Grinch Popcorn Mix
This easy, no-bake Grinch Popcorn Mix is a sweet-and-salty green Christmas popcorn snack loaded with candy, pretzels, and red “Grinch hearts.” Perfect for holiday movie nights, classroom parties, or last-minute edible gifts.
Ingredients
- 10 cups plain popped popcorn about 1/2 cup kernels or 2 standard microwave bags; plain or lightly salted, no heavy butter
- 2 cups mini pretzels twists or sticks
- 12 oz green candy melts or green vanilla-flavored melting wafers
- 1 to 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or coconut oil optional, to thin the melted coating as needed
- 1 cup red and green M&M’s holiday mix or regular
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks
- 1/4 cup red heart sprinkles or red heart candies, for the “Grinch hearts”
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles red, green, and white; optional
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt plus more to taste
Instructions
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet (or two, if needed) with parchment or wax paper. Place the popped popcorn and mini pretzels into a very large mixing bowl, picking out and discarding any unpopped kernels.
- Add the green candy melts to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds, stir, then continue microwaving in 20–30 second bursts, stirring each time, until mostly melted and smooth. If the coating is too thick for drizzling, stir in 1 teaspoon of vegetable or coconut oil at a time until pourable.
- When the candy melts are smooth, stir in the vanilla extract (if using) and a pinch of fine sea salt. Work quickly to avoid seizing. If the mixture tightens, gently rewarm for 10–15 seconds and stir again.
- Pour about two-thirds of the melted green coating over the popcorn and pretzels. Toss gently with a large spatula or clean hands, lifting from the bottom so everything gets coated. Add the remaining candy coating and continue tossing until most pieces are evenly covered; a few white spots are fine.
- Spread the coated popcorn and pretzels onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer, breaking up large clumps. While the coating is still wet, sprinkle the M&M’s and white chocolate chips evenly over the top, then scatter on the red heart sprinkles and Christmas sprinkles. Press lightly so the candies adhere to the coating.
- Let the Grinch popcorn mix sit at room temperature until the coating hardens, about 20–30 minutes. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate the tray for 10–15 minutes to help it set. Once firm, break into clusters and pieces of various sizes.
- Taste a handful and add an extra sprinkle of fine sea salt if you prefer more sweet-and-salty contrast. Add more M&M’s or sprinkles if you’d like extra color. Serve immediately or transfer to airtight containers or treat bags for gifting.
Notes
Yield: about 10–12 cups of mix (8–10 snack servings). Prep time: ~10 minutes; assembly time: ~10 minutes; set time: 20–30 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For warm climates, refrigerate in an airtight container and let sit at room temperature 10–15 minutes before serving. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month and thaw in the sealed bag so condensation forms on the outside only. Variations: make a minty version with mint M&M’s or crushed candy canes; add 1 cup roasted nuts for a nutty mix; use gluten-free pretzels and certified gluten-free candies to make it gluten-friendly; or omit pretzels and increase candy for compact gift bags.
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