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Home » Sweet & Snacky » Candied Party Popcorn

Candied Party Popcorn

Sweet & Snacky

8 Aug

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!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Ingredients for Candied Party Popcorn in original packaging.

What You’ll Need to Make Colorful Candied Party Popcorn

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

  • Butter – We use regular salted butter, but unsalted butter may also be used.

  • 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. We use 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?

Yes! Watch this quick and easy video to see just how easy it is and then see below for step by step instructions!


Finished Candied Party Popcorn in a bowl ready to eat.

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!

Spraying waxed paper on a baking sheet with cooking spray..

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

Air popped popcorn in a bowl.

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.

Melting butter in a saucepan.

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

Adding corn syrup, sugar and Jello powder to the melted butter in the saucepan.

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

The candy mixture being stirred together in the saucepan.

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.

The candy mixture bubbling in the saucepan.

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.

Pouring the candy mixture over the popcorn in a large bowl.

Pour syrup over popcorn in the large bowl.

Stirring the candy mixture and the popcorn to distribute evenly.

Quickly stir to evenly distribute the coating.

Candied popcorn in a single layer on a baking sheet.

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

Candied popcorn on baking sheets in the oven.

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.

Batches of different colored candied popcorn on baking sheets.

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

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

Finished Candied Party Popcorn in a bowl, ready to eat.

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.

Candied Party Popcorn

With a whole rainbow of color and flavor possibilities, Candied Party Popcorn is a fun and delicious sharable snack!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Servings: 10 cups
Course: Holiday, Party, Snacks, Treats
Cuisine: American
Calories: 838
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 10 cups popped popcorn (1/2 cup popcorn kernels in an air popper)
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 box jello powder (3 ounce, 4 servings)
  • cooking spray
Prevent your screen from going dark

Method
 

  1. Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with with wax paper. Spray generously with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Place popcorn into a large bowl and also set aside.
  3. In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
  4. Stir in corn syrup, sugar and jello powder until completely combined.
  5. 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. 
  6. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
  7. Pour syrup over popcorn in the large bowl and quickly stir to evenly distribute the coating.
  8. Divide the popcorn between the two prepared baking sheets, creating a flat layer of popcorn on each. 
  9. 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.
  10. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Break any remaining large pieces apart. Serve immediately. Store in a zip top bag. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 838kcalCarbohydrates: 158gProtein: 19gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 131mgPotassium: 453mgFiber: 21gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 284IUCalcium: 13mgIron: 5mg

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Let us know how it was!

  • Michelle Mundy

    As a busy working mom with kids on the go, I know how important it is to be able to make simple and delicious meals using everyday ingredients. The recipes shared here are family friendly with easy to understand step by step instructions. Tried and true, from our family to yours. Welcome to The Recipe Bandit! Click here to read more about me.

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About Me

  • Michelle Mundy

    As a busy working mom with kids on the go, I know how important it is to be able to make simple and delicious meals using everyday ingredients. The recipes shared here are family friendly with easy to understand step by step instructions. Tried and true, from our family to yours. Welcome to The Recipe Bandit! Click here to read more about me.

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