Bunny Bait
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 perfect when you’re hosting friends and family for the holiday.
Ingredient Substitutions
You only need five ingredients to make it – popcorn, pretzels, candy melts, peanuts and M&Ms. This is my favorite combination, but you can always switch things up!
My recipe has peanuts, so if you are worried about allergies you can substitute roasted almonds or walnuts instead – they both work!
Of course, you need the pastel-colored M&Ms for that perfect spring theme, but if you can’t find them substitute other ones. These days there are so many kinds of M&Ms you could make a version of this popcorn snack for every holiday!
Tips to make Bunny Bait!
This is a really quick and easy recipe, but you’ll need to work fast so have everything ready to go before you start:
- Grab a big mixing bowl and a smaller one for the candy melts.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Go ahead and open the M&M package so it’s easy to add them when it’s time!
How to Make It
- Get your biggest mixing bowl and combine the popcorn, pretzels, and peanuts.
- Melt the candy melts following the instructions on the package. Most likely you can do this in the microwave! Pour it over the snack mixture and 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&Ms and sprinkle them over the top of the mixture and lightly press them into the mixture so they stick.
Once the candy melt is dry 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!
As long as it’s kept in an airtight container it will last for up to five days at room temperature.
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!
I’ll be making a big batch of this Bunny Bait for our Easter celebration – I hope you do, too! Everyone loves it!
Homemade 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
Bunny Bait
Ingredients
- 16 oz white candy melts
- 12 c. popped popcorn about 1/2 c. kernels
- 2 c. pretzels rods
- 2 c. dry roasted peanuts
- 10.90 oz package Spring M&Ms
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.
Notes
- 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
I LOVE white chocolate popcorn! The colors are so fun in this too!
Yes! Such a fun springtime treat!
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.
Thank you! Sweet and savory is one of my favorites, I’m glad you love it too!
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!
Same here! I’m glad you love it!
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…..
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