Easy Christmas Popcorn Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Popcorn with Festive Mix-Ins
Looking for a fun and festive treat this holiday season? This Christmas popcorn recipe is sweet, salty, crunchy, and packed with holiday cheer. It combines freshly popped popcorn with a buttery spiced coating, colorful M&M’s, dried cranberries, pretzels, and creamy white chocolate. Quick to make and fun to serve, it’s perfect for movie nights, gifting, or party snacking.
Can I Use Microwave Popcorn for Christmas Popcorn?
Absolutely! You can use microwave popcorn for this recipe. Just make sure to choose plain, unsalted popcorn so it doesn’t clash with the sweet and spicy coating. Once popped, transfer it to a large bowl and follow the rest of the recipe as is.
Substitutes for Pretzels and M&M’s
No pretzel sticks or M&M’s on hand? Here are some tasty alternatives:
Pretzel Substitutes:
- Mini pretzels or pretzel twists
- Popcorn chips
- Chex cereal or puffed rice
M&M Substitutes:
- Candy-coated chocolates
- Chocolate chips or Reese’s Pieces
- Mini marshmallows or festive sprinkles
This recipe is incredibly flexible, so feel free to mix and match!
Creative Christmas Popcorn Mix-In Ideas
Want to take your holiday popcorn to the next level? Try these delicious and festive mix-ins:
- Crushed peppermint bark for a minty crunch
- Mini marshmallows for a soft, gooey texture
- Dried cherries for a pop of tart sweetness
- Chopped nuts like pecans, almonds, or walnuts for crunch
- Toasted coconut flakes for a unique tropical twist
These additions make the recipe even more festive and customizable.
Can I Make Christmas Popcorn in Advance?
Yes! This Christmas popcorn can be made 1–2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container or sealed bag at room temperature. If the popcorn loses its crunch, reheat it briefly at 250°F (120°C) for 5 minutes—just don’t melt the chocolate or toppings.
Christmas Popcorn Recipe
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- ½ cup popcorn kernels (or 1 bag plain microwave popcorn)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup red and green M&M’s
- ½ cup pretzel sticks
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- Festive sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn using a stovetop or air popper. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until fully dissolved.
- Pour the spiced butter over the popcorn. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Add M&M’s, pretzel sticks, and cranberries. Mix to distribute throughout the popcorn.
- Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
- Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the popcorn mixture. Stir again gently.
- Spread the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with sprinkles if desired.
- Let the popcorn cool completely until the chocolate sets.
- Serve in a bowl or store in airtight bags for later!
Final Thoughts
This Christmas popcorn is festive, easy to make, and perfect for the holidays. Whether you’re planning a holiday party or wrapping gifts with your kids, it’s a crowd-pleasing treat everyone will love.
