Bunny Bait Easter Mix
A colorful, no-bake sweet-and-salty Easter snack mix made with popcorn, cereal, pretzels, pastel candies, and a white chocolate drizzle. Perfect for parties, gifting, or snacking with the family.
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn plain, lightly salted, or low-butter; pick out unpopped kernels
- 2 cups mini pretzel twists or sticks or pretzel squares
- 2 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex cereal or any plain square cereal
- 1 1/2 cups pastel chocolate candies such as Easter M&M’s; choose plain, peanut, or peanut butter as desired
- 1 cup mini marshmallows plain or colorful
- 1/4–1/2 cup pastel sprinkles or nonpareils jimmies, confetti sprinkles, or seasonal shapes
- 16 oz white chocolate chips or vanilla candy melts about 2 2/3 cups; this coats and binds the mix
- 1–2 teaspoons neutral oil such as canola or coconut oil, optional; helps thin the melted chocolate
- 1/2 cup crushed vanilla sandwich cookies optional; for a cookies-and-cream twist
- 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts, cashews, or almonds optional; skip for nut-free
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut optional; adds a “bird’s nest” vibe
Instructions
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. Spread the popped popcorn evenly over the trays and pick out any unpopped kernels.8 cups popped popcorn
- Scatter the mini pretzels and Chex cereal evenly over the popcorn. Gently toss with clean hands so everything is somewhat evenly distributed in a mostly single layer.8 cups popped popcorn, 2 cups mini pretzel twists or sticks, 2 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex cereal
- Place the white chocolate chips or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each interval, until almost melted. Stir until completely smooth. If the mixture seems too thick, stir in 1 teaspoon neutral oil; add up to 1 more teaspoon only if needed until pourable and silky.16 oz white chocolate chips or vanilla candy melts, 1–2 teaspoons neutral oil
- Drizzle about half of the melted white chocolate over the popcorn, pretzels, and cereal. Gently toss with a large spatula or clean hands to lightly coat. Drizzle most of the remaining white chocolate over the mixture, reserving a couple of tablespoons for a decorative drizzle if desired.8 cups popped popcorn, 2 cups mini pretzel twists or sticks, 2 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex cereal, 16 oz white chocolate chips or vanilla candy melts
- While the white chocolate is still wet, sprinkle the pastel chocolate candies, mini marshmallows, and sprinkles evenly over the top. If using nuts, coconut, or crushed cookies, add them now as well. Gently press the add-ins into the mix so they adhere. Drizzle any reserved melted white chocolate lightly over the top for extra hold and a pretty finish.1 1/2 cups pastel chocolate candies, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1/4–1/2 cup pastel sprinkles or nonpareils, 1/2 cup crushed vanilla sandwich cookies, 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts, cashews, or almonds, 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- Allow the trays to sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, or until the white chocolate is firm to the touch. If your kitchen is warm, place the trays in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes to speed up setting, but do not chill for too long to avoid condensation and loss of crispness.
- Once fully set, break the Bunny Bait Easter Mix into clusters of your preferred size. Transfer to a large serving bowl, or portion into treat cups, jars, or cellophane bags for gifting and parties.
Notes
Yield: About 12–16 servings. For a slightly lighter mix, increase the amount of popcorn and pretzels and reduce the amount of candy. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days, away from heat and direct sunlight. For make-ahead, prepare 1–2 days in advance and package into gift bags or cups on the day of serving. The mix can be frozen for up to 1 month in an airtight container or freezer bag; thaw at room temperature in the closed container to avoid condensation. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pretzels and certified gluten-free cereal. To make it nut-free, omit nuts and use nut-free candies.
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