• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Fantabulosity logo

  • All Recipes
  • Vintage Recipes
  • Holiday
  • Dinner Theme System
  • About
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Theme Night Dinner System
  • Dinner
  • Desserts
  • Holidays
  • Contact
  • About Jessica
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » St. Patrick's

    Leprechaun Bait

    By: Jessica · Posted: Feb 21, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe 8 comments
    5 from 9 votes
    Leprechaun bait with text on image.

    Leprechaun Bait: If you’re looking for fun snacks for St. Patrick’s Day for your little leprechauns, this leprechaun bait (aka leprechaun chow) is it! Your whole family will love this mix of white chocolate, cereal, sprinkles, and M&Ms!

    Leprechaun Bait

     

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    I’m not sure about your house, but in our house, we make “leprechaun traps” in March. It’s a fun craft activity and the kids get really excited about it.

    As we all know, the only thing leprechauns love more than shiny gold coins is tasty treats! (Especially when those shiny gold coins are on a St. Patrick’s Day charcuterie board!)

    So of course we had to come up with a fun treat; leprechaun bait (or in other words, a St. Patrick’s Day snack mix!) It’s similar to our other snack mix recipes, like our Bunny Bait and our Christmas Chex Mix!

    Whether you use this leprechaun bait for your craft or as St. Patrick’s Day party food, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone! The crunchy cereal and the sweet chocolate mixture are a little bit addictive and such a great treat (just like our white chocolate lemon puppy chow, oh gosh). You’ve been warned!

    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients for Leprechaun Bait
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • How to Make This Quick & Easy Leprechaun Bait
    • Storage
    • Expert Tips and FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients for Leprechaun Bait

    You can get everything you’ll need to make this leprechaun bait at your local grocery store. You know us, we like recipes with simple ingredients that can be made quickly and easily (because it doesn’t have to be difficult to be delicious)!

    • 1½ cups white chocolate chips – we prefer Ghirardelli
    • 3 cups rice Chex cereal – can use corn Chex, but rice is preferred
    • 1 cup Kashi honey toasted oat cereal – can use Cheerios, too
    • 1 cup green M&Ms
    • ¼ cup green & white sprinkles
    • green cookie icing if desired
    Ingredients for leprechaun bait.

    Substitutions

    I know that sometimes it can be hard to find the exact type of ingredients used in a recipe. Just know that you can mix things up to fit what you have on hand or to match the flavors you prefer!

    This leprechaun mix recipe is very forgiving, so feel free to substitute items to make it your own! For instance:

    • Corn Chex instead of Rice Chex
    • Cheerios instead of Kashi cereal
    • Different green candies
    • White baking discs or almond bark instead of Ghirardelli white chocolate chips
    • Add in Lucky Charms marshmallows
    • You can use wax paper instead of parchment paper

    Variations

    If you love the look and sound of this mix but want to change it up to fit the holiday you’re making it for, head to the store and see if you can find candies/cookies/snacks in the color you’re aiming for. For instance, pink candies for Valentine’s Day, red and green for Christmas, etc.

