This easy Leprechaun Bait Recipe is a great treat to make for the whole family this St. Patrick’s Day! Sweet and salty, it features just eight ingredients and comes together in 20 minutes. Mix and match your favorite toppings to satisfy all your cravings!

Up close photo of St. Patrick’s Day Trail Mix with Lucky Charms cereal and M&Ms.

What Is Leprechaun Bait?

Leprechaun bait is a type of trail mix or Chex mix recipe that features green colors and St. Patrick’s Day-themed ingredients. It typically combines crisp cereal with sweet chocolate or candies.

Serve it as a family-friendly snack or dessert everyone will love! It’s sure to become one of your favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes.

Ingredients You Need

Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom for the complete details and nutrition information!

Twisty pretzels, Chex cereal, Lucky Charms cereal, and green M&Ms for a Leprechaun Bait recipe.

Cereal – I use a combination of plain rice Chex cereal and Lucky Charms to form the base of the bait.
Pretzels – I use mini twists pretzels to get a bit of saltiness in every bite, but you can use any pretzels you like best.
White Chocolate Chips – Feel free to substitute white chocolate almond bark or candy melts instead.
Candy Wafers – Technically optional, green candy wafers add a pop of color, making this recipe even more festive.
Toppings – Green M&Ms and St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles add extra texture and a sweet taste.

How to Make the Best Leprechaun Bait Recipe

Before you begin, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.

Up close photo of twisty pretzels, rice Chex cereal, and Lucky Charms cereal mixed together.

Combine. Add the Chex cereal, Lucky Charms, and pretzels to a large bowl. Gently toss to combine.
Melt the chocolate. Add the white chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave until melted, stirring frequently. Be careful not to burn!
Create the colored chocolate. This step is optional but makes the recipe so fun and festive! Melt green candy wafers in the microwave, stirring frequently.
Combine. Work quickly to pour the melted white chocolate over the snack mix, and toss to combine.
Layer. Spread the mixture in a single layer over the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the melted green wafers on top. Then, add the sprinkles and M&Ms.
Cool. Allow the mixture to rest at room temperature until the chocolate hardens. Or, transfer it to the fridge to speed up the process.
Serve. Break the mixture into pieces, and enjoy!

A woman's fingers holding leprechaun bait with green M&Ms and St. Patrick's Day sprinkles.

Flavor Variations

Feel free to mix and match ingredients and toppings to make this easy no bake leprechaun bait recipe your own! Some of my favorite additions include:

Popcorn
Marshmallows (Regular or Lucky Charms Marshmallows)
Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Chips
Chopped Nuts
Coconut Flakes
Candy Pieces

Tip: Feel free to substitute the color of the chocolate wafers and sprinkles with any other holiday varieties. Then, you can enjoy this recipe all year long!

A Lucky Charms cereal rainbow marshmallow in St. Patrick’s Day Trail Mix.

How to Store

Once set, you can transfer leftover leprechaun bait to a sealable bag or airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to one week.

More Easy Treats

A woman's fingers holding a piece of leprechaun bait with a shamrock marshmallow.

Print Recipe

Leprechaun Bait Recipe

Make this festive St. Patrick’s Day leprechaun bait recipe with just eight ingredients and twenty minutes for a sweet and salty treat everyone will love!

Prep Time2

Cook Time2

Chill Time15

Total Time19

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: leprechaun bait, leprechaun bait recipe

Servings: servings

Calories: 350kcal

Cost: $10.00

Equipment

1 large baking sheet
2 Microwave-Safe Bowls

Ingredients

4 cups Rice Chex cereal
2 cups Lucky Charms cereal
2 cups mini twists pretzels
11 ounces white chocolate chips
¼ cup green melting candy wafers optional
1/2 cup greens M&M’s
1/4 cup festive sprinkles

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl combine the Chex cereal, Lucky Charms cereal, and pretzels.
4 cups Rice Chex cereal, 2 cups Lucky Charms cereal, 2 cups mini twists pretzels
In a microwave safe bowl, heat the white chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Do not overcook or the chocolate can burn and you will need to start over.
11 ounces white chocolate chips
(Optional) In another small microwave safe bowl, heat the green candy melting wafers in the microwave for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.
¼ cup green melting candy wafers
Working quickly, pour the melted white chocolate over the snack mix, and gently stir to combine. Once everything is coated, pour the mixture onto the lined baking sheet and spread evenly.
(Optional) Drizzle the melted green chocolate over the coated cereal mixture on the baking sheet.
Sprinkle the M&Ms and festive sprinkles over the coated cereal mixture.
1/2 cup greens M&M’s, 1/4 cup festive sprinkles
Let sit at room temperature to harden or in the fridge for 15 minutes. With your hands, break into pieces and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.