• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe

Lavender & Macarons

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Follow us:

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Contact
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
  • Follow us:

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Vegan Desserts

    Published: Aug, 2024. Updated: Aug, 2024 by Iryna Bychkiv | This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here

    Vegan Trail Mix Cookies

    766 shares
    • Facebook91
    • Twitter
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest image of Trail Mix Cookies

    Are you ready to discover your new favorite sweet treat? These vegan trail mix cookies are a perfect blend of crunchy nuts, chewy dried fruits, and sweet chocolate gems. They’re super satisfying, easy to make, and incredibly delicious. What’s best is that this recipe is vegan and oil-free for perfect snacks on road trips!

    Six Trail mix cookies on a wire rack

    If you’re anything like me, cookies are your go-to snack whenever hunger strikes! But what if I were to tell you, you could make them taste even better and use more wholesome ingredients? That’s where my recipe for trail mix cookies comes in! They’re vegan, so they’re eggless and dairy-free, plus they don’t have any oil either!

    Jump to:
    • What are Trail Mix Cookies?
    • Why This Is The Best Trail Mix Cookies Recipe 
    • What You Need to Make Trail Mix Cookies At Home
    • How to Make Trail Mix Cookies (Step by Step)
    • Tips For Making the Best Trail Mix Cookies
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe Variation Ideas for Trail Mix Cookies
    • 🍽 Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to Store Leftover Trail Mix Cookies
    • You'll Also Love These Cookie Recipes
    • Recipe

    Making your own at home is also a great way to know exactly what ingredients you’re using and putting into your body. Choose different nut, dried fruit, and chocolate combinations to make endless versions with just one recipe! These cookies are bound to be a success, trust me!

    Read on to learn exactly how to make this delicious trail mix cookie recipe today!

    What are Trail Mix Cookies?

    Trail mix cookies are a tasty combination of your favorite trail mix ingredients baked into a cookie. They’re incredibly delicious and super easy to make at home!

    This cookie recipe includes a variety of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and chocolate chips mixed into a hearty oatmeal cookie dough. The result is a flavorful and filling cookie that's perfect for snack time or on-the-go.

    What’s best is that you can easily adapt this recipe to include your favorite nuts, make it gluten-free, or add extra chocolate if you like! They taste irresistible, and the texture is incredible. Trust me, these are a snack-time game changer!

    Why This Is The Best Trail Mix Cookies Recipe 

    • Easy to make: This trail mix cookies recipe is incredibly simple to follow. With the use of common ingredients and straightforward instructions, even beginners in the kitchen can successfully bake these delicious treats.
    • Packed with flavor: The nuts and oats are toasted before mixing them into the cookie dough and this simple step adds a whole new level of flavor! 
    • Variety in every bite: The versatility of this recipe is a true highlight. It allows for the use of any nuts or dried fruits available at home. Whether you prefer almonds, walnuts, raisins, or dried cranberries, you can customize these cookies to suit your preferences.
    • Substitution-friendly: The recipe is flexible when it comes to ingredients. For instance, almond butter can be substituted with other nut butter, making it a great option for those with specific dietary needs or preferences. You can even M&M to them if you like!
    A stack of 3 Trail Mix cookies against grey background

    What You Need to Make Trail Mix Cookies At Home

    All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious trail mix cookie recipe at home.

    Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.

    Assorted nuts and seeds: They add a wonderful crunch and are packed full of healthy fats and proteins. Using raw nuts and seeds help make sure that they don't get overly toasted during baking. For this recipe, I used almonds And pecans. Make sure to chop up the larger pieces of nuts.

    Rolled oats: These give the cookies a hearty texture and add a nice nutty flavor. Remember to use old-fashioned rolled oats for best results.

    Applesauce: This acts as a binder and adds a hint of sweetness and moisture to the cookies without using an egg!

    Creamy almond butter: This adds a rich, nutty flavor and helps to bind the ingredients together. If you're allergic to nuts, you can use sunflower or pumpkin seed butter.

    Brown sugar: This sweetens the cookies and adds a touch of molasses flavor. You can also use coconut sugar or turbinado sugar as a healthier alternative.

