Protein Trail Mix

This protein trail mix is a healthy, crunchy, high-protein snack! You only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to make this easy, savory trail mix recipe.

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Protein Trail Mix

Now that I'm blogging full-time, I don't introduce myself as a wilderness guide. Yet for a few years, that was my job title! I used to professionally take students backpacking, paddling, rock-climbing, and on other kinds of adventure trips.

Nowadays I guide trips to stay adventurous and experience new places with awesome people. You can join me if you want—but that's not why you're here!

Whether you're a pro or an enthusiast, outdoor activities can require a lot of time off the grid, where it's super important to be to have high quality snack options available to fuel my adventures (and curb my hanger).

My favorite kinds of snacks are healthy, high-protein, and affordable! I have a big list of hiking snacks I choose from, and protein trail mix is the newest to the list! This protein trail mix is savory, crunchy, and my new favorite snack to eat on the top of a mountain!

What is protein trail mix?

Traditional trail mix is typically a combination of nuts, seeds, and chocolate. Instead of using the traditional ingredients, I swapped them for savory, high-protein ingredients.

This protein trail mix is made with only five ingredients and takes less than five minutes to prepare and package. Unlike so many trail mixes made with chocolate, this one is packed with savory ingredients. Whether it’s for hiking, a camping trip, or an afternoon office snack, this healthy snack will give you the energy you need!

What ingredients do I need for this recipe?

Like most of my recipes, this one is easy to make and only includes 5 ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

• Baked green peas - Salted and baked green peas are a salty and crunchy addition to trail mix. I use an entire bag of peas to the recipe and it adds several nutrition benefits.
• Pretzel sticks - Pretzel sticks are another salty and crunchy addition to this savory trail mix. With several pretzel sticks per one serving, adding several of these won't add much nutrition or calories to the snack.
• Jerky - Jerky is a great source of protein that is lightweight, non-perishable, and does well in all temperatures. It comes in several flavors, meats, and packages. My favorite kind of jerky is Trader Joe’s Turkey Jerky and Chomp’s Jerky Sticks. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even make your own jerky!
• Dry roasted almonds - Nuts are high in fat, and a source of protein and fiber. Almonds also are a great source of antioxidants, vitamins, and more.
• Crunchy chickpeas - Chickpeas are a great nut-free, meat-free, high-protein addition to trail mix. I usually add a small bag of chickpeas to this recipe, but there are several recipes if you choose to make your own.

Are there any substitutions for this recipe?

Trail mix is one of the easiest recipes for substitutions. It's so easy to swap out ingredients that match your dietary preferences! Here's some ideas:

• Baked green peas and pretzel sticks - I like to add both of these for salty and crunchy addition to the trail mix. These are high-density options that have a high number per serving. Other options that could have this same sort of effect are popcorn, goldfish, or veggie straws.
• Jerky - Jerky comes in a wide variety of flavors and meats so you can pick which you like best! If you're vegetarian, just leave this option out.
• Dry roasted almonds - Most nuts are high in fat, and a source of protein and fiber. If you don't like almonds, you could use another dry roasted nut like cashews, peanuts, pistachios, or another kind of nut.
• Crunchy chickpeas - These are a great nut-free option to the trail mix. Another nut-free option is dried and crunchy beans.

What equipment do i need for this recipe?

The only equipment you'll need for this recipe are measuring cups and a large mixing bowl. You will also need something to store the trail mix in, like a plastic container or reusable bags.

How do I make this recipe?

One of the best things about this recipe is there are only 3 steps. It's as easy as gathering and mixing ingredients. This will take you 3 minutes total!

• Gather all ingredients.
• Add ingredients to a bowl and mix well.
• Store in airtight container.

Is this recipe healthy?

People often question if trail mix is good for you, and while it will vary for each person, trail mix is definitely a great source of protein and healthy fats. You can purchase trail mix in bulk, in individual pre-packaged bags, or make your own.

My favorite recipes for trail mix are my Copy Cat Trader Joe’s Tempting Trail Mix and S’mores Trail Mix.

How much protein is in trail mix?

This really depends on the mix you get. Trail mixes are designed to be a calorically-dense source of energy, so it's usually higher in carbs and fat without being particularly high on protein.

This protein trail mix recipe, which makes 8 servings, gets you 17g of protein in each serving. That's a substantial amount compared to your classic peanuts-and-m&ms snack—not that there's anything wrong with that!

Can I have the recipe?

If you try this protein trail mix recipe and love it, please rate it and me know your thoughts! Get creative with the ingredients and what you add to make this something you love.