Bursting with holiday color and sweet, pepperminty cheer, Christmas Popcorn is the ultimate festive snack that brings everyone to the kitchen—whether you’re making it for a party, gifting it to friends, or just munching during movie night. Crisp popcorn is bathed in white chocolate, tossed with jolly red and green M&M’s, crushed candy canes, and playful sprinkles for a treat that looks as joyful as it tastes. It’s stunningly simple to make, keeps beautifully for days, and has a magical way of making any occasion feel special!

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, each playing a starring role in flavor, crunch, or color, you can create a show-stopping Christmas Popcorn. Don’t skip the extras—they’re what turn this snack into a holiday sensation!

Popcorn: For 10 cups, use about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels; air-popped or stovetop both work well, just be sure to remove any unpopped bits.
White chocolate chips or almond bark (12 oz): Luscious and creamy, this forms the sweet coating that ties all the ingredients together.
Red and green M&M’s (1/2 cup): These not only add cheerful pops of color but also provide bites of chocolatey crunch in every handful.
Crushed candy canes (1/3 cup): Peppermint and crunch that will have everyone reaching for more; use a zip-top bag and rolling pin for easy crushing.
Holiday sprinkles (1/4 cup): Adds a festive sparkle and fun texture—feel free to get creative with shapes and colors.
Peppermint extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): For an extra burst of minty goodness, a little goes a long way.
Parchment paper: Essential for cooling and preventing sticks, making cleanup a total breeze.

How to Make Christmas Popcorn

Step 1: Prepare the Popcorn Base

First things first—spread your popped popcorn onto a large parchment-lined baking sheet in a nice, even layer. This ensures every kernel gets its fair share of delicious toppings! Take a moment to pick out the unpopped kernels (nobody wants a cracked tooth at Christmas).

Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat your white chocolate chips or almond bark in 20-second intervals, stirring each time until smooth and glossy. Patience is key here—avoid overheating, as white chocolate can burn quickly. If you love mint, swirl in the peppermint extract for that extra Christmas Popcorn magic.

Step 3: Coat the Popcorn

Drizzle the melted chocolate evenly over the popcorn. Use a flexible spatula or even clean hands to gently toss and coat each piece. Work quickly to make sure everything gets an even glossy layer—this is what helps the candies and sprinkles stick beautifully.

Step 4: Add Toppings

While the chocolate is still melty, scatter the M&M’s, crushed candy canes, and sprinkles evenly across the surface. Don’t be shy—this is where your Christmas Popcorn goes from tasty to magical and festive! Press some of the toppings gently into the coating if needed.

Step 5: Cool and Break Into Clusters

Let the popcorn cool completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate hardens and everything is set. Once dry and firm, break into snackable clusters. It’s ready for munching, gifting, or stealing bites every time you walk by the counter!

How to Serve Christmas Popcorn

Garnishes

For a picture-perfect finish, add a final flourish of extra crushed candy canes or an extra shower of festive sprinkles just before serving. Not only does this make your Christmas Popcorn look even more inviting, but it adds an irresistible crunch and sparkle to every bite.

Side Dishes

Christmas Popcorn is a snack superstar all on its own, but it also shines on a sweets platter alongside homemade cookies, chocolate-dipped pretzels, or spiced nuts. For a movie night, pair it with mugs of hot cocoa or peppermint mocha—the flavors play off each other in the coziest way possible.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn Christmas Popcorn into homemade holiday gifts by packaging clusters in vintage tins, cellophane bags tied with ribbon, or mason jars with a cheerful note. You can also pile it high in a big festive bowl for parties, or set up a DIY snack bar with toppings so guests can customize their own blend.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Christmas Popcorn stores beautifully! Once completely cooled and set, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Make sure the container is sealed tight to lock in freshness and keep things crunchy.

Freezing

Want to get ahead on holiday prep? You can freeze Christmas Popcorn. Spread the cooled clusters in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to zip-top bags or airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving, and enjoy!

Reheating

Since this is a no-bake and chill-based recipe, there’s really no need to reheat the popcorn. If you find your clusters aren’t as crunchy after storage, you can refresh them by spreading on a baking sheet and placing in a 200°F (95°C) oven for 5–7 minutes. Let cool before enjoying again.

FAQs

Can I use microwave popcorn instead of homemade?

Absolutely! Just choose a plain or lightly salted variety to avoid clashing flavors with the sweet peppermint and white chocolate. Skip any buttery or seasoned varieties for the best Christmas Popcorn result.

What if I don’t like peppermint flavor?

No worries—peppermint extract and candy canes are totally optional. Swap in toffee bits, crushed Oreos, or even mini marshmallows for a different, but equally festive, twist on the Christmas Popcorn.

How far ahead can I make this for gifting?

You can prepare Christmas Popcorn up to a week in advance. Just be sure to store it in a tight-sealing container, and wait to package in gift bags until the day of gifting for maximum freshness and crunch.

Can I use colored candy melts instead of white chocolate?

Yes! Colored candy melts are a fun way to add extra flair. Melt and drizzle them over the popcorn just as you would white chocolate. You can even do a drizzle in red and another in green to double down on the holiday cheer.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Most of the ingredients in Christmas Popcorn are gluten-free, but always double-check the labels on candy melts, M&M’s, and sprinkles to be sure. With careful selection, it can easily be enjoyed by gluten-free snackers!

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Popcorn is pure holiday joy in every bite—easy enough for a fuss-free night in, but impressive enough to steal the spotlight at any party. I can’t wait for you to try it and make the season even sweeter for your friends and family. Give it a whirl, and let the holiday snacking begin!

Christmas Popcorn Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes (plus cooling time)
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the festive spirit with this delightful Christmas Popcorn recipe. Crunchy popcorn coated in creamy white chocolate, adorned with colorful M&M’s and crushed candy canes, this snack is a perfect treat for the holiday season.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Christmas Popcorn:

10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
12 oz white chocolate chips or almond bark
1/2 cup red and green M&M’s
1/3 cup crushed candy canes
1/4 cup holiday sprinkles
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
Parchment paper for cooling

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Spread the popped popcorn: Spread the popped popcorn in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to remove any unpopped kernels.
Melt the white chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips or almond bark in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. If desired, stir in the peppermint extract.
Coat the popcorn: Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the popcorn and gently toss with a spatula or clean hands to coat evenly. Quickly sprinkle the M&M’s, crushed candy canes, and holiday sprinkles over the coated popcorn before the chocolate sets.
Cool and serve: Let the popcorn cool completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate hardens. Break into clusters and serve or store in an airtight container.

Notes

This makes a great edible gift! Package in festive tins or treat bags.
You can switch up the candy and sprinkle colors for different holidays or themes.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (melting chocolate)
Category: Snack
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American