Make your next movie night one to remember with these sweet and salty popcorn desserts.
Popcorn is a pretty addictive snack as is, but when you make it into a full-blown dessert, it’s impossible to resist.
Drench it in caramel, add crunchy banana chips, or smother it with marshmallows – no matter how you serve these sweet treats, your friends and family will go nuts.
I promise, whether you’re nine or ninety, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store with these popcorn desserts.
1. Peanut Butter Chocolate Healthy Popcorn Balls
These healthy-ish treats are good for snacks and after-dinner sweets. And they’re so easy to make, you’ll have the recipe memorized in a flash.
Each tidbit is full of crunchy popcorn, dark chocolate, and natural peanut butter. You decide if you want it smooth or crunchy, though I find the popcorn has more than enough texture.
Rather than weighing it down with sugar, add a few spoonfuls of honey to sweeten it up.
2. Chunky Monkey Popcorn
This popcorn bowl is a fantastic treat for anyone who loves banana desserts.
At its base, it’s a mix of kettle corn and crunchy banana chips. Then, if you want something more indulgent, try adding peanut butter and chocolate chips.
If you like ultra-sweet desserts, go ahead and use milk or white chocolate. But I think dark chocolate pairs better with the other sweet flavors.
3. Popcorn Cake
Even if you’re not much of a baker, you’ll find this dessert is, well, a piece of cake!
You’ll create a warm buttery syrup with melted marshmallows, then coat the popcorn until it’s sticky.
That’s already insanely good, right?
But if you add M&M’s to the mix, it will look extra colorful and way more fun.
4. Popcorn Ball “Ice Cream” Cones
I can’t get over how cute these “ice cream” cones look! They’re ideal for serving on a hot summer’s day when you don’t want anything to melt.
Plus, they make terrific campfire snacks.
Like the last recipe, you’ll coat the popcorn with butter and marshmallows to form “ice “cream.” Then, roll it in sprinkles while it’s still hot, so they stick.
But wait, there’s a fun little surprise in the bottom of the cone. It’s full of M&M’s! Who could say no to that?
5. Funfetti Marshmallow Popcorn Treats
This recipe is like making Rice Krispie treats, except with popcorn instead. And let’s face it, no matter your age, funfetti is always a delight!
Luckily, these sticky sweets are crazy-easy to make and will be a hit with everyone.
The kids will love helping, too. Just be sure they don’t stick their little hands in the hot mallow!
The hardest part will be waiting for them to set.
6. Cookies and Cream Popcorn
Just when you thought cookies and cream couldn’t get any better, this popcorn dessert comes along.
It takes just 10 minutes to whip up, and it’s a genius way to use up leftover Oreos – if there is such a thing.
While the recipe calls specifically for Candiquik, you can use any flavor of candy melts you prefer or even melted marshmallows.
7. Brown Butter Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting and Popcorn
Who doesn’t love cupcakes? Especially when they’re a sweet and salty treasure trove like these babies.
The cake part is super fluffy and anything but dry. That’s thanks to the yogurt, which you can also substitute with sour cream.
The topping is the real show-stopper, though. It’s a crunchy mound of popcorn with a drizzle of caramel to finish it off.
Movie popcorn is perfect if you want the topping to be buttery. However, if you want sweeter cupcakes, try it with kettle corn.
8. Salted Caramel Popcorn Brownies
I don’t think there’s a soul on earth who could pass up one of these decadent brownies.
They’re rich and gooey with dark chocolate and caramel-drenched popcorn. And it’s not just on the bottom, either.
There’s a layer of caramel popcorn on the top too!
If that weren’t indulgent enough, the final squares get a drizzle of brown sugar-infused butter.
It’s a sticky-sweet, fudgy, chocolatey popcorn dream!
9. Caramel Popcorn Cake
While I’ve got caramel on the brain, let’s talk about this insane caramel popcorn cake. It’s similar to the last popcorn cake, except it’s extra sweet thanks to the caramel candies.
Would you believe me if I told you it only takes 10 minutes to make? It’s true!
If the kids have friends over or you need something last minute for a party, this is a great cake to bring.
10. Salted Caramel Cheesecake Mousse
I love mousse desserts because they’re so easy and always delightful. This one is especially great because it mimics cheesecake, minus the fuss.
And you know how much I love cheesecake!
The lavish mousse features a heavenly cream cheese and caramel sauce base, which is lightened up just right with a touch of whipped cream.
Right before eagerly diving in with your spoon, add a layer of caramel and caramel popcorn on top.
11. Buttered Popcorn Ice Cream
This is a fun ice cream recipe for all ages!
The ice cream is a tasty homemade vanilla bean topped off with a yummy sticky mess of caramel-drenched popcorn.
If you’re feeling indulgent, add a scoop of this to a slice of birthday cake and spoil that special someone on their big day.
12. Birthday Cake Popcorn
Speaking of birthday cake, why not make that with popcorn too?
This whimsical treat is a jumble of vanilla cake mix, marshmallows, and popcorn.
Don’t forget the rainbow sprinkles!
13. Snickers Popcorn
Candy and popcorn are the ultimate movie treats. So why not combine the two for family movie night?
You’ll smother homemade caramel popcorn in melted Snickers and toss some extra candy bits in the mix for good measure. Delish!
14. Grandma’s Soft & Chewy Caramel Corn
Everything tastes better from a grandma’s kitchen, including caramel corn.
The family secret to this recipe is adding condensed milk into the caramel sauce. It helps soften up the popcorn and makes the caramel even more creamy and rich.
15. Sweet and Salty Popcorn Balls
These are lovely treats for birthday parties, afternoon snacks, and more.
Each ball is a sweet, chocolatey, salty mix of popcorn, candy, and pretzels. All you have to do is melt butter with marshmallows and coat all your fixings.
Then call the kids because it’s time to eat!
16. Santa Crunch Popcorn
Christmas cookies may get all the praise, but I think this Santa’s crunch recipe is about to give them a run for their money.
This bowl of Christmas crunch maxes out on M&M’s with regular, minis, and pretzel flavored. Then, add some extra snowy mini marshmallows for little bites of chewy goodness.
These will also make fabulous goodie bags for stocking stuffers and Christmas parties.
17. Moose Munch
Moose munch has it all! It’s got chocolate, peanuts, popcorn, and caramel.
What else could you possibly want?
Keep an eye on these when they’re in the oven, though – nobody likes burnt caramel!
18. Chocolate Covered Popcorn
You can’t go wrong with sweet chocolate and salty popcorn, especially when it’s this easy to whip up.
And of all the microwave desserts I’ve tried, this one is by far the most snackable.
It’s also seriously addictive, so you may want to save this for when you have guests. Otherwise, I guarantee you’ll devour the whole bowl!
19. Scotcharoo Popcorn
Butterscotch is an old-time favorite that’s made with brown sugar, so it’s very rich. It’s a lot like caramel, only way more luscious and flavorful.
Add it to popcorn with some chocolate and peanut butter for the ultimate poppable sweets!
20. Cookie Butter Popcorn
Have you ever had cookie butter before? It’s creamy like peanut butter, but the flavor is all cookie.
Seriously, head to Trader Joe’s and grab some if you haven’t already – I’ll wait.
Now imagine that heavenly flavor slathered all over microwaveable popcorn.
The only downside to this is that the popcorn will need to rest until it hardens up. That means you’ll need to prepare this in advance.
Luckily, it’s super easy. Just be prepared to eat a lot!