This Candied Cajun Trail Mix made in the Instant Pot is the perfect quick and healthy snack and total crowd pleaser. Cajun Spices, maple syrup, nuts, seeds, and chickpeas all cooked together then mixed with dried mango for a sweet touch. It’s vegan-friendly and naturally grain-free!
As I sit here writing this post I have a stash of Cajun trail mix in the freezer. Yes, the freezer! My secret food hiding place. Can you believe that? In my mind, I think that I might not ever have this spicy goodness of snack again, so I sneak out a few servings and hide it from my spicy snack loving husband.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is an overview of the ingredients and recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details and nutrition information.
- Raw pecans halves – Rich in nutrients like fiber, copper, thiamine, and zinc.
- Raw almonds – Nutrient powerhouses, a serving of almonds provides 3.5 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, and 14 grams of fats 9 of which are monounsaturated!
- Chickpeas – For easy preparation, we use canned chickpeas. Just be sure to rinse and drain them.
- Cashews – Have the highest amount of magnesium of any nut. Cashews are also rich in Vitamin K.
- Raw sunflower seeds –
- Butter – Or use a non-dairy vegan butter.
- Pure maple syrup – You can also use honey or any liquid sweetener of your choice
- Spicy Cajun seasoning or mix – Or make your own blend with¼ to ½ teaspoon each of cayenne, garlic, onion powder, paprika, and pepper.
- Dried mango or spicy chili dried mango – An excellent source of vitamin C, copper, and folate.
- Ground ginger and salt
How to Make Instant Pot Cajun Trail Mix
Note: if you don’t have an Instant Pot, that’s A-okay! Just use my slow cooker trail mix method with this recipe and forgo the oven part!
- Place all ingredients, except the mango, into Instant Pot and mix thoroughly.
- Using the sauté function, mix everything with a plastic spatula or wooden spoon until butter is melted and nuts and chickpeas are fully coated. If mixture seems too sticky or thick after sautéing, add a tablespoon or 2 of water.
- Place lid on the Instant pot and switch to manual cooking mode for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F while mixture is cooking in Instant Pot. Use the Quick Release once cooking is done.
- Remove nut mixture from pot and spread onto a lined cooking sheet. For extra crunchy trail mix, bake at 375°F. for 5-10 minutes, turning everything halfway through. This is to get it the trail mix extra crunchy! Be careful not to burn the nuts.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Chop up dried mango and mix into cooled trail mix. It’s easiest to do this this in large ziplock or air tight container. If you are using plain dried mango, feel free to add more spices to the mix to coat.
- Store in airtight container.
More of Our Favorite
Trail Mix and Granola Recipes
Instant Pot Cajun Trail Mix with Candied Chickpeas
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 5 cups 1x
Description
Spicy cajun trail mix made easy in the instant pot! The perfect quick and healthy snack. Vegan Option.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups raw pecans halves
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup or more (10 ounces) drained chickpeas
- ⅓ – ½ cup cashews
- ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
- 2–3 tablespoon butter or non dairy (vegan) butter
- 1 tbsp of water (optional)
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ to 1 tablespoon spicy cajun seasoning or mix (you can also use use ¼ to ½ teaspoon each of cayenne, garlic, onion powder, paprika, and pepper)
- pinch of ground ginger
- pinch of sea salt
- 6 ounces regular dried mango or spicy chili dried mango to add after (if desired)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients, minus the dried fruit, into Instant Pot. Mix thoroughly.
- Saute with plastic spatula until butter is melted and nuts/ chickpeas are coated with the seasoning and maple syrup. If batter seems too sticky/thick, once sautéing, add the 1-2 tablespoon water.
- Switch pressure cooker to manual cooking mode for 10 minutes.
- Use the Quick Release once cooking is done.
- Remove from pot & spread the nut mix onto a lined cooking sheet. Bake at 375 F. for and extra 5-10 minutes; turning nuts/seeds halfway. This is to get it the trail mix extra crunchy! Cooking longer than 10 might burn the nuts. The chickpeas will be a little less cooked but still tasty! See notes for other options.
