Christmas Popcorn is the ultimate festive treat, effortlessly created by coating fluffy popcorn and colorful M&M’s in luscious melted white chocolate. Elevate this delightful snack with a sprinkle of holiday cheer, making it perfect for sharing, enjoying, or gifting!
Christmas Popcorn: Your Go-To Holiday Delight
The holiday season, while undeniably joyful, often brings a whirlwind of activities and demands. During these bustling times, having a repertoire of simple yet spectacular treats is an absolute game-changer. Just like beloved 3-ingredient Peppermint Cookies or a vibrant festive snack mix, this Christmas Popcorn recipe emerges as a true lifesaver for anyone short on time but rich in holiday spirit.
This isn’t just any snack; it’s a versatile masterpiece. Imagine whipping up the perfect last-minute addition for an impromptu holiday gathering, creating a fun and thematic snack for a cozy Christmas movie night with the family, or preparing a batch of delicious, edible gifts for cherished friends and loved ones. This festive popcorn effortlessly transitions between these roles, making it an indispensable part of your holiday culinary arsenal.
Explore More Popcorn Adventures!
If you’re a fan of unique popcorn creations, you’ll love these other fun recipes. Dive into the sweet and crunchy world of Oreo Popcorn, celebrate with whimsical Cake Batter Popcorn, or indulge in the comforting flavors of Cinnamon Roll Popcorn.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Christmas Popcorn
Creating truly irresistible Christmas Popcorn begins with selecting the right ingredients. While the recipe is wonderfully simple, a little attention to quality can make all the difference in flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need to make this holiday magic happen:
- Popcorn: The foundation of our festive treat! For ultimate convenience, pre-popped popcorn is your fastest route. However, if you prefer to pop your own kernels, a touch of salt added during or after popping will enhance the flavor profile. Aim for light, airy popcorn that will readily absorb the white chocolate coating.
- White Chocolate Chips or Melting Wafers: This is where the magic truly happens. Opt for a good quality white chocolate as it will not only deliver superior flavor but also melt more smoothly and provide a better coating. White chocolate melting wafers are particularly excellent for their consistent melting properties, ensuring a silky-smooth finish.
- Coconut Oil or Vegetable Oil: A small amount of oil is crucial for achieving the perfect consistency in your melted white chocolate. It helps the chocolate melt more smoothly, prevents it from seizing, and allows it to coat the popcorn effortlessly, creating an even, shiny layer.
- Christmas M&M’s: These iconic candies are more than just a pop of color; they introduce a delightful crunch and a classic chocolate flavor that perfectly complements the white chocolate. Their festive red and green hues instantly scream “holiday!” Feel free to swap them with other chocolate holiday candies, like crushed peppermint bark pieces or festive sprinkles, to match your desired aesthetic or flavor profile.
- Sprinkles (Optional): For that extra touch of holiday sparkle and visual appeal, sprinkles are a fantastic addition. They come in an array of festive shapes and colors, adding a whimsical touch to your popcorn. Remember to add them immediately after coating the popcorn with chocolate, while the chocolate is still wet, to ensure they stick beautifully.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Christmas Popcorn
Creating this festive popcorn is incredibly simple, making it accessible even for novice bakers or those with limited time. Follow these straightforward steps to craft a batch of delicious Christmas Popcorn:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Begin by lining a large sheet pan with either parchment paper or aluminum foil. This step is essential for easy cleanup and preventing the popcorn from sticking as it sets. Once lined, set the pan aside.
- Perfect Your Popcorn: If you’re popping your own, prepare the popcorn according to the package directions. After popping, take a moment to remove any un-popped kernels. A quick tip for this is to pour the popped popcorn over a wire cooling rack placed on a tray; the kernels will conveniently fall through, leaving you with only the fluffy, edible pieces. If using pre-popped popcorn, you can simply skip this step and proceed.
- Mix in the M&M’s: Once your popcorn is ready, spread it out slightly on the prepared sheet pan. Evenly sprinkle the Christmas M&M’s over the popcorn. This ensures that every bite offers a delightful mix of popcorn and candy.
- Melt the White Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine your white chocolate chips or melting wafers with the coconut or vegetable oil. Microwave the mixture in short, 15-second bursts, stirring thoroughly after each interval. Continue this process until the chocolate is completely smooth and creamy, with no lumps remaining. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as it can seize.
- Coat Everything Evenly: Gently pour the warm, melted white chocolate over the popcorn and M&M’s mixture on your sheet pan. Using a spatula, carefully stir and fold the ingredients together until all the popcorn and candies are thoroughly coated in the luxurious white chocolate.
- Spread and Decorate: Once fully coated, spread the popcorn mixture into an even, single layer on the prepared baking sheet. If you’re adding sprinkles, now is the time! Liberally scatter them over the wet chocolate coating, ensuring they adhere well for a vibrant, festive finish.
- Allow to Set & Enjoy: Let the popcorn sit undisturbed at room temperature until the white chocolate has fully hardened. This may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your room temperature. For quicker setting, you can place the tray in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. Once firm, gently break the Christmas Popcorn into individual pieces. Now it’s ready to be devoured or packaged for gifting!
Creative Variations & Customization Ideas
While the classic Christmas Popcorn is undeniably delicious, one of its greatest appeals is how easily it can be customized. Feel free to unleash your creativity and tailor this treat to your specific tastes or holiday themes:
- Alternate Chocolate Coatings: Instead of white chocolate, consider using milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even flavored candy melts (like green or red candy melts for extra vibrant holiday colors). Each chocolate type will lend a distinct flavor profile.
