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There’s something magical about holiday movie nights, isn’t there? A cozy couch, twinkling lights, and snacks that match the festive vibes. This Grinch Popcorn is the ultimate treat for your next viewing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Sweet, salty, and delightfully green, it’s a hit with kids and adults alike! Plus, it comes together in just 15 minutes—perfect for those last-minute holiday cravings.
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Why You’ll Love Grinch Popcorn
This playful recipe is perfect for more than just movie nights!
- Festive fun: Its Grinch-green hue and pops of red M&M’s make it a showstopper.
- Sweet and salty bliss: The combination of buttery marshmallows and salted popcorn is irresistible.
- Quick and easy: In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a party-ready treat.
- Kid-approved: From the gooey marshmallow drizzle to the colorful candy, it’s all smiles!
What Does Grinch Popcorn Taste Like?
Imagine the buttery crunch of popcorn paired with soft, gooey marshmallow coating, a hint of salt, and bursts of chocolatey goodness from the M&M’s. It’s a flavor explosion that’s sweet, salty, and holiday-perfect.
Ingredients for Grinch Popcorn
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this holiday snack:
- 10 cups popped popcorn – Lightly salted for the perfect balance.
- Salt – To taste.
- 3 tablespoons butter – Sweet cream salted works best.
- 3 cups mini marshmallows – For the gooey coating.
- Wilton Color Right Food Coloring – Blue and yellow for that signature green.
- ½ cup mini marshmallows – To sprinkle on top.
- Red M&M’s – To add that Grinchy pop of color.
Pro Tip: Use freshly popped popcorn for the best texture, and don’t skip the salt—it really makes the flavors pop!
Tools You’ll Need
- A medium saucepan for melting the marshmallows.
- A large mixing bowl for coating the popcorn evenly.
- A cookie sheet for spreading and cooling the popcorn.
How to Make Grinch Popcorn
Follow these simple steps to bring this festive treat to life:
- Prepare the popcorn: Pop your popcorn, lightly salt it, and set it aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Melt the butter and marshmallows: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir until fully melted. Turn off the heat.
- Create Grinch Green: Add a few drops of yellow food coloring to the marshmallow mixture, then a small amount of blue. Mix until you achieve the perfect shade of Grinch green.
- Coat the popcorn: Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and toss until evenly coated.
- Spread and decorate: Spread the coated popcorn onto a cookie sheet. Drizzle any remaining marshmallow mixture over the top, then sprinkle with extra mini marshmallows and red M&M’s while the mixture is still warm.
- Cool and serve: Let the popcorn cool for about 5 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
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What to Serve with Grinch Popcorn
Pair this treat with more holiday favorites to create a full snack spread! Check out these festive recipes:
- Buttery Walnut Snowball Cookies: A Melt-in-Your-Mouth Delight
- Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Delight for the Holidays
- Christmas Cookie Pinwheels
Tips for Perfect Grinch Popcorn
- Even coating: Toss the popcorn gently to avoid crushing it while ensuring an even marshmallow coating.
- Color control: Add food coloring gradually—you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
- Storage: Keep the popcorn fresh by storing it in an airtight container for up to two days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! Make it up to 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container to keep it crunchy and fresh.
What if I don’t have food coloring?
No worries! You can still enjoy this popcorn without the green color—it’ll be just as delicious.
Can I use microwave popcorn?
Yes, just be sure to use a lightly salted or plain variety to keep the flavors balanced.
Final Thoughts
This Grinch Popcorn is the perfect combination of festive fun and delicious flavor. It’s so easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday gathering, whether it’s a movie night, a party, or a simple family evening.
If you love this recipe, be sure to check out our other holiday favorites:
Don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest! Follow me here and tag me in your festive Grinch Popcorn photos. I’d love to see your holiday cheer!
Nutritional Information: Approximately 120 calories per cup (varies depending on portion size).
Now go forth and whip up some holiday magic—Grinch style!
Grinch Popcorn: The Perfect Sweet and Salty Holiday Treat
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet, salty, and bursting with holiday cheer, this Grinch Popcorn combines buttery marshmallow goodness with festive red M&M’s and a Grinch-green hue. Perfect for Christmas movie nights or holiday parties, it’s ready in just 15 minutes and loved by all ages!
Ingredients
- 10 cups popped popcorn
- Salt (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons butter (sweet cream salted)
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- Wilton Color Right food coloring (blue, yellow)
- ½ cup mini marshmallows (for topping)
- Red M&M’s
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn and lightly salt it; set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add 3 cups of mini marshmallows to the saucepan and stir until melted. Turn off heat.
- Add a few drops of yellow food coloring and a small amount of blue food coloring to create Grinch green. Stir well.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn, tossing gently to coat.
- Spread the coated popcorn onto a cookie sheet.
- Drizzle any remaining marshmallow mixture over the top.
- Sprinkle with additional mini marshmallows and red M&M’s while the mixture is still warm.
- Let cool for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For the perfect color, add food coloring gradually until you achieve the desired shade.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days.
- This recipe works best with freshly popped popcorn for optimal crunch.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: snacks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 8mg