Bunny Bait
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Posted: 03/15/24
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Sweet and Salty Snack Mixes are so addicting, plus quick and easy to make! This Bunny Bait is perfect for Easter celebrations or spring parties. A sweet coating of candy melts on popcorn, pretzels and peanuts with the addition of M&M’s make it so addicting. You will love this quick and easy no-bake snack mix recipe.
Don’t you just love a holiday-themed snack mix? I know I do and this bunny bait recipe is my favorite one to make for Easter, although with it’s bright and pretty colors you could make it just to celebrate spring! Like my puppy chow, this sweet and salty snack is easy to make and guaranteed to disappear fast.
Whenever I make this I love how the adults assume it’s just for the kids and then I catch them grabbing a handful. It’s so good no one can resist it.
It’s an Easter tradition at our house along with the baskets and dinner with a honey baked ham. I’m not sure what would happen if I stopped making it – there would definitely be some disappointed faces!
If you’ve never tried it, Bunny Bait is a dressed-up popcorn snack mix with sweet and salty snacks and melted vanilla candy coating. It’s a no-bake treat that is so easy to make. This recipe makes a big batch (it serves 16!) so it’s the perfect Easter treat when you’re hosting friends and family for the holiday.
Why You’ll Love this Easter Snack Mix!
- This bunny snack mix is so easy to make, taking only 15 minutes of prep time to have it ready to go!
- Easter bunny bait snack mix is a kid-friendly recipe all around. Not only do the love to snack on it, but they love helping make it too!
- The flavor combination of this Easter bunny bait recipe is totally addictive. A sweet and salty mix that you won’t be able to stop munching on!
Ingredients for Easter Snack Mix
- White Candy Melts – Vanilla almond bark is a great option too for this! The melted chocolate is key to making this addictively tasty snack mix.
- Popcorn – You’ll need about 12 cups of popped popcorn which is about 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels. Feel free to buy pre-popped popcorn too!
- Pretzel Rods – You can use any type of pretzels for this. We like to use pretzel sticks, but pretzels twists or squares will work too.
- Peanuts – Opt for a dry roasted and unsalted peanuts for this recipe. This way, you can control the level of sweetness in Easter snack mix recipe.
- M&Ms – We used a festive spring mix of pastel M&M candies, but you could easily change this up for any holiday.
How to Make Bunny Bait
- Grab a large bowl and combine the popcorn, pretzels, and peanuts.
- Melt the candy melts according to the instructions on the package. Most likely you can do this in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Once smooth and creamy, pour the melted chocolate over the snack mixture and gently mix until everything is evenly coated.
- Immediately spread the mixture onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread it into an even layer.
- Grab your M&M candies and sprinkle them over the top of the mixture and lightly press them into the mixture so that they stick.
- Once the candy melt has set, transfer the bunny bait to an airtight container. I’m always tempted to keep it under lock and key until I’m ready to serve it – it has a tendency to disappear!
Pro Tips
This is a really quick and easy recipe, but you’ll need to work fast so have everything ready to go before you start:
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- Grab a big mixing bowl and a smaller one for the candy melts. Don’t try to melt everything in the same bowl.
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- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper before you start the process of making the candy!
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- Go ahead and open the M&M package so it’s easy to add them when it’s time. I love to think ahead when I’m baking so that it makes things easier on my future self.
How to Store Leftovers
Store this bunny bait snack mix in an airtight container on the countertop at room temperature for up to a week.
Another option is to freeze Easter bunny bait for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container. Remove from freezer and let thaw on counter when you are ready to serve.
What can I add to bunny bait?
There are so many tasty things that you can add into this perfect treat! However, keep in mind that you don’t want to overload the snack mix or there may not be enough melted candy wafters to coat everything.
You could take a page out of the muddy buddies recipe and mix some rice chex cereal into this easy bunny bait snack mix! Honey nut cheerios and other Chex cereals would be yummy too.
Mini marshmallows would be a fun added texture to this recipe, and around Easter they typically sell colored one. You can also add more crunchy texture with things like Cadbury candy eggs!
Recipe Variations
You don’t have to wait until Easter to make this! With a few swaps, you can customize it for any holiday!
- For a sweet Valentine’s day treat, use those cute red, white, and pink M&Ms and pink or white candy melt.
- At Halloween, it’s fun to use Reese’s pieces in place of the M&Ms.
- Grab those red and green M&Ms to make a batch for Christmas!
