RED WHITE AND BLUE TRAIL MIX gets everyone in the mood for a party, right? You want a snack that’s simple, festive, and actually gets eaten (no sad leftovers by the end of the BBQ, am I right?). I can’t stand spending hours in the kitchen for something that’s just gonna get pushed to the back of the table. This is the one crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters and little ones will love—plus, you can totally whip it up while you’re also prepping this Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Feta or tossing together some 3-Ingredient Cookie Dough Overnight Oats for a next-day treat. If you’ve ever needed a snack that screams “Fourth of July!” without eating up an entire afternoon, stick with me.
4 Ingredient Fourth of July Trail Mix
Okay, I know the name says “five ingredients,” but hear me out: my go-to version usually rides at four things, and then I’ll sometimes toss in a bonus item, depending what’s already hiding in my pantry. Listen, there’s just no wrong way here. This trail mix is a foolproof ratio of salty and sweet. I usually use red dried cranberries (so tangy), white yogurt-covered pretzels (yes, the classic ones from a bag), blue candy-coated chocolate pieces (blue M&Ms or something close), and salted roasted peanuts for crunch. Occasionally, I get wild and toss in some mini marshmallows or dried blueberries as that fifth ingredient. You won’t need special skills or even a measuring cup, honestly.
Last Independence Day, my cousin swore this tasted better than something she paid actual money for at a fancy snack shop. The whole family downed the bowl before the fireworks even started!
Here’s the quick breakdown:
| Ingredient | Color | My Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried cranberries | Red | Punchy, chewy, yum |
| Yogurt-covered pretzels | White | That creamy/salty dream |
| Blue chocolate candies | Blue | Classic festive pop |
| Roasted peanuts | Tan/neutral | For real crunch & salt |
| Optional: Marshmallows/dried blueberries | Extra white/blue | If you want to jazz it up |
How Do You Store Snack Mix?
Okay, so here’s the thing—this RED WHITE AND BLUE TRAIL MIX is secretly super easy to stash away. You might wonder if it’ll go stale or turn into a sticky mess. I keep mine in a big airtight jar (an old pasta sauce one works great, by the way) or one of those zip-top bags. Store it out of the sun, not next to the oven where folks forget it. No fancy system.
If you made too much (whoops, story of my life), it actually stays fresh for up to two weeks. Make sure nobody double-dips with sticky fingers, though. Your future snack-loving self will thank you. I tried freezing it once. Bad idea—marshmallows get weird, just trust me.
Other Holidays
Here’s a truth bomb: you’re not stuck with patriotic colors forever. Swap around a few things and this snack’s your secret weapon at every kind of get-together. Use green and red chocolate pieces at Christmas, pastels at Easter, all orange for Halloween—really, just raid whatever’s on sale after a holiday. Folks get way more jazzed over a “homemade” trail mix than they let on.
I made this exact mix, subbing pastel M&Ms, at my niece’s spring birthday and three moms asked me for the “recipe.” (I almost felt guilty—it’s THAT easy.) So, go ahead and be that person who always shows up with something fun on the snack table.
Want More Patriotic Treats?
I live for July, honestly. If you’re on the hunt for more party-thrilling ideas, let me toss a few of my summer best your way:
- Peaches and Cream Crumble Bars are next-level delicious with a scoop of ice cream.
- Try a bowl of unbelievable blueberry French toast casserole for a festive breakfast.
- Snack on 7-ingredient chocolate rhubarb brownies if you want something chocolatey.
Bring a couple of these things to one party and—trust me—your RSVP rate next time will shoot through the roof!
Reader Interactions
All right, so I took a peek at some of your comments from last time, and had to share one:
“I made this trail mix for our family reunion and it disappeared in a blink. My picky toddler even begged for more—thanks for the lifesaver recipe!”
—Julia M.
See? People seriously love this RED WHITE AND BLUE TRAIL MIX. And for real, if you try a new twist or throw in a wild ingredient—let me know below! I read every one (with a mug of iced coffee in hand).
Common Questions
Q: Can I swap peanuts for something else?
A: Oh totally—use almonds, cashews, or skip nuts altogether for allergies. Even sunflower seeds work.
Q: How far ahead can I make this snack mix?
A: A few days is perfect, but even a week out tastes fine if you keep it sealed.
Q: Will the pretzels get soggy?
A: Not if you store them airtight. If it’s humid, they can get a tad chewy—nothing tragic.
Q: How do you get only blue candies?
A: Grab a bag of regular chocolate candies, and just pick out the blue ones. It sounds fussy but, weirdly, kind of satisfying.
Q: Can I use something besides cranberries for the red?
A: Dried cherries or even freeze-dried strawberries are both awesome. Go wild.
Grab a Bowl and Get Snacking!
If you want that perfect, low-fuss treat nobody will forget, this RED WHITE AND BLUE TRAIL MIX absolutely nails it. Mix, pour, party. Doesn’t matter if you’re hosting for two or twenty—you’ll look like you spent a ton of effort (when you really didn’t). Heads up, this snack doesn’t last (in a good way) so maybe hide a handful for yourself before the kids swoop in.
If you’re still looking for more creative spins, peek at the crowd-approved recipes on Red White and Blue Trail Mix | All Things Mamma or snag an alternative version at Red White & Blue Trail Mix Recipe – Sinful Nutrition. Heck, try them all and tell me your favorite. Happy snacking and have the most chill, most fun holiday possible!
Print
4 Ingredient Fourth of July Trail Mix
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple, festive trail mix that combines sweet and salty flavors, perfect for Fourth of July celebrations.
Ingredients
- Dried cranberries
- Yogurt-covered pretzels
- Blue chocolate candies
- Roasted peanuts
- Optional: Mini marshmallows or dried blueberries
Instructions
- Combine dried cranberries, yogurt-covered pretzels, blue chocolate candies, and roasted peanuts in a large bowl.
- Mix gently until well combined.
- Add mini marshmallows or dried blueberries if desired for extra flavor.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Notes
Store the mix in a big airtight jar or zip-top bag. It stays fresh for up to two weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg