The Ultimate Peppermint Popcorn (Sweet & Salty Holiday Treat!)
Imagine the perfect holiday snack: big, fluffy tufts of popcorn, generously coated in creamy white chocolate, studded with glittering pieces of crushed peppermint candy, and finished with a surprising, sophisticated sprinkle of flaky sea salt. That, my friends, is the incredibly simple, utterly addictive magic of this Sweet-and-Savory Peppermint Popcorn. This is, without a doubt,…
Imagine the perfect holiday snack: big, fluffy tufts of popcorn, generously coated in creamy white chocolate, studded with glittering pieces of crushed peppermint candy, and finished with a surprising, sophisticated sprinkle of flaky sea salt. That, my friends, is the incredibly simple, utterly addictive magic of this Sweet-and-Savory Peppermint Popcorn. This is, without a doubt, the most crowd-pleasing and easiest festive snack you will make all season.
I promise you, there is no greater holiday flavor combination. The sweet, creamy white chocolate, the bright, cool crunch of peppermint, the airy popcorn, and that final hit of flaky salt create a perfect symphony of salty and sweet that is impossible to resist. It’s the perfect companion for a Christmas movie marathon and a stunning addition to any holiday spread.
Get ready to create the most talked-about snack of the season, a recipe so easy and delicious, you’ll be making it on repeat for every gathering and gift tin.
Why This Peppermint Popcorn is a Holiday Must-Have
You are going to be completely hooked on this simple and delicious recipe. It’s a holiday classic for a reason. Here’s why:
- The Perfect Salty, Sweet, and Minty Combo: This snack hits all the right notes—it’s sweet, salty, crunchy, creamy, and refreshingly minty all in one perfect bite.
- Incredibly Easy and No-Bake: If you can melt chocolate and stir, you can make this recipe! It’s a completely no-bake treat that comes together in minutes.
- A Fantastic Last-Minute Edible Gift: Packaged in a festive tin or a clear cellophane bag with a ribbon, this beautiful popcorn makes a wonderful and impressive homemade gift.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 5 minutes |
| Chill Time | 20 minutes |
| Total Time | 40 minutes |
| Servings | 12 cups |
| Calories | 210 kcal per 1 cup serving (estimated) |
| Course | Snack, Dessert |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / No-Bake |
Your Shopping List for This Festive Snack
This gourmet-tasting popcorn comes together with just a few simple ingredients.
→ For the Peppermint Popcorn
- 1 lb. white chocolate → Chopped, or use high-quality white chocolate chips for easy melting.
- 30 peppermint candies or candy canes → Crushed, which will give you about ¾ cup.
- 10 cups popped popcorn → From about ⅓ cup of kernels. Make sure it’s plain and unsalted!
- Flaky sea salt → This is the secret ingredient! Do not substitute with table salt. Maldon sea salt flakes are perfect.
Let’s Get Mixing! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready for the easiest, most addictive holiday snack ever? Let’s do this!
Part 1: The Peppermint White Chocolate Coating
- Prep Your Pans and Peppermints: Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Crush your peppermint candies by placing them in a sturdy zip-top bag and gently tapping them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a pan until you have a mix of fine dust and small chunks.
- Melt the White Chocolate: Place the chopped white chocolate in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each one, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. This should take about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the Peppermint: Stir ½ cup of the crushed peppermints into the melted white chocolate.
Part 2: Coat, Garnish, and Set
- Coat the Popcorn: Gently fold the 10 cups of popped popcorn into the peppermint-white chocolate mixture until every piece is generously coated.
- Spread and Garnish: Spoon the coated popcorn onto the prepared baking sheets and spread it out into a relatively even layer. Immediately sprinkle the top with the remaining ¼ cup of crushed peppermints and a generous pinch of flaky sea salt.
- Chill to Set: Place the baking sheets in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, or until the white chocolate is completely firm and set.
- Break and Serve: Once set, break the popcorn into clusters of your desired size. It’s ready to serve, gift, or store!
Sweet and Salty Peppermint Popcorn with White Chocolate
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Melt the white chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth (about 1 to 2 minutes).
- Stir 1/2 cup of the crushed peppermints into the melted white chocolate.
- Gently fold the popcorn into the chocolate mixture until it is well coated.
- Spoon the coated popcorn onto the prepared baking sheets in an even layer. Immediately sprinkle with a generous pinch of flaky sea salt and the remaining 1/4 cup of crushed peppermints.
- Refrigerate until the chocolate is completely set, about 20 minutes. Break into clusters and serve.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Popcorn
These simple secrets will ensure your festive popcorn is a huge success.
- Use Good Quality White Chocolate. Since it’s a primary flavor, the quality of your white chocolate really matters. Use a brand you enjoy eating on its own for the best, creamiest taste.
- Don’t Scorch the Chocolate. The key to melting chocolate in the microwave is short intervals and lots of stirring. The residual heat will continue to melt the chocolate as you stir, preventing it from getting too hot and seizing.
- Remove Un-popped Kernels. Before you start, give your bowl of popped popcorn a good shake and let any un-popped kernels fall to the bottom. No one wants to bite down on a hard kernel!
- Don’t Skip the Flaky Salt! This is not just a suggestion; it’s the secret to what makes this popcorn so incredibly addictive. The large flakes of sea salt provide the perfect savory counterpoint to the sweet chocolate and mint, elevating the entire flavor profile.
- Be Gentle When Folding. Popcorn is delicate! Use a large spatula and a gentle folding motion to coat the popcorn in the chocolate without crushing it all into tiny pieces.
Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Holiday Popcorn
This popcorn is perfect for making ahead for parties or as a delicious, homemade gift.
- Storage: Once the popcorn is fully set and broken into pieces, store it in an airtight container or a large zip-top bag. The recipe suggests refrigerating it for up to 3 days, which will keep the chocolate very firm. You can also store it at cool room temperature for a couple of days.
FAQs: Your Peppermint Popcorn Questions, Answered!
Can I make this with a different kind of chocolate?
Absolutely! This would be fantastic with semi-sweet or dark chocolate for a classic peppermint-bark flavor. A high-quality milk chocolate would also be delicious.
What’s the best way to crush the peppermint candies?
The easiest and cleanest way is to place unwrapped hard candies or candy canes in a heavy-duty zip-top bag. Seal it, getting most of the air out, and then use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or even the bottom of a heavy skillet to gently tap and crush them to your desired size.
Can I use microwave popcorn?
You can, but you must use a plain, unsalted, and unbuttered variety. The flavor of movie-theater-style butter will clash with the white chocolate and peppermint. Air-popped or plain stovetop popcorn is best.
Can I add other mix-ins?
Of course! Mini marshmallows, festive sprinkles, or even mini chocolate chips would be fun additions. You can stir them in at the very end when you add the final sprinkle of peppermint and salt.
Final Thoughts: Your Easiest, Most Addictive Holiday Snack
There is nothing more satisfying than creating a truly gourmet-tasting treat with minimal time and effort. This Sweet-and-Savory Peppermint Popcorn is the perfect example of a simple idea executed beautifully. It’s a festive explosion of flavor and texture that is guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday gathering. I hope it brings a little bit of sweet, salty, and minty joy to your celebrations. Happy Holidays!
