Ready to bring some festive, Grinchy fun into your holiday snack lineup? This Grinch Popcorn is a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and marshmallowy goodness with that unmistakable Grinch green. Itโs quick, easy, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages!
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Festive Fun: Perfect for holiday gatherings or a movie night treat, this popcorn is as festive as it gets.
- Quick and Easy: Just 15 minutes from start to finish.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, and even get creative with toppings!
Ingredients
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
- Popped Popcorn: This is the main ingredientโlightly salted and ready for a holiday twist.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the marshmallow coating stick.
- Mini Marshmallows: The magic ingredient that makes everything gooey and delicious.
- Food Coloring (Blue and Yellow): For that perfect Grinch green hue.
- Extra Marshmallows and Red M&Ms: For the ultimate festive touch.
Variations
- Add Peppermint: Add a hint of crushed candy canes for a minty holiday vibe.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt white or dark chocolate and drizzle over the top once cooled.
- Sprinkles: Use holiday-themed sprinkles for an extra pop of color.
How to Make Grinch Popcorn
Step 1: Pop and Prep
Make your popcorn and sprinkle with a little salt. Set aside in a large bowl or on a lined cookie sheet.
Step 2: Melt the Marshmallow Mixture
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the mini marshmallows, stirring continuously until theyโre completely melted and smooth. Turn off the heat and add yellow food coloring first, then a bit of blue until you get that perfect Grinch green.
Step 3: Coat the Popcorn
Drizzle the marshmallow mixture over your popcorn, stirring to coat evenly. Spread the popcorn out onto your prepared cookie sheet.
Step 4: Add Festive Toppings
Drizzle any leftover marshmallow mixture over the popcorn, then add extra mini marshmallows and red M&Ms while itโs still warm. This helps everything stick and gives it that festive touch!
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Let your Grinch Popcorn cool for a few minutes until it sets slightly. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
How to Serve
This Grinch Popcorn makes a fun snack on its own or can be used as part of a festive dessert table! Here are some ideas:
- Holiday Movie Night: Perfect for watching โHow the Grinch Stole Christmas!โ
- Party Favor Bags: Wrap portions in clear treat bags with holiday ribbons for a cute take-home treat.
- Snack Mix: Mix with pretzels, more M&Ms, or nuts for a sweet-and-salty holiday snack mix.
- Gift Idea: Add to festive tins or holiday jars as a homemade gift for friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers: Grinch Popcorn is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips for Reheating: If your popcorn loses a bit of its crunch, just spread it on a baking sheet and warm it in the oven at 250ยฐF for a few minutes.
FAQs
1. Can I use air-popped popcorn?
Absolutely! Air-popped popcorn works great and cuts down on extra oils.
2. Do I have to use gel food coloring?
Gel food coloring works best for vibrant color without affecting the marshmallow mixture. Regular food coloring can work in a pinch, but it might be less vibrant.
3. Can I make this recipe without butter?
Yes, you can substitute coconut oil or a dairy-free butter for a similar texture and taste.
4. What other toppings can I add?
You can add crushed candy canes, sprinkles, or even mini chocolate chips to make this recipe your own!
Conclusion
With its Grinchy green color, festive red M&Ms, and gooey marshmallow coating, this Grinch Popcorn is a must-try holiday treat! Perfect for parties, movie nights, or simply spreading holiday cheerโthis popcorn is as fun to make as it is to eat.
PrintGrinch Popcorn Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 cups 1x
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Grinch Popcorn is a sweet and salty treat thatโs perfect for holiday movie nights. With its vibrant green color, gooey marshmallow coating, and red M&M โhearts,โ itโs a fun and delicious snack for all ages!
Ingredients
- 10 cups popped popcorn
- Salt (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons butter (sweet cream salted)
- 3 cups mini marshmallows (plus an extra 1/2 cup for topping)
- Wilton Color Right food coloring โ yellow and blue
- 1/2 cup red M&M candies
Instructions
- Prepare the Popcorn:
Pop 10 cups of popcorn and lightly salt to taste. Set aside. - Make the Marshmallow Coating:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir until melted and smooth. Turn off the heat. - Color the Mixture:
Add a few drops of yellow food coloring to the marshmallow mixture, then add a small amount of blue food coloring. Stir to achieve the perfect Grinch green color. Tip: Gel food coloring works best for a vibrant color. - Coat the Popcorn:
Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn, stirring to coat evenly. Spread the coated popcorn onto a prepared cookie sheet. - Add Toppings:
Drizzle any remaining marshmallow mixture over the popcorn for extra coverage. Sprinkle the extra ยฝ cup of mini marshmallows and red M&M candies on top while the popcorn is still warm. - Cool and Serve:
Allow the Grinch popcorn to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Food Coloring Tip: Gel food coloring will give a more vibrant green color.
- Storage: Store any leftover Grinch Popcorn in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cup
- Calories: 110kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
I had trouble mixing the marshmallow into the popcorn โ it cooled too quickly โ and it is one large ball. What could I have done differently?
If these were popcorn balls they would be great! Taste good
Iโm extremely inspired together with your writing talents and
also with the format on your blog. Is that this a paid subject matter or did you modify
it yourself? Either way stay up the nice high quality writing, itโs rare
to look a great blog like this one these days. LinkedIN Scraping!