Maple-Salted Trail Mix with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts
A no-bake mix of toasted nuts and dried fruit tossed in a light maple-salt glaze, ideal for on-the-go energy after outdoor activity. This american-inspired quick meals ready in about 10 minutes turns roughly chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, maple syrup into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 8, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, roughly chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Spread 1 cup chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes until fragrant and golden, stirring once halfway through.
- Step 2: While walnuts toast, whisk together 1 tbsp maple syrup and 1/4 tsp sea salt in a small bowl until combined.
- Step 3: Remove toasted walnuts from oven and immediately toss with 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds. Drizzle with maple-salt mixture and toss until evenly coated. Cool completely before storing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Salted Trail Mix with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (5 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Maple-Salted Trail Mix with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Salted Trail Mix with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Maple-Salted Trail Mix with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Maple-Salted Trail Mix with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts?
American quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This is my new go-to snack. The maple and salt really elevate the trail mix.
- ★★★★★
A great balance of sweet and salty, and the walnuts add a nice crunch.
- ★★★★★
So easy to make and so delicious. Will be making this again and again.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
