This Candied Popcorn Recipe is a fast and easy way to create a sweet treat at home. I love that unpopped kernels turn into a colorful candy mixture with popcorn in just a few moments of time! Be certain to check out my other Gourmet Popcorn recipes as well to see just how much we love making popcorn in our house.
The flavoring and color of this popcorn recipe are so much fun to see and eat! I love the flavoring of this candied popcorn so much!
Since I’m a huge fan of caramel popcorn, I knew that I was going to love this recipe as well. I love that crisp outer layer crunch that is followed up with the sweet flavoring.
Candied Popcorn Recipe
This recipe does make quite a large batch so keep that in mind when you’re making it! I always try to store some for later in the week so that we don’t end up eating it all at once.
My boys are popcorn hounds so they’ll easily eat it in one sitting if I would let them! I usually put out half right when I make it and then save the other half for later.
This is just a simple way to extend the time that we get to enjoy this wonderful treat!
What type of popcorn should I use?
I always think air-popped popcorn is a great choice since it’s free of any other flavors. If you’re popping with kernels, white popcorn is my preferred choice over yellow popcorn.
Can my dog eat this popcorn?
While dogs can technically eat plain, unflavored popcorn, I would not feed my dog this recipe. This candied popcorn is full of sugar (corn syrup, too) and dyes. Neither of which is good for a man’s best friend.
It is best to stick to purchased or homemade treats for dogs.
You are going to want to save this delicious snack for yourself and your kids anyway.
Specialty Ingredients:
The following ingredients are affiliate links on Amazon because they may be a bit hard to find in your normal store. I wanted you to be able to see exactly which things we are using for this sweet snack recipe.
- Food dye/Food Coloring
Reminder, not all ingredients in the Candy Popcorn Recipe are linked above, just the ones that may be a bit difficult to find or that you might be unsure of what to look for
Shop My Kitchen:
The following items can be found in my kitchen here at Miller Manor. Simply click the image that interests you – yes, they do contain affiliate links.
Must Have Resources:
When making Simple Dessert Popcorn at home, you really need to have the following Amazon affiliate tools on hand.
Make it a Meal:
Now is the time to start meal planning! Using a meal plan is a great way to plan out the day and week so that everyone in the family is on the page.
Main Dish: Ginger Carrot Soup
Vegetable Side: Roasted Spring Veggies
Starch Side: Twice Baked Potato
Refreshing Drink: Strawberry Peach Smoothie
Best Popcorn Recipes:
Once you make this Candy Coated Popcorn Recipe, you have to keep going with that creative momentum! There are so many wonderful popcorn recipes that are just waiting for you to make them! Here are some super delicious recipes using popcorn that I think you’re going to love!
Unicorn Popcorn is magical and full of yummy sweet snack flavorings.
Sugar Cookie Popcorn is a sweet treat that you can easily make any time of the year!
Holy Moly this Thin Mint Popcorn recipe looks crazy delicious!
You have to try this recipe for simple popcorn balls!
Get ready to fall in love with the flavor of this Snickers Popcorn Recipe!
Calling all fans of peanut butter! This Peanut Butter Popcorn recipe is the best!
Can you use other flavors of jello?
Absolutely! This is a simple way that you can change up this sweet snack to taste and look different each time you make it!
It wouldn’t be nearly as colorful, but I bet using a pudding mix would be just as delicious!
More Candy Recipes:
Easy Candied Popcorn Recipe
This Candied Popcorn Recipe is a fast and easy way to create a sweet treat at home.
Ingredients
- 9 cups of popped popcorn
- 9 T butter
- 3 cups of sugar
- 1 small box of red Jell-O
- 1 small box of purple Jell-O
- 1 small box of yellow Jell-O
- 3 T of white corn syrup
- 3 T water, as needed
- Food coloring
Instructions
- Use three baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.
- Spread out 3 cups of popped corn on each cookie sheet and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, mix 1 cup of sugar, 1 T of white corn syrup, 3 T of butter, and one of the jello powders. Bring to a boil and add in the food coloring.
- Boil for about 4 minutes then pour over one of the popcorn on the cookie sheet.
- Put in the oven and bake for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Let cool before touching. Repeat with each color of the Jello.
Notes
Use any color/flavor gelatin dessert packs you prefer.
The packets of jell-o should be the 3 oz. packs.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 679Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 286mgCarbohydrates: 125gFiber: 1gSugar: 117gProtein: 2g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 9/11/2021
Are you going to save some of this Candied Popcorn Recipe for later or eat it all right away?
Traci Eliot
Tuesday 13th of June 2023
Thanks for this! One question - Do you really need the food coloring? Won’t the jello give it enough color? (i haven’t tried it yet so I don’t know, but thought I would ask before heading to the store).
Kelli Miller
Monday 2nd of October 2023
Thanks for your comment! The food coloring in the recipe is primarily used to enhance and intensify the colors of the popcorn. While the jello does provide some color, the resulting shades may not be as vibrant without the added food coloring.
However, if you prefer more muted colors or would like to avoid using food coloring, feel free to leave it out. The jello itself will still provide a delicious flavor to the popcorn. You can give it a try without the food coloring and see how you like the natural hues created by the jello alone.
I hope this helps, and enjoy making the candied popcorn recipe! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Doreen
Sunday 2nd of April 2023
You forgot to add the 3 Tablespoons of water.
Kelli Miller
Tuesday 4th of April 2023
it is only as needed - if your jello is pourable then you won't need any.