You know those little wins that feel like major victories during the holidays? Like finding the tape before you wrap the last present, or remembering where you stashed the stocking stuffers you bought in October? Well, this Christmas Popcorn is one of those wins.

It’s the kind of recipe you pull out when you’ve got people coming over, the kids are running wild with excitement, and you need something festive that doesn’t involve turning on the oven or cleaning up 47 dishes. Just a little holiday cheer in a bowl no stress and no mess.

Whether you’re hosting a movie night, heading to a holiday potluck, or just need a sweet-and-salty snack to munch on while wrapping gifts at midnight (we’ve all been there), this recipe is your new best friend.

Why You’ll Love Christmas Popcorn

Let’s be honest December is busy. Between class parties, family dinners, and last-minute Target runs, who has time to make complicated desserts? Not this mom.

This popcorn mix is:

Ridiculously easy – Like, you-can-make-it-in-your-sleep easy. Five minutes, and you’re done.
Kid-approved – It’s colorful, crunchy, and sweet what’s not to love?
Perfect for gifting – Pop it into cute holiday bags or jars, tie with a ribbon, and boom instant homemade gift.
Flexible – Want to throw in crushed candy canes? Go for it. Swap in mini marshmallows? Yes, please.

It’s festive, fun, and foolproof and honestly, that’s my kind of holiday snack.

Nothing fancy here just a few easy-to-find ingredients that come together like holiday magic.

Here’s What You’ll Need

6 cups popcorn, already popped (I use plain, lightly salted popcorn so it doesn’t compete with the sweet stuff)
½ cup white candy wafers (you can also use white chocolate chips in a pinch)
¼ cup M&Ms (green and red to keep it Christmasy, of course)
1.5 oz pretzels (the mini twist kind work great)
½ tsp red sprinkles
½ tsp green sprinkles

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Pop the Popcorn

If you haven’t already, get your popcorn popped. You’ll need about 6 cups, which is roughly one standard-size bag. Go with plain or lightly salted trust me, it balances out the sweetness perfectly.

Step 2: Prep Your Tray

Line a baking tray with parchment paper if you want easy cleanup (you do). Spread the popcorn out in a nice even layer. This is your canvas!

Step 3: Add the Pretzels

Take half of your pretzels and break them into smaller pieces. Sprinkle both the broken pieces and the whole ones over the popcorn.

Step 4: Sprinkle on the M&Ms

Next, toss those festive red and green M&Ms all over the tray.

Step 5: Melt the Candy Wafers

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt your white candy wafers in 30-second increments, stirring each time. It should take about a minute to a minute and a half total, depending on your microwave. Once it’s smooth and pourable, you’re ready to go.

Step 6: Drizzle and Toss

Drizzle the melted candy over your popcorn mix. Don’t worry about getting it perfect just do your best to coat the mix evenly.

While everything is still warm and sticky, sprinkle the red and green sprinkles over the top. Then (gently!) toss the mix with your hands or a spatula to coat everything and help it all stick together.

Popcorn with red & green sprinkles on top

Step 7: Let It Set

Let the mix sit out for 10–15 minutes until the candy coating firms up. Then break it apart into chunks, and you’re good to go!

Tips

Let the candy cool just a bit before tossing if it’s too hot it’ll coat more evenly and not melt your M&Ms into little colorful puddles.
Don’t skip the tossing step. It’s tempting to just leave it all as is, but tossing helps everything stick together just enough to make it snackable without falling apart.
Make a double batch. Trust me on this. It disappears fast especially if there are kids (or snack-loving adults) nearby.

Fun Add-Ins and Variations

This recipe is totally customizable, so feel free to mix things up based on what you’ve got on hand or what your family loves.

Mini marshmallows – because who doesn’t love a little gooey sweetness?
Crushed candy canes – for that minty, snowy vibe.
Dark chocolate drizzle – if you want to balance out the sweetness with a little richness.
Holiday-shaped sprinkles – trees, stars, or snowflakes add a fun little touch.

How to Store It

Store your Christmas Popcorn in an airtight container or zip-top bag. It’ll stay fresh for up to a week though I promise it won’t last that long.

Planning ahead? You can even make it a couple of days in advance and store it in cute little jars or tins for gifting. I love handing these out to neighbors, teachers, and delivery drivers just a little something to say “thank you” during the season.

Perfect for All the Holiday Moments

What I love most about this popcorn (besides the fact that it tastes amazing) is that it fits every holiday moment:

Movie night with the family – Elf, popcorn, pajamas? Count me in.
Classroom parties – It’s nut-free and easy to portion into little bags.
Holiday road trips – The perfect snack for keeping the backseat calm for five minutes.
Gift exchanges – Add a cute tag and boom, you’re the festive MVP.

Simple, Sweet, and So Festive

So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or stretched a little too thin (hello, holiday season), remember this recipe. It’s quick, it’s fun, and it brings a little sparkle to even the most chaotic day.

Check Out More Christmas Snacks

Christmas Popcorn

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Ingredients

6 cups popcorn already popped
½ cup white candy wafers
¼ cup M&Ms green and red
1.5 oz pretzels
½ tsp red sprinkles
½ tsp green sprinkles

Instructions

On a baking tray, lay out the popped popcorn.
Then break up half of the pretzels and spread both the broken and whole pieces of pretzel over the popcorn.
Spread out the M&Ms over the popcorn.
Melt the candy wafers in the microwave in increments of 30 seconds, until its melted and liquid.
Spread the melted candy wafers over the popcorn mix.
Then add the sprinkles to the popcorn mix and toss everything to make sure the ingredients stick to each other.

Christmas Popcorn