    How to Make This Quick & Easy Leprechaun Bait

    1. First, thinking ahead, grab a large baking sheet and cover it completely with parchment paper.
    2. Next, melt the chocolate baking chips in a large bowl (large enough that the cereal will fit in it after the chocolate is melted) following the package directions for melting. (Most will be to melt on half-power for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Do NOT overcook.)
    3. Once the chocolate is completely melted, pour your dry cereal in to the bowl of white chocolate and carefully stir to mix, trying to make sure all of the cereal becomes covered.
    A bowl of cereal about to be poured into a bowl of melted white chocolate.
    Melt chocolate.
    The bowl of melted chocolate with the cereal on top of it.
    Add cereal.
    1. Next, pour in half of the sprinkles, and stir.
    Sprinkles added into the bowl of chocolate and cereal.
    Add sprinkles.
    1. Once mixed, pour out your chocolate-covered cereal on to the parchment paper and spread it out so most of it is in a single layer. (It’s ok if some of it’s still touching – you’ll be breaking it up in to small pieces anyway once it’s hardened.)
    The leprechaun bait mixture spread out onto a lined baking sheet.
    Spread on baking sheet.
    1. Sprinkle the remaining sprinkles on top of the cereal before the chocolate hardens, and then drizzle it with as much green cookie icing as you like.
    2. Allow cereal/icing to “dry” (about 20 minutes – the icing is what takes longer to dry) and then break up the cereal in to small bite-size pieces. (Remember, this is a snack mix so it’s ok if some of cereal is stuck together but large pieces are harder to eat when snacking.)
    Green and white sprinkles about to be poured onto the chocolate and cereal mixture.
    Add remaining sprinkles.
    Cookie icing being drizzled on the leprechaun bait that is spread on the parchment paper.
    Drizzle cookie icing.
    1. Next, it’s time to add in the M&M’s and mix all together! You can either mix it all together in the large bowl or you can pour the M&M’s on top of the broken pieces of cereal and mix it with your hands. 
    A bowl of green M&Ms about to be sprinkled on the leprechaun bait that is spread on the parchment paper.
    Add remaining sprinkles.
    1. Serve and enjoy!
    A big bowl of leprechaun bait with a small bowl of it next to it.
    Leprechaun Bait

    Storage

    Store this leprechaun bait recipe in an airtight container or bag at room temperature and it should stay good for up to a week (unless the sneaky leprechauns get it first).

    Or, if you want to bag some up in cellophane bags for fun St. Patrick’s Day gifts and share some yummy treats with classmates or neighbors, that would be an amazing idea, too!

    Leprechaun bait.
    Leprechaun Bait

    Expert Tips and FAQs

    What are some other green snacks I could serve besides leprechaun bait?

    For St. Patrick’s Day, green party food is always a hit!

    Think green punch (by mixing green Kool-aid with ginger ale), green vegetables, green pinwheels (using spinach wraps), Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats, Lucky Charms blondies, mint brownies…

    What do you serve at a St. Patrick’s Day party?

    Typically the menu at St. Patrick’s Day is “Irish” (or some variation of it). This usually means serving things like corned beef and cabbage, Irish potato candy, potato soup (we’ve got a really easy potato soup recipe you could use), and for the grown-ups maybe a green Guinness!

    St. Patrick's Day Snack Mix in White Bowl
    St. Patrick’s Day Snack Mix

    Related Recipes

    Are you looking for more recipes and ideas to make your St. Patrick’s Day extra special? Why not start your day off with these Lucky Charms pancakes or these chocolate mint cupcakes, and maybe whip up some Lucky Charms blondies for an afternoon snack?

    Recipe

    Leprechaun Bait in round bowl, sitting on yellow napkin.

    Leprechaun Bait

    Jessica Burgess
    Leprechaun Bait: If you're looking for fun snacks for St. Patrick's Day, this leprechaun bait (aka leprechaun chow) is it! Your whole family will love this mix of white chocolate, cereal, sprinkles and M&Ms!
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 minutes mins
    Drying Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 27 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 268 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1½ cups white chocolate chips we prefer Ghirardelli (see substitutions for other suggestions)
    • 3 cups rice Chex cereal can use corn Chex, but rice is preferred
    • 1 cup Kashi honey toasted oat cereal can use cheerios too
    • 1 cup green M&Ms
    • ¼ cup green & white sprinkles
    • green cookie icing if desired

