Vegan Trail Mix Cookies

Vegan trail mix cookies are loaded with chocolate chips, mixed nuts, and dried fruit! This dessert is a sweet and salty twist on classic chocolate chip cookies. The one bowl recipe is dairy-free, eggless, and can easily be made gluten-free. We’ll make a soft and sweet brown sugar cookie dough, then upgrade it with walnuts, almonds, cashews, dried blueberries and cherries. You can use your favorite fruit and nut mix, or make your own at home!

It’s time to put your trail mix to good use! Assorted nuts and fruit were not just made for long hikes, road trips, and midday snacking. When added to cookie dough, they create a unique twist on the classic chocolate chip cookies we all know and love.

These vegan trail mix cookies are packed with flavor and texture. They have a soft and gooey interior, crispy exterior, and bits of crunchy nuts in every bite. If that’s not already enough, the tart berries contrast pockets of rich chocolate throughout. If you love the classic fruit + chocolate combo, you will adore this cookie recipe!

These trail mix cookies are:

• Vegan, dairy-free, and can be gluten-free
• Loaded with chocolate chips, dried fruit, and mixed nuts
• Sweet, salty, chocolatey, and fruity
• Tender and gooey on the inside, but golden and crispy on the outside
• Easy to make & ready in 30 minutes
• A no chill cookie recipe that’s made with one bowl

What are fruit and nut cookies made of?

Make these trail mix cookies with 10 simple ingredients, including the following:

• Flour: All-purpose flour, also known as plain flour, is the primary ingredient. If you are following a gluten-free diet, use a gluten-free baking flour.
• Vegan butter: Vegan butter from a tub (not buttery sticks) create the best results when it comes to baking vegan cookies.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a delicious sweetness and moist texture. Do not substitute it with white sugar.
• Mixed nuts and fruit: Choose any trail mix or medley of nuts and fruit. I recommend a mix that contains dried berries and various nuts (like walnuts, almonds, and cashews).
• Chocolate chips: Chocolate chips add gooey pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cookies. Use your favorite vegan chocolate chips, whether they are dark, semisweet, or milk chocolate.
• Almond milk: Almond milk is a great dairy-free alternative for vegan baked goods. You can also use another variety, like oat milk or cashew milk, if you wish.
• Vanilla: A spoonful of vanilla extract adds a sweet and warm flavor.
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness from the brown sugar and tartness from the dried fruit.

How to make chocolate chip cookies with nuts and berries

For the full ingredients list and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Next, combine vegan butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Using a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer, cream together until light and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes). Then, add the almond milk and vanilla extract. Cream together once more.

Add all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking power, and salt. Mix together just until the flour is evenly incorporated.

Then, toss in the chocolate chips and the mixed nuts and fruit. Stir together to combine.

After, scoop the cookie dough into 10-12 balls and transfer to the baking sheet(s). For the best results, bake the cookies one sheet at a time on the middle rack in your oven.

Bake the trail mix cookies for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are light golden brown. If you want soft and chewy cookies, they should look slightly underbaked and puffy.

Remove cookies from the oven. Keep them on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes to cool. The cookies will continue to cook a bit further and depuff while cooling.

What can I do with extra trail mix?

If you have ever purchased trail mix before, you may have wondered how to make good use of the leftovers. These fruit and nut cookies are a delicious way to use it all up! In addition to baking these mixed nut cookies, you can also use them in brownies, ice cream sundaes, popcorn, or as a healthy topping for oatmeal and smoothie bowls.

What nuts are good in cookies?

As the name suggests, this is not your average vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe. In addition to chocolate chips, the cookies are filled with nuts and berries.

You can use a pre-made trail mix or any fruit and nut medley for this dessert. However, if you want to create your own blend, you may be wondering which nuts make the best pairing. Feel free to use any combination of the options below; I recommend using at least 3 types.

The best nuts for chocolate chip cookies:

• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Pecans
• Cashews
• Macadamia nuts
• Hazelnuts
• Peanuts

Recipe variations

What fruit and nut mix to use: I used the Cherry Berry Nut Medley by Daily Crunch. It contains sprouted almonds, walnuts, cashews, dried blueberries, and dried cherries. I highly recommend this mix or one that is similar to it!

How to make them gluten-free: Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Whenever you are making a GF substitution for vegan baking, it’s best to use a brand that contains xanthan gum.

How to make them sugar-free: The brown sugar can be swapped with a sugar-free brown sugar alternative. This will produce similar results, but your cookies won’t be identical to mine.

How to store trail mix chocolate chip cookies

As always, freshly baked and straight-out-of-the-oven cookies are the best. However, you can also keep leftover cookies stored in a sealed container or ziplock bag for up to 3 days.

For longterm storage, place them in the freezer where they will keep for up to 3 months. I recommend placing a square of parchment paper between each cookie in order to prevent them from sticking to each other when frozen.

If you try these Vegan Trail Mix Cookies, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!

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