Trail mix is one of the most nutritious and easy-to-make snacks out there. It’s a favorite food of outdoor enthusiasts due to how easy it is to carry and store. But when was the last time you put macadamia nuts in your trail mix?
Salted macadamia nuts make a great addition to trail mix, especially when combined with sweet fruits like golden raisins, dried mango, or goji berries.
Peanuts, cashews, and almonds are nuts that are more commonly used in trail mix, but macadamia nuts are particularly great for anyone on a keto or paleo diet thanks to the high amount of protein and healthy fat, and relatively lower carbohydrate content.
The Key to This Recipe is a 3:1 Sweet to Salty Ratio
The perfect trail mix provides a good balance between salty and sweet. The best way to maintain this delicate balance is to use 3 sweet ingredients, like dried mango, for every salty one, like nuts.
This is because when you add salted macadamia nuts to your trail mix, some of the sea salt covering will dust a few of the other ingredients in the mix. You don’t want things to get too salty, since that will make you thirsty faster—not ideal if you’re eating trail mix while hiking on a hot day! And remember, if you don’t want your macadamia nuts salted, we carry unsalted too!
The sweet ingredients we recommend adding to trail mix are healthy fruits like dried mango, goji berries, and golden raisins. But you can throw in your preferences, from dried banana chips, cranberries, and blueberries to chocolate chips or even your favorite chocolate candies.
Don’t Hate on Raisins If You Haven’t Had Golden Raisins
Raisins seem to be something that you either love or hate. Even if you’re not a fan of raisins, don’t dismiss them as a trail mix ingredient until you’ve tried golden raisins.
Golden raisins are healthier than other raisins because they contain more flavonoids, which are nutrients that give them their golden color and have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are crucial for preventing cell damage due to aging and exposure to environmental pollutants.
Another argument for adding golden raisins to your trail mix is that they taste great! They tend to have a fruitier flavor than other raisins and make a great pairing with the richness of macadamia nuts. Plus, the chewy texture is a delightful contrast to the macadamia nut crunch.
Our Favorite Trails on the Big Island of Hawaii
Island Harvest’s organic macadamia nut farm is situated in stunning North Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii. We love exploring the beautiful trails near our farm and want others to experience them too. Here are a few of our favorite trails:
- For an easy yet stunning hike, you can walk the roughly half-mile Akaka Falls loop and enjoy the botanical gardens and several waterfalls.
- If you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge, head over to Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a, a green cinder cone that you can hike to the top of for some great views of the Kona and Kohala coastlines (4 miles round trip).
- For a dramatic landscape, head to the south side of the Big Island for the Kilauea Iki hike at Volcanoes National Park. You hike through lush forests and barren fields and see craters and lava fields.
Make sure to make some salted macadamia nut trail mix before you hit the trails!
