This Nut-Free Trail Mix is the perfect make-ahead snack. Make a batch during your food prep session and portion into bags for kids to eat throughout the week.
*Originally published 6/2017. Updated 4/2023*
Hi Friends –
If you’re looking for a fun, kid-friendly snack idea, this nut-free trail mix is a must-try. My kids are huge snackers so I’m always trying to come up with new ideas for them to snack on at home as well as snacks to send to school.
Like so many classrooms nowadays, usually at least one of my kids requires nut-free snacks for school, which is why I created this nut-free trail mix.
If you need store-bought nut-free ideas, here’s The Ultimate List of Peanut-Free & Tree Nut-Free Packaged Snacks that I put together a couple of years ago. And here are 20 Nut-Free Snacks For Kids.
Why trail mix without nuts?
When I first created this nut-free trail mix, I did it for my toddler. At the time I was snacking on my personal favorite trail mix- a mix of peanuts, almonds, cashews, m&m’s and raisins, but never felt comfortable giving it to my toddler because of all the large nuts.
So I decided to create a kid-friendly trail mix for toddlers. One with only small pieces in it so I felt comfortable with him being able to eat it safely.
I also decided to make it nut-free so those of you in nut-free schools can use it too. Instead of nuts, I used pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. And, inspired by my friend Christina who made this kid-friendly granola recipe, I used dried blueberries instead of raisins as a fun way to change things up.
My kids love frozen wild blueberries and I’ve found that dried blueberries are a good alternative when I don’t want them walking around with their entire faces a nice shade of purple for the day – because nobody wants to fight the face-wiping battle more often than you have to, am I right?
Trail mix recipes for kids
Need more snack mix ideas? Try these (some with nuts, some without)
Sweet & Spicy Popcorn Snack Mix
What are the green seeds in no nut trail mix
When I originally made this trail mix, I ordered several of my ingredients from Nuts.com. Despite the name, they sell a ton of things that aren’t nuts. I ordered the dried blueberries, the pumpkin seeds (these are the green seeds you may see in trail mix. They’re a good source of fiber and protein) and the chocolate-covered sunflower seeds (a fun change from m&ms…plus I love that they have ones that are naturally colored!) in this trail mix from them! Then I just added a couple of our favorite cereals – Rice Chex and Cheerios.
How To Make Nut-Free Trail Mix
Here are a couple of different options for your trail mix:
You can mix everything together straight out of the box. If you’re doing this, you might want to use cereals with a little more flavor (like Love Grown Polar Puffs, Cinnamon Chex, etc).
You can make it with just a little butter and cinnamon like I do.
You can add a little brown sugar for extra sweetness.
You could use plain sunflower seeds and add some chocolate chips.
If you’re looking for some other cereal ideas, here are some of my favorite Lower Sugar Cereals For Kids.
You could also get your favorite granola bars and cut them into cubes to add to your trail mix. Here are some healthy store-bought granola bars for kids.
I’ve found that my kids don’t love plain pepitas, but when I added a little butter and cinnamon, they eats everything in the trail mix no problem.
Here’s the recipe:
Nut-Free Trail Mix Recipe
This nut-free Toddler-Friendly Trail Mix is the perfect make-ahead snack. Make a batch during your food prep session and portion into bags for kids to eat throughout the week.
Author: Lindsay
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups Rice Chex
2 cups Cheerios
3/4 cup pepitas
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup chocolate covered sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried blueberries
1 Tbsp brown sugar, optional
Instructions
Put cereals and pumpkin seeds in a large, microwave-safe bowl.
Pour butter in and stir well to coat.
Sprinkle in cinnamon (and sugar if using) while stirring.
Microwave 90 seconds. Stir.
Microwave an additional 90 seconds.
Spread on a baking sheet to cool.
When cool, add dried blueberries and sunflower seeds.
Portion into bags and enjoy for a snack!
Notes
Remember that the butter/cinnamon mixture is optional. Feel free to just combine cereals, seeds and blueberries and enjoy.
Customize with your favorite cereals!
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram
I love having this option on hand as a trail mix (nut-free) for younger kids to eat when the adults and/or bigger kids are eating a version with nuts or bigger pieces.
I’ve also made a big batch of this nut-free trail mix to take on play dates and it’s always a hit!
Kids Trail Mix Nut Free
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
