If you’re like most people, you find it hard to wait for your next meal, but you don’t want to blow your healthy diet. If you have a handful of this High Protein Trail Mix, it’ll help you over the hump and stop cravings in their tracks!
High Protein Trail Mix: Vegan and Delicious!
Most trail mixes aren’t very wholesome, especially if they contain dried fruit covered in oil and/or sugar (for example, dried bananas, cranberries, or even raisins). Plus, trail mixes often contain sugary candy like M&M’s. That’s why making your own protein trail mix recipe puts you in charge of your health!
While nuts and seeds do contain fat, they have also been associated with a reduced risk of major chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
My high-protein trail mix is vegan and full of dry-roasted soybeans, three types of nuts, freeze-dried berries, and yummy homemade dark chocolate oat clusters. The clusters add a touch of sweetness, along with the freeze-dried blueberries. And freeze-dried fruit has no sugar or oil like dried fruit does. Substitute any that you like.
While it’s true that trail mix (including this one) can have more fat, I want to emphasize portion control. Keep it to 1/4 cup per serving for a low-calorie trail mix. Give your stomach a few minutes to register it, and you’ll feel those hunger pangs melt away.
It’s the perfect snack option if you’re looking for something that will fill you up but not slow you down. No more worrying about an afternoon sugar crash!
How Much Protein is in Vegan Trail Mix?
This high-protein nuts and seeds mix has over 5 grams of protein per serving. The basic ingredients include some kind of whole grain — in this case, whole oats, nuts, and/or seeds, some dried fruit, some kind of protein, and a touch of sweetness. That said, you can feel free to get really creative with this homemade trail mix recipe.
Much of the protein in this version of vegan trail mix comes from the dry-roasted edamame (or soybeans), almonds, and pumpkin seeds. Nuts are best eaten raw as they may have 30 times fewer glycotoxins (AGEs) than when roasted. AGEs have been implicated in the development of many chronic diseases and are present in baked and/or roasted foods.
How to Make Homemade Trail Mix
You’ll find everything you need to know about quantities on the recipe card below. In the meantime, here are step-by-step instructions for how to make homemade trail mix.
Step 1: Combine the high-protein nuts and seeds, and berries
Place the soybeans, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, almonds, and freeze-dried berries in a bowl and mix to combine.
Step 2: Make the dark chocolate oat clusters
Place the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on High in 15-second increments until melted. You can also melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water on the stovetop.
Stir in the oats and use a spoon to create ½ inch sized clusters. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then chill in the freezer until they solidify — about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Assemble your vegan train mix
Add the dark chocolate oat clusters to the nuts and berries and use a wooden spoon to combine. Enjoy as is for a quick and easy snack, or feel free to add to your favorite yogurt! Remember — to keep this trail mix vegan, you’ll want to use a plant-based yogurt alternative.
Storing High Protein Trail Mix
I like to store this high-protein trail mix recipe in mason jars. As you can see in the pictures, I used a small one. It’s also great for storing your homemade mayonnaise! Or, use small baggies to divide up the portions and take along a baggie when you’re out and about or at work.
Can I Use Other High Protein Nuts and Seeds?
Absolutely! That’s half the beauty of this homemade trail mix recipe. Feel free to mix and match your favorite nuts, seeds, freeze-dried fruits, and more. Use my ingredients as a baseline, then add or remove whatever you like. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Peanuts
- Walnuts
- Coconut flakes
- Brazil nuts
- Chia seeds
- Macadamia nuts
- Pecans
Should I Toast the Nuts for High Protein Trail Mix?
You don’t have to, but I must say that lightly toasting the high-protein nuts and seeds first will add a much more earthy and nutty flavor to the final results!
Try my recipe for roasting your own nuts. Here’s the recipe for Roasting Your Own Nuts and Seeds at Home, It only takes a few minutes and is definitely worth a try.
I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below for this High Protein Trail Mix! If you have a photo, post it on my Facebook page, tag me using the hashtag #plantbasedcooking in your caption, and I won’t miss it!
Check out more delicious high-protein recipes:
- Low Fat Cinnamon Nut Granola
- Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Cream
- Edamame Dip
- Tempeh Salad Sandwich
- Hearty Lentil Kale Soup
High Protein Trail Mix
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dry-roasted soybeans
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried berries (cherries, blueberries, strawberries)
Dark Chocolate Oat Clusters
- 1/2 cup whole oats
- 1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips or substitute cacao nibs if you prefer no extra sugar or fat
Instructions
- Add the soybeans, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, almonds and freeze-dried berries to a bowl.
- Melt chocolate. The easiest way to melt chocolate is in a bowl in the microwave, stirring until melted. Or, if you prefer, on the stove in a bowl over a saucepan with heated water.
- Stir in oats and drop 1/2 inch blobs on parchment paper, place in the freezer for a few minutes until solid, then add to trail mix.
- Store in a glass container until ready to use.
I have a quick question for you about the freeze-dried berries. Should they be thawed or anything like that? In my head, it just seems unusual that they’re just placed as-is in frozen form, especially the whole strawberries, which seem too large for trail mix.
Hi, Freeze-dried is different than frozen. When fruit is freeze-dried, most of the water is removed and it shrinks in size and becomes dry. There’s no need to refrigerator these. Here is an example of freeze-dried blueberries in a package.
Thanks so much!