The babies and I took our first long walk of the season yesterday while Lincoln was at school and it was gloOOorious! 65 and sunny, a bit breezy (but not, breezy breezy, thank goodness, as wind is my most hated weather element,) and so much color to see already. Trees are budding, the grass is so green it’s practically glowing, and everywhere daffodils and tulips have shot up from the dirt.
If the weather didn’t have me convinced that spring is here, this gorgeous Gluten Free Bunny Munch would seal the deal. I can’t remember the last time I had more fun photographing a recipe. Pastel pink, purple, baby blue, and yellow too – I am equal parts in love with the flavors and colors of this fun and seriously yummy gluten free Easter dessert recipe!
Start a New Easter Tradition
Making gluten free Bunny Munch would be such a fun tradition to start with your kids or grandkids to set out for the Easter Bunny in exchange for eggs. Why should Santa have all the fun?
Seriously though, this recipe takes approximitely 5 minutes to make and 30 minutes to cool/set. Simple! Popped popcorn, gluten free pretzel sticks, and peanuts are coated with melted white chocolate then dolloped with M&Ms, sprinkles, and coarse sea salt. YES. Sweet + salty = insanely addicting. Also, CLUSTERS. Need I say more?
Here’s how to make this adorable spring treat!
How to Make Bunny Munch
Start by adding popped popcorn, gluten free pretzel sticks (I like Snyders GF) and peanuts to the biggest bowl you’ve got. If you don’t have a giant one, use two bowls. Trust me on this!
I use my air popper (similar one here) to pop the popcorn – you’ll need a scant 1/3 cup kernels to get 12 cups.
Next add a gluten free white chocolate chips to a medium-sized bowl with coconut or vegetable oil then microwave until smooth. Detailed timing instructions are in the recipe card below.
Drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn mixture then fold with a spatula until everything is evenly coated. Spread the Bunny Munch onto parchment or wax paper, or a couple silpats, then sprinkle on M&Ms (I use the spring pastel variety) and gently press into the warm chocolate so they stick when it cools. Last step is to add gluten free sprinkles and a pinch of coarse sea salt which I think balances out all the sweetness.
NOTE: Mars, maker of M&Ms, will always call out allergens on their packaging. At the time of this writing, 4/2019, plain M&Ms are gluten free, though SOMETIMES holiday versions of candy products can be made in different facilities. Check labels before purchasing.
Let the chocolate set then package the Bunny Munch into treat bags or transfer to an airtight container where it’ll last a couple of days. I hope you love this fun and festive, gluten free Easter dessert treat!! Enjoy!
More Springy Treats
- Best Ever Fruit Dip
- Lemon Whip Fruit Dip
- Berries in a Cloud
- Lemon Blueberry Icebox Cake
- Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake
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Gluten Free Bunny Munch
Description
Start a new tradition with Gluten Free Bunny Munch! This sweet and salty, gluten free Easter dessert recipe takes 5 minutes to make and will be a hit with kids, adults...and the Easter Bunny!
Ingredients
- 12 cups popped popcorn (~1/3 cup kernels)
- 2 cups gluten free pretzel sticks (I like Snyder's GF)
- 1-1/2 cups peanuts
- 12oz bag gluten free white chocolate chips
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable or coconut oil
- 11oz bag M&Ms
- gluten free sprinkles, optional
- coarse sea salt, optional
Directions
- Spread a couple sheets of parchment paper, wax paper, or two silpats onto the countertop then set aside.
- Add popcorn, pretzel sticks, and peanuts to a very large bowl — if you don't have an XL bowl, use two large bowls — then set aside.
- Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl then microwave for 40 seconds and stir. Microwave for 30 seconds then stir. If chocolate chips aren't completely smooth, continue microwaving in 10 seconds increments, stirring between increments, until completely melted.
- Drizzle chocolate over popcorn mixture then gently fold with a spatula until everything is evenly coated. Spread mixture out onto prepared surface then immediately sprinkle with M&Ms (may not use whole bag) and press gently so they adhere to the warm chocolate. Add sprinkles and a big pinch of coarse sea salt, if using, then let Bunny Munch cool completely. Transfer to treat bags or an airtight container.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Melissa 03.27.2024
Love your recipes! I am 100% gluten free (Celiac) and it’s so great to have a place to come to for recipes that are delicious. I just made the Bunny Much but used Rice Chex cereal because I didn’t have popcorn. It is SO good! Thanks for all that your hard work! X- Melissa
Kristin 03.28.2024
Ooo, great idea!! I’m so glad you found your way over here – glad to have you! :D
Jen 03.18.2024
I first made this for Easter a few years ago and it was such a hit I’ve now used other themed M&M’s to make it for other holidays – this always goes fast!
Kristin 03.19.2024
Love that idea, Jen! So easy to customize to any occasion! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Lisa 11.14.2023
Made these Christmas themed and send in to my daughter’s class party. Huge hit and fun to make with kids!
