Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix is one of my favorite fall slow cooker recipes and is naturally vegan-friendly. It’s perfect for holiday gifting or an easy, wholesome snack. Packed with dark chocolate, cranberries, walnuts, and warm pumpkin spice—smells and tastes incredible!
DIY Holiday Gift Giving
Make this slow cooker pumpkin spice trail mix for parties, holiday gifting, and even leave some out for Santa! As the weather cools, let pumpkin spice 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.
And let’s shine a light on how EASY this edible DIY holiday gift is to make. Please note that I am NOT a crafty person! 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!
Ingredients & Why They Work
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete details!
- Cashews or Almonds – Creamy and mild, cashews balance the mix with soft texture and subtle sweetness. If preferred, almonds may be used to add more crunch and a slightly stronger roasted nut flavor. Both are naturally rich in magnesium, giving this snack a satisfying, nutrient-dense boost.
- Walnuts – Their deep, earthy flavor pairs perfectly with warm pumpkin spice. Walnuts are one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain health and serotonin balance.
- Pecans – These add a buttery crunch and help bind in the pumpkin spice flavors. Pecans bring fiber, copper, zinc, and thiamine—making every handful more nourishing and filling.
- Pumpkin Seeds – A crunchy, toasty contrast to the nuts and a great way to round out the texture. They’re also one of the highest natural food sources of zinc, which supports immunity and hormone health.
- Dark Chocolate or Cocoa Nibs – A little chocolate makes the mix feel special, and dark varieties complement the spices beautifully. We prefer dark chocolate for its richer flavor and natural antioxidants. For a vegan version, use dairy-free chips.
- Dried Cranberries – Add tart, chewy contrast and pops of color. Unsweetened cranberries work best to keep the mix from becoming overly sweet.
- Pumpkin Spice – A blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. These warming spices bring classic fall flavor and are naturally anti-inflammatory.
- Refined Coconut Oil – Helps the spices cling to the nuts while keeping the recipe dairy-free and neutral in flavor.
- Coconut Sugar – Provides a subtle caramel sweetness. You can swap with maple syrup or honey if preferred.y.
Note: If you swap the coconut sugar for maple syrup, the trail mix will form more clusters. The natural moisture helps the nuts bind together as they cook, creating a chunkier, cluster-style mix.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix
This slow cooker trail mix couldn’t be easier to throw together, and it fills your kitchen with the best warm fall aroma.
1. Combine the nuts and seeds.
Add the walnuts, cashews or almonds, pumpkin seeds, and pecans to your slow cooker. Give everything a quick toss so the mix is evenly distributed.
2. Add the flavor.
Stir in the coconut sugar, pumpkin spice, coconut oil, sea salt, and vanilla. Make sure every nut is coated — this is what gives the trail mix its sweet, spiced crunch.
3. Slow cook until toasted.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for about 1 hour, stirring once or twice. The nuts should smell fragrant and look lightly browned. If they need more time, cook for an additional 20–30 minutes.
4. Cool and add the mix-ins.
Spread the warm trail mix onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let it cool completely. Once dry, toss it with dried cranberries and chocolate chips.
5. Store and snack.
Keep the finished trail mix in an airtight container. It stays fresh for several days and makes the perfect snack, edible gift, or yogurt topper.
More of Our Favorite
Trail Mix and Granola Recipes
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This pumpkin spice trail mix comes together right in the slow cooker. It’s warm, toasty, and lightly sweet — naturally gluten-free and dairy-free friendly — and perfect for holiday gifting, travel snacks, or a quick wholesome bite all season long.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups raw walnuts, chopped (or use halves)
- ½–⅔ cup raw cashews or almonds
- ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
- ½–⅓ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup coconut sugar (see Notes)
- 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice (see Notes)
- Dash of sea salt
- Extra cinnamon, if desired
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the nuts and seeds to the slow cooker and spread them out evenly.
- Stir in the coconut sugar, pumpkin spice, coconut oil, sea salt, and vanilla until all the ingredients are well coated.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour, stirring once or twice to prevent burning. If the nuts are not lightly toasted after 1 hour, continue cooking for an additional 20–30 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread it into a thin, even layer. Allow it to cool completely until dry.
- Place the cooled mixture in a large bowl and stir in the dried cranberries and chocolate chips.
- Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature.
Notes
Sweetener Option: Maple syrup may be used instead of coconut sugar. If using syrup, stir more frequently to prevent clumping, and note that the texture may form more clusters.
Homemade Pumpkin Spice: Combine 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, and ¼ teaspoon each ground cloves and nutmeg.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: snack
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 12 9
- Sugar: 9.5 g
- Sodium: 2.5 mg
- Fat: 9.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.5 g
- Fiber: 1.3 g
- Protein: 2.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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
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!