Sweet & Savory Chocolate Trail Mix Bars Recipe for Snack Lovers

Chocolate trail mix bars blend irresistible textures and flavors into a single delightful snack that breaks traditional boundaries of sweet treats.

Portable nutrition meets intense satisfaction with these compact energy-packed bites.

Layers of rich chocolate complement nutty, crunchy ingredients that dance across your palate with complex sensations.

Sweet and salty elements intertwine, creating a harmonious balance that satisfies multiple cravings simultaneously.

Wholesome ingredients craft ordinary snacking into an extraordinary culinary experience that fuels your adventures and delights your taste buds.

Each carefully crafted bar represents a perfect intersection of indulgence and nourishment, promising maximum flavor with minimal effort.

These bars offer a quick, convenient solution for hungry moments when you need rapid energy and maximum taste.

Chocolate Trail Mix Bars That Satisfy Every Craving

• Quick and Nutritious Snack: Packed with wholesome ingredients like nuts, chia seeds, and puffed rice, these bars deliver a powerful protein punch and sustained energy for busy days.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Easy to personalize with different nuts, seeds, or chocolate types, making it a versatile recipe that adapts to individual taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Stress-Free Preparation: Requires minimal cooking skills, simple mixing technique, and straightforward baking process that even novice home cooks can master with confidence and ease.
• Convenient Make-Ahead Option: Perfect for meal prepping, these bars can be stored for several days, making them an ideal grab-and-go snack for work, school, or outdoor activities.

Ingredients for Chocolate Trail Mix Bars You’ll Love

• Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts: Crunchy base ingredients that provide texture and nutty flavor. Choose raw or lightly toasted nuts for best results.
• Chia Seeds: Nutritional powerhouse adding extra fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Look for organic, high-quality seeds.

• Maple Syrup, Honey: Natural sweeteners that help bind the ingredients together. Select pure, organic varieties for best flavor.

• Puffed Rice Cereal: Light and crispy element that adds volume and texture to the bars. Choose plain, unsweetened variety.
• Chocolate Chips: Rich, sweet coating that adds indulgence. Dark or semi-sweet chocolate works best.
• Coconut Oil: Helps melt and smooth the chocolate for perfect coating. Choose unrefined, virgin coconut oil.
• Parchment Paper: Essential for easy removal and non-stick baking. Use high-quality, non-stick baking paper.

Instructions to Make Chocolate Trail Mix Bars

Step 1: Prepare Workspace

Grab a baking dish and line it with parchment paper. Set your oven to preheat at 325°F.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Chopped nuts
• Chia seeds
• Puffed rice cereal

Stir ingredients until well mixed.

Step 3: Add Liquid Binders

• Maple syrup
• Honey

Mix thoroughly to ensure all dry ingredients are coated evenly.

Step 4: Create Bar Base

Transfer mixture to parchment-lined baking dish. Use a spatula or measuring cup to press mixture into a smooth, flat layer.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place in preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes until golden and fragrant.

Step 6: Cool and Set

Remove from oven. Let bars rest in dish for 5 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool completely for 45-50 minutes at room temperature.

Step 7: Chocolate Coating

Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil using double boiler or microwave method. If using microwave, heat in 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval.

Step 8: Apply Chocolate Layer

Once bars are completely cooled, spread melted chocolate in an even layer. Refrigerate for 10-20 minutes until chocolate sets.

Step 9: Slice and Store

Using a sharp knife, cut into bars. Store in cool, dry place or refrigerator.

Tips for Chocolate Trail Mix Bars That Stick Together Nicely

• Chop Precisely: Use a sharp knife to uniformly chop nuts, ensuring even baking and consistent texture throughout the bars.
• Control Sweetness: Adjust maple syrup and honey ratio to customize the sweetness level according to your preference.
• Prevent Sticking: Use parchment paper with slight overhang for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Melt Chocolate Carefully: Stir chocolate slowly and gently to avoid burning, using low heat or short microwave intervals.
• Storage Secrets: Keep bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain crispness and extend shelf life up to one week.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Chocolate Trail Mix Bars

• Refrigerator Storage: Seal the chocolate trail mix bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Keep them refrigerated for up to 7 days, protecting the texture and preventing chocolate from melting.
• Freezer Method: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for long-term preservation. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Reheating Tips: These bars are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. Avoid microwaving, as heat will cause the chocolate to separate and lose its smooth consistency. Let frozen bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for optimal taste and texture.

