Name: Holiday Fruit Mix
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup dried cranberries; 1 cup raisins; 1 cup dried apricots chopped; ½ cup dried cherries; ¾ cup roasted unsalted almonds; ¾ cup roasted unsalted pecans; ½ cup roasted unsalted walnuts; ½ cup pumpkin seeds.; ½ cup dark chocolate chips; ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; flaky salt to taste.

Holiday Fruit Mix is my go-to dried fruit and nut mix for December snacking. It’s the kind of bowl you can set out on the counter and keep pinching from all day, and it looks right at home on a holiday platter.

I like this version because it’s chewy, a little tart, and nicely crunchy from the roasted nuts. The mix of cranberries, apricots, and cherries keeps it interesting, and a tiny bit of cinnamon or flaky salt makes it taste more “holiday” without turning it into a dessert.

For me, it’s especially good for party grazing, road trips, and filling little jars for edible gifts. It also plays well next to cookies and candies, when you want something that isn’t frosting-sweet.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No-cook: Nothing to bake, nothing to cool. You can make it in the time it takes to find a big bowl.

Holiday snacky: It fits right in with cookie trays and cheese boards, and it’s easy to keep out for people to grab as they pass by.

Make-ahead friendly: This is the kind of mix that’s actually better when it sits a bit and the fruit and nuts mingle together.

Easy to customize: Swap in the nuts and seeds you like, add chocolate if you want, and adjust cinnamon or salt to match your mood.

Giftable: It looks great in small jars or bags, and it’s a simple homemade thing that doesn’t feel fussy.

Key Ingredients

Base Mix

Dried cranberries: I like the tart bite they add. If yours are very sweet, a pinch of flaky salt helps.
Raisins: Regular raisins work fine, but golden raisins are great too if you want a lighter, honey-ish flavor.
Dried apricots: Chop them small so you don’t get huge sticky pieces in the mix. They’re what makes the whole thing feel a little softer and chewier.
Dried cherries: These give you that pop of tart-sweet that reads very “holiday” to me. If they’re extra large, I’ll give them a quick rough chop.
Roasted unsalted almonds: Roasted is important here for flavor. Unsalted lets you control how salty the finished mix is.
Roasted unsalted pecans: Pecans make it taste richer and more festive. If you only have halves, you can leave them as-is or break them up a little.
Roasted unsalted walnuts: Walnuts add that slightly bitter, toasty edge that balances the sweeter fruit.
Pumpkin seeds: I love the little crunch they add, and they fill in the gaps so every scoop has a bit of everything.

Optional Add Ins

Dark chocolate chips: Great if you’re serving soon or keeping the mix somewhere cool. If it’s warm in your kitchen, they can get a little melty.
Unsweetened coconut flakes: This adds a little chew and a light coconut taste. Sweetened works too, but it will make the mix noticeably sweeter.
Ground cinnamon: A small amount goes a long way. I like it most when it’s just in the background.
Flaky salt: This is optional, but I almost always add a pinch. It makes the fruit taste brighter and the nuts taste toastier.

Recipe Instructions

Chop the fruit: Chop any larger dried fruit into bite-size pieces so the mix is easy to eat and easy to scoop.
Add to a bowl: Add all of the base mix ingredients to a large bowl.
Toss: Toss until everything looks evenly mixed, then taste and add cinnamon or flaky salt if you’re using them.
Store: Transfer to an airtight container, or portion into small jars or bags for gifting. Stir or shake before serving.

My Tips!

This is the section that separates “good” from “wow.” If you read only one part of this post, make it this one — it’s where I reveal my recipe trick.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Use roasted, unsalted nuts. Roasted nuts taste better here, and unsalted lets you decide how salty you want the mix. If your nuts are salted, just skip adding extra salt at the end.

Chop the sticky fruit smaller than you think. Big apricot chunks tend to clump and make the bowl harder to toss. Smaller pieces give you a more even mix and easier snacking.

Add cinnamon lightly. It can take over fast in a snack mix. I start with a small pinch, toss, then decide if I want more.

Save chocolate for cooler storage. Chocolate chips are great, but they’ll smear if the mix sits near a sunny window or in a warm car. If I’m packing it for travel, I usually leave them out.

Let it sit for a few minutes if the fruit feels dry. After tossing, resting the mix for about 10 minutes helps the moisture redistribute so everything eats a little more evenly.

Simple tweaks

Here’s where the fun begins — a few simple tweaks can turn this recipe from casual treats into the star of any party.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday snack board: Put it in a bowl next to cheese, crackers, and grapes. It’s especially nice with sharp cheddar or brie.
Cookie tray balance: Add a small pile to cookie trays or dessert platters. It gives people something to snack on between sweeter bites.
Yogurt or oatmeal: Sprinkle a handful over plain Greek yogurt or warm oatmeal for breakfast. I like it most when there’s a little flaky salt in the mix.
Party cups: Portion into little paper cups or small bowls for a buffet table. It keeps things tidy and makes it easy for people to grab and go.

Eat it later

This section explains how to store leftovers properly and how far in advance the recipe can be prepared.

Storage and Make Ahead

Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. A pantry or cabinet is fine, and a quick stir or shake brings it back together if the heavier nuts settle.

If you add chocolate chips, I like to keep the mix somewhere cool so the chocolate doesn’t soften. In a warm kitchen, you may want to leave chocolate out and add it right before serving.

You can make this recipe ahead for parties and gifting. It holds up well, and the mix actually tastes a little more cohesive after it sits for a bit.

If you portion it into jars or bags, give each one a quick shake before handing them out. It keeps the mix looking even and pretty.

It could help!

Before you close the tab or print the recipe, scroll through these quick answers.

Recipe FAQs

Can I swap the nuts and seeds?

Yes. Cashews, pistachios, sunflower seeds, or even peanuts work fine here. I’d just aim for a similar total amount so you still get a good mix of fruit-to-crunch in each handful.

Do I have to chop the dried apricots and cherries?

I recommend it, especially for apricots. Big pieces tend to stick together and make the mix harder to scoop and eat, and smaller pieces give you a more even bite.

How do I keep the chocolate chips from melting?

Use them only if you’re serving soon or storing the mix in a cool spot. If you’re packing this for a warm car ride or leaving it out on a sunny counter, I’d skip the chocolate and add it later.

Can I make it less sweet?

You can. Use more nuts and seeds and slightly less fruit, or choose unsweetened dried fruit when you can find it. A pinch of flaky salt also helps the mix taste less sugary.

Why does my mix feel a little dry?

Some dried fruit is drier than others, depending on the brand. Toss it well and let it sit for about 10 minutes; it usually softens up a bit as the moisture redistributes.

Keep it with you

The printable version with print button is at the end of the post, easy to follow, and includes all the steps you’ll need.

Holiday Fruit Mix

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Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

Serving Size: 12

A festive no-cook dried fruit and nut mix for holiday snacking and gifting