1. Add all ingredients — dried pear slices, raw almonds, dark chocolate chips, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and pretzel sticks — to a large mixing bowl.
2. Toss gently but thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Be gentle with the pretzel sticks to avoid breaking them.
3. Taste the mix and adjust if needed — more pretzels for salt, more cranberries for tartness, more chocolate for richness.
4. Transfer to individual resealable snack bags for on-the-go portions, or store in a large airtight container or jar for home snacking.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 340
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Protein: 8g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sodium: 95mg
• Iron: 2mg (11% DV)
• Magnesium: 65mg (15% DV)

Note: Nutrition estimates are based on 8 servings using unsweetened dried fruit. Using sweetened dried fruit will increase the carbohydrate and calorie count.

Notes

• Seriously, toss gently. Broken pretzels aren’t the end of the world, but whole ones make the mix look much more inviting.
• Taste before you bag. Every batch of dried pear and cranberries is a little different — adjusting the balance before portioning takes 10 seconds and makes a real difference.
• If you’re packing this for warm weather outdoor activities, store the chocolate chips in the fridge for an hour before mixing so they’re less likely to stick together or soften.
• A wide-mouth mason jar is the best home storage vessel — keeps everything fresh, looks great on the counter, and makes grabbing a handful ridiculously easy.

Storage Tips

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container or sealed bags for up to 2 weeks.
• Humid climates: Add a small food-safe silica gel packet to the container to keep pretzels crisp.
• Warm weather: Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent the chocolate from melting.
• Do not refrigerate — condensation will make the pretzels soggy and the chocolate will bloom.

Serving Suggestions

• Pre-portioned into snack bags for hiking, road trips, school lunches, or work desk snacking
• Served in small bowls as part of a snack board alongside fresh fruit and cheese
• Sprinkled over oatmeal or yogurt in the morning for a fruity, crunchy topping
• Packed as an energy boost alongside a water bottle for any outdoor activity

Mix It Up (Recipe Variations)

Spiced Pear Trail Mix: Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of cardamom before tossing for a warm, autumnal version.

Tropical Pear Trail Mix: Swap cranberries for dried mango and pretzels for macadamia nuts for a lighter, summer-ready mix.

High-Protein Pear Trail Mix: Double the pumpkin seeds and almonds, halve the chocolate and cranberries, and add roasted chickpeas.

Kid-Friendly Pear Trail Mix: Use sunflower seeds instead of almonds and milk chocolate mini chips instead of dark — nut-free and school-lunch approved.

What Makes This Recipe Special

This portable pear trail mix stands out from standard trail mix because dried pear is genuinely an underused ingredient in the snack world — sweeter and more complex than raisins, more elegant than standard dried apple. The combination of protein-rich almonds and pumpkin seeds, antioxidant-packed dark chocolate and cranberries, and satisfying pretzel crunch creates a nutritionally well-rounded snack that keeps energy levels steady rather than causing a sugar spike and crash. It’s portable, customizable, and requires zero cooking — the perfect recipe for busy lives.