This post is sponsored by Bard Valley Natural Delights. Recipes and opinions are my own.
Thanks for joining Sarah and me for Meatless Monday today. I don’t know about you but all this warmer weather has me outside running around and trying to do all the things. Doing “all the things” makes this girl very hungry. I certainly have a few go to snacks in my repertoire but honestly I can get a little bored with them. I’ve taken a bunch of my favorite healthy snack items and combined them into one delicious snack. I know you all are going to love these Trail Mix Popcorn Balls as much as I do.
I’ve taken some of the classic trail mix components (peanuts, cashews, almonds and chocolate chips) and added a few more of my favorite mix ins (steel cut oats, Medjool dates, peanut butter) to create a healthy and tasty treat. It’s important for me to actually like what I am snacking on or I end up just eating something else in addition.
Traditional trail mixes or bars often have lots of added sugars and salts that you really don’t need in your snacks. What do you need in a great recovery or post workout snack? I look for a combination of protein, healthy carbs, fiber and great taste without added sugars or salts. Since we are talking about post workout refuel, I’ve added in some chopped Medjool Dates. Did you know that Medjool dates are a naturally sweet fruit and that they are full of potassium? In fact, Medjool Dates have way more potassium than bananas. That makes them the perfect ingredient to add to my Trail Mix Popcorn Balls.
It’s very easy to make your own healthy, plain popcorn. You just pour a 1/2 C of kernels into a brown paper lunch bag with a dash of olive oil and salt. Shake it up, fold it over to seal and microwave about 2 m 30 and you have just the right amount without any preservatives. Win!
These Trail Mix Popcorn Balls are easy to whip up in minutes. I used a muffin tin to set them into shape and then they are ready to take with you wherever your hunger may lead you. Wrapped up a few to take to my running group the other day-what a great post run snack.
Trail Mix Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
- 8-10 Cups of plain popcorn
- 1 Cup of whole cashews
- 1 Cup almonds
- 1 Cup peanuts
- 1 Cup of chocolate chips
- 6 medjool pitted dates-chopped
- 1 Cup of peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Instructions
- Melt peanut butter in microwave for about minute
- stir in vanilla and cinnamon
- In a muffin tin pour a small amount of pnb on bottom of each cup
- In a large bowl combine all remaining ingredients
- Mix in remaining peanut butter and combine
- Scoop about 1 Cup of trail mix into each muffin tin
- Press down to form balls
- refrigerate for 30 min
- Can be covered and stored in fridge for a few days
What do you like to add to your trail mix? What’s an easy take along snack you love?
Loading InLinkz ...
I love a popcorn trail mix with chocolate covered nuts and more nuts and dried fruit and popcorn. 🙂 And putting them into balls was such a good idea. Dates are such a power fruit; I always hesitate to buy them because they’re kind of pricey, but I need to buy a case some day soon.
They are a little pricey however a small amount goes a long way in recipes too.
These look so good! I never think to make popcorn anymore. Your method of cooking it sounds so simple! I definitely want to give this a try- I snack all the time and tend to turn to packaged bars too often, so these would be a great alternative.
There are a few packaged bars I like, however it’s always healthier in my opinion to make your own if you can. Hope you try them 🙂
These look wonderful! So many of my favorite things, all in one place. 🙂
Thank you for hosting!
Thanks Courtney hope you like them
What a creative snack! I love trail mix and I’m like you, I don’t want my snacks full of sugar and additives. These look awesome.
Thanks so much I love to make my own snacks when I have time to
You had me at popcorn, well really both popcorn and trail mix since they are two things my family and I love. These look yummy!
They go well together!
I hope you mae yourself a batch, these are mine!
I kept eating it while I was making it so good 🙂
What a creative idea to combine popcorn balls and trail mix! These look really good and i love that they are quick and easy to make 🙂
Definitely quick and easy too!
These look so good, I love both trail mix and popcorn, so these are right up my alley. I’m saving this for post Whole30. Thanks for sharing!
OH great! Hope you enjoy it
These look addictive and decadent! Yummm!
I may have eaten a large quantity of them while making them 🙂
What a great idea! I really need to start making some of your great snack ideas. The dates are a great addition!
Thanks so much! The dates gave them just the right amount of natural sweetness
These are genius! I love dates and I love trail mix so it’s a match made in heaven!
Thanks so much!
Trail mix is the best!! I love any snack with a variety of tastes and textures. These look delicious! And even better that they’re much healthier than the alternative.
Definitely healthier to make your own. Thanks so much hope you give them a try
This sounds amazing, everything healthy and looks awesome.
Thanks so much they are a fun snack to make
What a great way to use those dates! These look awesome!
Thanks so much! I hope you try them out
Oh, this is right up my alley!! My husband is not a fan of popcorn, but I could snack on it all day.
You and me both!
sold!! I love trail mix (as long as there are no banana chips LOL) and LOVE popcorn.
Ah finally! LOl It only took a little popcorn and chocolate ha ha
Love everything about these! So many great ingredients! Can’t wait to try these!
thanks hope you find them delicious too!
I’m adding the ingredients to my grocery list for the week. These look delicious and would be such a great grab and go snack!
Fabulous!
Sounds yummy. Is it the melted PB that holds it all together?
yes you have to refrigerate them so it solidifies
Those sound delicious, Deborah! I love anything with popcorn. YUM!
Popcorn is a winner!
You know I love me some Medjool dates! What a great idea, these looks so good!
Thanks so much! I bet your girls would love them too
These look easy to make! I need to get over my dislike of dates first though 😉
You really don’t taste them in a recipe like this one and they pack a big nutritional punch
im absolutely digging this idea. love having wholesome snacks on hand as well.
Yes it’s so easy to make your own isn’t it?
Popcorn is my all time favorite, but you just upped the ante big time. Love it!
Well thanks so much!
I must say, you come up with some of the most creative ideas for your recipes. Who would have ever thought to transform trail mix into balls?!?
It’s a fun way to eat them and thanks 🙂
These sound tasty! I love dates – I often just grab a couple and a spoonful of peanut butter when I need a snack after a long run.
I have never had them just plain like that but sounds good as well
Pinned! Can’t wait to try them!
Fabulous! Enjoy 🙂
These sound super delicious and I’m a big fan of Medjool Dates! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Thanks so much hope you try them out
This would make a great snack. Dates are one of my favorite ways to sweeten a recipe.
They are fabulous aren’t they?!
Yum!
My kids would love these! They eat SO much popcorn, this would be a great way to mix it up a bit!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Definitely! Hope they enjoy them
I need these in my life! They look so yummy.
I agree but I may be a little biased 🙂
Oh, yum — yes please! You’ve got all my favorite stuff in there!!! I definitely need to print this out and make it. It looks delicious.
fabulous hope you enjoy them
YUM!!! I recently made my own batch of chocolate peanut butter popcorn and fell head over heels in love. This may take me over the edge!
It’s a great combo for sure!
These sound fantastic… and great for a easy snack!
Yum these look amazing!!
Thanks so much they really were 🙂