Nut Free Trail Mix for Kids

The most delicious classroom-friendly, Nut-Free Trail Mix recipe is quick and easy, made with simple ingredients and takes just two minutes to make!

One glass mason jar filled with peanut-free trail mix. Base of jar surrounded by trail mix on a white plate. White bowl with pretzel balls partially pictured in the background.

I don't know about you, but I'm all about nutritious snacks that I don't have to cook. This trail mix made without tree nuts contains fiber and protein, which keeps kids feeling full longer.

Aside from being perfect snack for the classroom, this tree nut-free trail mix is a great snack that travels well, whether flying or taking on road trips.

This no-nut trail mix recipe combines all of the 'favorite' ingredients from when I asked a group of kids to do a taste test at snack time. 😍 If you are looking for more nut-free recipes that don't need to be refrigerated, check out my Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip and Banana Carrot Muffin recipes.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
What You Need to Make Nut-Free Trail Mix
Dietitian Tips
How to Make Nut-Free Trail Mix
Helpful Tips
Questions You May Have
Related
More Nut-Free Snack Recipes
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Why You'll Love This Recipe

As a dietitian who understands the severity of nut allergies, I love making this homemade trail mix because it's easy to make, can be kept at room temperature, and tastes so much better than store-bought trail mixes.

Easy Snack This recipe is made with simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store and takes just a few minutes to make. The best part is that there is no cooking or baking involved! 🙌
School Snack My kids don't attend nut-free schools, but they are often in nut-free classrooms and have friends with food allergies, so this is perfect for them.
Meal Prep Technically when you make a big batch of something that will be good for a while, it's considered meal prepping, right? That's how I see it anyway 😉
Healthy Snack This healthy trail mix makes a great snack because it contains protein, a variety of vitamins and minerals from dried fruit and nuts, and it's a great way to help your kids meet their daily fiber needs (this is a good thing;). 'Healthy' is relative, so I felt the need to clarify. 😉

What You Need to Make Nut-Free Trail Mix

Trail mix ingredients in individual small glass bowls lined up into rows, each are labeled: Chocolate chips, craisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pretzel balls, micro marshmallows, and raisins.

Pumpkin and Sunflower seeds Use sprouted or roasted and lightly salted seeds. Seeds contain healthy fats, specifically polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, and phytosterols, in addition to protein and fiber. They add a nice crunch to trail mix. Pumpkin seeds are also known as pepitas. If you run out of seeds, crunchy chickpeas would be a good substitute... or great addition.
Craisins Sweetened dried cranberries. Contain antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. They also contribute energy and flavor.
Raisins Dried grapes. High in potassium. Good source of fiber and antioxidants.
Mini pretzel balls These are a 'make it or break it' for optimal enjoyment of this trail mix. If you are unable to find them in your grocery store (in the bulk section), you can purchase them online. Pretzel sticks or mini pretzels make an easy substitute.
Chocolate chips Semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or white chocolate chips (or a combination of both). Can substitute with M&Ms if your child does not have a peanut allergy.
Micro marshmallow bits (optional) You can find them in the bulk section of the grocery store or purchase them online.

Dietitian Tips

One glass mason jar filled with nut-free trail mix surrounded by trail mix on a white plate at its base. Ingredients in separate small glass bowls lined up to the side of the white plate.

Give your kids options of what they would like in their trail mix. Letting your kids have a say in what they eat may improve their acceptance of it.

You can even create a trail mix station by setting different ingredient options out and letting kids taste test before creating their own mix. To make it even more fun and educational, include some fun with trail mix trivia. Did you know it's been around since the 1800s?

Also, allowing kids to taste-test ingredients they are unfamiliar with first and adding a small amount of sweet (like chocolate and/or marshmallows) goes a long way.

As for me, if adding a few mini marshmallows and chocolate chips or M&M's and pretzel balls means my kids will eat a variety of seeds and dried fruits, then I'm all for it.

How to Make Nut-Free Trail Mix

Nut free trail mix ingredients in a glass mixing bowl with small glass bowls of pumpkin and sunflower seeds to the right of it.

Here's how easy it is to make this delicious trail mix. For the complete recipe with specific ingredients and amounts, please scroll down to the recipe card.

Mix desired ingredients together in a large bowl and store in a big container that is airtight.

Helpful Tips

Store in an airtight container to prevent the ingredients from getting stale.
If your kids don't attend nut-free schools, don't have an allergy to nuts, and won't be around kids with nut allergies, feel free to add some of their favorite nuts.
This recipe is very flexible. If you don't have all of the ingredients, use what you have.
Other great nut-free options for trail mix include granola, banana chips, mini animal crackers, Chex Mix, plain unsweetened Cheerios, and small pieces of other dried fruits like dried cherries or golden raisins.

Questions You May Have

Does trail mix have nuts in it?

Historically speaking, the answer most often would be 'yes'. Afterall, it is also referred to as GORP which stands for "good 'ol raisins and peanuts'.

However, as the name implies, trail mix is defined more so by being an energy dense snack that doesn't weigh much and doesn't need to be refrigerated so that it can be taken on long hikes.

Are there peanuts in M&Ms?

While plain M&Ms do not have peanuts as an ingredient, there is a warning on the label stating that they "may contain peanuts".

What makes a good trail mix?

I'd say a good trail mix is made with a combination of quick energy foods and longer-lasting energy foods that provide a balance of carbohydrate, protein, fat, and fiber. And it should taste good, too!

More Nut-Free Snack Recipes

Did your kids love this trail mix recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating below or a review in the comments section!

Don't forget to snap a pic of their delicious trail mix and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram so I can see it. Enjoy!

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