My Grandma’s Candy Popcorn is a must-make every Christmas! It’s fun and colorful and the kids love it 🙂 Choose any colors to switch things up for game day, a birthday party or any other holiday. SO easy! Includes a step by step recipe video.
This post has been updated from November 3, 2015
I’m going to be completely honest.
As soon as September rolls around, I’m waiting for Christmas.
It’s not that I want to rush the snow, or the cold, or the snowsuits and icy roads. But I think Christmas is my favorite time of year.
I feel like such a child saying that, you know? I promise you it’s not all about the Lego waiting under the tree. It’s just that there’s nothing else we prepare for so far in advance. By the middle of November, for sure, I’ve got the Christmas tree and decorations up and am well into my Christmas shopping.
I love buying, wrapping and giving gifts.
I love a holiday that requires weeks of baking in advance (No Bake Christmas Trees or Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies anyone?).
I love the lights, the first snowflakes, and s’mores over the fire (inside!).
This is my Grandma’s Candy Popcorn recipe, and it’s one I’m sure I’ve eaten every Christmas since childhood except the last.
Since my Grandma passed away last November, I find myself becoming more emotionally attached to family recipes.
For some people, maybe that’s strange. But for you fellow food lovers, maybe you can see the significance of cooking or baking the same things that your parents and grandparents made years — or decades — earlier. I hope to store up a good number of them here!
A simple air popper and a few other basic ingredients are all you need to make this fun treat that I promise the adults will love as much as the kiddos 😉
This recipe is really simple, and can easily be customized. You could add flavored extracts if you wanted, change up the colors for any birthday, game day, or holiday, or mix in things like sprinkles, nuts, candies, etc. The options are endless!
Grandma’s Candy Popcorn
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups popcorn kernels popped (about 25 cups popped popcorn)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon food coloring
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place popcorn in a large bowl (you’ll need room to stir the candy mixture in!)
- In a medium pot over medium-high heat, bring sugar, water, and butter to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and boil, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Stir in food coloring and salt and pour over popcorn, stirring to coat (make sure you work quickly!). Spread on baking sheets lined with wax paper and let dry for 1-2 hours until no longer sticky.
- *This popcorn lasts a long time at room temperature in an air tight container! It’ll be good for at least 1-2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Amanda says
I was so worried about trying this recipe, I ended up procrastinating until the last minute! 🫣 Shouldn’t have worried, it came out PERFECT!! I needed orange “sticky splat” popcorn for a PJ Masks birthday party… this was PERFECT!! Not TOO sweet, but definitely not bland. I cut the recipe into thirds at first in case it didn’t work out, but it was exactly right! Thank you so much for this great recipe!
BILLIONAIRE GODDESS says
THANK YOU ASHLEY FOR SHARING, I’VE BEEN TASTING SINCE I STARTED MAKING THE COATING. IT’ INCREDIBLE. MADE IT FOR MY SISTER IN LAW’S BABY SHOWER TOMORROW.
I’M SUPER EXCITED
The Recipe Rebel says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Delanna Ellis-Gayles says
Can I add loran flavoring to this? If so at what step do I add it?
Thanks,
Delanna
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Delanna! I haven’t tried using those flavorings before so you would be experimenting. If you decide to try it out, let me know how it goes!
Courtney Sambor says
i agree with you
Emely Pellerano says
I just made this recipe for my daughter’s 4th birthday party. Huge success!!! I made them 3 days in advanced, bag them and they were still crispy and delicious🤤 Thank you for sharing Ashley!!💖
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad!
Tanya Scott says
I have tried this several times now and I can’t keep it from crystalizing. It doesn’t turn out like a clear hard candy coating. Its like a soft cloudy crystal sugar. Any suggestions??
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Tanya! I’m sorry that is happening. Does the sugar dissolve fine but it looks cloudy? I would try putting it on the popcorn and see what happens. The sugar shouldn’t have any problem dissolving if it is boiling for 3 minutes.
Joelene says
Dont add the salt until after it is boiled. It crystalized the first time i did it too and realized i added the salt first. Second batch i did it right
Kassandra says
I also use 1/2 cup of kero syrup I had that problem to. I alo let it boil to you see the Bible’s I use different type of flavor as well. Then I let is stay in the oven it it not soft no more it help me a lot. I hope this help.
Carol A says
I want to try and make it a vegan recipe. Would it make a big difference if I didnʻt add the butter?
Ashley Fehr says
I think it would be fine!
Kassandra says
They have vegan butter and vegan recipes
Patricia Elizabeth Donoflio says
Best recipe around! No corn syrup needed!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Patricia!
Cleo Adams says
Hi, can I use a banana simple syrup for flavoring. If so how much should I be using?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Cleo! I’m sorry, I have only made the recipe as written
AJ In PNW says
I have not made this recipe however, I am going to make it. I suggest if you want a banana flavor use LorAnn candy flavor banana it will come in a very small dram and I would use the Whole Dram. These flavors are very strong so the Whole dram on this recipe should be enough. Once you start using LorAnn candy flavors the popcorn world if your Oster 😀 Endless possibilities 😀
Kassandra says
I use different flavor.
crystal says
Hello! I am trying this. I have had an issue with baking and the butter tainting the color of my gel pastes. Does this recipe not require karo?
