Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix: The Ultimate Fall Snack

When the leaves start turning and pumpkin spice fills the air, it’s the perfect time to bring cozy flavors into your snacks. Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix is an easy, no-bake recipe that blends crunchy nuts, sweet dried fruits, warm spices, and festive fall candies into one irresistible treat. It’s perfect for road trips, lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or as a party mix at autumn gatherings. If you love pumpkin spice lattes, this trail mix is a crunchy, portable way to enjoy those comforting flavors all season long.

Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix

Chef Carol

A cozy autumn trail mix made with nuts, dried fruit, cereal, warm pumpkin spice, and festive candies. Perfect for snacks, parties, or gifting during fall.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 240 kcal

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• small mixing bowl
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• spoon or spatula

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups roasted almonds
• 1 cup pecans or walnuts
• 1 cup roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• 2 cups Chex cereal or Cheerios
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup dried apples or banana chips
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or yogurt-covered raisins
• 1/2 cup fall-colored M&Ms or candy corn (optional)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
• 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice blend (or cinnamon + nutmeg + pinch of cloves and ginger)
• 1 pinch salt

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and cereal.
• In a smaller bowl, whisk together melted butter or coconut oil, maple syrup, pumpkin spice, and salt. Pour over the nut and cereal mixture, tossing until evenly coated.
• Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 15–20 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until golden and fragrant.
• Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
• Stir in dried cranberries, dried apples, chocolate chips, and candy once cooled.
• Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Notes

Toast the nuts and cereal with pumpkin spice for extra crunch and flavor. Always add chocolate and candies after cooling to prevent melting. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature or 2 weeks refrigerated.

Keyword autumn recipe, fall snack, halloween snacks, no-bake mix

What is Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix?

Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix is a seasonal variation of classic snack mix, flavored with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that capture the taste of pumpkin pie. The blend usually includes nuts, seeds, dried fruits, cereals, and candies, lightly coated with pumpkin spice seasoning. Some versions even add roasted pumpkin seeds or yogurt-covered raisins for a festive twist. It’s healthier than candy yet indulgent enough to feel like a treat, making it the perfect autumn snack for both kids and adults.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe makes about 6–8 servings, but you can double it for larger gatherings.

• 2 cups roasted almonds
• 1 cup pecans or walnuts
• 1 cup roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• 2 cups Chex cereal or Cheerios
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup dried apples or banana chips
• ½ cup white chocolate chips or yogurt-covered raisins
• ½ cup fall-colored M&Ms or candy corn (optional)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• 1 tablespoon melted butter or coconut oil
• 1½ teaspoons pumpkin spice blend (or 1 tsp cinnamon + ½ tsp nutmeg + pinch of cloves and ginger)
• Pinch of salt

Substitutions

• Nut-free version: use sunflower seeds and extra cereal instead of nuts
• Vegan version: swap honey for maple syrup and use dairy-free chocolate chips
• Lower-sugar version: reduce or skip candy and stick to dried fruit and nuts

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and cereal.
3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together melted butter or coconut oil, maple syrup, pumpkin spice, and salt. Pour over the nut and cereal mixture, tossing until evenly coated.
4. Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 15–20 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until golden and fragrant.
5. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
6. Stir in dried cranberries, dried apples, chocolate chips, and candy once cooled.
7. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

This method ensures the nuts and cereal get a crisp, spiced coating while the mix-ins stay chewy and sweet.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix

• Toasting the nuts and cereal in the oven intensifies the flavors and keeps the mix crunchy.
• Don’t add chocolate or candies before baking—they’ll melt and clump. Always stir them in after cooling.
• Adjust spice to your taste. For a stronger flavor, add an extra dash of cinnamon or ginger.
• For a protein boost, add roasted chickpeas or edamame.

Variations

Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix can be customized in many ways:

• Kid-friendly version: Add candy corn, Reese’s Pieces, or caramel bits for a sweeter mix.
• Healthy version: Use only nuts, seeds, and dried fruit with a light pumpkin spice coating.
• Gourmet version: Include candied pecans, dark chocolate chunks, and dried figs for a richer, more sophisticated flavor.
• Savory twist: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to balance the sweetness.

Storage and Shelf Life

Keep Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. If you’d like to make it last longer, store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For gifting, pack it in mason jars or autumn-themed treat bags.

Serving Ideas

There are so many fun ways to serve Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix. Put it in small bowls for parties or scatter it around a charcuterie-style snack board. Pack it in resealable bags for hiking trips or road snacks. For kids, portion it into lunchboxes for a seasonal surprise. It also makes a great edible gift when packaged in a jar tied with a ribbon.

Nutrition Breakdown

One serving (about ½ cup) of Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix provides roughly 220–250 calories, with a balance of healthy fats from nuts, natural sugars from dried fruit, and a little indulgence from chocolate or candy. It’s nutrient-dense, offering protein, fiber, and antioxidants, making it a satisfying snack.

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Conclusion

Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix is the ultimate fall snack, bringing together the cozy flavors of pumpkin spice with the satisfying crunch of nuts, seeds, and cereal. It’s easy to prepare, endlessly customizable, and perfect for everything from school snacks to party tables. Whether you enjoy it plain, with chocolate, or candy-studded for Halloween, this trail mix will keep you snacking happily all autumn long.