Description
A quick, customizable, and cost-effective homemade trail mix featuring pretzels, peanuts, and M&Ms. Perfect for busy school mornings and afternoon snacks, this recipe balances salty and sweet flavors in just five minutes.
Ingredients
- 3 cups mini pretzels
- 1.5 cups roasted peanuts (unsalted)
- 0.5 cup chopped peanuts
- 1 cup M&Ms (classic milk chocolate)
- 0.5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries (optional)
- 0.5 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- 0.25 cup toasted coconut flakes (optional)
- Pinch of sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to prevent chocolate clumping. If using dried fruit, rinse and pat dry.
- In a large mixing bowl (at least 5-quart capacity), combine the mini pretzels, roasted peanuts, and chopped peanuts. Toss with a spatula to distribute evenly.
- If using optional add-ins like dried cranberries or coconut flakes, add them now and toss to coat the pretzels.
- Gently fold in the M&Ms and chocolate chips. Be careful not to crush the candies or pretzels. Ensure even distribution.
- Taste test the mixture. Adjust sweetness or saltiness by adding more chocolate or a pinch of sea salt if desired.
- Portion the mix into quart-sized Ziploc bags or airtight containers. Each serving is approximately 1 cup.
- Label bags with the date and store in a cool, dry place.
Notes
[‘If pretzels or nuts are stale, toast them in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes and let cool completely before mixing to restore crunch.’, ‘Store in a cool, dry place. In humid climates, refrigerate or freeze to prevent melting and sogginess.’, ‘For nut-free schools, substitute peanuts with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.’, ‘For gluten-free diets, use certified gluten-free pretzels.’, ‘Can be stored in the pantry for up to 2 weeks, refrigerator for 1 month, or freezer for 3 months.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 100g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 12
Keywords: trail mix, back to school snacks, homemade trail mix, pretzel snack, kid-friendly snacks, meal prep snacks, salty and sweet snack, easy snack recipe