Grinch Popcorn is a festive treat made with marshmallow-coated popcorn, green gel food coloring, and red M&Ms. It takes about 15 minutes to make and costs just $0.58 per serving.
We watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas every year, and this colorful snack has become part of our movie-night tradition. It’s always fun to see the kids get excited when I make it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Genuinely Grinch-green – Gel food coloring gets a vibrant color that beats the dull tint of liquid coloring.
- No candy thermometer needed – Just melted butter and marshmallows, no candy-making experience required.
- Ready in 15 minutes – A quick, no-bake treat perfect for a last-minute movie night.
- Budget-friendly for a crowd – A big batch from just a few pantry staples and a bag of M&Ms.
Over the years, I’ve learned that some of the simplest recipes can become the ones everyone remembers. I love creating treats that bring a little extra fun to family celebrations, and this one is always a cheerful addition to the holidays.
You may also want to try Grinch Bark, Grinch Fudge and Grinch Brownies.
Ingredients
- Cooked Popcorn: Remove any unpopped kernels before using. For the classic sweet-and-salty flavor, lightly salt the popcorn before coating it, or use popcorn that’s already lightly salted.
- Butter: Helps create a smooth, rich coating for the popcorn.
- Mini Marshmallows: Divide them as directed so some are melted into the coating and some are added on top.
- Green Gel Food Coloring: Gives the popcorn its bright green Grinch color. Gel is more concentrated than liquid, so you get a vibrant color with just a few drops. In a pinch, a couple drops of yellow liquid food coloring plus one small drop of blue will also get you a convincing “Grinch Green.”
- Red M&Ms: Add a pop of color and festive crunch. Heart-shaped sprinkles can also be used.
Get the complete ingredient list at the bottom of the page.
How to Make Grinch Popcorn
Step 1. Melt the butter and marshmallows. Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until the marshmallows and butter are melted and combined.
Step 2. Next, add in the green gel food coloring and stir until the mixture is a bright green color like the Grinch.
Step 3. Remove any popcorn kernels that didn’t pop. Place the popcorn in a large bowl and pour approximately half of the marshmallow mixture onto the popcorn. Gently toss the popcorn and mix to coat it with the marshmallow mixture. Work quickly here as the marshmallow mixture starts to firm up as it cools. Pour and toss as soon as the color looks right.
Step 4. Finally, pour the popcorn onto a baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining marshmallow mixture on top.
Step 5. Then top with the red M&Ms and the remaining mini marshmallows.
Step 6. Allow the popcorn to cool at room temperature. Then break the popcorn into pieces and serve. I like to break it into easy to eat size pieces.
Pro Tips
- Gel food coloring. We recommend using gel food coloring to ensure that the popcorn is a vibrant green color like the Grinch. Gel coloring is more concentrated than liquid food coloring, so you get a bold color with just a few drops instead of watering down the marshmallow mixture.
- Parchment paper. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper before adding the popcorn. This makes cleanup much easier.
- Popcorn. Use homemade, microwave, or store-bought popcorn, but make sure it is plain and unbuttered. Remove and discard any unpopped kernels before using.
- Sticky hands. Lightly spray your hands or a spatula with cooking spray before spreading the popcorn onto the baking sheet — it makes handling the sticky marshmallow coating much easier.
Variations
- Add-ins: Make this popcorn your own by mixing in pretzels, chocolate candies, candy pieces, or other favorite snacks.
- Candy Hearts: Add red or green candy hearts for a fun Valentine’s Day or Christmas-inspired twist.
- Green Candy Melts: Skip the food coloring and use melted green candy melts instead. Drizzle them over the popcorn and gently toss to coat.
- Sprinkles: Add festive sprinkles before the coating sets for extra color and fun.
- Different M&M Colors: Use different M&M colors to match any holiday, party, or special occasion.
- White Chocolate: Melt white chocolate and add a few drops of green gel food coloring for a sweet alternative to the marshmallow coating.
Storage
Store leftover Grinch Popcorn in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature for up to 5 days. The popcorn will get slightly chewier as it sits and absorbs moisture from the marshmallow coating.
It’s still tasty, just less crisp than day one. I do not recommend freezing it, as the marshmallow coating can become sticky or change texture when thawed.
FAQ
Yes, just make sure it’s plain, unbuttered popcorn so the marshmallow coating is what flavors it, not added butter or artificial flavoring.
Work quickly once the mixture is off the heat, since it starts to set as it cools. If it firms up before you’re done, a few seconds back in the microwave will loosen it enough to finish coating the popcorn.
A couple drops of yellow liquid food coloring plus one small drop of blue will get you a very similar Grinch Green.
More Grinch Desserts
After you make this, please come back and leave a comment and rating once you make them. I love hearing from you!
Grinch Popcorn
Ingredients
- 10 cups Cooked Popcorn approximately 3 bags
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 4 cups Mini Marshmallows divided
- Green Gel Food Coloring
- 1 cup Red M&Ms (or heart-shaped sprinkles)
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Place the butter and 3 cups of the mini marshmallows in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until the marshmallows and butter are melted and combined.
- Then add in the green gel food coloring until the mixture in a bright green color like the Grinch.
- Place the popcorn in a large bowl and pour approximately half of the marshmallow mixture onto the popcorn. Gently toss the popcorn to coat it with the marshmallow mixture.
- Then pour the popcorn onto a baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining marshmallow mixture on top. Then top with the red M&Ms and the remaining mini marshmallows.
- Allow the popcorn to cool at room temperature. Then break the popcorn into pieces and serve.
