Kid-Approved Candy Corn Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix: Easy Fall Snack
This easy fall trail mix combines sweet candy corn, crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds, salty pretzels, and tart dried cranberries for a perfectly balanced snack that kids and adults love. Ready in under 10 minutes, it’s ideal for Halloween parties, school lunches, or cozy autumn afternoons.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups candy corn (preferably Brach’s)
- 1 cup roasted and salted pumpkin seeds (hulled pepitas)
- 1 cup mini pretzel twists, broken into pieces
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup salted peanuts
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- ¼ cup shredded coconut (optional)
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Toast the pumpkin seeds (optional but recommended): Place 1 cup of raw pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly for 3-4 minutes until they start to pop and smell nutty and turn light golden brown. Pour onto a plate to cool completely.
- Prepare the pretzels: If pretzel twists are large, break them into bite-sized pieces about the size of a quarter. Leave some whole for variety.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pumpkin seeds, broken pretzels, 2 cups candy corn, ½ cup dried cranberries, and ½ cup salted peanuts. Gently stir with a spatula or your hands to distribute evenly without crushing the candy corn.
- Add optional extras (if using): Fold in white chocolate chips or shredded coconut. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.
- Season and taste: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top if using. Stir once more. Taste and adjust salt or sweetness as needed.
- Serve or store: Transfer to a serving bowl or airtight container. Serve immediately or let flavors meld for 1-2 hours. Store at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Notes
Toast pumpkin seeds the night before to ensure they are completely cool before mixing. On humid days, add candy corn just before serving to prevent stickiness. For nut-free version, omit peanuts and use extra pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free pretzels or gluten-free cereal. The trail mix tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: candy corn trail mix, pumpkin seed trail mix, fall snack, easy snack, Halloween snack, kid-friendly snack, no-bake snack