Bring a little Whoville magic to your holiday with this whimsical Grinch popcorn!
Sweet, crunchy, and festively green, it captures the spirit of everyone’s favorite Christmas grump.
I love that the tiny marshmallows look like snowballs while the red M&Ms look like little ornaments.
It’s like a bowl full of holiday magic! Perfect for watching all the Christmas movie classics.
Why You’ll Love This Grinch Popcorn
Fun to Make: This easy Christmas recipe is a fun activity for the whole family!
Irresistible Taste: Buttery popcorn, mini marshmallows, and chocolatey M&Ms create the ultimate sweet and salty treat. Even the Grinch can’t resist!
Party-Perfect: Simple, portable, and make-ahead-friendly, it’s just what you need to bring to a holiday gathering.
Gift-Worthy: Wrapped in festive packaging, this joyful gift will spread holiday cheer to anyone on Santa’s nice list.
Ingredients
- Popcorn: Freshly popped popcorn is the best! You can also use microwaveable popcorn for convenience.
- Salt: Just a pinch to achieve that irresistible sweet-and-salty contrast.
- Butter: What’s popcorn without the butter?! It’s melted with the marshmallows to coat the popcorn in deliciousness.
- Mini Marshmallows: Helps form a sticky coating that binds the popcorn together. Also, mix in a handful of unmelted marshmallows for a sweet, festive touch.
- Green Gel Food Coloring: You can’t have a Grinch theme without green! Use gel for the best results.
- Red M&M Candies: Represent the Grinch’s small heart, adding pops of red and an irresistible chocolate crunch.
How to Make Grinch Popcorn
With six ingredients and minimal steps, you can whip up this Grinch popcorn in a flash!
1. POP the popcorn according to your preferred method. Lightly season with salt and set aside.
2. MELT the butter over medium heat. Add 4 cups of mini marshmallows and stir continuously until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat.
3. ADD a small amount of green gel food coloring. Stir well, adding more food coloring as needed.
4. POUR the green marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Toss and coat.
5. SPREAD the coated popcorn onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle any leftover marshmallow mixture over the top.
6. SPRINKLE the remaining mini marshmallows and red M&Ms on top.
7. COOL, break it into clusters, and serve.
Tips For the Best Grinch Popcorn
Grinch popcorn is the ultimate holiday snack! It’s fun, sweet, and oh-so-delicious.
It’s one of my favorite things to make for festive parties or just when I need a dose of Whoville cheer.
But to ensure it turns out Grinch-worthy, follow these tips:
- Air pop. For a healthier alternative, air-pop the popcorn on the stove or the microwave.
- Sort first. Be sure to sort through the popcorn before mixing it with the marshmallow mixture. Discard any kernels that didn’t pop.
- Add gradually. Start with a little food coloring and add more as needed. Gel is best because it won’t affect the consistency of the marshmallow.
- Coat quickly. Once the marshmallow mixture is ready, pour it over the popcorn and mix quickly. This will help ensure even coating before it sets.
- Get creative! Consider adding other festive candies like heart-shaped sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or even nuts for additional flavor and texture.
- Use chocolate. Instead of sticky marshmallows, color 12 ounces of good quality white chocolate or green candy melts.
How to Store
Make this Christmas treat in advance and reduce some holiday stress!
To Store: Transfer leftover popcorn to an airtight container or a sealed ziplock bag. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
More Holiday Snacks You’ll Love
Christmas Cookie Bars
Easy Christmas Cookie Fudge
Christmas Crack
White Chocolate Christmas Trash
Grinch Popcorn
10
servings5
10
minutes121
kcalGrinch popcorn is a fun, festive holiday treat that’s sweet, crunchy, and totally irresistible. It’s perfect for movie nights, parties, or gift-giving!
Ingredients
10 cups popped popcorn (about 3 bags)
salt, to taste
1/4 cup butter
4 1/2 cups mini marshmallows, divided
green gel food coloring
1/2 cup red M&M candies
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn using your preferred method. Lightly season with salt and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add 4 cups of mini marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add a small amount of green gel food coloring to the melted marshmallow mixture. Stir well, adjusting the color until you achieve the perfect Grinch green hue.
- Pour the green marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Using a spatula, gently toss and coat the popcorn evenly.
- Spread the coated popcorn onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle any leftover marshmallow mixture over the popcorn.
- While the popcorn is still warm, sprinkle the remaining mini marshmallows and red M&M candies on top, pressing lightly to ensure they stick.
- Allow the popcorn to cool completely. Once set, break it into clusters, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Once the marshmallows are melted and green, work quickly to coat the popcorn as it will begin to thicken and harden as it cools.
- Instead of sticky marshmallows, color 12 ounces of good quality white chocolate or green candy melts.