Kristin 11.20.2023
Oh I love that!! So festive!!
Joanne 04.13.2022
Hi! This looks amazing! I don’t have an air popper and it has been awhile since I made popcorn on the stove. If I don’t need it to be GF could microwave popcorn work?
Kristin 04.13.2022
You bet! Or any store bought pre-popped popcorn will also work. :)
Emily 02.07.2020
I made this last Easter and it was a huge hit with everyone! Definitely 5 stars!
Meredith Leaton 04.25.2019
Not sure how I missed this post! Love surprising my kiddos teachers for holidays and this one will be perfect in a mason jar! Since I missed Easter, I think I’ll just make it for their May Day baskets! Any substitute for coconut oil??
Kristin 04.30.2019
Perfect!! You could use vegetable/canola/avocado oil instead.
Katherine 04.22.2019
Haha so funny you also say wind is your most hated weather element! I always say exactly this and people don’t get it! I’m also very sensitive to air blowing on my face in a car or on an airplane, so I think it must all be related. ?♀️
Kristin 04.22.2019
YES, I am too!! I can’t have overhead fans on unless I’m sleeping because they dry out my eyes. ? Glad I’m not the only one! ?
Debbie 04.18.2019
Thank you! Sorry – I was using my phone earlier and didn’t see that someone else had already asked. :-)
Debbie 04.18.2019
Hi, curious where you got the little containers? My 11 year old daughter has Celiac, and this is such a cute idea!! Making this for her and her cousins!! Thanks
Kristin 04.18.2019
Hi Debbie! I believe I’ve gotten them all at Anthropologie over the years, and of course now they’re sold out of them online. :/ I’d check the store if you can, otherwise Crate&Barrel and Magnolia also sell similar:
Ericka 04.11.2019
Wondering how long you think it will keep? Going to my sister’s over the holiday weekend and thinking I could make it before we left? Love your blog! I am originally from Iowa and your recipes have all been ahhhh-maxing! ?
Kristin 04.11.2019
Minimum 3-4 days!
Joanna Gehrke 04.11.2019
Hi Kristin! I can’t wait to make this! Can you share where you got the adorable “baskets” to display the Bunnu Munch in? Thank you!
Kristin 04.11.2019
Aren’t they cute?! I believe I’ve gotten them all at Anthropologie over the years, and of course now they’re sold out of them online. :/ I’d check the store if you can, otherwise Crate&Barrel and Magnolia also sell similar:
REGAn 04.10.2019
Have you found any dairy free white chocolate chips. Or anything like. ?? Would love to but haven’t….
Kristin 04.11.2019
I haven’t, unfortunately! :(
Deb 04.13.2022
Amazon has df white chocolate chips. I’ve been using them for a few years. My grands are gf/df so I’m glad someone thought to make them
Kristin 04.14.2022
Great idea! Enjoy Life just came out with Top 8 allergen free white chocolate chips too!
Valerie 04.10.2019
This looks so good! One question…when the clusters set, is the white chocolate/coconut oil “dry” enough so that it doesn’t get all over your hands? Asking because I was thinking of making this for a car treat on the road to grandparents for Easter, but my son is famous for wiping his messy hands on the upholstery (sigh….). Thanks!
Kristin 04.10.2019
Yes, I think so! My two year old, who is famous for making a mess out foods that aren’t even remotely messy (?) ate it with no issues. You might want to have a baby wipe handy, but I definitely wouldn’t call it messy or melty!
Chelsie Doane 04.09.2019
I buy almost all my gluten free sprinkles at Hobby Lobby. They have some year round and holiday selections that are labeled gluten free!
Kristin 04.10.2019
Oh my gosh, you have made my entire year, Chelsie! That is such great news – going to check them out this weekend. Thanks for the tip!
Amanda 04.09.2019
Sweetapolita makes GF sprinkles!
Kristin 04.09.2019
Amazing – I’m already planning all the sprinkly desserts I’m going to make with these!!! Do they sell in any stores, do you know?
Abby 04.09.2019
Yum! My kiddos would love this! Any thoughts on something to sub for the peanuts? Alternatively, would it be nearly as delicious without the peanuts? My little guy has a mild peanut allergy and I hate making desserts he cannot enjoy.
Kristin 04.09.2019
I think chopped roasted and salted almonds could be good, or even salted sunflower seeds. You can definitely leave them out entirely – the mix will just skew a little sweet! :)
Liz 04.09.2019
I am always looking for fun holiday traditions – I can get on board for this. I know my daughter will love helping me make this, especially the sprinkles part :)
Kristin 04.09.2019
Oh for sure! It’s all about the sprinkles. ;) Have fun!!
Denise 04.09.2019
Coincidentally, today is “National Unicorn Day”. This will be perfect to celebrate!
Kristin 04.09.2019
Oh my gosh, no way, that is too perfect!! ??