Short description
Grinch Popcorn is a festive, colorful treat featuring fluffy popcorn coated in a sweet green marshmallow glaze and sprinkled with mini marshmallows and red M&M’s for a cheerful holiday presentation. Perfect for Christmas parties or a fun family movie night, this quick and easy snack brings a touch of whimsical fun to any celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Grinch Popcorn is delightfully simple to make, irresistibly sweet and salty, and bursting with holiday spirit. Its vibrant green color and pops of red make it a festive centerpiece for any seasonal gathering. Whether you serve it at a party, gift it in bags, or enjoy it during a holiday movie night, this treat is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
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10 cups of popped popcorn
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Salt to taste
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3 tablespoons salted butter
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3 cups mini marshmallows
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Green food coloring (use yellow and blue to create Grinch green)
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1/2 cup additional mini marshmallows for topping
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Red M&M’s candies for decoration
Directions
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Prepare the Popcorn
Pop the popcorn and season with salt to taste.
Place the salted popcorn into a large bowl and set aside. -
Make the Marshmallow Mixture
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir constantly until fully melted and smooth.
Remove from heat.
Add yellow food coloring first, then a small drop of blue, stirring until you achieve the perfect Grinch green color. -
Combine
Pour the green marshmallow mixture over the popcorn.
Gently toss the popcorn to coat it evenly with the green glaze. -
Add Toppings
Spread the coated popcorn out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
While the popcorn is still warm, sprinkle additional mini marshmallows and red M&M’s on top to create a festive look. -
Set and Serve
Allow the popcorn to cool and set for a few minutes.
Once firm, break into pieces and serve.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 10 cups of popcorn.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
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Drizzle with chocolate: Add a white or dark chocolate drizzle over the popcorn for extra sweetness and decoration.
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Add festive sprinkles: Use Christmas-themed sprinkles for additional color and texture.
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Use flavored popcorn: Try kettle corn or lightly buttered popcorn for a different flavor profile.
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Make it nutty: Add a handful of roasted peanuts or almonds for a sweet and salty contrast.
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Customize the color: Adjust the food coloring to create a lighter or darker shade of green if desired.
Storage/Reheating
Store Grinch Popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Keep it away from heat and humidity to maintain its crisp texture.
No reheating is needed; simply serve directly from storage.
FAQs
Can I use microwave popcorn for this recipe?
Yes, just be sure to use plain or lightly salted varieties without heavy butter flavoring.
How do I achieve the right shade of Grinch green?
Start with yellow food coloring, then carefully add a small amount of blue until you reach the desired green hue.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, it can be made up to a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.
Can I add other candies besides M&M’s?
Absolutely, festive sprinkles, colored chocolate candies, or even crushed candy canes would work well.
What is the best way to coat the popcorn evenly?
Use a large bowl and a gentle tossing motion with a silicone spatula or clean hands to ensure even coverage.
Can I substitute marshmallow fluff for mini marshmallows?
Mini marshmallows work best, but in a pinch, you can melt marshmallow fluff with butter.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
If using gluten-free popcorn and candies, this recipe can easily be made gluten-free.
Print
Grinch Popcorn
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 10 cups of popcorn
- Category: Snack, Holiday Treats, Christmas Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Get into the holiday spirit with this fun and festive Grinch Popcorn! Sweet, salty, and covered in a vibrant Grinch-green marshmallow coating with adorable red candy accents, this easy treat is perfect for Christmas movie nights, holiday parties, or gifting in cute bags.
Ingredients
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10 cups popped popcorn
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Salt, to taste
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3 tablespoons salted butter
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3 cups mini marshmallows
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Green food coloring (mix yellow and blue to create Grinch green)
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1/2 cup additional mini marshmallows (for topping)
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Red M&M’s candies (for decoration)
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Prepare the Popcorn:
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Pop the popcorn and season lightly with salt.
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Place in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
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Make the Marshmallow Mixture:
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In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
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Add the 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir constantly until fully melted.
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Remove from heat and add yellow food coloring, followed by a small amount of blue.
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Stir until the marshmallow mixture becomes Grinch green.
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Combine:
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Pour the green marshmallow mixture over the popcorn.
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Gently toss until the popcorn is evenly coated.
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Add Toppings:
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Spread the coated popcorn onto a baking sheet.
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While still warm, sprinkle the additional mini marshmallows and red M&M’s on top.
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Set and Serve:
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Allow the popcorn to cool and set for a few minutes.
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Break into pieces and serve!
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Instructions
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Prepare the Popcorn:
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Pop the popcorn and season lightly with salt.
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Place in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
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Make the Marshmallow Mixture:
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In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
-
Add the 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir constantly until fully melted.
-
Remove from heat and add yellow food coloring, followed by a small amount of blue.
-
Stir until the marshmallow mixture becomes Grinch green.
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Combine:
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Pour the green marshmallow mixture over the popcorn.
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Gently toss until the popcorn is evenly coated.
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Add Toppings:
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Spread the coated popcorn onto a baking sheet.
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While still warm, sprinkle the additional mini marshmallows and red M&M’s on top.
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Set and Serve:
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Allow the popcorn to cool and set for a few minutes.
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Break into pieces and serve!
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Notes
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Use freshly popped popcorn without butter for the best texture.
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Adjust the green color to your liking by balancing the yellow and blue drops carefully.
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Great for gifting—just portion into festive bags and tie with ribbon!
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