Bunny Bait Trail Mix Recipe
This Bunny Bait Trail Mix combines sweet cereals, crunchy pretzels, and colorful candies coated in creamy white chocolate for a festive Easter snack. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect treat to fill Easter baskets or serve at spring parties.
This fun Easter snack mix features bright pastel colors and a delicious blend of textures that both kids and adults will love. The combination of Honey Nut Cheerios, Chex cereal, and salty pretzels creates an irresistible sweet and salty treat that’s perfect for the Easter season.
Looking for more Easter treats? Try my Decadent Easter M&M Bars for a chewy dessert or my Easter Rice Krispie Treats for another no-bake option. If you’re planning a celebration, check out my Easter Menu Ideas for complete holiday dinner plans!
Table of Contents
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This no-bake Bunny Bait Trail Mix comes together in just 10 minutes of prep time, with only 20 minutes of setting time. It’s perfect for last-minute Easter gatherings or when you need a quick treat for little ones.
- Customizable Mix: The base recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to swap in your favorite cereals, nuts, or candies. You can even adjust the sweetness level by changing the ratio of salty to sweet ingredients.
- Perfect for Gifting: Package this colorful snack mix in individual treat bags tied with ribbons for adorable Easter basket stuffers or party favors.
- Sweet and Salty Combination: The mix of honey-sweetened cereals, salty pretzels and peanuts, and creamy white chocolate creates that irresistible sweet-and-salty flavor profile that keeps everyone coming back for more.
What Is Bunny Bait?
Bunny Bait (sometimes called “Bunny Crack” or “Easter Crack”) is a festive snack mix inspired by muddy buddies or puppy chow but designed with Easter colors and themes. The name comes from the idea that it’s so delicious, it could “bait” the Easter Bunny to your home!
This no-bake treat combines cereals, pretzels, nuts, and candies, all coated in white chocolate and decorated with pastel-colored candies and sprinkles. It’s a popular treat for Easter celebrations because it’s easy to make, visually appealing with spring colors, and perfect for sharing.
Bunny Bait Snack Mix Ingredients
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Honey Nut Chex cereal – These crunchy squares provide an excellent base for the mix with their sweet honey flavor and sturdy texture that holds up well under the white chocolate coating.
- Honey Nut Cheerios – Adding a different shape and texture to the mix, these round cereals add a nice honey sweetness that complements the other ingredients.
- Mini pretzels – Small pretzel twists add a salty crunch that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients. The salt also enhances all the flavors in the mix.
- Salted peanuts – These add protein and a rich, nutty flavor to the mix while contributing more salty notes to balance the sweet ingredients.
- White melting wafers – These create the creamy coating that binds everything together. Ghirardelli wafers melt smoothly and set up with a nice snap, but you can substitute with other brands.
- Pastel M&M’s – These colorful candies add Easter colors and chocolate flavor pockets throughout the mix. The candy shells maintain their color when folded in after the initial chocolate coating.
- Easter sprinkles – Optional but recommended for extra festive flair, these bunny-themed or pastel-colored sprinkles make the mix look even more appropriate for Easter celebrations.
Substitutions and Additions
- Cereal options – Try Rice Chex, Corn Chex, or even Golden Grahams for different flavor profiles. Plain popcorn also works well for added crunch.
- Chocolate alternatives – White chocolate chips or almond bark can be used instead of melting wafers. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to help them melt more smoothly.
- Candy variations – Substitute Cadbury Mini Eggs, pastel candy corn, or pastel sixlets for the M&M’s. You can also mix in some pastel-colored mini marshmallows after the coating has cooled slightly.
- Nut options – Replace peanuts with cashews, almonds, or pecans. For nut-free versions, use more pretzels or add seeds like pepitas.
- Add-ins – Consider adding dried fruits like cranberries or golden raisins for chewy texture, or butterscotch chips for another flavor dimension.
How to Make Bunny Bait Trail Mix (step-by-step directions)
STEP 1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
STEP 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Honey Nut Chex, Honey Nut Cheerios, mini pretzels, and salted peanuts. Mix them gently to distribute all ingredients evenly. (Photos 1 & 2)
STEP 3. Melt the white chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl, using 30-second intervals at low power and stirring between each. This prevents the chocolate from overheating or seizing.
STEP 4. Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture and fold gently until everything is evenly coated. Work quickly but carefully to avoid crushing the cereal. (Photos 3 & 4)
STEP 5. Once coated, fold in the pastel M&M’s. Adding them after the initial coating prevents their colors from melting into the white chocolate. (Photos 5 & 6)
STEP 6. Spread the mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with Easter-themed sprinkles if desired. (Photo 7)
STEP 7. Allow the mixture to set at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, or speed up the process by refrigerating for 10 minutes.