    Vanilla extract: This enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

    Salt: A touch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.

    Baking powder: This helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.

    Assorted dried fruits: These add sweetness and a chewy texture to the cookies. Using a variety of fruits will give a range of flavors; dried apricots, papaya, and pineapple will all work well in this recipe. 

    Chocolate chips or Bittersweet chocolate bar: They add a rich, chocolatey flavor. If you're using a bar, make sure to chop it into small pieces so it distributes evenly throughout the cookies.

    All-purpose flour: This forms the structure of the cookies. You can substitute with whole wheat pastry flour or whole wheat flour for a healthier option.

    Vegan Cookies with dried fruit, nuts and chocolate on a plate

    How to Make Trail Mix Cookies (Step by Step)

    Making this incredible trail mix cookie recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:

    1. Start off by preheating the oven to 350 F. Next, place oats, nuts, and seeds on a baking sheet and toast for 10-12 minutes until slightly browned. Remove from the oven and transfer to a medium bowl to cool.

    Toasting nuts on a baking sheet

    2. To a bowl with cooled nuts add dried fruit and chocolate.

    A bowl of toasted almonds, oats and dried fruit

    3. Next, in a large bowl combine applesauce, almond butter, sugar, vanilla extract, salt and baking powder. Stir in flour.

    Combining almond butter, applesauce and sugar in a large glass bowl

    4. Stir in nut and dried fruit mixture smashing it against the sides of the bowl with a spatula until you combine all ingredients.

    Combining dried fruit and nut mixture with almond butter in a glass bowl

    5. Cover the bowl and chill for 2 hours. After that, lightly moisten your hands and shape cookies into 12 disks making sure to pack firmly. 

    Shaping Trail Mix cookies

    6. Place cookies evenly spaced out on your prepared baking sheet. Bake cookies for 11-3 until golden brown. Transfer on a baking sheet and let the cookies cool.

    Shaped cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet

    Tips For Making the Best Trail Mix Cookies

    Moisten Your Hands for Shaping: Several ingredients in this trail mix cookie recipe are chunky (chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit), so it's best to moisten your hands when shaping cookies. This will prevent the cookies from falling apart.

    Choose Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: For this recipe, be sure to pick old-fashioned rolled oats. They offer a heartier texture and more better flavor than quick oats.

    Use Store-Bought Trail Mix to Save Time: You can use store-bought trail mix to cut down on prep time. As most store-bought trail mixes contain roasted nuts and seeds, there's no need to toast them again.

    Opt for Seeds and Seed Butter for Nut Allergies: If you're allergic to nuts, you can make these cookies with just seeds and seed butter. Sunflower or pumpkin seeds are healthy and tasty choices.

    Substitute All-Purpose Flour: You can replace all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour or whole wheat flour. This can add extra fiber and nutrients to your cookies.

    Chill the Dough for Better Texture: Cover the bowl and chill the cookie dough for at least two hours before baking. This helps to firm up the dough and makes shaping the cookies easier.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Kickstart your day with these trail mix cookies! Pair them with a wholesome glass of almond milk for a morning full of energy and delicious flavors.
    • Have a sweet tooth? Serve these trail mix cookies as a dessert, topped with a dollop of vegan ice cream. The cool creaminess of the ice cream contrasts beautifully with the chewy texture of the cookies.
    • Need a pre-workout boost? Grab a couple of these cookies before heading to the gym. The oats and nuts will provide you with sustained energy, while the dried fruits and chocolate will satisfy your sweet cravings.
    • Hosting a movie night? Keep a bowl of these trail mix cookies on the coffee table. They make for a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional movie snacks like popcorn or candy.
    • For those on the go, these cookies are a great portable snack. Tuck a few into your lunchbox or backpack for a delicious pick-me-up during your busy day or even a road trip!

    Recipe Variation Ideas for Trail Mix Cookies

    This delicious trail mix cookie recipe is so flavorful and easy to make you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:

    Use Different Nuts: Feel free to experiment with different kinds of nuts. Walnuts, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, and macadamia nuts are all great substitutes or additions to Pecans and Almonds.

