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Nut-Free Trail Mix

April 21, 2023 by Lindsay 8 Comments

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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.

This Nut-Free Toddler 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)

  • Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix
  • Sweet & Spicy Popcorn Snack Mix
  • Kid-friendly Snack Mix
  • Easy Nut-Free Trail Mix
  • Nut-Free Trail Mix For Kids
This Nut-Free Toddler 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.

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.

This Nut-Free Toddler 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.

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:

Print

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.
Print Recipe

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5 from 1 review

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

Scale
  • 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

This Nut-Free Toddler 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.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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Filed Under: Snack Tagged With: Pepitas, Rice Chex

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. [email protected] A Dash of Cinnamon says

    June 2, 2017 at 8:12 AM

    I don’t often see dried blueberries, but they are tasty!

    Reply
  2. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says

    June 2, 2017 at 9:20 AM

    I’m totally a sucker for trail mix. Love all the different flavors and textures in this one!

    Reply
  3. anne|Craving Something Healthy says

    June 2, 2017 at 12:49 PM

    I’m dying over those colorful sunflower seeds!!

    Reply
  4. Melissa says

    June 2, 2017 at 10:24 PM

    This is awesome. Claire loves trail mix, but I only let her eat it when I can watch her. I know she would just love this! I need so many snacks for her when we’re on the go and this would be great because it makes a lot (for a toddler anyway).

    Reply
  5. Aggie says

    June 5, 2017 at 7:49 AM

    I love this idea and I know my little guy would love it even more!

    Reply
  6. Kathryn Grace says

    June 5, 2017 at 7:17 PM

    The only reason I didn’t give this wonderful recipe 5 stars is because it doesn’t specify organic ingredients, but I’m fussy that way, especially when it comes to treats for my grandchildren. I LOVE it, and it’s my pick for #RecipeOfTheDay. Thanks so much for sharing it.

    Reply
  7. Lauren Harris-Pincus says

    June 8, 2017 at 8:48 PM

    Those chocolate covered sunflower seeds are amazing! Any kid would love it!

    Reply
  8. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

    June 15, 2017 at 9:35 AM

    The chocolate covered pepitas are totally better than M&Ms that are frequently in trail mixes. Heck I want this for myself.

    Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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Questions? Comments? Email me: [email protected]

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