Candy Popcorn is a colorful sweet treat with a tasty candy coating. This flavored popcorn is topped with a yummy candy mixture. It is perfect for a baby shower, birthday party and more.
This recipe for Candy Popcorn is a fun way to enjoy popcorn. You only need a handful of ingredients and it tastes amazing. You can use any color you love to make these tasty treats.
I love traditional Caramel popcorn, Honey Butter Popcorn Recipe and Popcorn Ball Recipes but Candy Corn is just so fun and colorful. It is one of the easiest candy recipes along with Popcorn Ball Recipes.
Our family also loves Kettle Corn Popcorn, Cookie Butter Popcorn, Rainbow Popcorn and Cotton Candy Popcorn. For even more treats, try 69 Popcorn Recipes.
Table of Contents
What is Candy Popcorn?
Candy Popcorn takes plain popcorn to the next level. Sugar, butter, food coloring and more combine to make this candy coated popcorn.
It is perfectly sweet and you can use any color food coloring you love. It is so much fun to match flavors and colors to party themes and more. With these easy step by step instructions, this candy popcorn recipe is super easy.
Make a batch for movie night and be prepared for everyone to love it. You don’t even need a candy thermometer.
Ingredients
- Popped Popcorn
- Granulated Sugar
- Butter
- Food Coloring
Scroll to the bottom of the post for the complete ingredient list.
Variations
- Different colors of popcorn. You can easily make this popcorn in all different types of colors! There are so many fun options with food coloring and it’s fun to mix and match.
- Popcorn. Plain popcorn is best. I do not recommend using butter flavored popcorn for this recipe. You can use air popped, microwave popcorn or stove top.
If you are using kernels, white popcorn is better to use then yellow popcorn. - Sprinkles. Make this recipe even more fun by adding sprinkles to the mixture. You can coordinate the sprinkles to the theme of your occasion.
- Seasonal. Make a batch of red and green popcorn for Christmas, red, white and blue for July 4th, pastels for Spring, orange for Halloween and more. This is so fun to make for all holidays.
How to make candy popcorn
- Step 1. Prepare the sheet pan with parchment paper or wax paper. This will make clean up so much easier as the mixture is sticky.
- Step 2. Cook the popcorn. Pop the popcorn and place the popcorn in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3. Combine the sugar mixture. Heat the sugar, water and melt butter in a medium saucepan. Use medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
Step 4. Next, add the food coloring. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and gently stir to coat the popcorn in the mixture.
Step 5. Pour the popcorn on a baking sheet. Evenly spread the mixture out so it all has pretty blue colors. Allow to sit for 1-2 hours.
Step 6. After it cools, break the popcorn into pieces and place in a very large bowl.
How to store
Store the leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. It stores well but after this time it will start to get soggy. I do not recommend storing longer than 2 weeks of the texture will change.
Pro Tips
- Rimmed Baking Sheet. You will need to use a cookie sheet that is rimmed so the mixture does not overflow and make a mess in the oven.
- Allow to set. The popcorn should cool and set for 1 to 2 hours. I recommend 2 hours to ensure it is completely set and not sticky before storing.
- Boil the sugar mixture. The candy coating needs to boil before using. It is important for it to have the correct texture.
- Make in advance. This recipe is simple to make in advance for parties and other occasions. You can easily make this a few days ahead to enjoy later without the prep work.
- Line the baking sheet. Use parchment paper or a silicone liner for the pan. You will be so glad you took the extra minute to do this. Clean up is much easier with a liner.
- Remove popcorn kernels. Make sure to remove any unpopped kernels before coating in candy mixture.
More flavored popcorn recipes
- Unicorn Popcorn
- White Chocolate Popcorn
- Popcorn Bars Recipe
- Chocolate Popcorn
- Snickers Popcorn
- Butter Toffee Popcorn
Your family will love this recipe. Try it today and leave a comment once you do!
Candy Popcorn
Ingredients
- 3 bags Popped Popcorn approximately 9 cups
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Water
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1/2 teaspoon Food Coloring
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Pop the popcorn and place the popcorn in a large mixing bowl.
- Heat the sugar, water and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Stir in the food coloring. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and gently stir to coat the popcorn in the mixture.
- Then spread the mixture out onto the baking sheet. Let it sit for 1-2 hours.
- Break the popcorn into pieces. Serve and enjoy!