    Try Other Dried Fruit: In this vegan cookie recipe, I preferred using smaller pieces or dried fruits, as it's easier to shape the cookie. Dried bananas cut into smaller chunks, raisins, dried cranberries and small pieces of dates will all work in this recipe.

    Change Up the Nut Butter: No Almond Butter? No problem. Peanut butter, cashew butter, or seed butter make a great substitution. Just make sure to choose a "creamy" variety.

    Vegan trail mix cookie on a cooling rack

    🍽 Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use a store-bought Trail Mix for these cookies?

    Absolutely! Using store-bought Trail Mix will definitely cut down on your prep time. Most of these mixes already contain roasted nuts and seeds, so there's no need for you to toast them again.

    Can you make these cookies without nuts?

    Of course! If you're allergic to nuts or simply don't want to include them, you can use seeds instead. Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are excellent, healthy alternatives.

    Can I make the cookies with Whole Wheat flour?

    You sure can. If you prefer, you can substitute the all-purpose flour in the recipe with whole wheat pastry flour or whole wheat flour.

    What kind of nuts can I use for these cookies?

    Feel free to experiment with different kinds of nuts. Walnuts, pistachios and macadamia nuts are all great substitutes or additions to pecans and almonds.

    Can I use any type of dried fruit?

    Yes, you can. In this vegan cookie recipe, smaller pieces of dried fruits are preferable as they make it easier to shape the cookie dough. Dried bananas cut into smaller chunks, raisins, dried cranberries, and small pieces of dates will all work in this recipe.

    How to Store Leftover Trail Mix Cookies

    At Room Temperature: These chewy vegan trail mix cookies will stay fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. 

    In the Fridge: If you want to extend their freshness, you can keep them in the fridge. Simply place the cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together, and they'll stay good for up to two weeks.

    Freezing: Good news for those who love to plan ahead, these cookies can be frozen for up to three months! Scoop out your cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze. Once solid, transfer the frozen cookie dough balls into a zip-top bag and keep them in the freezer. When you're ready to bake, there's no need to thaw. Just add an extra minute or two to your total baking time.

    You'll Also Love These Cookie Recipes

    • Vegan blueberry cookies on a grey plate.
      Vegan Blueberry Cookies
    • Eggless Moroccan Semolina Cookies on wire rack
      Moroccan Cookies (Lemon Ghriba)
    • Raisin and pine cuts stuffed vegan chocolate brownie cookies on a wire rack.
      Healthy Vegan Chocolate Brownie Cookies
    • Almond flour PB cookies on parchment paper.
      Easy Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies

    If you make this recipe, please leave me a comment below and rate it. I always appreciate the feedback. Also, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

    Recipe

    Healthy Trail Mix Cookie Recipe

    Vegan Trail Mix Cookies

    Healthy Vegan Trail Mix Cookies featuring oats, dried fruit, nuts and chocolate. Easy, satisfying and always delicious Oil-Free cookie recipe perfect for snacking or road trips.
    4.67 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Resting Time: 2 hours hours
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 261kcal
    Author: Iryna Bychkiv
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Video

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ c assorted nuts and seeds preferably raw
    • ½ c rolled oats
    • ¼ c applesauce
    • 4 tablespoon creamy almond butter
    • 6 tablespoon brown sugar you may substitute with coconut sugar
    • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¾ c assorted dried fruits cut into small pieces
    • ¾ c vegan chocolate bar chopped
    • ½ c all-purpose flour

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet with a parchment paper. Place oats, nuts and seeds on a baking sheet and toast for 10-12 minutes until slightly browned. Remove from the oven, transfer to a medium bowl to cool.
    • To a bowl with cooled nuts add dried fruit and chocolate.
    • In a large bowl combine applesauce, almond butter, sugar, vanilla extract, salt and baking powder. Stir in flour.
    • Stir in nut and dried fruit mixture smashing it against the sides of the bowl with a spatula until all ingredients are combined.
    • Cover the bowl and chill for 2 hours. Lightly moisten your hands and shape cookies into 12 disks making sure to pack firmly.
    • Place the cookies evenly spaced out on your prepared baking sheet. Bake cookies for 11-3 until golden brown. Transfer on a baking sheet and let cookies cool.

