Grinch Popcorn

This Grinch Popcorn inspired by the classic Christmas movie is a great holiday treat that is both salty and sweet. Unlike the Grinch these will not leave you with a hole in your heart.

We have a few Christmas movie traditions in our house. When Chad and I put up the tree we watch Elf. We always watch the Muppet Christmas Carol as our first family Christmas movie, and to be honest we watch this one a few times over the Christmas holiday.

On Christmas Eve we typically watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Charlie Brown’s Christmas.

I try to get all my holiday recipes done early and just enjoy family time from Thanksgiving until the New Year. We have a lot of movie and snack nights during this time, and probably watch most of these movies multiple times.

When we have the movie nights, I HAVE to make us cute treats and snacks.

My kids love popcorn. We make specialty popcorn here at our house for many different holidays and seasons. Try these other popcorn recipes like my Christmas Popcorn or my Pumpkin Spice Popcorn.

How to make Grinch Popcorn:

So I like to use microwave popcorn for my homemade popcorn recipes. Microwave your popcorn and while that is popping melt your green candy melts.

Spread your popcorn on a baking sheet, and then drizzle the melted green candy over of the popcorn. Sprinkle your heart sprinkles over the popcorn and then put in the refrigerator for a quick cool.

Ingredient Notes:

• Microwave Popcorn – make sure the uncooked popcorn kernels don’t accidentally get mixed in on your baking sheet.
• Vibrant Green Candy Melts – These can be found at your local craft store usually like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. They can also be ordered on Amazon!
• Coconut Oil
• Large Red Heart Sprinkles – these are typically found around Valentine’s Day, but you can order some on Amazon too!

Directions:

Step One – Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then microwave your popcorn according to the package directions.

Once popped spread the popcorn out on the prepared baking sheet.

• Tip: It’s best if the popcorn is spread out in one layer, with no spaces between the popcorn. This allows you to get chocolate on every piece without wasting chocolate.

Step Two – Place the candy melts in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave. Cook for 30 seconds at a time stirring in-between until melted and smooth.

This could take about 2 minutes.

Step Three – Next the coconut oil to the melted chocolate and stir until fully combined.

• Tip: Coconut Oil helps reduce the thickness. Add more if your chocolate is too thick to drizzle.

Step Four – Place the chocolate in a frosting bag and cut a small tip off of it.

• Tip: If you don’t have a frosting bag you can drizzle the chocolate on by a spoon. it may not look as uniform but it will work.

Step Five – Drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn until every piece has a bit of chocolate on it.

Step Six – Last sprinkle with the red heart sprinkles and place in the fridge for about 5-10 minutes or until the chocolate has hardened. Once the chocolate has harden you can break up the popcorn and serve it.

• Tip: You can allow it to cool and harden out of the fridge. It will take longer on the counter, but it will work.

How to fully cover your popcorn:

An alternate way to make this would be to fully cover your popcorn instead of doing the drizzle. What you will do for that is make sure your candies are melted and still pretty warm to the touch. In a large mixing bowl, fill it up with your popcorn.

Pour the melted green candy melts over the popcorn and mix gently but thoroughly with a spatula. Once everything is fully coated, then transfer to your baking sheet to cool and harden. You can mix in your candy hearts in the bowl, or sprinkle on top once on the baking sheet.

Best Popcorn to use for this recipe:

Popcorn has such a good salty and buttery flavor that it mixes so well with the melted chocolate candies. It is so light and tasty that you can’t go wrong with whatever kind of popcorn you love!

1. Microwave – One of the easiest options. This is what I used and I used a nice movie theater butter popcorn. Use any kind of popcorn you like. After you are done microwaving it, try your best to separate as many if not all of the non-popped kernels.
2. Store Bought – You can also buy a bag of popcorn from the store. I have a tendency not to do this, as I love my popcorn to be fresh for this recipe. Bagged Popcorn may have been sitting on the shelf for a long time and lacks the freshness of microwave or homemade popcorn.
3. Stovetop – If you are like my sister, you love popcorn and have an actual popcorn machine in your house! While I do love popcorn, but not to that level, stovetop popcorn is also a great option. Just don’t burn it!

I don’t have Red Heat Sprinkles, what should I do?

“Well, in Whoville they say – the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day.” – Dr. Suess

The Grinch is a classic tale of Christmas spirit and love winning over even the meanest of creatures. But do not fret, if heart sprinkles you forget. There are many other treats you can use.

1. Sprinkles – Use any sprinkles you want. Holiday ones or not, the sprinkles bring out a fun colorful addition to your green popcorn.
2. Holiday M&M’s -These Christmas M&M’s go great with candy coated popcorn as well. Add before the melted candy hardens to stick to the popcorn better.

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