Popcorn Trail Mix

This popcorn trail mix makes for a delicious snack that is kid-tested and dietitian mom-approved!

WHAT’S NEW?

Last weekend I was in Chicago with my gal pals and we had a great time eating all over the city, enjoying a beautiful night on the river for the Chicago Architecture Tour, and seeing the show Six. I was also sure not to miss frose at Hampton Social – my absolute favorite summertime drink! While I was away, my family enjoyed Lake Michigan and a beautiful day spent boating and tubing. It was hot and they say the water temperature was perfect! They had so much fun they were starved the second they got home, Mark said. While he was able to whip up a very early dinner of leftovers, it could be said that he should have taken more and better snacks!

This popcorn snack mix is perfect for on-the-go and my kids love it! Full of bite-sized ingredients and fun shapes and colors, this trail mix is tons of fun!

ROLL CALL FOR THIS RECIPE

• Popcorn Lovers: Popcorn is healthy and versatile! We love a family movie night and that is not complete without some traditional popcorn! Make extra and whip up this easy snack for something unique and fun!
• Adaptable: With plain popcorn as a base ingredient, you can use any combination of ingredients you have on hand. There’s truly no going wrong!
• Snack Well: Whether it’s a school snack, snack for road trips, or afternoon snacks just because, having a healthy, pre-made option that’s full of kid-friendly favorites makes for a great snack!

KEY INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

• Popcorn: While air popped popcorn is called for, any popcorn can work in this recipe, including microwave popcorn or store-bought options. There are some great options on the market, such as Boom Chicka Pop. I would recommend limiting butter and salt, however. There is lots of flavor in the other ingredients!
• Pretzels: I used mini pretzels because they’re so cute and it keeps the ingredients all small-sized. You can use any variety, with or without added salt.
• Teddy Grahams: I like the bit of fiber and sweet honey flavor from graham crackers. That said, you can use any number of other ingredients.
• Cashews: Any nut will work great here. Pecans, cashews, pistachios, and peanuts would be my top picks! Choosing unsalted nuts helps keep this snack low in salt.
• Marshmallows: I chose colored mini marshmallows for a pop of both color and sweetness. You can use more, less, or another ingredeint entirely.
• Banana Chips: I like to include a fruit of some kind and something low in moisture helps ensure the popcorn stays fresh. If you’re serving shortly after preparing, raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries would be great alternatives.
• Chocolate: A dark chocolate chunk or M&M is a fun addition to this trail mix, however you could use white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, or omit altogether.

VARIATIONS, STORAGE, and TIPS

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Better yet, store each serving in individual bags for quick and easy snacking
• Use a LARGE bowl to combine this popcorn mixture, it makes a lot!
• Consider swapping in or adding any number of ingredients, such as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dry cereal, dried coconut, dehydrated pea pods, soybeans, roasted chickpeas, etc.

FAQ 

What makes air popped popcorn a healthy food?

The use of hot air versus hot oil or other fat is used to pop popcorn kernels when making air-popped popcorn. Omitting the fat dramatically reduces the amount of calories in the popcorn while still producing fluffy, flavorful popcorn! 

Is popcorn a whole grain?

Yes! Popcorn is considered a whole grain making it an incredibly healthy snack 

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free pretzel, gluten-free cereal, and/or additional nuts and popcorn in place of the pretzels and Teddy Grahams.

NUTRITIONAL MERITS

• Dairy-free and easily made vegan and gluten-free
• This snack offers a good source of dietary fiber with over 3 grams per cup
• Offering both fiber, fat, and protein, this snack offers something more than simple carbohydrates like so many snack foods available
• Popcorn is rich in polyphenols, an antioxidants that may help with blood circulation and digestion 

Looking for more wholesome snack ideas? Look no further!

• Easy Vegan Dark Chocolate Pudding
• Chocolate Avocado Truffles
• Blueberry Lemon Energy Bites
• Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Creamy Radish Dip
• Chocolate Strawberry Banana Smoothie
• Greek Yogurt Chocolate-Strawberry Bark
• Cucumber Spinach Smoothie

Be well,