Fuel Your Adventure with 8 Rhode Island-Inspired Trail Mix Recipes

Trail mix has long been the snack of choice for adventurers, hikers, and anyone needing a quick, customizable energy boost. With National Trail Mix Day on August 31, it’s the perfect time reinvigorating this versatile treat by making your own combination of nuts, dried fruits, and other flavorful ingredients for a satisfying balance of carbs, protein, and healthy fats. Whether cruising the East Bay Bike Path or grabbing a road-ready snack, these locally sourced mixes deliver a taste of the Ocean State in every bite. 

1. Rhody Dark Chocolate Cherry Crunch

Use dark chocolate cherry granola from Shri Bark Bites, and benefit yoga outreach programs with each purchase, in this mix that perfectly balances sweetness and crunch.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dark chocolate cherry granola
• 1/4 cup roasted almonds
• 1/4 cup dried cherries
• 1/4 cup yogurt-covered raisins
• 2 Tbsp roasted sunflower seeds

Directions: In a large bowl, combine granola, roasted almonds, and dried cherries. Add yogurt-covered raisins and roasted sunflower seeds and shake to mix the ingredients..

2. Ocean State Classic

Crunched-up chocolate-covered pretzels from Andre’z Dipped and Drizzled complement this mix of salty peanuts and pretzels that balance the sweetness of dried cranberries and dark chocolate, while pumpkin seeds add a dose of healthy fats.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup salted peanuts
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup of broken pieces of chocolate-covered pretzel rods
• 2 tablespoons roasted pumpkin seeds

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mix well, and portion into individual snack bags for an easy grab-and-go treat. 

3. Narragansett Nutty

This crunchy blend is perfect for strolling along Narragansett’s breezy shores, and is best with Keith's Originola granola clusters from Beautiful Day, a Providence-based business that uplifts refugees.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup dried cherries
• 1/4 cup milk chocolate-covered almonds
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup granola clusters
  
  

Directions: Combine walnuts, dried cherries, and granola clusters. Toss in milk chocolate-covered almonds and add a pinch of sea salt.

4. Providence Spice Mix

This bold, spicy trail mix reflects Providence’s adventurous culinary scene. Be bold in your jerky selection by using artisanal varieties by Branchish or Newport Jerky Company.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup beef jerky, cut into bite-sized pieces
  1/4 cup dried mango
• 1/4 cup roasted chickpeas
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Directions: Combine cashews, beef jerky pieces, and dried mango. Add roasted chickpeas for crunch and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.

6. Newport Caramel Crunch

Sea-sprayed Caramel Popcorn from Inpopnito makes this the ultimate Newport snack, capturing the salty ocean essence of the City by the Sea.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/4 cup caramel popcorn
• 1/4 cup dried apple slices
• 1/4 cup cinnamon-covered almonds
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Directions: Combine pecans, dried apple slices, and caramel popcorn. Add cinnamon-covered almonds and a dash of sea salt.

7. Roger Williams Rejuvenator

Chocolate-covered espresso beans from Coffee Exchange give any adventurer the burst of energy they need to trek the scenic Roger Williams Park.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup peanuts
• 1/4 cup dried cherries
• 1/4 cup chocolate-covered espresso beans
• 1/4 cup coconut flakes
• 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds

Directions: Mix peanuts, dried cherries, and coconut flakes in a large bowl. Toss in espresso chocolate-covered beans and sunflower seeds.

8. Rhody Maple Delight

Crafted in a historic Rhode Island mill building, Paleonola’s Maple Pancake Granola is a must-have for this indulgent yet nutritious blend.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup maple-glazed pecans
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds
• 2 cups maple granola

Directions: Combine maple-glazed pecans, dried apricots, and granola. Toss in dark chocolate chips and roasted sunflower seeds and mix.

Find the listed ingredients and more at these go-to spots for crafting your own delicious trail mix:

Andre’z Dipped and Drizzled, North Providence

Back to Basics Natural Foods, East Greenwich

Beautiful Day, Providence

Branchish Beef Jerky, Online

Coffee Exchange, Providence

Dave’s Marketplace, Statewide

Inpopnito, Newport

Newport Jerky Company, Newport

Paleonola Granola, Pawtucket

Roch’s Natural Foods, Narragansett and West Greenwich

Shri Bark Bites, Pawtucket

Sweenor’s Chocolates, Cranston

Virginia & Spanish Peanut Co., Providence