Bunny Bait (Easter Chex Mix Recipe)

Sharing is caring!

You need to make this Bunny Bait recipe ASAP! This sweet Easter treat comes together in minutes, takes less than an hour to make from start to finish, and is a total crowd pleaser!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. READ MY DISCLOSURE POLICY HERE.

Making a fun snack mix to celebrate each holiday is one of my favorite things. At Christmastime, I like to make my Christmas White Trash or my Christmas Puppy Chow, during February I love to make a Valentine Snack Mix and when spooky season hits, I love bringing my Halloween Snack Mix, to any party.

And now I have an Easter version to add to my list.

This no bake treat makes the perfect addition to your Easter celebrations, and it’s a fun activity for the kids! They’ll love helping you mix up the cereal and decorating with the cute Easter M&Ms and sprinkles! It’s a delicious treat that’s fun, festive, and super quick to put together!

What is Bunny Bait?

Bunny Bait is a sweet and salty Easter Chex mix recipe made using dry cereal, popcorn, and pretzels, tossed in a white candy coating, and decorated with pastel M&M candies.

This mix has also gone by other names like “Easter Crack”, “Easter Trail Mix”, or “Bunny Chow”.

How to make Bunny Bait

The ingredients below are what I used while developing the recipe, but use what you have on hand! This bunny trail mix has no hard rules, so have fun experimenting with different cereals and candies! The full ingredient list and instructions can be found on the recipe card at the end of the post.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chex Cereal: The cornerstone of any sweet Chex Mix is Chex cereal. I used rice Chex for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite variety.

Cheerios: I used the plain, unflavored Cheerios for this recipe. The cereal adds a nice crunch to the mix, and the flavor is pretty neutral, which helps offset all the sweetness from the added candy.

Mini Pretzels: The pretzels add salt and extra crunch to the party. I like using “itty bitty” mini pretzels for snack mixes. They’re smaller than your average mini twist pretzel, which is perfect for bite-size handfuls. If you can’t find the “itty bitty” pretzels, use regular mini twists or pretzel sticks instead.

Popcorn: The popcorn adds a different texture and some additional saltiness to this sweet trail mix. I used a butter flavored popped popcorn for this recipe, but you can use whatever you have on hand!

White almond bark or vanilla flavored candy melts: The almond bark binds everything together and transforms this ordinary Chex Mix into a dessert! You can also use white chocolate chips if you have those on hand, just be careful when melting them, as they burn easily.

Easter colored M&Ms or your favorite Easter candies: I love using a combination of pastel colored M&Ms and Easter egg shaped M&Ms. The pastel and egg shaped candies are what really make this snack an “Easter Chex Mix”. But feel free to use whatever Easter colored candy you want!

Easter sprinkles: You can use specific Easter themed sprinkles or just pastel colors for some extra Easter flair!

Instructions

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Grab a large mixing bowl and add the Chex cereal, Cheerios, popcorn, and pretzels to the bowl.

Next, you’ll need to melt your almond bark. You can do this in the microwave-safe bowl following the instructions on the package, or you can melt the candy coating in a heatproof bowl set over a small pan of barely simmering water. I recommend the bowl and simmering water method if you’re using white chocolate chips.

While melting, make sure to stir the almond bark continuously until it is completely melted and smooth.

Pour the melted candy coating over the cereal mixture. Use a rubber spatula or spoon, and gently stir the mixture until all the cereal, popcorn, and pretzels are evenly coated in melted almond bark.

Dump the mixture onto the parchment paper lined cookie sheet and use the spatula to spread it out into an even layer. While the candy coating is still wet, evenly sprinkle on the pastel M&M candies and the sprinkles. Pop the pan into the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set the almond bark.

Once the mixture is firm and completely set up, break it into chunks and serve!

Storing

Any leftover trail mix can be stored in an airtight container and left at room temperature for up to a week. You can also pack up your bunny bait into cute cellophane treat bags and give out to friends or pack in Easter baskets.

Substitutions and Swaps

• Use any flavor of Cheerios you’d like- Try honey nut or berry flavors for extra sweetness.
• Swap the Rice Chex for corn, chocolate, or peanut butter flavored varieties.
• Add mini marshmallows to make this Easter trail mix extra sweet.
• Make a gluten free Bunny Bait trail mix by using gluten free pretzels, Chex cereal, and candies. Be sure to read the labels to ensure all ingredients are gluten free (including the almond bark)!
• Traditional mini pretzels or pretzel sticks may be used if you can’t find the tiny pretzel twists at your grocery store. Use the same quantity listed on the recipe card.
• You can use white chocolate chips in place of the almond bark, just make sure to melt the chips slowly in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water. This will gently melt the white chocolate chips without burning or seizing.
• The M&Ms can be swapped out for mini Cadbury eggs or Reese’s Pieces, or any other cute Easter colored candies you find in the candy aisle.

Expert Tips

• Melt your candy melts slowly (15 second intervals in the microwave or over low simmering water on the stove top), this will keep the candy from seizing or burning.
• Be gentle when coating the cereal in the candy melt mixture, we don’t want the cereal to break apart while stirring.
• Add the Easter candy and sprinkles while the candy melt coating is still wet. This will help everything stick to the snack mix and create perfect chunks later!
• Chill the bunny bait for at least 10 minutes in the fridge to set the candy faster. That means you can serve it and EAT it way sooner!

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this snack mix in a big bowl if you’re hosting an Easter celebration or big gathering.

This treat also holds up really well kept in a decorative glass jar on the counter for easy access all during the Easter season.

And this snack mix makes the perfect treat to package up in decorative bags for the kiddos’ class parties or to add to their Easter baskets.

Sharing is caring!