STEP 8. Once set, break the mix into bite-sized chunks and serve or package in airtight containers or individual treat bags.
Recipe Tips
- Temperature matters – Make sure the melted chocolate is not too hot when you add the M&M’s, or their colors may bleed. Let the cereal mixture cool slightly before adding the candy.
- Don’t crush the cereal – Use a rubber spatula or large spoon to fold the ingredients together gently, preserving the texture of the cereal pieces.
- Use the right tools – A large mixing bowl gives you enough space to coat all ingredients evenly without spilling. A rimmed baking sheet keeps everything contained during the setting process.
- Work quickly – Once the white chocolate is melted, you’ll want to work efficiently as it will begin to set. Have all your ingredients measured and ready before melting the chocolate.
- Even spreading – When spreading the mixture on the baking sheet, aim for an even layer that’s not too thick or thin. This ensures even setting and makes it easier to break into pieces later.
Storing Tips
- Storage: Once the Bunny Bait has fully set, store it properly to maintain its crunch and freshness.
- Room temperature: Store your Bunny Bait in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Avoid warm or humid environments that might make the chocolate coating soft.
- Freezing: This mix can be frozen for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Gifting: For gifting, portion the Bunny Bait into cellophane bags or mason jars. Add a ribbon and gift tag for an easy homemade Easter gift.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Bunny Bait as part of a festive Easter spread alongside other finger foods like those in my Best Spring Appetizers collection. It’s perfect for setting out in decorative bowls during egg hunts or Easter gatherings.
For a complete Easter celebration, pair with some Easter Chocolate Covered Oreos and Easter Thumbprint Cookies. Add some fun to the gathering with Free Printable Easter Games to keep everyone entertained.
Need More Easter Recipes? Try These:
Recipe FAQs
This Bunny Bait Trail Mix can be made 3-4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container. In fact, making it ahead gives the flavors time to meld together, though the cereal may lose some of its crunch over time.
White chocolate can be finicky. Make sure you’re using quality melting wafers and heating in short intervals at low power. If using white chocolate chips instead of melting wafers, add a tablespoon of coconut oil to help them melt more smoothly.
Simply omit the peanuts and increase the amount of cereal and pretzels, or substitute with seeds like pepitas or more candies. Also, check that your cereal is processed in a nut-free facility if allergies are a concern.
Portion the mix into small cellophane bags, tie with pastel ribbons, and attach one of my Free Easter Gift Tags. These make adorable additions to Easter baskets or party favors.
Absolutely! You can divide the white chocolate and tint portions with a few drops of oil-based food coloring (water-based can make chocolate seize). Drizzle different colors over the mix for a festive spring look.
Bunny Bait Trail Mix Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl (Large)
Ingredients
- 3 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
- 2 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
- 1 ½ cups Minis Pretzels
- 1 ½ cups Salted Peanuts
- 15 ounces Melting Wafers White
- 10 ounce M&M's Pastel blend
- Bunny sprinkles mix optional
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the Honey Nut Chex, Honey Nut Cheerios, mini pretzels, and salted peanuts. Mix them gently to distribute all ingredients evenly.3 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal,2 cups Honey Nut Cheerios,1 ½ cups Minis Pretzels,1 ½ cups Salted Peanuts
- Melt the white chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl, using 30-second intervals at low power and stirring between each. This prevents the chocolate from overheating or seizing.15 ounces Melting Wafers
- Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture and fold gently until everything is evenly coated. Work quickly but carefully to avoid crushing the cereal.
- Once coated, fold in the pastel M&M’s. Adding them after the initial coating prevents their colors from melting into the white chocolate.10 ounce M&M's
- Spread the mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with Easter-themed sprinkles if desired.Bunny sprinkles mix
- Allow the mixture to set at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, or speed up the process by refrigerating for 10 minutes.
- Once set, break the mix into bite-sized chunks and serve or package in airtight containers or individual treat bags.
Notes
- Temperature matters – Make sure the melted chocolate is not too hot when you add the M&M’s or their colors may bleed. Let the cereal mixture cool slightly before adding the candy.
- Don’t crush the cereal – Use a rubber spatula or large spoon to fold the ingredients together gently, preserving the texture of the cereal pieces.
- Use the right tools – A large mixing bowl gives you enough space to coat all ingredients evenly without spilling. A rimmed baking sheet keeps everything contained during the setting process.
- Work quickly – Once the white chocolate is melted, you’ll want to work efficiently as it will begin to set. Have all your ingredients measured and ready before melting the chocolate.
- Even spreading – When spreading the mixture on the baking sheet, aim for an even layer that’s not too thick or too thin. This ensures even setting and makes it easier to break into pieces later.
Nutrition Information
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