Ashley Fehr says
The only ingredients and steps required are those listed in the recipe.
cris says
LOVE your recipes! Of course we relate on the Emotional aspect of making our loved ones recipes. This past Thanksgiving hit me like a brick. Even though my Mom passed at an early age in 1999… Thanksgiving was ALWAYS at our House growing up. My Mom had her ” Famous stuffing ” recipe. One that was never written down…( like her baked mac & cheese lol) I have it in my head. She didn’t really like to cook or bake ( that was my department growing up) There wasn’t anything unusual in her stuffing. Just the fact that she made it every year for everyone in our Family made it special. My Mom tried to tell my cousin one year HOW SHE MADE IT…But she never measured anything! Needless to say my cousin thought she’d left something out of the recipe lol
That’s what makes me sentimental & emotional. Knowing I have the recipe in my head. I’m going to have to make it & write everything down. Although my Mom made things harder on herself that I would have changed…but she was like that. She never knew how to cook & make everything be done at once. That was my job at age 8 & up.
Thank you for your recipes. Have to look for my Air Popper for my Popcorn again. Sorry about your Grandmother. Just remember when you are cooking or baking one of her recipes, she is right there with you. ?
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Cris! Those recipes are always the most special ones!
NK Wilson says
I am thinking about making your Grandma’s Candy Popcorn. I did not see any corn syrup in this recipe. Did it get left out? When adding a flavoring how much do you add?
Ashley Fehr says
Nope. It did not get left out 🙂 I would add 1/2-1 teaspoon
cris says
merry crismis
Nancy says
You make mention of using extracts. No mention when and how much to use. Can flavor oils be used such as cinnamon and strawberry. How much. Would like to make flavored popcorn without sugar or sweeteners of any kind.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Nancy! I’m afraid this is not the recipe you want then because this recipe is made with sugar.
Kassandra says
I use different flavors I alo use 1/2 cup of kero syrups
Shelly Freeman says
can you 1/2 the recipe
Ashley Fehr says
yes, definitely!
Winny says
Hi, love this recipe. Tried it a few times. Very tasty and everyone loves it; but the popcorns shrivel and become small when mixed with the sugar, butter and water mixture. Would appreciate your suggestions please
Ashley Fehr says
I’ve never had that happen! Are you using air popped popcorn or from a bag? I always use air popped popcorn and haven’t had any issues
Janelle says
This keeps happening to me too. The popcorn gets too wet & shriveled up. I am using air popped. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. Maybe I cooked the syrup longer than 3 mins?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Janelle! I’m not sure what could be happening as it has never happened to me. It sounds like the syrup isn’t thick enough, as it should be pretty thick and sticky when it goes on.
Anita Sokolowski says
LOVE your recipes! Of course we relate on the Emotional aspect of making our loved ones recipes. This past Thanksgiving hit me like a brick. Even though my Mom passed at an early age in 1999… Thanksgiving was ALWAYS at our House growing up. My Mom had her ” Famous stuffing ” recipe. One that was never written down…( like her baked mac & cheese lol) I have it in my head. She didn’t really like to cook or bake ( that was my department growing up) There wasn’t anything unusual in her stuffing. Just the fact that she made it every year for everyone in our Family made it special. My Mom tried to tell my cousin one year HOW SHE MADE IT…But she never measured anything! Needless to say my cousin thought she’d left something out of the recipe lol
That’s what makes me sentimental & emotional. Knowing I have the recipe in my head. I’m going to have to make it & write everything down. Although my Mom made things harder on herself that I would have changed…but she was like that. She never knew how to cook & make everything be done at once. That was my job at age 8 & up.
Thank you for your recipes. Have to look for my Air Popper for my Popcorn again. Sorry about your Grandmother. Just remember when you are cooking or baking one of her recipes, she is right there with you. ?
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you so much! It is definitely something I think of often!
Cyndy says
Just made this in Easter colours for our huge Easter egg hunt for about 25 kids coming to our acreage tomorrow. I am mixing it with plain popcorn so that it’s a little more fun and they can eat a lot More without a sugar overload.
Thanks for the recipe. This one is a keeper..
Ashley Fehr says
I love that idea! Thanks Cyndy!
Patti says
This is delicious….tastes like a popcorn ball. I was worried about it really drying and not being sticky, but it was perfect and crisp in about 30 minutes!
Danielle says
YUM! I know how you feel about the emotional aspect of family recipes. It’s too bad my mom is not good at writing hers down. I also look forward to Christmas most years (I’ve had a little trouble getting in the spirit this year). I live in San Diego, so sometimes it’s hard when it’s still 80 degrees out…
My favorite Christmas treat has to be my mom’s butter crunch (toffee). Anyways, this popcorn looks delcious – perfect for gifts!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Danielle!
francia says
Omg l dint mines it was so delicious my aunt like so much thank for the recipes.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Francia! SO glad you liked it!
Natiesha says
I just tried this recipe and it’s easy and tastes good. My husband helped with the pouring of the sugar mixture. Thanks for sharing.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks Natiesha!