When you crave a quick, easy, and family-friendly low-carb snack, this keto trail mix is the perfect choice! This versatile mix combines toasted coconut with a variety of nuts, keto chocolate chips, and seeds to create a satisfying and customizable snack.
Why Keto Trail Mix?
Being on a keto diet often means snacking more frequently. Therefore, it's essential to have plenty of keto-friendly snacks readily available. This keto trail mix recipe is a lifesaver. It's way cheaper than store-bought versions, which can be twice as expensive as regular trail mix. Plus, it's ready in minutes and naturally gluten-free.
Key Ingredients and Customization
This recipe offers a foundation for endless customization. Here's a breakdown of the key components and how you can adapt them to your preferences:
Coconut: Toasted coconut adds amazing flavor and texture to this trail mix. You can use coconut flakes or coconut chips; coconut chips are larger. Make sure you're using unsweetened coconut. It’s quick and easy to make toasted coconut. Using a parchment-lined 8×8 baking pan, add your coconut so it doesn’t overlap in the pan. Then toast your coconut at 325° for 3 minutes. It may be browned and done at that point; but if it’s not browned, give the coconut a quick stir and toast it longer.
Nuts: Nuts provide healthy fats and satisfying crunch. The recipe suggests almonds, macadamia nuts, and pecans. Nuts can vary a bit in their carb counts, and it is wise to avoid pistachio nuts and cashews because they’re higher in carbs than other nuts. Brazil nuts and peanuts are other good options, and you can use salted or unsalted varieties. If using Brazil nuts, you may want to cut them in half due to their large size.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Keto Chocolate Chips: Keto milk and white chocolate chips bring awesome flavor and color. Lily’s and Bake Believe are two popular brands. You can substitute semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for the milk chocolate chips if you prefer.
Cheese: Moon cheese adds great taste and texture. Cheddar is used, but you can use any flavor. If you can’t find moon cheese, you can omit it or substitute it with cheese whisps or even some broken-up keto crackers.
Seeds: Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) and sunflower seeds add extra nutrients and crunch.
Other Mix-in Ideas:
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
- Dried unsweetened blueberries
- Unsweetened cranberries
Avoid high-carb dried fruits like raisins or figs.
Recipe: Keto Trail Mix
Ingredients:
- Unsweetened coconut flakes or chips
- Almonds
- Macadamia nuts (salted or unsalted)
- Pecans (salted or unsalted)
- Keto milk chocolate chips
- Keto white chocolate chips
- Moon cheese (cheddar or your preferred flavor)
- Pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- Sunflower seeds
Instructions:
- Toast the Coconut: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Place coconut in a single layer into the baking pan. Toast for 3 minutes. If not browned, stir and toast until browned, checking after every additional minute. Let cool completely. If the coconut flakes are not yet toasted, heat a skillet on medium-high heat and place the coconut flakes in it spread out evenly. Toast for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until edges begin to brown. Watch it and do not let it burn.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, add the nuts, chocolate chips, moon cheese, and seeds. Toss to combine. Toss in cooled coconut.
- Store: Store leftover trail mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 months. You can also freeze the trail mix in a ziplock bag for up to 6 months.
Savory Keto Trail Mix Variation
For those who prefer a savory snack, this variation replaces the chocolate chips with seasonings and Parmesan cheese.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Macadamia Nuts
- 1 cup Almonds
- 1/2 cup Walnut
- 1/2 cup Pepitas
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese
- 1/4 tsp Simply Organic Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Ground White Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Dehydrate the Cheese: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Spread Cheddar Cheese (1 cup) onto a lined baking tray. Cover it will a cloth and leave for an hour or so in a hot dry area to dehydrate the cheese. Place it into a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Leave to cool on the tray before crushing it into pieces. It should have a puffy and popped appearance at the end.
- Season the Nuts: Into a bowl, add Macadamia Nuts (1 cup), Almonds (1 cup), Walnut (1/2 cup), and Pepitas (1/2 cup). Season with Simply Organic Garlic Powder (1/4 tsp), Ground White Pepper (1/4 tsp), Paprika (1/2 tsp), and Salt (1 tsp). Mix well.
- Roast the Nuts: Pour Olive Oil (2 Tbsp) and thoroughly coat the mixture with the oil. Pour the nuts out onto a lined baking tray and spread evenly. Bake in the same temperature for 10-15 minutes, turning every few minutes until roasted and golden. When done, leave the seeds and nuts to cool completely.
- Combine: Spread the cheese over the roasted nuts and seeds and mix well until combined.
Slow Cooker Savory Keto Snack Mix
This method uses a slow cooker for easy preparation.
Ingredients:
- Mixed nuts (or your preferred combination of low-carb nuts)
- Parsley flakes
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Egg white
- Water (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare: Prepare the slow cooker liner by spritzing with nonstick cooking spray.
- Coat the Nuts: In a large bowl, combine the nuts. In a small bowl, beat the egg white until frothy (add the 2 Tbs. of water if you like). Pour over the nuts and toss to coat.
- Season: Add the parsley flakes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cayenne, and salt to the nuts and toss until evenly coated.
- Cook: Place the nuts in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on high for 1 ½ hours, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Finish: Toss the nuts with grated Parmesan cheese and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet covered with parchment or waxed paper.
Tips for Making the Perfect Keto Trail Mix
- Nut Allergies: If you have nut allergies, you can easily adapt this recipe. For example, if you avoid most tree nuts because of an allergy, switch out the peanuts for pecans or walnuts.
- Sweetness vs. Savory: If you prefer a sweeter mix, include sugar-free chocolate and freeze-dried strawberries. If you prefer a more savory mix, incorporate Moon Cheese or other savory additions.
- Toasting Nuts: Toasted nuts enhance the flavor and texture of the trail mix.
- Freshness: Store your trail mix in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Keto Trail Mix for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures
This trail mix is an excellent choice for hiking and camping trips. It provides sustained energy and is easy to pack.
Making Hiking Fun for the Whole Family
To make hiking enjoyable for the whole family, consider these tips:
- Purpose: Choose hikes with a specific purpose, such as a fishing spot, a cave to explore, a camping spot, or the possibility of seeing wildlife.
- Snacks: Always bring keto hiking food or keto camping desserts, such as variations on this low-carb trail mix.
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