This candy corn popcorn recipe is perfect for parties, movie nights, Thanksgiving or as a special snack to celebrate the fall season!
This fall-themed candy corn popcorn is such a fun treat to make. It’s sweet, crunchy, and super delicious. And while candy corn is the star of the show, it uses chocolate, Thanksgiving sprinkles, and Reese's pieces for a fun Autumn theme and makes a perfect Thanksgiving popcorn mix.
But, because this fall themed popcorn recipe is so customizable, you can alter it to suit any taste. Like M&Ms? Throw them in! Don't like candy corn? Just skip it! Similar to Halloween popcorn and Unicorn popcorn, this is an easy, no-bake treat, and fun activity the whole family can enjoy making together.
Why you'll love it:
- Easy: This popcorn is super simple to make. And, if you buy pre-popped popcorn, it's even easier. Just melt the chocolate or candy melts add the toppings. That's it!
- Customizable: You can make this popcorn how ever you want. M&Ms, chopped up candy bars, nuts, whatever you want is all delicious!
- Fun: It's such a fun fall themed party popcorn! Not only it is fun to make, it visually just screams fall and is perfect for parties, sharing, and gifting!
Ingredients
Popcorn
You can use any type of popcorn you like! I do recommend a salty or sweet popcorn, since this is a candy coated sweet popcorn mix. Here are some common ideas for your popcorn base:
- Air Popped
- Microwave Popcorn
- Bagged Popcorn like sea salt or kettle corn
Chocolate
Chocolate, Candy melts, or melting chocolate are what help the toppings stick to the popcorn. I used dark chocolate, but you can use milk chocolate, white chocolate, or candy melts in fun fall colors like orange, brown, and yellow.
Toppings
This is the fun part, the toppings! Since this is candy corn popcorn, candy corn is center stage. But honestly, but if you don't like candy corn you can totally skip it and still have a delicious fall or Thanksgiving popcorn. Here are some fun ideas:
How to Make
Similar to Christmas crunch popcorn, this popcorn recipe is super simple and it can be made in less than an hour.
Step 1: melt chocolate
I a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate or candy melts according to the package instructions. Typically, this involves heating them in 30-second intervals and stirring until smooth. You can also melt over a double broiler on the stovetop.
Step 2: Add chocolate and toppings to popcorn
Place the popcorn on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, wax paper, or a silicone baking mat.
Ten, drizzle the melted chocolate all over the popcorn. You can add it to a pastry bag with the top cut off, or simply drizzle with a spoon. You can also place all the popcorn in a large bowl, rather than a parchment lined baking sheet.
While the chocolate is still melted, sprinkle your toppings so they stick.
STEP 3: LET DRY, MIX, AND REPEAT
After adding the toppings, let the chocolate harden for an 30-60 minutes. Once the chocolate has set, mixed it up, breaking up the chocolate popcorn pieces.
If desired, you can Mix up the popcorn and spread evenly over the parchment again. Then, repeat with adding more melted chocolate and toppings. Let dry, break apart, and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Prepare Your Toppings in Advance: Have your chosen toppings, such as crushed cookies, ready before you melt the chocolate. This ensures a quick and smooth assembly process without the chocolate hardening.
- Use colored chocolate melts in the colors you want or buy candy food coloring, which is oil based and won't cause your white chocolate melts or white chocolate to separate. You can not add regular or gel food coloring to white chocolate or it will get grainy.
- The amount of chocolate and toppings can vary depending on how much popcorn you're making, how many different toppings and type of chocolate you're using, and how many times you decide to mix up and re-cover the popcorn with chocolate and toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
There are two reasons chocolate can seize up and get grainy. The first is it was overheated. You can combat this by making sure to follow the instructions exactly when melting your chocolate. If using a microwave heat on half power and use a double broiler if heating on the stovetop. Do not ever heat any type of chocolate or candy melts directly in a pan on a stovetop. It will always overheat and seize up.
The second reason is because liquid somehow got mixed in with the chocolate. Be sure your bowl and utensils are completely dry before adding and melting the chocolate. And, if adding flavors or food coloring make sure they are oil based.
Yes, but if you want to add food coloring to your white chocolate or melting chocolate, be sure to use candy colors which are oil based food. Regular or gel food coloring will cause the chocolate to get grainy.
Serving and Gifting
This popcorn is perfect for Thanksgiving or Autumn parties and holiday movie nights! Like most popcorn, there are tons of fun ways to serve or gift it:
- Bags: I prefer clear plastic bags because you can see the popcorn, but, you can also use bakery bags, or these cute fall treat bags.
- Boxes: popcorn boxes (especially these fall themed ones!) are so cute and perfect for movie nights!
- Popcorn Tins: These decorative tins and popcorn buckets are so cute and festive! Plus, the tins keep the popcorn fresh and they are a great option for shipping and the least likely to get damaged in transport.
Storing and Making Ahead
This candy corn popcorn is best with in the first couple days of making, but will last up to a week or two in an airtight container, very tightly sealed. The better the seal, the longer it will last and stay fresh and the less chance of going stale.
Looking for more Fall recipes? Check these out!
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Fall Candy Corn Popcorn
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
INGREDIENTS
- 8-10 cups Popped Popcorn
- 10-12 oz chocolate chips or candy melts melted
- 1 cup Candy Corn
- 1 cup Reese's Pieces candy
- ½ cup Fall Sprinkles
Instructions
- Line a large baking pan with parchment paper, wax paper, or a silicone baking mat.
- Spread out popcorn evenly on the parchment so it is in a single layer.
- Melt your candy melts or chocolate according to the package directions.
- Using either a pastry bag or spoon, drip about 1/2 the melted chocolate all over the popcorn.
- White the chocolate is still wet, add 1/2 the candy corn, Reese's pieces, fall sprinkles, and any other toppings you desire.
- Let dry for 30-60 minutes until the chocolate is firm to the touch.
- Mix up the popcorn and spread evenly over the parchment again. Repeat with adding more melted chocolate and toppings.
- Let dry completely and then break apart into bite size pieces. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Prepare Your Toppings in Advance: Have your chosen toppings, such as crushed cookies, ready before you melt the chocolate. This ensures a quick and smooth assembly process without the chocolate hardening.
- Use colored chocolate melts in the colors you want or buy candy food coloring, which is oil based and won't cause your white chocolate melts or white chocolate to separate. You can not add regular or gel food coloring to white chocolate or it will get grainy.
- The amount of chocolate and toppings can vary depending on how much popcorn you're making, how many different toppings and type of chocolate you're using, and how many times you decide to mix up and re-cover the popcorn with chocolate and toppings.
- This candy corn popcorn is best with in the first couple days of making, but will last up to a week or two in an airtight container.
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