If you need a quick and easy snack mix, sweet and salty white chocolate covered popcorn comes together in five minutes and disappears just as fast! I made this Valentine’s snack mix as a gluten-free treat for my kids, but it’s easily adaptable for any holiday – Christmas, Halloween, and more. Generously coat the popcorn, M&M’s, peanuts, and mini marshmallows in creamy white chocolate and dig in!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get affordable and easy gluten-free recipes delivered each week!
White Chocolate Covered Popcorn – Holiday Snack Mix
This past weekend I dreamed up treat made of absolute sweet and salty heaven. In 5 minutes I was noshing on a Valentine snack mix – white chocolate coated popcorn with holiday M&Ms, fluffy bursts of marshmallows and crunchy peanuts, all fused together in bite-sized nuggets of bliss.
Of course I made my white chocolate popcorn as quick gluten-free snack mix, so I could enjoy it along my with my family. This is one of easy gluten-free dessert ideas where you don’t have to worry about buying any speciality ingredients. It’s all affordable and readily available!
Free Guide! Receive a Free Gluten Free Dinners Cookbook
TOP 5 Highest Rated Recipes!
So Many Sweet and Salty Possibilities
After creating this recipe I couldn’t help to think of all the other versions white chocolate popcorn can morph into. M&Ms come in a many varieties throughout the seasons, so this mix can be turned into a Christmas or Halloween-themed snack as well. It’s a great way to put those holiday sprinkles to use!
For a sweet GF snack mix, be sure to read ingredient labels. Other crunchy mix-ins could be added, such as pretzels or Cheerios, but you would have to use a GF product, if needed. Chex cereal, dried cranberries, yogurt covered raisins, or freeze-dried fruits would also work great. Aim to add about 4 cups of additional ingredients besides the popcorn.
You will need about 10 cups of popcorn for this recipe, which is one regular-size popped bag. I recommend using a popcorn that isn’t heavily buttered because the popcorn mix will stay longer. I used Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted. You can also use air-popped kernels, which would be about 1/3 cup.
Let’s Make This Together!
What’s the hardest thing about this recipe? It goes so fast! Before you begin make sure you have your sheet pan lined with parchment and sprinkles ready to go. Combine your mix ingredients in a large bowl before melting the white chocolate.
I use melted white chocolate chips to coat the popcorn, but you can also use melting wafers. If you use the wafers you will not need to add oil to the chocolate. The white chocolate baking chips melt rather thick, so adding a touch of oil helps smooth it out to cover the popcorn.
After the chocolate is melted, pour over the mix and toss to combine. Now is where you have to be fast! Transfer it to the baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with some more M&Ms and sprinkles. I like to melt a little more chocolate to drizzle over the top. This helps “stick” the sprinkles and M&Ms to the popcorn, but also makes nice, bark-like chunks of sweet and salty goodness!
Save this recipe to your pinterest board!
Let’s be friends on Pinterest! I’m always sharing great recipes!
Did you make this recipe? I love hearing from you! Leave a star rating and comment below the recipe card. It helps others when searching for recipes and I appreciate feedback from our community. You will always hear back from me! -Melissa
White Chocolate Popcorn Mix (Easy Holiday Snack)
Ingredients
- 1 bag microwave popcorn (10 cups popped), Orville Redendbacher's Naturals Simply Salted)
- 10 ounce bag M&Ms, divided
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup peanuts
- 24 ounces white chocolate chips (2 bags), read label for gluten-free
- 1 ½ teaspoon oil, coconut, canola, or vegetable
- optional sprinkles, read label for gluten-free
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. If you have food-safe disposable gloves, you may want to grab those to mix the white chocolate with popcorn.
- In a very large bowl, gently combine the popped popcorn, peanuts, marshmallows, and 1 cup M&Ms. Reserve the remaining M&Ms for after the chocolate is added.1 bag microwave popcorn (10 cups popped), 10 ounce bag M&Ms, 2 cups mini marshmallows, 1 cup peanuts
- In a microwave safe bowl add the chocolate chips and remove ¼ cup to set aside. Add the oil to the larger amount and microwave for 60-90 seconds, stopping every 15 seconds to stir until it is completely smooth.24 ounces white chocolate chips (2 bags), 1 ½ teaspoon oil
- Pour the chocolate over the popcorn mixture. Working quickly, because the chocolate hardens, gently stir or toss with your hands, until all ingredients are coated in white chocolate.
- Transfer to the prepared sheet pan and spread. Immediately add the sprinkles and remaining M&M’s.
- Add the reserved ¼ cup white chocolate to the same bowl you previously melted the chocolate in. Return to the microwave to melt, about 60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds. Use a small spoon to drizzle over the top of popcorn.
- Allow white chocolate to firm up and harden at room temperature about 10 minutes. Break into pieces or bite-sized nuggets.
Notes
Storing
Store in an airtight container up to 1 week. It may also be frozen for longer storage.This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.
Looks delicious!
We agree!