Crunchy & Sweet Keto Trail Mix (Homemade, Customizable & Easy!)
Elevate your snacking game with this Crunchy & Sweet Keto Trail Mix! This homemade blend combines crispy low-carb cereal, wholesome nuts, and rich sugar-free chocolate chips, all coated in a buttery, cinnamon-kissed brown sugar glaze. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, perfect for on-the-go fuel, or a quick satisfying treat. This low-carb, sugar-free, and naturally gluten-free snack is a delightful addition to your health journey, especially for adventures around Puerto Vallarta!
Yields: Approximately 2.5 – 3 cups Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 5-10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute, packed (or your preferred brown sugar erythritol blend)
- 1 cup Catalina Crunch Cinnamon Toast Cereal (or other similar keto-friendly cereal)
- 1 cup raw pecans (halves or chopped)
- ½ cup raw almonds (whole, slivered, or chopped)
- ¼ cup sugar-free chocolate chips (e.g., Lily’s, ChocZero, or your favorite keto-friendly brand)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (to enhance the glaze)
- Optional: Pinch of salt (to balance sweetness)
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Small saucepan
- Whisk or spatula
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Spatula (for spreading)
- Zip-top bag or airtight container for storage
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven & Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Catalina Crunch Cinnamon Toast Cereal, pecans, and almonds. Set aside.
- Prepare Sweetened Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
- Once melted, add the Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute (and optional cinnamon and pinch of salt). Stir continuously over low heat for 2-3 minutes, until the sweetener has dissolved and the mixture is no longer grainy. Remove from heat.
- Coat the Mix: Pour the melted butter and brown sugar mixture over the cereal and nuts in the large mixing bowl.
- Stir very well with a spatula until all the cereal and nuts are evenly coated with the sweet glaze.
- Bake: Transfer the coated mixture to the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out in a single, even layer.
- Bake for 5-10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the mixture is fragrant and lightly toasted. Watch carefully to prevent burning, as sweeteners can brown quickly.
- Cool & Add Chocolate Chips: Remove from the oven. Let the mixture cool completely on the baking sheet. It will crisp up as it cools.
- Once completely cooled, add the sugar-free chocolate chips to the mixture and stir to combine. (Adding them while hot will cause them to melt.)
- Store & Enjoy! Transfer the cooled Keto Trail Mix to a zip-top bag or an airtight container. Store at room temperature. Enjoy this delicious and satisfying snack!
Tips for Success:
- Sweetener Quality: Ensure your brown sugar substitute is granular and dissolves well. Swerve Brown Sugar is a good choice.
- Don’t Overcook Glaze: Keep the heat low when melting the butter and brown sugar substitute to prevent burning the sweetener.
- Even Coating: Stir thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are coated for consistent flavor and crunch.
- Watch While Baking: Keto ingredients can brown quickly, so keep a close eye on the trail mix in the oven, especially during the last few minutes.
- Cool Completely: Allowing the mix to cool fully is crucial for it to become crispy.
- Customization: Feel free to add other keto-friendly ingredients like shredded unsweetened coconut, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:
This Keto Trail Mix is a delicious addition to your health journey!
- High Fat: Yes, from the butter, pecans, almonds, and chocolate chips.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb by using keto-friendly cereal, nuts, and sugar-free sweeteners and chocolate.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly. All listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet, provided the cereal, sweetener, and chocolate chips are sugar-free and low-carb.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
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