- Add-ins for Texture and Flavor: Elevate the texture by mixing in crushed pretzels for a salty-sweet crunch, chopped nuts (like pecans or almonds) for richness, dried cranberries or cherries for a touch of tartness, or mini marshmallows for a chewy surprise.
- Flavor Boosters: A few drops of peppermint extract, almond extract, or a dash of cinnamon sugar can infuse your popcorn with delightful new flavors. Be sure to add extracts to the melted chocolate.
- Themed Sprinkles: Beyond traditional red and green, explore a variety of holiday sprinkles, edible glitter, or even crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist.
- Nut Butter Swirl: For a richer flavor, swirl a tablespoon or two of melted peanut butter or almond butter into your white chocolate before coating the popcorn.
Gifting Delight: Sharing Your Christmas Popcorn
Homemade treats carry a special warmth, making them truly heartfelt gifts during the holiday season. Christmas Popcorn is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to package, making it an ideal present for everyone on your list, from teachers and neighbors to friends and family. My kids particularly love participating in the gifting process, transforming this simple snack into a thoughtful token of appreciation.
To prepare your Christmas Popcorn for gifting, a trip to the craft store can yield wonderful results. Pick up some charming holiday tins in various sizes – they’re perfect for keeping the popcorn fresh and presentable. Simply fill the tins with your freshly made popcorn, and you’ve got an instant gift ready to go! Alternatively, opt for festive cellophane bags. Fill them up, tie them with elegant Christmas ribbon, and perhaps add a personalized handwritten tag for an extra special touch. These beautiful presentations elevate the simple treat into a memorable holiday gesture.
Storing Your Festive Popcorn for Lasting Freshness
Ensuring your Christmas Popcorn stays fresh and delicious is key, especially if you plan to enjoy it over a few days or give it as gifts. Because it’s coated in chocolate, popcorn can soften quickly. Here are the best storage tips:
- Airtight is Key: Store any leftover Christmas Popcorn in a large zip-top bag or an airtight container. The goal is to remove as much air as possible to prevent staleness and moisture absorption.
- Cool & Dark: Keep the stored popcorn in a cool, dark place, away from direct heat and sunlight. Heat can cause the chocolate to melt or become greasy, compromising the texture.
- Enjoy Promptly: While it can last longer, this festive popcorn is best enjoyed the same day it’s made for optimal crunch and flavor.
- Freezer Favorite: For a delightful texture, I love storing it in a large freezer bag in the freezer and enjoying it straight from there! The cold actually helps maintain a satisfying crunch and prevents the chocolate from becoming too soft.
Pro Tip: Kernel Removal Made Easy!
To effortlessly remove any pesky unpopped kernels from your freshly popped popcorn, simply pour the entire batch over a wire cooling rack that’s set on top of a tray or baking sheet. The smaller, unpopped kernels will ingeniously fall through the rack, leaving you with only perfectly fluffy popcorn ready for coating. This quick trick ensures a smoother, more enjoyable snacking experience!
More Holiday Treats to Sweeten Your Season
If you’re still in the mood for festive baking and delightful holiday treats, explore some of these other cherished recipes that are sure to bring joy to your kitchen and your gatherings:
- Christmas Crack aka Saltine Toffee: An incredibly addictive and easy-to-make sweet and salty candy.
- 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies with 4 different recipes: Simple, versatile cookies that are perfect for busy holiday bakers.
- Eggnog Recipe: Discover the best homemade eggnog recipe, rich, creamy, and spiced to perfection.
- Chocolate Truffles coated in cocoa powder, coconut, or powdered sugar: Decadent, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates that make impressive gifts.
- Christmas Punch with Pomegranate juice: A vibrant and refreshing drink, perfect for holiday parties.
Christmas Popcorn Recipe Card
Print Recipe
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars from 3 votes
Christmas Popcorn
Chelsea Lords
With just three simple ingredients, Christmas Popcorn is the perfect treat to serve at your next holiday party or to package beautifully as a delicious, thoughtful gift!
20 minutes
20 minutes
10 servings
Equipment
- Sheet pan (15″ x 10″) lined with parchment or foil
Ingredients
- 9 cups lightly salted popcorn (see note 1)
- 1 (12-ounce) bag white chocolate melting wafers (or white chocolate chips)
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 (10-ounce) bag holiday M&M’s
- Christmas sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.
Pop the popcorn according to package directions. Remove any un-popped kernels by pouring popcorn over a wire cooling rack placed over a tray. Alternatively, use purchased, pre-popped popcorn and skip this step.
Pour M&M’s on top of the prepared popcorn on the sheet pan.
Combine white chocolate melts with oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring between each burst until completely smooth and creamy. Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the popcorn and M&M’s, then stir with a spatula until everything is well combined and thoroughly coated.
Pour the coated popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even, single layer. Immediately add Christmas sprinkles on top, if desired, to ensure they stick. Let the popcorn set at room temperature until the chocolate has hardened.
Once set, gently break the Christmas Popcorn into pieces and enjoy your festive treat!
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Purchasing pre-popped popcorn makes this recipe incredibly simple and quick. However, if you prefer to pop your own, microwave popcorn works great, or you can use 1/2 cup of kernels. Just be sure to add a touch of salt to enhance the flavor if you’re popping from scratch.
Storage: When popcorn is coated in chocolate, it tends to soften over time. For the best crunchy texture, I highly recommend storing it in a large freezer bag in the freezer and enjoying it straight from there! It’s a delightful experience. If freezing isn’t an option, store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place and aim to consume within 3-5 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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