I made this Leprechaun Bait for St Patrick’s Day when I absolutely did not want to bake. No mixer, no oven, no planning ahead.
Just one bowl, a bit of green chaos, and the kind of snack you can keep nibbling while pretending you’re “just checking it.”
It’s bright, crunchy, a little messy, and very hard to stop eating once you start and kids absolutely love it!
The mix of cereal, pretzels, and white chocolate hits that sweet salty thing perfectly, and the pops of green make it feel instantly like St. Patrick’s Day.
Why You’ll Love It
- It’s crunchy, sweet & salty
- No oven, no chilling, no stress, just melt, mix, and snack.
- It’s perfect for St Patrick’s Day
Ingredients For Leprechaun Bait
- Chex cereal, any plain variety, rice or corn both work. This is your crunchy base.
- Pretzel sticks, roughly broken up. A little salty snap balances all the sweetness.
- Lucky Charms cereal, because obviously. The cereal pieces add crunch, the marshmallows add magic.
- Green M&M’s, or a mix if that’s what you have. I sort of eyeball this every time.
- Extra Lucky Charms marshmallows, pulled from the box like a scavenger hunt. Totally optional but very fun.
- White chocolate almond bark, melted smooth. You can also use white chocolate chips if that’s easier.
How To Make leprechaun bait
Step 1: Melt Your Chocolate
Start by melting your white chocolate.
I toss it into a big microwave safe bowl and heat it in short bursts, stirring in between, until it’s smooth and glossy.
Don’t rush this part, scorched chocolate is no fun.
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Grab your largest mixing bowl and add the Chex, pretzels, Lucky Charms cereal, and about half of the M&M’s.
Give it a quick toss so everything’s evenly mixed before the chocolate shows up.
Step 3: Pour On Melted Chocolate
Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal mix.
Then gently fold everything together until it looks evenly coated and slightly shiny.
This is the messy but satisfying part.
I usually switch to a spatula halfway through because spoons give up.
Step 4: Spoon It Into A Baking Tray
Spread the mixture out onto a lined baking sheet.
Sprinkle the remaining M&M’s and those extra marshmallows over the top while the chocolate is still soft so they stick.
Let it sit at room temperature until the chocolate firms up. (About an hour, sometimes less if your kitchen is cool.)
Step 5: Serve
Once set, break it into chunky pieces and try not to eat all the best bits immediately.
Tips & FAQs For Leprechaun Bait
Can I use a different cereal?
Totally. Crisp rice cereal, corn squares, even popcorn works. Just keep the texture crunchy.
Do I have to use almond bark?
Nope. White chocolate chips are fine, just add a tiny splash of coconut oil if they seem thick.
How long does Leprechaun Bait stay fresh?
A few days in an airtight container, though in my house it’s usually gone by day one.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, it’s actually perfect for that. Make it the night before and break it up right before serving.
Is this super sweet?
It’s sweet, but the pretzels help a lot. If you’re worried, add a few extra salty bits.
Recipe Card
Leprechaun Bait
Description
A fun, no bake St. Patrick’s Day snack mix that’s sweet, crunchy, and a little salty. Perfect for kids’ parties, classroom treats, or casual holiday snacking.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Add the white chocolate to a large microwave safe bowl and heat for 1 minute. Stir, then continue heating in 20 second bursts until smooth and fully melted.
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In a separate large bowl, add the Chex cereal, pretzels, Lucky Charms cereal, and about half of the M&M’s. Give it a quick toss to mix everything up.
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Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal mixture and gently stir until everything looks evenly coated and glossy.
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Spread the mixture out onto a parchment lined baking sheet in a single, even layer.
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Sprinkle the remaining M&M’s and the marshmallows over the top while the chocolate is still soft.
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Let it sit at room temperature for about 1 hour, or until the chocolate is set. Break into pieces and serve.
