Wildlife Prairie Park Trail Mix Squares

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

No-bake energy squares with nuts and dried fruit, evoking the park's natural trails. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 20 minutes turns rolled oats, old-fashioned oats, peanut butter 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 is portion-balanced and feeds 16, 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.

Prep: 20 min Serves 16 American cuisine
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup old-fashioned oats, 1/2 cup chopped almonds, and 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/4 cup honey in a small saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until fully coated.
  5. Step 5: Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan using a spatula.
  6. Step 6: Fold in 1/2 cup dried cranberries, pressing gently to distribute.
  7. Step 7: Refrigerate uncovered for 2 hours until firm, then cut into 16 squares.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Wildlife Prairie Park Trail Mix Squares take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 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 Wildlife Prairie Park Trail Mix Squares?

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 Wildlife Prairie Park Trail Mix Squares?

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 Wildlife Prairie Park Trail Mix Squares for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). 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 Wildlife Prairie Park Trail Mix Squares?

American kid friendly 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.

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