- Did you know M&Ms have 4th of July-themed candies? Yep! So make a patriotic snack to celebrate!
- Add sprinkles! That’s right, sprinkles make everything better!
Turn Bunny Bait into a Gift!
This bunny bait recipe is the perfect thing to make if you’re looking for a homemade Easter gift that you can hand out to family and friends. Once complete, scoop the snack mix into individual treat bags, tie with ribbon and then hand to family and friends!
It’s a great homemade treat to add to Easter baskets too. You could even buy extra large Easter eggs and scoop some of the bunny bait snack mix into those. It’s the perfect sweet treat gift!
I’ll be making a big batch of this Bunny Bait for our Easter celebration – I hope you do, too! Everyone loves it!
More Yummy Snack Mixes!
Want more easy snack ideas? You know I’ve got you covered!
- If you are looking for a quick recipe you have to try this delicious Microwave Caramel Corn!
- For movie night you have to make a batch of butterscotch popcorn – it’s a quick and easy recipe!
- Everyone goes crazy for my homemade snack mix with cereal, popcorn, pretzels, peanuts and chocolate candies
- Buddy the Elf Snack Mix is one of my most favorite Christmas recipes!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Bunny Bait
Sweet & Salty Easter Snack Mix Loaded with Popcorn, M&Ms, Pretzels and Peanut then coated in a Vanilla Candy Coating!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces white candy melts
- 12 cups popped popcorn about ½ c. kernels
- 2 cups pretzels rods
- 2 cups dry roasted peanuts
- 10.9 ounces Spring M&Ms (1 package)
Instructions
- Place popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Mix in pretzels and peanuts.
- Melt CandiQuik according to package directions. Pop over mixture in bowl and mix until coated. Pour mixture onto waxed paper and spread out to cool and dry. Immediately sprinkle M&Ms on mixture, slightly pressing them down so they stick.
- Store in airtight container.
Tips
- As long as it’s kept in an airtight container it will last for up to five days at room temperature.
- My recipe has peanuts, so if you are worried about allergies you can substitute roasted almonds or walnuts instead – they both work!
- For a sweet Valentine’s day treat, use those cute red, white, and pink M&Ms and pink or white candy melt.
- At Halloween, it’s fun to use Reese’s pieces in place of the M&Ms.
- Grab those red and green M&Ms to make a batch for Christmas!
- Did you know M&Ms have 4th of July-themed candies? Yep! So make a patriotic snack to celebrate!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 497kcal (25%), Carbohydrates: 57g (19%), Protein: 3g (6%), Fat: 13g (20%), Saturated Fat: 11g (69%), Cholesterol: 2mg (1%), Sodium: 395mg (17%), Potassium: 40mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 33g (37%), Vitamin A: 45IU (1%), Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 28mg (3%), Iron: 1.8mg (10%)
Fran says
This is a big hit! Once you try a bite, you can’t stop! It’s that perfect blend of salty and sweet! You can make it gluten free by using gluten free pretzels, popcorn, etc.
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it Fran! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Kris Lucas says
How much does this make? I ws thinking of giving this as Easter gifts?
Julie Evink says
If you do about 1 c. amounts you’ll get 16 servings, 2 c. gifts and you’d get 8 etc.
Joyce says
I used die free sprinkles for my niece and nephews
Julie Evink says
Great idea!!
Katie says
I LOVE white chocolate popcorn! The colors are so fun in this too!
Julie says
Yes! Such a fun springtime treat!
Trang says
I don’t think you were rambling at all! I love the personal commentary because it makes you so much more relatable. Ignore the haters! This is so simple and I love all sweetness and savory snacks mixed together. Totally great for Easter and these items are easy to find as we are all social distancing and the grocery stores are low.
Julie says
Thank you! Sweet and savory is one of my favorites, I’m glad you love it too!
Kristyn says
You could pour white chocolate over anything & I’d eat it..just kidding, but really, I love white chocolate over popcorn mixes!! It is one of our favorite movie night treats!
Julie says
Same here! I’m glad you love it!
Lisa says
Couple things- just because your husband doesn’t like popcorn doesn’t mean you can’t have it. Just make the small bags. Also, just stop rambling and get to the point with the recipe…..
Julie Evink says
Hi Lisa!
There’s this great feature called a “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the post you can simply click and go straight to the recipe so you can skip all of the “rambling” you need to scroll through to get to the free recipe! Hope that helps.
Julie