    Instructions
     

    • First, thinking ahead, grab a large baking sheet and cover it completely with parchment paper.
    • Next, melt the chocolate baking chips in a large bowl (large enough that the cereal will fit in it after the chocolate is melted) following the package directions for melting. (Most will be to melt on half-power for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Do NOT overcook.)
    • Once the chocolate is completely melted, pour your dry cereal in to the bowl of white chocolate and carefully stir to mix, trying to make sure all of the cereal becomes covered.
    • Next, pour in half of the sprinkles, and stir.
    • Once mixed, pour out your chocolate covered cereal on to the parchment paper and spread it out so most of it is in a single layer. (It's ok if some of it's still touching – you'll be breaking it up in to small pieces anyway once it's hardened.)
    • Sprinkle the reamaining sprinkles on the top of the cereal before the chocolate hardens and then drizzle it with as much green cookie icing as you'd like.
    • Allow cereal/icing to "dry" (about 20 minutes – the icing is what takes longer to dry) and then break up the cereal in to small bite-size pieces. (Remember, this is a snack mix so it's ok if some of cereal is stuck together but large pieces are harder to eat when snacking.)
    • Next, it's time to add in the M&M's and mix all together! You can either mix it all together in the large bowl or you can pour the M&M's on top of the broken pieces of cereal and mix it with your hands.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    Make sure the mix is fully cooled before storing or the chocolate could “sweat” and cause the mix to be soggy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 268IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 6mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords green food, puppy chow recipe, snack mix, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Patricks Day Recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More St. Patrick's Day Ideas

    • Pistachio Salad in white bowl on pink background
      Pistachio Salad
    • Lime bars in square shape, stacked on cutting board covered with parchment paper.
      Lime Bars
    • Rainbow waffles stacked on a white plate, with whipped cream on top.
      Rainbow Waffles
    • Stack of mint chocolate brownies with green background.
      Mint Chocolate Brownies
    Subscription Form

    Get 5 Days of Delicious & Easy Dinner Recipes!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 9 votes (5 ratings without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Jess says

      March 15, 2022 at 8:24 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight but with rainbow sprinkles not green and lucky charms instead of the kashi cereal. The kids loved it (and I “taste tested” my fair share, too 😂).

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 17, 2022 at 8:36 am

        Haha! Yay!! I’m so glad you were able to make it. I love the idea of using rainbow sprinkles!! Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    2. Melissa says

      March 15, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      5 stars
      YUM – Great way to make something special on St. Patty’s Day!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 17, 2022 at 8:52 am

        We think so too, thank you!!

        Reply
    3. Gina Ceraso says

      March 14, 2022 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      SO much fun! My kids loved this!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 15, 2022 at 9:49 am

        Hi Gina! That’s wonderful! So glad the kids liked this St. Patrick’s Day mix too!

        Reply
    4. Kristyn says

      March 14, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      5 stars
      My kids love everything about this treat!! We leave town this week & this would be a great one to make & take with us!!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 15, 2022 at 9:49 am

        Oh that’s a great idea to have this mix as a road trip snack!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Jessica Burgess of Fantabulosity, slicing an avocado.

    Hi, I'm Jessica! - Owner and Creator of the blog and brand, Fantabulosity.

    I’m here to teach you how to make quick and easy recipes, using simple ingredients, that your family will love.

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • Close-up of pinwheel sandwiches stacked on top of one another.
      Pinwheel Sandwiches
    • Chicken macaroni salad in a bowl.
      The BEST Chicken Macaroni Salad
    • Chicken salad with grapes and apples, sitting on bread.
      Chicken Salad with Grapes and Apples
    • Serving of banana pudding on small plate.
      Quick & Easy Banana Pudding

    Popular Recipes

    • bread pudding in baking dish
      Bread Pudding Recipe: Easy Old Fashioned Recipe (With Video!)
    • Burger baked in the oven, steamed in aluminum foil, and placed on white plate.
      Burgers in the Oven
    • Oven Baked Steak with Butter and a side of potatoes
      How to Cook Steak in the Oven
    • Strawberry brownies on white marble cutting board.
      Strawberry Brownies Recipe
    • Cheeseburger Sliders
      Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
    • Baked BBQ Pork Steaks on white plate
      Pork Steaks in the Oven

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Featured In

    About

    • About Jessica
    • Contact
    • Collaborate
    • 5 Days of Delicious Dinners

    Easy Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts

    How to Cook

    • Oven-Baked
    • Stove-Top
    • No Bake
    • Slow Cooker

    Privacy Policy |Accessibility Copyright © 2025 Fantabulosity | Terms & Conditions | FTC

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.