Pumpkin spice trail mix is one of my favorite fall crockpot recipes, and this trail mix is paleo and vegan friendly too! Great for holiday food gifts or for an easy healthy snack. Dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, cranberries, walnuts, pumpkin spice, and more. Smells and tastes amazing!
There’s Christmas music playing everywhere and decorations out. And after reading Taylor’s cookie post, I realized there’s one and month and 9 days till Christmas. WHHHHHHAAAT!? I’m beginning to think we should move our Thanksgiving to October, like the Canadians.
You know, so we can all have more time for the shopping, cookie exchanges, parties, and not feel so rushed. Maybe? Yes? Everyone who agrees, say “I.” I!!!!!!
But let’s also be real. Our society moves at extremely fast pace. I will never keep up, and I’m okay with it. In fact, I’m just going to slow cook my way through life and holidays to enjoy the pumpkin spice and everything nice fragrance. Ohhh ahhh! Speaking of slow cooking (see what I did there?), I’ve got paleo pumpkin spice trail mix recipe that’s gonna POWER charge through till Christmas.
Remember the essential kitchen must haves? Well, the slow cooker is definitely an essential for entertaining and healthy holiday gift ideas. Ahhh, killing two birds with one stone here. YES!
So here’s the thing; you have two options.
Option One:
Make this slow cooker pumpkin spice trail mix for parties, holiday gifts, and Santa (as mentioned above).
Why? Because this trail mix is paleo and vegan friendly and there’s dark chocolate involved, which means you can PLEASE EVERYONE!
Or
Option Two:
Make this slow cooker pumpkin spice trail mix, let the aroma fill your house, make a hot toddy, and cozy up with this snack bowl on the couch. Perhaps with a Holiday Movie Netflix marathon.
*Bonus option* –> Make 2 batches of slow cooker pumpkin spice trail mix and choose both options. There… problem solved.
In all honesty, the bonus option is the best way to go. You won’t be disappointed.
Also, did you know that this pumpkin spiced trail mix has health benefits to keep boost your mood during the holidays? Oh yes, more on that below.
But first, let’s shine some light on how EASY this edible DIY holiday gift is to make.
PLEASE NOTE –> I am NOT CRAFTY! Which is why I make food as my homemade gifts for friends and family. Then I stick it in a jar with a bow. BAM! Done! That’s one area I will never try to impress you with. Haha.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix
Now, let me walk you through the simple steps to make this slow cooker pumpkin spice trail mix. It’s just as easy as my chunky monkey trail mix.
Things you will need:
- cashews
- walnuts
- pecans
- pumpkin seeds
- cocoa nibs (optional)
- dark chocolate
- dried cranberries (without added sugar is best)
- cinnamon
- pumpkin spice
- coconut oil, and
- coconut sugar (or maple syrup)
Okay first you pick a variety of nuts and seeds. I chopped some pecans and added it in the mix with walnuts, cashew, and pumpkin seeds. Toss the nuts in coconut oil, spices, and bit of salt. I added extra cinnamon too. Always.
Then you place it in the slow cooker for 1 hr to 90 minutes. It comes out nice and “roasted” like!
Next, let your pumpkin spice trail mix cool on parchment paper.
Finally you add in your dark chocolate and naturally sweetened cranberries.
I told you this was ridiculously EASY!
Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix Nutrition
Now that you know how simple it is, can I tell you how ridiculously healthy these spices and nuts are? I will wrap it up in a “Nut Shell” for you. I just went there on the puns.
- Cashew, walnuts, and pecans are the top healthiest nuts.
- Pumpkin seeds are no different, but they aren’t a nut. You get this.
- Each are high in magnesium, vitamin E, potassium, and zinc. Pumpkin seeds are highest in zinc. Cashews highest in magnesium. The real winner (and new proclaimed superfood) are the walnuts. Walnuts contain highest amount of Omega -3 fatty acids. Now, the cool thing about walnuts and omega-3 fatty acids is that they can help increase serotonin levels. Increase in serotonin levels can help combat depression.
- The pumpkin spice (nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon) plus the coconut oil are ant-inflammatory foods that can keep your bodies immune system in check.
Plus, these real food ingredients can help fight oxidative stress. The stress that occurs within the body from say…traveling a bunch, too much processed food/sugar, and even too much physical stress. GASP! I could go on and on about oxidative stress but I’ll save that for a non holiday post. It might make you stressed reading it. LOL!
See? This is a MAGICAL HOLIDAY MOOD BOOSTING pumpkin spiced trail mix.
Video tutorial for making pumpkin spice trail mix – SO easy!
Let’s get to the recipe now.
I am pretty sure if you made it this far through my post, you deserve to eat the whole batch of paleo pumpkin spice trail mix, and you don’t have to share. I won’t judge.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Pumpkin spice trail mix is an easy fall crockpot recipe that’s paleo and vegan friendly too! Great for holiday food gifts or for an easy healthy snack idea.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups raw walnuts, chopped (or use halves)
- ½ – ⅔ cup raw cashews
- ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
- ½ – ⅓ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup coconut sugar (maple syrup is fine but it will be more like clusters when cooked)
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon pumpkin spice (see notes for substitutes)
- dash of sea salt
- extra cinnamon if desired
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ¾ cup chocolate chips (We recommend Enjoy Life non dairy chocolate chips or Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Place nuts and seeds in the slow cooker.
- Add sugar, spices, coconut oil, and salt, and stir together so it’s coated well and combined.
- Cover and place on high for 1 hour, or 90 minutes if your nuts need longer to “roast.” Be sure to stir once or twice during cooking process.
- Once you think the nuts look browned enough, remove from slow cooker and spread into an even layer on parchment paper.
- Allow mixture to dry, then transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Add in chocolate and cranberries and stir to combine.
