Popcorn Trail Mix

This Popcorn Trail Mix is one of my kids’ favorite after school snacks! Popcorn is a fun, kid-friendly whole grain perfect for snacking, but may not be very filling on its own. Make popcorn a nourishing, healthy snack with mix ins like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and chocolate chips for added fun and balanced nutrition.

jar of popcorn trail mix

Why You’ll Love This Snack:

  • Popcorn Trail Mix is super fun. And while it’s very kid-friendly, it’s a great snack for grown ups, too!
  • If you have kids, this trail mix is a really fun way to get kids hands on in the kitchen. Set out a bunch of mix-ins and let them get creative with making their own snack.
  • It’s a very customizable snack, easy to personalize to fit your needs.
  • Popcorn is naturally gluten-free, making it a very allergy-friendly snack, depending on mix-ins. (In fact, sometimes we’ll make it nut-free so it can be taken to my kids’ nut-free school and preschool for snacks or as part of a lunch.)
  • If y’all do family movie nights (or your kids have movie nights with their friends), this makes a great movie night activity and snack!

Suggested Popcorn Trail Mix Ingredients:

Since the only real mandatory ingredient for Popcorn Trail Mix is popcorn, you can get really creative! I like to think about adding foods that can add nutritional balance (popcorn is mainly carb, so can you add protein and/ or fat?), vitamins and minerals (like with fruit, nuts, seeds), and fun (like chocolate chips or M&Ms).

assorted ingredients to make popcorn trail mix

Here are some of our favorite sweet popcorn trail mix ingredients:

  • Freeze-dried strawberries
  • Banana chips
  • Dried Cranberries
  • Dried apricots
  • Dry roasted almonds
  • Roasted peanuts
  • Dark chocolate roasted almonds
  • Whole grain cereals
  • Chocolate chips (I love Lily’s for a sugar-free, stevia-sweetened option)
  • M&Ms (any flavor!)
  • Flavored Skinny Dipped Almonds or Cashews
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Yogurt covered raisins
  • Crumbled apple chips
  • Dried cherries
  • Maple cinnamon roasted nuts
  • Mini peanut butter cups
  • Granola

And here are some delicious savory trail mix ingredients:

popcorn trail mix with freeze dried strawberries, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and chocolate chips

Popcorn Trail Mix Q&A:

Is popcorn healthy?

The definition of healthy is subjective, but popcorn can absolutely be consumed as part of an overall balanced, healthy eating pattern.

Nutritionally, air-popped popcorn has less than 100 calories for a whopping 3 cups – making it a very high-volume snack! Popcorn is also a whole grain, containing nearly 4 grams of fiber per 3 cup serving. It also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, like:

  • Vitamin B1
  • Vitamin B3
  • Vitamin B6
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorous
  • Potassium
  • Zinc

The reason popcorn can get a bad rep from a health perspective, is many times popcorn is enjoyed doused in oil, butter, and salt. And while that totally can make for a delicious treat, generous amounts of those additions would make buttery popcorn better off as a “sometimes” food vs. a “most of the times” food.

What’s the best type of popcorn to buy?

I generally recommend buying plain popcorn kernels that you can pop yourself (in the microwave, on the stove top, or in an air popper). Another option is to buy microwave popcorn or pre-popped popcorn, but look for minimal ingredients – all you really need is some kind of oil and salt.

And while buttery movie-theater popcorn is delicious, I generally recommend that as more of a special treat type thing, not an every-day after school snack, type thing.

What’s the best way to pop popcorn?

There’s no real “best” way to pop popcorn – whatever works for you is your best way. Normally I’m all about the microwave for convenience – either ready-pop bags or some popcorn kernels poured in a brown paper bag.

Currently our microwave is broken, so we’re using a stove top popping method or just buying pre-popped.

One method I do NOT recommend is the air fryer. It’s too difficult to get consistent results, it takes too long, and can be a fire hazard with the popcorn popping directly into the heating unit.

How long will popcorn trail mix last?

The popcorn will taste best fresh, but it will be good for up to a week.

What’s the best way to store popcorn trail mix?

Store popcorn trail mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Where can I get fun ingredients to add to trail mixes?

Anywhere you shop! I live in a very rural area, so I do much of my shopping at Walmart (you’d be surprised at the extent of their offerings!) and via Amazon (several ingredients linked above), and other delivery services, like Thrive Market.

Thrive Market has a lot of really fun, health-conscious foods. They’re often at great prices, and for those who live in more rural/ somewhat inaccessible areas like myself, it’s the only way to get some of the foods and ingredients they offer!

If you’re curious to try Thrive Market, try with my affiliate link to get 40% off your first purchase.

little kid hands making their own popcorn trail mix

More on Snacking

If you’re curious for more dietitian thoughts on snacking, check out these two articles I’ve written:

  1. Mindful Snacking – this article includes simple tips to promote more mindfulness with your snacking.
  2. Quick, Healthy Snacks – this article shares the basics of balanced snacking, as well as a pretty comprehensive list of grab-and-go, convenient healthy snacks.

More Healthy Snack Recipes:

Did you make this recipe? Give it a 5★ rating below! For more balanced nutrition and simple, healthy-ish recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram!

jar of popcorn trail mix

Popcorn Trail Mix

Popcorn Trail Mix is a fun, kid-friendly snack, pairing whole grain popcorn with other healthy ingredients, like dried fruit, seeds, & nuts.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 184kcal
Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN

Ingredients

  • 1 cup air-popped popcorn
  • ¼ cup other ingredients (or up to 1 cup – you decide what ratio works best for you!)

Sweet Trail Mix Ingredients:

  • dried fruit
  • freeze dried fruit
  • nuts
  • seeds
  • chocolate chips
  • M&Ms
  • cinnamon/ maple flavored nuts or seeds
  • yogurt covered raisins
  • chocolate covered nuts, seeds, dried fruit

Savory Trail Mix Ingredients:

  • nuts
  • seeds
  • sesame sticks
  • wasabi peas
  • parmesan crisps
  • other freeze dried/ crunchy cheese
  • savory seasoning blends (like everything but the bagel seasoning)

Instructions

  • Combine all desired ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.
  • Eat and enjoy immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Notes

Nutrition information will vary based on ingredients included. This nutrition information reflects 2 servings with a recipe of 2 cups of air-popped popcorn, 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries.

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4.5g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 260mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

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