Grinch Popcorn Recipe (Christmas Snack Mix)

Grinch Popcorn is a light and salty popcorn that will satisfy your cravings during this time of year. The best part? You can make it in under 5 minutes!

A box of grinch popcorn topped with green and red M&M's and marshmallows.

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Christmas is coming! It’s time to get in the holiday spirit. One of our favorite Christmas movies is How The Grinch Stole Christmas movie night with hot cocoa and popcorn. However, this Christmas Eve, we are taking it up a notch by making yummy Grinch Popcorn as the perfect snack for the Grinch movie.

Table of Contents

Why You Should Make This Christmas Popcorn Recipe

Sweet and Salty – This popcorn is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. It’s a great snack to have while watching your favorite Christmas movie.
Fast and Easy – This recipe only takes 5 minutes to make, so it’s a great last minute snack.
No oven required – You don’t need to turn on your oven to make this popcorn, which is great for those days when it’s cold outside.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this Grinch Cookies recipe.

Ingredients For Grinch Popcorn

Butter, green food coloring, mini marshmallows, popcorn, and red and green M&M's sitting on the countertop.

Microwave popcorn: Not only a convenient, easy snack, but microwave popcorn also serves as the base for our festive treat, adding a satisfying crunch and a comforting, toasty flavor.
Butter: This classic ingredient adds a rich, creamy dimension to our recipe, helping to bind the other elements together and enhancing the overall taste.
Mini marshmallows: These sweet, fluffy bites work as both a binder and a source of sugary contrast to the savory popcorn. We divide them to ensure their presence throughout the mix.
Green food coloring: A drop or two lends our perfect treat a vibrant, festive hue, making it visually enticing and perfect for the holiday season.
Red and Green M&M’s: These candy-coated chocolates not only add a burst of color but also bring in an additional layer of sweet and chocolatey flavor. Their crunchy shell complements the popcorn perfectly.

Substitutions and Variations

Chocolate Chips – chocolate chips can be used in place of M&Ms.
Sprinkles – Add in your favorite Christmas sprinkles for a festive touch. Little red heart sprinkles add a little Grinch love to this popcorn mixture.
Salt – If you’d prefer regular popcorn instead of sweet Grinch popcorn, add salt to the melted butter before adding in the marshmallows.
White Chocolate Chips – substitute white chocolate chips for M&M’s for different flavored Grinch treats.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

How To Make Grinch Popcorn

Collage of mixing the ingredients for Grinch popcorn.

Prepare a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet.
Microwave one bag of popcorn for 2 minutes. Stop when popping slows. Remove from the microwave and remove un-popped kernels.
Melt the butter in a microwave-safe large bowl. Add 3 cups of mini marshmallows to the melted butter. Stir with a wooden spoon until fully melted. (Photos 1 & 2)
Mix in 1-3 drops of food coloring to the melted marshmallows. Stir until the color is uniform. (Photo 3)
Pour most of the marshmallow mix over the popped popcorn. Mix until popcorn is coated. (Photo 4)

Spread coated popcorn on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining marshmallow mix over the popcorn. Add M&Ms immediately. (Photo 5)
Let the popcorn cool. Then, break it into pieces for serving. (Photo 6)

Grinch theme popcorn topped with red and green M&M’s and marshmallows.

Expert Tips

For the best results, allow the marshmallow mixture to cool slightly before adding it to the popcorn. If it is too hot, you will have trouble mixing in the marshmallows.
Let the kids add the marshmallows and M&M’s if they want to help in the kitchen.
For an even sweeter popcorn, you can use kettle corn microwave popcorn.
If you want a festive look, use red and green food coloring to make the Grinch popcorn.

Storing Tips

Leftover popcorn will stay fresh for a few days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

What To Serve With Grinch Popcorn

Grinch Popcorn is a fantastic, delicious snack that pairs well with a variety of holiday beverages and treats. For a warm, comforting beverage, consider serving it alongside hot cocoa or a spiced apple cider. Both drinks complement the sweet-and-salty flavors of the popcorn.

If you’re hosting a fun Christmas movie night, pair this popcorn with other festive snacks such as gingerbread cookies, chocolate-covered pretzels, or candy canes. For a more adult gathering, consider pairing a Grinch snack mix with a festive cocktail, such as a peppermint martini or a mulled wine.

A box of Grinch Popcorn spilled on the white table.

Grinch Popcorn Recipe FAQs

Can I use regular popcorn instead of microwave popcorn?

Yes, you can use regular homemade popcorn in this recipe. However, you may need to adjust the amount of butter and marshmallows depending on how much popcorn you use.

What type of food coloring should I use?

You can use any type of food coloring. However, keep in mind that food coloring gel gives the most vibrant colors.

Do I have to use M&M’s?

You can leave out the M&Ms or substitute them for any other candy that you like. Try using holiday-themed candy-like peppermint, red M&Ms, or candy canes.

More Christmas Recipes You May Enjoy

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Box of green popcorn with marshmallows and green and red M&Ms.

4.54 from 15 votes