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    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Easy Christmas Popcorn

    5 from 3 votes

    Published Nov 9, 2023 (updated Dec 12, 2023) by Chandice Probst · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    Easy Christmas Popcorn pin

    Kick off your festive holiday season with easy Christmas Popcorn. Adults and kiddos alike will be clamoring for a taste of this sweet treat. Plus it’s so easy you may even need to make another batch!

    Easy Christmas Popcorn with red and green M&M's

    Holiday baking will always be a favorite pastime, but sometimes I need a quick, low-pressure Christmas snack. This recipe takes almost no time to whip up and is great to bring to any last minute holiday party, just like our Grinch popcorn.

    The kiddos even love to help assemble this yummy marshmallow treat. They love to help add the candies to the mix and squish them into the sticky stuff. And the best part? They don’t have to wait long till you get to eat it!

    I love easy Christmas snacks during the busy holidays. Much like this Christmas reindeer Chex mix recipe, frosted ginger cookies, our white chocolate Christmas crack or this Christmas crack chex mix.

    At holiday parties, I love serving this simple crowd pleaser alongside a festive hot cocoa bar. And a Christmas charcuterie board keeps snack time going during the whole party.

    This delicious popcorn recipe is one of the best ways to spread holiday cheer, not just because you can whip it up in a jiffy, but because it’s absolutely delicious and so easy to get creative with.

    Add whatever candies you like to mix because you simply can’t go wrong. Just save some for our pancake spaghetti for your Elf themed night!

    What are you waiting for? I think I’ll go make some right now, myself. Come join me and we’ll do it together!

    Easy Christmas Popcorn in a basket

    Why you should make this recipe

    • This sweet treat is too easy to pass up.
    • It’s a festive crowd pleaser.
    • This recipe is the perfect pairing to all your favorite holiday movies.
    • You can whip it up in 20 minutes or less.

    Ingredients needed

    • Air popped popcorn - I recommend popping the popcorn yourself to make sure you don’t have any extra flavors. Be sure to remove any unpeopled kernels.
    • Salted butter - No popcorn recipe is complete without butter.
    • Salt - Regular table salt works great.
    • Large marshmallows - Because you want lots of marshmallow-y goodness, get the big ones.
    • Red and green M&Ms - Make this popcorn even more festive with red and green.
    • Christmas sprinkles - Whether they’re Christmas colors or shapes, toss those cute little sprinkles in. We also use them on our Christmas crack chex mix.
    Ingredients for easy Christmas popcorn

    How to make Easy Christmas Popcorn

    Get started

    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. Make sure your air-popped popcorn is ready to get coated in deliciousness by putting it in a large bowl big enough for stirring.

    Popcorn in a bowl

    Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Add the butter and salt to to the skillet and let the butter melt. Then add the marshmallows. Stir occasionally to let the mixture melt together. 

    marshmallows in a pot

    Bring it together

    When the marshmallows are nearly melted, remove from heat and keep stirring to melt the last bits of marshmallow.

    Pour marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and stir until the popcorn is well-coated. Try not to eat it all in this state. I know it’s tempting.

    Popcorn in a bowl with marshmallow topping being poured over

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    Add some color

    Gently press the gooey popcorn onto your prepared baking sheet. Spread it out to create a nice even layer.

    Easy Christmas Popcorn on a parchment lined baking sheet

    Add the Christmas sprinkles and festive M&Ms on top of the popcorn mixture. Lightly press them in so they stick to the gooey marshmallow. When the mixture cools, break it into pieces and devour.

    Easy Christmas Popcorn with sprinkles on a parchment lined baking sheet

    Tips for success

    Prepare up front

    Measure everything up front to make this easy recipe even easier. Make sure that cookie sheet is prepared ahead of time so you don’t have to pause while the mixture is still warm. It will start to firm up as it cools and be more difficult to spread.

    Variations

    • Winterize - Add a dash of blue food coloring to the marshmallow mixture just before pouring over the popcorn. Then use snowflake sprinkles and shredded coconut for snow.
    • Add nuts - Use your favorite roasted, salted nuts instead of M&Ms or alongside them to add an extra texture and slightly salty flavor.
    • Popcorn balls - With a little butter on your hands you can turn this treat into popcorn balls instead. Then you can package them like ornaments and give as gifts!
    • Candy cane - Crush up some candy canes or peppermint candies to throw on with the M&Ms or instead of them. This will give your popcorn a festive elevation of peppermint.
    Easy Christmas Popcorn in a basket

    Storage and Freezing

    Storing - You can store sweet and salty popcorn in an airtight container for up to one week. 

    Freezing - Freeze in an airtight container for up to six months.

    FAQ

    Can I make this gluten free?

