This Patriotic Popcorn is a fun and festive treat that’s perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any patriotic celebration! It’s a mix of crunchy popcorn, drizzled with red, white, and blue candy melts, and topped with M&Ms and sprinkles for an extra sweet touch.
Whether you're serving it at a backyard BBQ or packaging it as party favors, this colorful popcorn will be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- Popcorn kernels – Freshly popped popcorn creates the perfect crunchy base.
- Red, white, and blue candy melts – Melted and drizzled over the popcorn for a festive, sweet coating.
- M&Ms (red, white, and blue) – Adds a chocolatey crunch and patriotic colors.
- Sprinkles – A fun finishing touch; use stars and stripes-themed sprinkles if available.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make 4th of July Patriotic Popcorn
Use an air popper to pop the ½ cup of popcorn kernels following the manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, place the popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag, fold the top over several times to seal it, and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until the popping slows to about 5 seconds between pops.
Place the red, white, and blue candy melts in separate microwave-safe bowls. Microwave each bowl for 1 minute, stir, and then continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted.
Transfer each color to a separate small piping bag or a zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off for drizzling.
Evenly spread the popped popcorn on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Drizzle the melted red, white, and blue candy melts over the popcorn in a back-and-forth motion.
While the candy remains melted, sprinkle the M&Ms and decorative sprinkles evenly over the popcorn to ensure they stick.
Allow the candy melts to harden at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. You can also place the tray in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to speed up the hardening process.
Once the candy has set, break the popcorn into clusters. Serve in a large bowl or distribute into individual serving bags for a party.
Hint: For perfectly even drizzling, place the melted candy in squeeze bottles instead of zip-top bags—this makes decorating easier and neater!
Substitutions & Variations
- Use pre-popped popcorn – If short on time, use store-bought plain popcorn instead of popping fresh kernels.
- Swap candy melts for white chocolate – Melted white chocolate with food coloring can replace candy melts.
- Try different candies – Swap M&Ms for mini marshmallows, candy stars, or even pretzel bits for extra crunch.
- Add a salty-sweet contrast – Mix in salted peanuts or pretzel pieces for a more balanced flavor.
💭Crucial Success Tips
Use parchment paper for easy cleanup – Keeps the candy drizzle from sticking to the tray.
FAQ
Yes! You can prepare it a day in advance and store it in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Make sure the popcorn is completely cool before adding the melted candy to prevent steam from softening it.
Absolutely! Try adding pretzel sticks, white chocolate chips, or coconut flakes for extra texture.
📖 Recipe
4th of July Patriotic Popcorn
This Patriotic Popcorn is a fun, festive snack perfect for celebrations like the Fourth of July. Freshly popped popcorn is drizzled with smooth red, white, and blue candy and topped with sprinkles. The result is a colorful, sweet, and crunchy treat that's ideal for parties and family gatherings.
Ingredients
- ½ cup popcorn kernels
- ¼ cup red candy melts
- ¼ cup white candy melts
- ¼ cup blue candy melts
- ¼ cup M&Ms (preferably red, white, and blue)
- 1 tablespoon sprinkles (stars and stripes themed if available)
Instructions
- Use an air popper to pop the ½ cup of popcorn kernels following the manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, place the popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag, fold the top over several times to seal it, and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until the popping slows to about 5 seconds between pops.
- Place the red, white, and blue candy melts in separate microwave-safe bowls. Microwave each bowl for 1 minute, stir, and then continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted.
- Transfer each color to a separate small piping bag or a zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off for drizzling.
- Evenly spread the popped popcorn on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Drizzle the melted red, white, and blue candy melts over the popcorn in a back-and-forth motion. While the candy remains melted, sprinkle the M&Ms and decorative sprinkles evenly over the popcorn to ensure they stick.
- Allow the candy melts to harden at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. You can also place the tray in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to speed up the hardening process.
- Once the candy has set, break the popcorn into clusters. Serve in a large bowl or distribute into individual serving bags for a party.
How to Store 4th of July Patriotic Popcorn
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days to keep the popcorn fresh.
- Refrigerator: Not recommended, as the popcorn may become chewy due to moisture.
- Freezer: Can be frozen in a sealed bag for up to 1 month, but let it come to room temperature before serving to avoid condensation.
Spring
- 20+ Fresh and Easy Spring Appetizers for Your Party
- Simple Loaded Queso Dip
- 20+ Easy Spring Dishes That Are Ready in No Time
- Smoked Salmon and Avocado Bruschetta
Leave a Reply