Smoky Savoury Trail Mix with Cacao Nibs

Prep time5 to 10 minutes
Cook time5 to 10 minutes
Total time10 to 20 minutes
DifficultyEasy
Servings1 large jar of trail mix

Crunchy roasted nuts and seeds tossed in a smoky, savoury spice coating, mixed with chocolate-coated cacao nibs.

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What we love about this trail mix

It’s the kind of snack that surprises you with every bite. You’ve got crunchy nuts and seeds, smoky spices, and chocolate-coated cacao nibs, so the variety of textures and sweet-savoury combination makes this one fun to eat.. It’s easy to make, pack, and a delicious alternative to grabbing chips or candy when hunger strikes.

Where’s it from?

Trail mix is a classic on-the-go snack and staple for outdoor adventures, typically made by combining nuts, seeds, and dried fruit for an easy, wholesome boost of energy. Our version adds a savoury twist by coating the nuts and seeds with paprika, onion, ginger, and garlic powder, making this trail mix truly addictive.

Why cocoa?

The chocolate-coated cacao nibs add a touch of sweetness to balance out the smoky flavours in the trail mix. It’s also a fantastic source of antioxidants, making this trail mix a truly healthy treat. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of chocolate in their trail mix?

Cocoa Recommendation

What cocoa should I use?

Use our chocolate-coated cacao nibs in this trail mix to add crunch, richness, and a hint of sweet. If you’re headed for a warm outdoor activity and are worried about the chocolate melting, just use our regular cacao nibs instead.

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The Recipe

Follow these steps to create your masterpiece

Ingredients

Nut & seed base

  • 200 g mixed nuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, etc.
  • 80 g mixed seeds, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame

Spice coating

  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp ginger powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¾ tsp salt

Finish

Method

Preheat oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C.

Make the seasoning
Lightly whisk an egg white just until foamy, but still watery.
Add smoked paprika, ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt to the egg white. Mix well.

Coat nuts & seeds
Add nuts and seeds to the seasoning mix and toss thoroughly so that everything is evenly coated.

Bake
Spread the seasoned nuts and seeds mixture on a lined baking tray, making sure to spread them out into a single layer.
Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, mixing halfway, until lightly golden and crisp.

Finish
Let the trail mix cool down completely on the counter.
Mix in the chocolate-coated cacao nibs once fully cooled.
To store, transfer the trail mix into an airtight jar. Make sure the trail mix is completely cool for this step, or your nuts and seeds will get humid and go soft. 

Hyram De La Paz

Hyram De La Paz is the creative force behind The Cocoa Circle's recipe magic. A professionally trained bonbon specialist with over six years of experience in high-energy kitchens, Hyram knows his way around cocoa like nobody else. His sweet spot is baking. In our kitchen, he blends world-class technique with a dash of imagination to turn cocoa into something spectacular.

Smokey Cacao Nib Trail Mix: Healthy Snack, Big Flavor

Learn how to make a smoky cacao nib trail mix at home using simple ingredients. This savoury snack recipe is perfect for healthy snacking.

Chef’s tips

Keep it cool

Cool the nut and seed mixture completely before adding the chocolate-coated cacao nibs.

Mix it up

Coat the nuts and seeds well and evenly in the seasoning powder

Keep an eye on it

Take the trail mix out of the oven once it’s golden brown and crisp.