- Store in airtight container or zip top plastic bag.
Notes
- Maple syrup may be substituted for coconut sugar, but be sure to stir often or the ingredients will start to clump. Cooking times vary.
- Pumpkin Spice Substitute (Homemade)- 2 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, and ¼ teaspoon each ground clove and nutmeg
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: snack
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 129
- Sugar: 9.5g
- Sodium: 2.5mg
- Fat: 9.1g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 12.5g
- Fiber: 1.3g
- Protein: 2.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pumpkin spice trail mix, fall crock pot recipes, healthy snack ideas, vegan snacks, paleo snacks
Here are a few more uber talented blog babe friends with healthy DIY holiday gift ideas. Get ready to take notes and drool a little while you’re at it. These recipes are scrumptious. Just sayin…
Taylor (Food Faith Fitness) Vegan 5 Ingredient Peppermint Bark
Brittany (Eating Bird Food) Rosemary Candied Pecans
Gina (Running to the Kitchen) Candied Bacon Nut Brittle
What’s your go to holiday gift? Ever made a pumpkin spice trail mix?
MORE SLOW COOKER & INSTANT POT RECIPES HERE!
This recipe is part of our Best Slow Cooker Meal Prep and Instant Pot Recipes collection. Check it out!
Just whipped this up and cannot stop eating it! So good and so easy to make. I used maple syrup so I made sure to stir it a couple of times during cooking, and it came out great!
★★★★★
So glad! Thanks for feedback Alison
The bacon addition is genius! Love love!
I made a double batch of this for a work event. Everyone raved about it! Doing it again for another group for Christmas Just wondering – has anyone tried to triple this but do it at once? Meaning put all the ingredients in the crock pot at the same time? How does this impact the cooking duration?
Oh I am so glad! I haven’t tried tripling the amount. But I think you could. I would cook it for 2 hours on high. Check in on it every 30 and stir. It might take more time depending on the slow cooker you use. Does that make sense?
This recipe looks amazing! Can’t wait to make it. I was we wondering if a different oil could be used we other the same results?
sure! you could use any oil that has a heat index of 350F or higher. What do you have on hand?
Can’t wait to try this because it will be a great healthy snack.
★★★★★
I think you’re gonna love this one! 😀
Can I use cacao powder at any point in the recipe if I don’t have the nibs?
★★★★★
Sure, you could sprinkle it on top and mix it in after it cools. Or you can add regular chocolate chips!
Can I use a sugar sustitute like erythrotol?
YOu could try but not sure it would caramelize the nuts. It would still be tasty though!
Fall goodness all in one… 😉 Can’t wait to make this again soon!
★★★★★
Oh, this Trail Mix is so delicious and easy to make too. Thank you, this will be my “go-to” snack.
yay! so glad! it’s a favorite here too Terri!
Hi thanks for this yummy recipe . One question though, do you cook them for 1hr 90min on high or low?
Hi debbie! So I would cook on low for 1 hr to 90 minutes. Checking at 45 minutes to mix. Or you can try 45 minutes on high. Just keep a watch on the nuts/coconut around 45 minutes so they don’t burn. Keep me posted!
I LOVE snacking on nuts and seeds! This trail mix looks astoundingly colorful and delicious! Ah, the things you can make in a slow cooker!
totally! love me some slow cooker snacking!
Thanks for the recipe. I just made it and it’s delicious! I’m not sure how to store it though if I’m not giving It away until a Christmas? Right now I have it in mason jars but is it okay at room temperature?
Yep! I’ve had a batch in a mason jar in my pantry for a month! Still good and yummy. hehe!
Looks amazing. Going to have to try this.
let me know if you do!
These are so good! Making them on Thanksgiving morning and the house smells great! Leaving out the fruit and chocolate this time and will bring to a friends house for the appetizer table. Thank you!
wonderful! So glad! Let me know how it turns out.
Trail mix in the slow cooker?! What a clever idea!
This would be perfect for popping on to cook whilst you clean and tidy the house ready for guests – and they’d arrive to the most amazing smell!
That first picture is everything. Also, I agree w moving Thanksgiving to Oct so we can break out the Christmas trees THEN and have them up FOREVER.
I’m totally down with moving T-day to October, I feel like it just makes SENSE! This trail mix is the perfect snack for this time of year. I might eat it all myself though to power me through the Christmas shopping instead of gifting it away 😉
me too! let’s protest. Haha, along with all the other shenanigans going on.
I’m not crafty at all… I just give wine. HA! I’ll take a huge order of this though. I love trail mix! With my wine. 🙂
why i love you. wine is BEST gift. We should make slow cooker brandy trail mix next.
Oh my gosh how ca-ute are you?! I want to be your neighbor just so you can gift this to me for Christmas. I mean, this beats any Christmas cookie treats, hands down!
I want you to be my neighbor! I’ll gift you daily!
OMG! I need a slow cooker because this looks amazing!!! I can imagine how the house smells!!!!! Fantastic & your crafting is beautiful!
Better than a candle! although I wanted to eat the whole batch! How are you BTW?
I LOVE this idea and would happily receive a jar of this trail mix as a gift. Need me to send you my address? 😉
How about I hand deliver? Hehe
kinda wishing I had this right now so I could grab a few handfuls before my workout! So much goodness jam packed in this trail mix 🙂
I actually just bought myself a new slow cooker and haven’t broken it in yet. This might be the way to go!
Luckily I don’t have friends so this is all for me 😀
haha awesome!
Hooray for slow cookers! I love giving food as a holiday gift as well. Since cookies are everywhere, this is a perfect alternative. YUM!
Hmm yum! I haven’t made trail mix in a long time. I need to get on it for the holidays. I have no idea what to get my parents so I might as well give them food!