A powerful high-energy snack, trail mix done right is great for days on the trail or behind the desk.  In honor of National Trail Mix Day, leading food dehydrator brand, Excalibur Dehydrators, shares some recipes for trail mix you can make right in your own kitchen. These at home versions are preservative, additive and junk-free, but best of all taste great!

More about Excalibur’s Food Dehydrators: Since 1974, Excalibur Food Dehydrators have changed the way people all over the world prepare and preserve food.  Compact enough to fit on your kitchen counter, the Excalibur Dehydrator replaced sun drying, solar drying, and oven drying.  The electrical dehydrator created a more predictable dehydration method that allowed people to dry 24 hours a day, come rain or shine.  Excalibur Dehydrators are the only home appliance that incorporate the Parallexx™ Horizontal-Airflow Drying System for best performance, thermostat adjustability, speed, durability, clean-ability and versatility. Dehydrate fruits, vegetables, meats and fish for jerky, herbs and nuts in the comfort of your home.

Harvest Granola

4 cups Rolled old fashion oats
1/2 cup Chopped pecans
1/2 cup Raisins
1/2 cup Dried pineapple
1/2 cup Craisins
1/2 cup Walnuts
1/2 cup Chopped dried apples
1/2 cup Chopped dried apple peels
1/2 cup Chopped dried bananas
1/2 cup Olive oil
1/2 cup Honey
1/2 tsp Vanilla

Heat wet ingredients – stir olive oil, honey, and vanilla together then drizzle over the dry ingredients stirring as you go to coat all ingredients. Put in Excalibur dehydrator at 125 degrees and let dry to the consistence your family will enjoy. You may add so many other things of your choice – here are a few ideas. •Wheat Germ•Wheat Flakes•Coconut•Agave nectar•All kinds of fresh or dried fruits •Differentkinds of oil to replacement the olive oil – possibility would be coconut oil • Seed of different kinds, like pumpkin – sunflower seeds – flax seed • Other kinds of chopped nuts – like almonds – Brazil nuts – peanuts – the list is endless • Bee pollen • ½ cup maple syrup instead of honey • Sprouted buckwheat or sprouted sunflower seed • Sea salt • Cinnamon • Orange juice or other juices you enjoy added to the wet ingredients as desired

Crunch and Munch Bars

4 Cups Rolled Oats

1/3 Cup Oil

½ Cup Honey

½ Cup Sunflower Seeds

½ Cup Sliced Almonds

½ Cup Dried Apricots or Cranberries

½ Cup Raisins

Mini M&Ms or Mini Optional

Mix oats, oil, honey and brown sugar in a large bowl. Add sunflower seeds, apricots and almonds and mix well.  Spread on dehydrator trays about ½ in thick.  Dehydrate at 135°F/ 57°C for 5-7 hours or until dry.

For more snack recipes, images or information on Excalibur Dehydrators (www.ExcaliburDehydrator.com), please contact me at 212.584.4279.