Candied Party Popcorn

With a whole rainbow of color and flavor possibilities, Candied Party Popcorn is a fun and delicious sharable snack!

Candied popcorn reminds me of childhood special occasions. It was always a special treat! Nowadays, it’s pretty expensive to buy (if you can find it at all!) but with just a few simple ingredients you can easily make your own.

Since Jello has so many available colors and flavors, you can customize your candied popcorn to match any holiday or party theme. So fun and delicious!

What You’ll Need to Make Colorful Candied Party Popcorn

• Popped Popcorn – We like to pop 1/2 cup any color popcorn kernels in an air popper. This gives us approximately 10 cups of popped popcorn.

• Butter – Regular salted butter.

• Corn Syrup – We use light corn syrup for making this candied party popcorn. Dark corn syrup can be used but it does have molasses in it so the color and flavor may be altered if used.

• White Sugar – granulated white sugar.

• Jello Powder – NOT Sugar free. Regular Jello 3 ounce box (4 servings). Any flavor will work!

• Cooking Spray – any type. Regular or butter flavored will work.

Is Candied Party Popcorn Easy to Make?

How to Make Candied Party Popcorn

My childhood memories are filled with fun and unusual goodies like candied popcorn. Special treats like this hold a happy place in my heart but sadly they aren’t as readily available as they used to be. What to do? Make your own using stuff you probably already have in your pantry!

Super colorful and tasty, this is an awesome treat for birthday parties, holidays and picnics. We made this latest mixed batch of red and blue for 4th of July and it was a huge hit!

Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with with wax paper. Spray generously with cooking spray. Set aside.

You’ll need 10 cups of popped popcorn. We pop 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels in an air popper to accomplish this but you can get ten cups however you like. Place popcorn into a large bowl and set aside.

In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.

Stir in corn syrup, sugar and Jello powder until completely combined.

Bring the mixture to a bubble and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often. The consistency of the syrup will change and thicken while cooking.

When ready, it will pull away from the sides of the saucepan when stirred. If using a candy thermometer, the temperature will be roughly 240 degrees. 

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.

Pour syrup over popcorn in the large bowl.

Quickly stir to evenly distribute the coating.

Divide the popcorn between the two prepared baking sheets, creating a flat layer of popcorn on each. 

Place both baking sheets into the preheated oven. Cook for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, breaking the popcorn clusters apart.

Popcorn is done when it no longer feels sticky.

Remove from oven and allow to cool. Break any remaining large pieces apart. 

Serve immediately. Store in a zip top bag. Enjoy!

Other Party Food Recipes You Might Like

Bite Sized Sausage Rolls – the BEST bite sized sausage rolls that I have ever tasted. Perfect party food!

Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip – uses Deli chicken salad to add a delicious twist to a potluck favorite!

Easy Homemade Ranch Dip – just seven simple pantry ingredients create a delicious and easy dip for veggies.

Classic Spinach Dip – Cool and creamy, this traditional Classic Spinach Dip takes just minutes to make with only six ingredients!

Three Ingredient Fruit Dip – A simple combination of whipped cream cheese, marshmallow fluff and a hint of vanilla.