This Trail Mix Without Nuts is the perfect snack for kids with a nut allergy or those in nut-free schools. Packed with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, Cheerios, mini pretzels, and dried cranberries, it’s a healthy trail mix full of healthy fats, plant-based protein, and dietary fiber—a nutrient-rich snack option for everyday snacking. The chocolate chips and mini marshmallows make it a treat kids will love!
Perfect for school snacks, a long hike, or road trips, this homemade trail mix offers the perfect combination of great flavor and portability. With white chocolate chips, banana chips, and coconut flakes, you can create your own mix to match your family’s taste. This nut-free snack mix is a great way to enjoy a portable snack without worrying about tree nuts or other allergens.
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I got the inspiration for this nut-free trail mix from my friend Lexi over at A Slice of Home. Her version is an easy snack to make with your kids, making it a great way to get little hands involved in the kitchen. If you’re looking for another fun and nut-free snack mix to create together, be sure to check out her recipe!
For more quick and nut-free recipes check out my favorite Homemade Gift Ideas: Cookbook Recipes for Edible Gifts for snackable treats like this!
🍴Ingredients
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Cheerios (or another cereal like Rice Chex)
- Pretzels (mini or broken into pieces)
- Chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white chocolate)
- Mini marshmallows
- Dried cranberries or raisins
- Sunflower Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Banana chips
- Coconut flakes
- Chocolate chips (optional)
- Mini marshmallows(optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Melt the butter
In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture has thickened slightly.
Step 2: Combine dry ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine Cheerios, mini pretzels, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries (or raisins). If you're using banana chips and coconut flakes, add them as well. You could also add a little cayenne pepper for a spicy kick if you’re in the mood for a unique twist.
Step 3: Pour over the mixture
Pour the melted butter and sugar mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
Step 4: Cool down and Store
Allow the mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to firm up slightly.
Once cooled, stir in the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Store the mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, refrigerate the trail mix in a dedicated nut-free facility.
Hint: For extra flavor, sprinkle a bit of cayenne pepper or chili powder on the trail mix before cooling for a sweet and spicy kick.
📋 Substitutions
- Lower Processed Sugar: You can leave out the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows and replace with a little extra dried fruit
- No Bake: If you don't have the time or energy to bake things, simply leave out the unsalted butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract and combine all the other ingredients.
- Chocolate chips: You can be replaced with dark chocolate or semisweet chocolate depending on your taste.
- Cereals: You can swap out the Cheerios for any other nut-free cereal such as Rice Krispies or Corn Chex.
- Dried fruit: If you don’t have cranberries, raisins or banana chips, any dried fruit such as apricots, cherries, or blueberries would work great.
♨ Variations
- Tropical mix: Use dried pineapple, mango, and coconut flakes instead of cranberries and raisins.
- Spicy sweet mix: Add a pinch of chili powder and a dash of honey to the butter mixture for a sweet-and-spicy flavor.
🍴 Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Large mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula for stirring
- Airtight container for storage
🍲 Storage
Store the trail mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
⭐ Top tip
This homemade trail mix is easy to adapt! Swap out ingredients based on taste preferences or dietary needs. Try adding perfectly crunchy chickpeas for extra plant-based protein or fava beans for a nutrient-rich snack option.
💭 FAQ
Yes! Just make sure to choose a gluten-free cereal like Corn Chex or another certified gluten-free option. Be sure to also check the labels of any other ingredients for gluten.
Absolutely! Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are all great options. You can even try adding fava beans for extra crunch and plant-based protein.
Yes! This recipe is easy to double or triple if you're making a large batch for a group party or family gathering. Just be sure to store any extras in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
💕 Related
Looking for other snack recipes? Try these (some of which can be modified to be nut-free!) :
📖 Recipe
DIY Trail Mix Without Nuts (Kid-Friendly and Easy!)
Equipment
- 2 Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter unsalted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups Cheerios or another cereal like Rice Chex
- 1 ½ cups mini pretzels broken into pieces
- ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup banana chips
- ¼ cup coconut flakes
- ¼ cup chocolate chips optional
- 1 cup mini marshmallows optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter.
- Once melted, stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract.
- Allow the mixture to cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture has thickened slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine Cheerios, mini pretzels, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries (or raisins). If you're using banana chips and coconut flakes, add them as well.
- Pour the melted butter and sugar mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
- Allow the mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to firm up slightly.
- Once cooled, stir in the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows if using.
- Store the mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, refrigerate the trail mix in a dedicated nut-free facility.
Notes
Nutrition
Conclusion
This nut-free trail mix is a fun, customizable, and delicious snack that’s safe for kids with nut allergies. Whether you're packing it for school snacks, taking it on a road trip, or just need a quick and easy snack, this trail mix is sure to be a hit with the whole family. It’s also a good quality, tree nut-free, and nut-free snack mix option, making it a perfect snackfor those avoiding tree nuts. You can easily prepare your own mix and store it in an airtight container for moist & delicious snacking throughout the week!
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