    Notes

    Oats: For this recipe, make sure to choose old-fashioned rolled oats.
    Shaping the cookies: Since several ingredients in this recipe are chunky in nature (chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit), it's best to moisten your hands when shaping cookies. That way, the cookies won't fall apart.
    Trail Mix: You can use store-bought Trail Mix. This will cut down on the preparation time. Since most store-bought Trail Mixes contain roasted nuts and seeds, there's no need to toast them again. 
    Nuts: If you're allergic to nuts, you can make the cookies with just seeds and seed butter.  Sunflower or pumpkin seeds are all great and healthy choices.
    Flour: You can substitute all-purpose flour for Whole Wheat Pastry Flour or Whole Wheat Flour. 
    Storage: These chewy vegan trail mix cookies will stay fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. 
    In the Fridge: If you want to extend their freshness, you can keep them in the fridge. Simply place the cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together, and they'll stay good for up to two weeks.
    Freezing: Good news for those who love to plan ahead, these cookies can be frozen for up to three months! Scoop out your cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze. Once solid, transfer the frozen cookie dough balls into a zip-top bag and keep them in the freezer. When you're ready to bake, there's no need to thaw. Just add an extra minute or two to your total baking time.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Lavender.And.Macarons or tag #lavenderandmacarons!
    Iryna Bychkiv
    Website

    Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
    Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.

    More Best Vegan Dessert Recipes

    • Three vegan lemon bars with two blueberries on top on a parchment paper.
      Vegan Lemon Bars
    • Baked apple with raisins, honey and walnuts on a white plate.
      Healthy Baked Apples
    • Chocolate drizzled cruffins
      Easy Cruffin Recipe (Vegan Croissant Muffins)
    • A stack of 3 no-bake superfood energy bars on a blue background.
      Homemade Energy Bars
    766 shares
    • Facebook91
    • Twitter
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Leona says

      September 17, 2022 at 12:54 pm

      I doubled the recipe but made the cookies a little larger and got 18 cookies. They are amazing chewy crunchy lots of flavor.
      Wondering can I put the peanut buter in the micorwave to get it a little runny so it would be easier to mix and get it to dispurse better into the batter? towards the end the batter was a little crumbly.
      My husband loved them. Can they be frozen? If I don't freeze some? I am too tempted to eat more than one.
      Leona

      Reply
      • Iryna says

        September 19, 2022 at 3:20 pm

        Hi Leona, thank you so much for your comment! I'm so glad you liked this recipe!
        Regarding your questions...yes, you can microwave PB for a bit to make it more runny.
        Also, these cookies freeze well too. I recommend placing a small square of parchment paper in between each cookie and store the cookies in a freezer bag in the freezer. They'll keep for about 3 months.

        Reply
    2. Candi says

      December 18, 2020 at 9:03 am

      In the recipe list it calls for baking powder. However in the directions it calls for baking soda....which is the correct ingredient.

      Reply
      • Iryna says

        December 18, 2020 at 9:17 am

        Hi Candi! I used baking powder. Sorry for the confusion.

        Reply
    4.67 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    The photo of Iryna Bychkiv, the writer and owner of a culinary website - Lavender & Macarons.

    I'm Iryna - a healthy food writer, photographer, and taster behind Lavender & Macarons. Here, you'll find healthy, clean recipes that are easy to prepare, made with wholesome ingredients, and approved by picky eaters. More about Iryna...

    New Recipes👇

    • Close up of chicken thighs on a white plate.
      Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
    • Cottage cheese toast on a grey plate.
      Cottage Cheese Toast
    • Bacon wrapped pork tenderloin on a white plate.
      Cream Cheese Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
    • Woman's hands are holding a plate with Ukrainian Easter bread - Paska.
      Paska Recipe (Ukrainian Easter Bread)

    Footer



    Home

    About

    Contact

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms of Use

    Copyright © 2024 Lavender & Macarons LLC | Healthy, Clean Recipes

    Stock images by Depositphotos

    766 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.