Omega 3 Trail Mix
On our way up to the mountains last week, we realized we’d forgotten the huge bag of trail mix. So we picked out three bags of Trader Joe’s trail mix and went merrily on our way. I couldn’t resist their Omega-3 trail mix and sadly gobbled it down in just a few short days.
The other mixes were good, but this one is the one that won my heart! So of course I had to recreate it when I got home.
I think I could live on trail mix if anyone would let me. When made properly, I have serious self-control issues. It’s seriously serious and embarrassing at times.
My mom loves it as much as I do, though her self-control is perfectly functional (I missed that one in the genetic makeup somewhere).
She always has a bag of the Tropical Trail Mix in her purse and in her office (which I empty every time we’re together).
CONTENTS
Omega 3 Trail Mix
I loved just about everything in Trader Joe’s omega-3 trail mix, but there is one thing I didn’t love – the raw walnuts; they just aren’t my jam. Instead, I toasted my walnuts and like the result so much better, but you can do it any way you like!
It was super easy to put all the raw nuts (almonds, pecans, and walnuts) in a pan over low heat for a few minutes to soften them a bit without letting them lose their healthy benefits by cooking them at too high of a temperature.
If you’re interested in maximizing protein, see this article of protein in nuts.
If you can’t get enough Trader Joe’s either, check out these posts:
Trader Joe’s Raisins + Rosemary Crackers
Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board for $30
You may notice that this mix has a healthy mix of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Since dried fruit tends to be the least expensive ingredient in trail mixes (by far), they’re usually overrepresented in a purchased bag.
Ratio of Nuts to Fruit
I once heard the break down should be ⅔ nuts and seeds and ⅓ fruit, but every once in a while it seems split pretty evenly – not exactly my favorite.
If you love trail mix like I do, then you might also try these other similarly crunchy recipes. My peanut butter granola cookies are a soft, chewy cookies with crunch from your favorite granola.
Along the same lines, but with a little less crunch, try muesli cookies! But if you really don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen, white chocolate bark (an easy dessert to serve or gift for any occasion) and chocolate tiffin (a Scottish chocolate treat that’s a family favorite).
OMEGA 3 TRAIL MIX
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds roasted*
- ⅔ cup pecans roasted*
- ⅔ cup walnuts roasted*
- ⅔ cup pistachios roasted & salted *
- 1 cup pepitas pumpkin seed kernels, roasted & salted*
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- To roast the raw nuts, place in a pan over medium heat. Warm about ten minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine ingredients. Store in airtight container.
Thanks so much for this recipe! The Omega-3 trail mix is also one of my favorites and am trying to make it at home during our stay at home order to reduce visits to Trader Joe’s. How did you determine the proportions of the ingredients? Is this based on the proportions in the actual trail mix or adjusted for your taste or preference? Thanks!
I haven’t been to TJs since Stay at Home! 🙁 I finally had my sister pick up a few can’t live withouts for me last week. We got everything but the Everything seasoning! But YES, this trail mix is a must – and so easy to make at home, especially when you can buy bulk! I think when I first made it, I tried to stick to pretty typical TJs mix on the ingredients. I’ve found, however, that depending on costs of ingredients, trail mixes tend to have more fruits and seeds as nuts become more expensive, so it may not be the exact mix you get currently. And, yes, over time, I’ve completely made it by preference. I’ve done only pecans and almonds – which is actually my favorite. I now usually do salted pumpkin seeds. And I won’t say a chocolate chip or a golden raisin hasn’t been thrown in upon occasion. You can absolutely make it yours!