Tasty Pairings for Chocolate Trail Mix Bars

• Brew Complementary Coffee: Pair these trail mix bars with a robust medium-roast coffee that highlights the nutty and chocolate flavors, cutting through the sweetness and enhancing the overall taste experience.
• Serve with Herbal Tea: Complement the bars with a chamomile or mint herbal tea, which provides a soothing contrast to the rich chocolate and creates a balanced, refreshing palate cleanser.
• Create Dairy Companion: Enjoy alongside a cold glass of almond milk or a creamy Greek yogurt to balance the bar's texture and add a smooth, cool counterpoint to the crunchy nuts and sweet chocolate.
• Pack as Energy Boost: Take these bars on hiking trips or workout sessions as a natural energy-dense snack that delivers quick nutrition and satisfying flavor between meals or during outdoor activities.

Fun Twists on Chocolate Trail Mix Bars

• Nutty Chocolate Oasis: Swap puffed rice with rolled oats and add chopped almonds, pecans, and sunflower seeds for extra crunch and protein.
• Berry Chocolate Crunch: Mix in dried cranberries and blueberries with the nuts, then drizzle white chocolate on top for a fruity, sweet variation.
• Tropical Chocolate Adventure: Replace maple syrup with coconut nectar and add shredded coconut, macadamia nuts, and a sprinkle of sea salt for a Hawaiian-inspired treat.
• Protein Power Bars: Incorporate vanilla protein powder into the nut mixture and use dark chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage for a more nutrition-focused snack.

Chocolate Trail Mix Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Chocolate trail mix bars blend sweet and salty flavors into an irresistible snack perfect for adventurers and energy seekers. Packed with nuts, seeds, and rich chocolate, these bars offer a delicious balance of nutrients that fuel your next exciting journey.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Nuts:

• ¼ cup (60 ml) cashews
• ¼ cup (60 ml) peanuts
• ¼ cup (60 ml) almonds
• ¼ cup (60 ml) pecans

Dried Fruit and Cereal:

• ¼ cup (60 ml) dried cranberries
• ¼ cup (60 ml) puffed rice cereal
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chia seeds

Binding and Coating Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (80 ml) maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) coconut oil
• 1 cup (240 ml) semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius). Carefully line a rectangular baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
2. Roughly chop all nuts into smaller, uniform pieces. Transfer the chopped nuts into a medium-sized mixing bowl and combine with chia seeds and puffed rice cereal, stirring gently to distribute evenly.
3. Pour maple syrup and honey over the dry ingredients. Thoroughly mix until every piece is completely coated and glistening with the sweet liquid binders.
4. Transfer the moistened mixture into the prepared parchment-lined baking dish. Use a spatula or the back of a measuring cup to press the mixture firmly and create a smooth, compact layer with consistent thickness.
5. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the mixture appears set and slightly crisp.
6. Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the mixture to rest inside for 5 minutes. Carefully lift the parchment paper and transfer the entire sheet to a cooling rack.
7. Let the mixture cool completely at room temperature for 45-50 minutes, or expedite the process by placing it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
8. Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil using either a double boiler or microwave method. If using a microwave, heat in 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth and fully liquefied.
9. Once the nut mixture has cooled completely, gently flip it over. Spread the melted chocolate in an even, consistent layer across the surface.
10. Return the chocolate-covered mixture to the refrigerator for 10-20 minutes to allow the chocolate to set firmly.
11. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the hardened mixture into individual bars of desired size. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place or refrigerate for extended freshness.

Notes

• Customize your trail mix by choosing favorite nuts and seeds for a personalized snack experience.
• Ensure even coating of maple syrup and honey to help nuts and cereal bind together perfectly.
• Press mixture firmly into baking dish to create compact, sturdy bars that won’t crumble easily.
• Allow bars to cool completely before adding chocolate to prevent melting and maintain crisp texture.
• Melt chocolate slowly and carefully to avoid burning, stirring between short microwave intervals.
• Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 190 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg