This recipe for Caramel Apple Trail Mix includes affiliate products. We were given products and giveaway item from Chiquita Healthy Eating to share on our site however our opinion and recipe are our own.
It's already time for many of us to think about the kids going back to school. No offense, but who thought of putting kids back to school in August? My dad always remembered school starting after Labor Day because his birthday generally fell right around the first day of school. It's hard to start school during the middle of summer. The kids go to school for a week and a half and they get another holiday. They really only start into homework and after school activities after Labor Day.
Am I the only one who has a hard time getting into school mode before September?
If you're like me and the thought of getting back into "school mode" doesn't sound appealing when it's 95 degrees outside, than let's talk trail mix. Last year we made peanut butter and jelly trail mix. This year we're talking caramel apple trail mix.
It's easy, versatile and simple to throw together and into your lunch. It's made even easier with the help of Chiquita Apple Slices. Each apple slice pack comes in pre packaged bags so you just throw them in your kids lunch. They also come in family packs too! Each single serving pack is washed and ready to eat and is only 30-80 calories per pack. Don't forget to pack a note in your kids lunch too! We love these school lunch jokes.
If that's not sweet enough, than read on! We're giving one reader their very own Thirty One Thermal Tote. This Thermal Tote is perfect for taking lunch on the go or to keep drinks and snacks cold while you’re out and about. It is the perfect addition for any back-to-school collection. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment or link with your favorite back to school lunch idea and "like" a couple of links. One of the links will lead you to the Chiquita Facebook page where you can enter an additional contest (optional) to win a $1,000 shopping spree and a year's worth of Chiquita Bites.
Ingredients
- 1 apple, cored and cut into bite sized pieces (can use 1 cup dried apples in place of fresh apples)
- 1 cup mixed nuts (use what you or your kids will eat)
- ½ cup peanut butter chips
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- ½ cup caramels, cut into bites sized pieces* (*See Note)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the apple, mixed nuts, peanut butter chips, cranberries or raisins and caramels. (See note).
- Pour into individually sized mason or plastic jars and cover.
Notes
*If using Chiquita Bites Apples and Caramel Dip, cut the apples into bite sized pieces and mix with the nuts, peanut butter chips and cranberries. Pack the caramel dip seperately from the trail mix. Before serving, drizzle the caramel sauce over the trail mix. Enjoy this version of trail mix with a spoon.
We LOVE these homemade peanut butter chips from Chocolate Covered Katie. A great natural version.
[promosimple id="5412"]
My tips would be to buy extra supplies. We always end up needing more glue and crayons in the middle of the school year.
My kids love fruit and veggies so I stock up on the fruit and veggie snack packs and put those in their lunch, If I make them a lunch it is a lot healthier than what they get at school.
I just love a great Trail Mix and your recipe looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
I like to freeze pancakes and send them for lunches
i like healthy alternatives and i give my kids sandwiches of bran bread and make them prepare their own lunches . it makes it fun and they eat it happily as they have added their own efforts too weather it be just putting my prepared lunch in their lunch boxes
I always like to get everything laid out the night before so the mornings go smoothly.
I like to cut up celery or carrots with ranch dressing or tortilla chips and salsa for an added snack in lunch boxes and to give a vitamin boost to lunch.
I love to make peanut butter and jelly rollups with tortillas! Easy to make in the morning and he loves them!
Stock up on containers with lids and pack a week's worth of snacks, fruits, veggies, etc... at the same time.
I make ahead and freeze PB&J sandwiches for days we don't have time to make school lunches
I try to freeze things ahead of time
I think that I will premake a good healthy breakfast the night before. I think it would make a huge difference! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
I make snacks ahead of time so they are ready right when my kids get home from school. I use divided containers (I have Tupperware and ziploc). This also makes it easy to grab and go if we're running errands after pick up.
I pre-pack as many cheese and crackers, fruit items as possible each week...that way we can grab and go.
I think it is good to get the kiddos to bed early and get up early one week before school starts. It will adjust their inner clock and will make the first day of school a smooth transition.
I make a shelf in the fridge a "free-for-all snack shelf" for the kids for after school. It has things like string cheese, sliced apples, yogurt, etc. They can eat as much as they want until 4:30pm, so they don't fill up too much before dinner.
I get a lot of ideas for lunches on blogs. I love the bento boxes. A lot of them are easy but nutritious foods. I like to make a chicken and roast it and then shred for different types of sandwiches during the week.
meal planning for school lunches!
We pack the weeks snacks into tupperware for the week on Sunday. Then, she gets to choose one from each stack for school that day. That way she feels in control, gets what she wants that day and there is a good balance of nutrition.
We organize our shopping on the weekend, and lay out stuff the night before. My kids love getting fruit on skewers.