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This playful green popcorn treat gets my whole family excited during our Christmas movie marathons. Every kernel comes wrapped in a sticky-sweet marshmallow blanket dyed that perfect Grinch green, with bright red M&Ms scattered throughout adding festive flair. You can't resist the way the salty and sweet flavors come together.
The Charm Behind This Festive Popcorn
What makes this snack fantastic is the perfect match between crunchy popcorn and soft, gooey marshmallow coating. I love how quickly it comes together even during the crazy holiday season. Everyone grins when they see that bright green color, and hands keep dipping back in for that addictive sweet-salty mix.
What You'll Need for Grinch Popcorn
- Popcorn: Grab 10 cups of freshly popped corn and don't forget to remove any hard unpopped bits.
- Butter: Only 3 tablespoons needed to help our marshmallow coating flow smoothly.
- Mini Marshmallows: You'll want 3 cups to create that sweet sticky layer.
- Food Coloring: Blend some yellow with a touch of blue for our iconic Grinch shade.
- Red M&M's: They symbolize the growing heart of our favorite green grump.
- Salt: This tiny addition brings out all the wonderful flavors.
How To Make It
- Get Your Popcorn Ready
- Pop enough corn to fill 10 cups, taking time to pull out those stubborn unpopped kernels. Sprinkle with salt while warm.
- Create Your Green Coating
- In a pot over medium heat, melt your butter completely before adding the mini marshmallows, stirring until they turn completely smooth.
- Add The Grinchy Color
- Drop in yellow coloring first, then carefully add tiny amounts of blue until you nail that perfect Grinch green shade.
- Mix Everything Together
- Drizzle your green marshmallow mix over the waiting popcorn, folding carefully so each piece gets covered.
- Throw On The Extras
- Lay everything on a parchment-lined tray and quickly scatter M&Ms and additional marshmallows while the coating's still tacky.
- Let It Set
- Allow everything to cool completely, then break into smaller chunks. Any extras will stay good for a couple days in an airtight container.
Pro Tricks
Always salt your popcorn right when it's hot out of the popper. Want more crunch? Go lighter on the marshmallow mix. Prefer it extra gooey? Pour on more coating. Just work fast with those toppings before everything hardens up.
Switch Things Up
Try tossing in some smashed candy canes or swirling white chocolate on top. Holiday sprinkles add wonderful sparkle too. You can even swap colors for different events—my kids jump for joy when I make blue or purple batches for their birthday parties.
Storage Tips
This treat tastes amazing when fresh but will stay good for a few days if kept in something airtight. The marshmallow might make it a bit tougher as time passes, but nobody ever seems to mind.
Crowd Pleaser
Whenever this shows up at holiday get-togethers, it vanishes faster than anything else. The eye-catching green grabs attention right away, and that mix of sweet and salty keeps everyone munching. It's become what people expect me to bring to every Christmas party.
Family Cooking Fun
I truly love making this with my kids. They have a blast popping corn and get so excited placing those red M&Ms just right. It's turned into one of our cherished holiday rituals that they look forward to every December.
Perfect For Movie Watching
There's nothing better than snuggling up with a huge bowl of this while enjoying holiday films. It feels extra special when we're watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas—the kids always laugh about munching on green popcorn during the show.
What Makes It Special
There's something truly wonderful about how this simple snack brings so much happiness. It blends familiar tastes with holiday cheer in the best way. Each batch we make captures moments of family togetherness, warm evenings at home, and holiday traditions in the making.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s the trick to getting Grinch green?
Start with yellow food coloring, then slowly mix in blue until you hit that iconic green hue.
- → Can it be prepped ahead of time?
Totally! Keep it in a sealed container and aim to enjoy it in the next day or two for the best crunch and taste.
- → Which type of popcorn is best?
Go for plain popcorn, whether popped with air or a tiny bit of oil. Skip buttery microwave varieties.
- → Why decorate while still warm?
It’s easier for marshmallows and M&Ms to stick when the coating hasn’t cooled down yet.
- → Can I swap the candies?
Sure, red M&Ms are traditional, but feel free to mix in other red or festive candy options.