- Remove from oven and Let cajun trail mix completely cool.
- Lastly, dice mango into small pieces. Then add to trail mix and stir to combine. It’s easiest to do this this in large ziplock or air tight container. If you are using plain dried mango, feel free to add more spices to the mix to coat.
- Store in airtight container.
Notes
*Note* if you don’t have an Instant pot, just use my slow cooker trail mix method with this recipe and forgo the oven. Be sure to watch the cooking times so the nuts don’t burn.
- You can make this more paleo friendly but taking out the chickpeas.
- For crispier chickpeas, try adding in roasted chickpeas snacks after cooking, instead of cooking canned chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: snack
- Method: instant pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 210
- Sodium: 106.8 mg
- Fat: 12.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 22.1 g
- Fiber: 2.8 g
- Protein: 3.9 g
- Cholesterol: 3.6 mg
how long do you think this will keep of stored airtight?
Hi Annie! I was just about to update this recipe with the oven option which would probably keep better overall. Would you like me to send that to you? As far as storage goes, you can store the mix in an airtight jar or sealed container for 2 weeks. If the trail mix ever softens after storing, you can pop it back in the oven to re-crisp. Just spread it out on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 5–8 minutes, then let it cool completely before storing again.
Made this today. WOW!! It’s delicious.
Thanks Michele, so glad you liked it!! 😀
Could you use any kind of nuts? (I’m thinking peanuts)
This sounds amazing!!
I think so but just check cooking after 30 minutes in case the peanuts cook faster with sugar, ya know?
Oh oops! Or are you referring to the chickpeas? Lol my bad.
No, I saw you said I could leave the chickpeas out (love them but my husband is allergic) so I thought I might put peanuts in to add something in place of the chickpeas. I might try just checking them earlier. Thanks!
Oh yes! totally understand. So funny because most are allergic to peanuts vs chickpeas. I think Peanut would work! Keep me posted.
OMG, a perfect treat for a good movienight, thank you so much!
I’ve had cajun flavored snacks before; and the glaze on this looks delicious. I love how you mixed the sweet and spicy. I have not thought about doing trail mix in the Instant Pot; we love ours, but that’s a really good idea. 🙂
oh let me know if you do Emily!
Simple ingredients and easy recipe! Im so obsessed with this spicy summer snacking!
I think the Instant Pot is going to take over the world.
I wish I had stock on it! Haha
I love nutritious foods especially nuts are very delicious although they are full of calories but also good for health and cholesterol.
I love any kind of trail mix. It’s like crack for me… almost to a chocolate level, even! The chickpea idea is genius. Plus the mango.
I want an instapot!!! And an airfryer. And a bigger kitchen to put it all in. 😉
i guess we need to go to NZ and open up a kitchen, yes? Nah, winery first!
Chickpeas as a snack are a new favorite of mine. This sweet trail mix would be perfect for my swimmer for the protein and energy between events. Love this idea.
totally! My husband is a swimmer. He loves this snack for fuel!
I’m stunned that you made this in an instantpot…I see one of these machines in my future very soon.
you so need one Sandi!
I love my Instant Pot and am so glad I found this recipe. This looks like such a great snack – love the spices! I’m putting this on my list of recipes to try in my Instant Pot!
oh i need your recipes next!
Um, yes I hide food from my husband and even from myself! I feel like if I stash it in the freezer I won’t eat it but that doesn’t always work. I would have trouble keeping myself from eating all this delicious trail mix in one sitting. Love using my Instant Pot but never thought to use it for this.
haha yea! glad I am not alone there!
Love that you used instant pot for this! How easy!
right? I’m obsessed!
Cajun ANd candied sounds so good. Ive been sprinkling nuts on my dinner salads lately– these would be perfect!
oh great idea!
One of my clients has an instant pot and is OBSESSED with it. Maybe she will make these for me…
you should threaten her. Kidding. I have some. Come over!