This Firecracker Popcorn recipe is an easy and delicious treat to make for any of the patriotic summer holidays. Always a crowd pleaser, it’s made with freshly popped popcorn coated in melted white chocolate and decorated with fun and festive candies and chocolate drizzle.
Pop Rocks are a perfect candy to use because they act like little mini firecrackers in your mouth! Red white and blue sprinkles and mini M&Ms are also a great way to push the 4th of July theme. And, if you’re looking for more of the best Red, White, and Blue recipes, we’ve got you covered.
Firecracker Popcorn
If you’re looking for something different to bring to your next Memorial Day or Fourth of July party, give this firecracker popcorn a try. It’s made from crisp freshly popped popcorn that’s been lightly coated in white chocolate and decorated in fun red, white, and blue candies like retro Pop Rocks and M&Ms.
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Finished with a little red and blue chocolate drizzle and your favorite sprinkles, this easy treat is destined to stand out in the crowd. Feel free to use microwave popcorn, switch up the candies, or even add extras like mini pretzels or peanuts.
And if you’re looking for more popcorn recipes, you’ve gotta try this Poppycock Recipe. It’s a caramel popcorn recipe with a nutty twist. Or some other popcorn classics are our famous Caramel Popcorn, Marshmallow Popcorn, or our fall Snack Mix.
Key Ingredients
- Popcorn – I like to use either yellow or white air-popped popcorn best. It stays nice and crisp and has no other ingredients added to it, so you can flavor it exactly how you want. You can, of course, use microwave popcorn if you want but just keep in mind it will have added salt, butter, and other ingredients.
- Melting Chocolate – since this is meant to be patriotic popcorn, you’ll want to try and find red, white and blue melting chocolate wafers. You can usually find these in a craft store, or else you can find them online. White chocolate chips would work as a substitute for the white melting chocolate.
- M&M Candies – around Memorial Day, you can usually begin to find red, white, and blue candies.
- Pop Rocks Candy – unless you have an amazing candy store in your area, your best bet at finding Pop Rocks is online. They are a super fun addition to this popcorn.
- Sprinkles – these days, there are so many sprinkles options, so just use your favorite kinds. You can use red, white, and blue or maybe even find stars or other Fourth of July-themed sprinkles.
How to Make Firecracker Popcorn
- Pop your popcorn. Pop enough popcorn to make about 10 cups, removing the unpopped popcorn kernels. Transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool.
- Melt chocolates. While the popcorn cools, melt the white, red, and blue chocolate wafer melts in separate microwave-safe bowls. Heat on high for about 30 seconds at a time, stirring between until completely melted and smooth.
- Coat the popcorn in melted white chocolate. Drizzle the melted white chocolate onto the popcorn, stirring gently until the popcorn is evenly coated. Spread the white chocolate-coated popcorn onto your prepared baking sheet.
- Add the rest of the candy and chocolates. Sprinkle the pop rocks onto the popcorn, mixing gently with your hands to spread evenly. Next, use a fork or spoon to drizzle the melted red and blue chocolates onto the popcorn. Finally, add the M&Ms and the sprinkles.
- Cool. Place the popcorn in a cool place and allow it to set completely, then break it apart gently using your hands.
- Serve. Serve in a large bowl or in small single-serve cups. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Here are a few simple variations to try during the next patriotic holiday:
- Add marshmallows
- Turn into popcorn balls (see below)
- Add mini pretzels and/or peanuts
- Use microwave kettle corn
Frequently Asked Questions
My personal favorite popcorn to use for Firecracker Popcorn is air-popped popcorn. I feel like it holds up best, and it doesn’t have any added flavors or seasoning. If you prefer microwave popcorn, by all means, use that! In fact, sweet and salty kettle corn would taste great with the added chocolate and candies.
As long as you store your Firecracker Popcorn in an airtight container in a cool place at room temperature, it should stay fresh for at least 2 days. After that, the popcorn will start to become stale.
Sure! Just melt about ¼ cup of salted butter in a saucepan, then add about 4 cups of mini marshmallows. Stir over medium-low heat until almost completely melted, then add the white chocolate and mix until melted. Stir this into the popped popcorn, mixing until evenly coated. Form into small balls, then drizzle with the red and blue melted chocolates and decorate as desired.
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: store in an airtight container in a cool dark place for up to 2 days.
Firecracker Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 cups air popped popcorn
- 1 cup white chocolate wafers
- 1/3 cup red chocolate wafers
- 1/3 cup blue chocolate wafers
- 6 packages Pop Rocks Candy, red or blue
- 1/2 cup M&Ms, red, white and blue mix
- 2 tablespoons sprinkles, red, white, and blue
Instructions
- Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pop enough popcorn to make about 10 cups, removing the unpopped popcorn kernels. Transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool.
- While the popcorn cools, melt the white, red, and blue chocolate wafer melts in separate microwave-safe bowls. Heat on high for about 30 seconds at a time, stirring between until completely melted and smooth.
- Drizzle the melted white chocolate onto the popcorn, stirring gently until the popcorn is evenly coated. Spread the white chocolate coated popcorn onto your prepared baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the Pop Rocks onto the popcorn, mixing gently with your hands to spread evenly. Next, use a fork or spoon to drizzle the melted red and blue chocolates onto the popcorn. Finally, add the M&Ms and the sprinkles before the chocolate sets up.
- Place the popcorn in a cool place and allow it to set completely, then break apart gently using your hands. Serve in a large bowl, or in small single-serve cups. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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More of The Best 4th of July Recipes
- Berry Trifle
- Mini Veggie Cups
- BLT Dip
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Grilled California Chicken
- Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
- Lemon Rosemary Chicken Kabobs
- Cherry Pie
- Apple Pie
- Strawberry Virgin Pina Colada
- Mint Lemonade
- More Summer Recipes
- More Easy Desserts
This Firecracker Popcorn is a great recipe to make if you are looking for something different to bring to your next patriotic holiday get together. It’s made from crisp, freshly popped popcorn that’s been lightly coated in white chocolate and decorated in fun red, white, and blue candies like retro Pop Rocks and M&Ms.
Categories:
4th of July, Desserts, Flavored Popcorn, Gluten-Free, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Summer Recipes, Vegetarian,
