cranberries and apricots, this mix gets its irresistible flavor from a maple syrup glaze spiced with cinnamon and a hint of cayenne for just the right kick. Pretzel sticks and coconut chips add an extra layer of crunch, while the oven-toasted finish ensures every bite is perfectly crisp. Ready in just 25 minutes, this trail mix is a crowd-pleasing option for school lunches, hikes, or on-the-go energy. Store it in an airtight container for up to a week and enjoy a zesty, nut-free snack that’s as nutritious as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 49/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups Puffed rice cereal
• 0.5 cup Pumpkin seeds (shelled)
• 0.5 cup Sunflower seeds (hulled)
• 0.5 cup Dried cranberries
• 0.5 cup Dried apricots (chopped)
• 1 cup Pretzel sticks (broken into smaller pieces)
• 0.5 cup Coconut chips
• 3 tablespoons Maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the puffed rice cereal, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pretzel sticks, and coconut chips. Set aside.

Step 3

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the maple syrup, olive oil, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cayenne pepper, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir regularly until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4

Pour the syrup mixture over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl. Use a spatula to toss the ingredients until everything is evenly coated.

Step 5

Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.

Step 6

Bake for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the mixture is golden brown and fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.

Step 7

Remove the tray from the oven and let the mixture cool completely on the baking sheet. It will become crisp as it cools.

Step 8

Once fully cooled, add the dried cranberries and chopped dried apricots to the trail mix. Toss to combine.

Step 9

Transfer the trail mix to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to one week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(621.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2700.4

Total Fat 121.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 44.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3665.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 377.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.0g	0%
Total Sugars 174.8g
Protein 46.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 222.4mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 2275.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.2%

Protein: 6.7%

Carbs: 54.2%