    Easily! Popcorn is naturally gluten free, as long as you’re using plain popcorn you pop yourself and not something with extra flavors, you should be just fine. Make sure you don’t use pretzel or crispy M&Ms because they are NOT gluten free. Stick to plain, almond, peanut, or peanut butter to keep it gluten free. 

    Can I make it dairy free?

    Yes! Use vegan butter or coconut oil in place of the butter. If you still want the chocolate, then use dairy free chocolate chips in place of the M&Ms. Or melt the chocolate and create a melty chocolate drizzle over the popcorn.

    Can I use pre-popped, hull free popcorn?

    I see no reason you couldn’t. Certainly cuts down on a teensy bit of time if you need to. If you do this, I recommend removing the salt from the recipe since the popcorn will already have plenty.

    Easy Christmas Popcorn in a basket

    Ways to enjoy

    I can’t help but think of all the fun Christmas parties I can serve this scrumptious treat along with our Christmas Oreo truffles. And that means I need to pair it with the best cheeseball, and bacon wrapped tater tots.

    No holiday party would be complete without some drinks! Candy cane Christmas mocktails can never be wrong and I love cranberry mocktails. Holidays bring people together, and these make it fun for the whole family.

    Easy Christmas Popcorn in a bowl with red and green M&M's

    Easy Christmas Popcorn

    Author: Chandice
    Kick off your festive holiday season with easy Christmas Popcorn. Adults and kiddos alike will be clamoring for a taste of this sweet treat. Plus it’s so easy you may even need to make another batch!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 7 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 243 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 cups air popped popcorn
    • 2 1/2 tablespoons salted butter
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 4 cups large marshmallows
    • Red and green m&ms  
    • Christmas sprinkles

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
    • Add butter and salt to a deep skillet. Let the butter melt and add the marshmallows.Stir occasionally to help marshmallows melt. 
      marshmallows melted in a pot with spatula
    • Once the marshmallows are almost melted turn the heat off and stir continuously to completely melt the last bits of marshmallow.
      marshmallows melted in a pot with spatula
    • Put popcorn in a large mixing bowl, pour marshmallow mixture on top of the popcorn and mix until well incorporated.
      Popcorn in a bowl with marshmallow topping being poured over
    • Press popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet in order to create one layer.
      Easy Christmas Popcorn on a parchment lined baking sheet
    • Sprinkle Christmas sprinkles and M&M's on top and lightly press down so that sprinkles and m&m's stick to marshmallows.
      Easy Christmas Popcorn with sprinkles on a parchment lined baking sheet
    • Once cooled, break into pieces and enjoy!
      Easy Christmas Popcorn in a basket and bowl with red and green M&M's

    Notes

    Prepare up front
    Measure everything up front to make this easy recipe even easier. Make sure that cookie sheet is prepared ahead of time so you don’t have to pause while the mixture is still warm. It will start to firm up as it cools and be more difficult to spread.

    Variations

    • Winterize - Add a dash of blue food coloring to the marshmallow mixture just before pouring over the popcorn. Then use snowflake sprinkles and shredded coconut for snow.
    • Add nuts - Use your favorite roasted, salted nuts instead of M&Ms or alongside them to add an extra texture and slightly salty flavor.
    • Popcorn balls - With a little butter on your hands you can turn this treat into popcorn balls instead. Then you can package them like ornaments and give as gifts!
    • Candy cane - Crush up some candy canes or peppermint candies to throw on with the M&Ms or instead of them. This will give your popcorn a festive elevation of peppermint.

    Storage and Freezing

    Storing - You can store sweet and salty popcorn in an airtight container for up to one week. 
    Freezing - Freeze in an airtight container for up to six months.

    FAQ

    Can I make this gluten free?
    Easily! Popcorn is naturally gluten free, as long as you’re using plain popcorn you pop yourself and not something with extra flavors, you should be just fine. Make sure you don’t use pretzel or crispy M&Ms because they are NOT gluten free. Stick to plain, almond, peanut, or peanut butter to keep it gluten free. 
    Can I make it dairy free?
    Yes! Use vegan butter or coconut oil in place of the butter. If you still want the chocolate, then use dairy free chocolate chips in place of the M&Ms. Or melt the chocolate and create a melty chocolate drizzle over the popcorn.
    Can I use pre-popped, hull free popcorn?
    I see no reason you couldn’t. Certainly cuts down on a teensy bit of time if you need to. If you do this, I recommend removing the salt from the recipe since the popcorn will already have plenty.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 466mgPotassium: 40mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 167IUCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jenny says

      December 04, 2023 at 6:21 pm

      5 stars
      Popcorn is a staple at our house.. and now this recipe has become a staple Christmas recipe for us! We followed your recommendation and added candy cane. The kids loved the minty crunch! We’ll be having it again soon I’m sure😉

      Reply

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