17 Easy Sweet Popcorn Recipes

What better way to style up some popcorn than with something sweet? Covered in cake batter or peanut butter, or caramel, sweet popcorn makes for a great treat. It’s also easy to make and versatile! You can make nearly any kind of treat with popcorn.

Maybe it’s the idea that popcorn is somewhat of a healthy snack that makes it so loveable.

Of course, smother it with homemade caramel and chocolate sauce, and it’s a lot less healthy – and tastier!

Maybe we love popcorn so much because it is crunchy. Who doesn’t love a good, crunchy snack? Perhaps we love popcorn because it’s a blank canvas that supports oh so many different flavors.

Sweet and gooey, crunchy and caramelized, battered and salted – the options for sweet popcorn are endless.

Choose between butterscotch or birthday cake flavors, traditional kettle corn, or popcorn with pretzels, nuts, and more.

Below are 17 easy sweet popcorn recipes for popcorn desserts that turn into family favorites.

1. Birthday Cake Popcorn

This sweet, gooey, cake-battered popcorn is a party in a bowl! Are you looking for a unique and whimsical twist for your next movie night or party?

This is an easy idea for a special treat. Birthday Cake Popcorn is covered in white cake mix and rolled in melted marshmallows and sprinkles.

It’s a twist on a traditional cake that brings out the kid in everyone.

Take it to the next level by using a Party Cake Mix instead of a white cake mix to double the sprinkles!

Tips & Tricks

• This treat is sticky and gooey, so we suggest you serve it in individual bowls or as popcorn balls.
• Use plain or lightly salted popcorn for this recipe and pop the corn yourself. Avoid using pre-popped or heavily buttered popcorn.
• Use dry cake mix
• Leftovers store at room temperature in an airtight container for about 2 days, so plan to make this treat fairly close to the day you’ll be serving.
• Make this recipe vegan by using dairy-free butter, nut milk, and vegan marshmallows

2. Snickers Popcorn

This is peanut butter and chocolate dream! Crispy popcorn clumped together with chocolate almond bark and peanut butter.

There are even bits of Snickers Bites sprinkled in the mix. Are you looking for the perfect sweet and salty after-school snack?

Need crispy finger food for your next party? This crowd-pleaser is great as a light snack or dessert and is a super cute gift wrapped up with a ribbon.

Feeling adventurous? Swap the Snickers Bites for a slicedSalted Nut Roll and bring out the peanut butter flavors.

Tips & Tricks

• Air-popped popcorn is the best to use for this recipe
• Be sure to have all your steps ready to go before you start. Once the Peanut butter mixture is ready to pour, you have to act fast!
• Use a spoon for the chocolate drizzle and give yourself plenty of room for the chocolate drizzling action!
• You do have to let Snickers Popcorn set overnight to make it extra crispy.
• Make it vegan by using dairy-free chocolate chips and chocolate bars.

3. Marshmallow-Caramel Popcorn

Need an easy, quick-to-make treat? This sweet popcorn recipe has only three ingredients and is simple to make.

You pour caramel sauce over mini-marshmallows and popcorn, stir and eat.

This recipe also lets you flex your caramel-making skills but is forgiving enough that the caramel doesn’t have to be perfect.

Tips & Tricks

• Use a candy thermometer to measure the temperature while making your caramel
• The marshmallows melt very quickly; continued stirring will help evenly coat the popcorn
• This popcorn stays soft and is way better when eaten fresh, gooey, and straight off the stove
• Use fresh, air-popped popcorn for the best texture
• Make it vegan by using dairy-free marshmallows and dairy-free butter

4. White chocolate Cookie Butter Popcorn

Cookie butter is slightly less rich than peanut butter. Many people spread it on cakes or cookies, and it’s known as an alternative to nut butter or chocolate spreads.

It’s also great as a sweet popcorn topping, especially when it’s combined with white chocolate.

This easy popcorn idea needs only three ingredients, is super simple to make, and is a sweet addition to any evening!

Tips & Tricks

• Microwave popcorn will work, but air-popped is better.
• Allow popcorn to cool before coating with cookie butter mixture.
• Remember the parchment paper. It saves a lot of clean-up time!
• Add a drop of toffee or almond flavoring to the cookie butter mixture for an even deeper flavor.
• This can easily be made vegan by ensuring your chocolate chips and cookie butter are dairy-free.

5. Caramel Corn

Do you like popcorn that is lightly coated in caramel, or do you want it drenched in the sweet, crunchy treat?

If you like to coat each piece of popcorn thoroughly, this recipe is for you.

The homemade caramel sauce is enough to make a caramel corn dream in a bowl or popcorn balls.

It strikes a balance between sweet and salty, crunchy and easy-to-eat. This traditional caramel corn idea is easy to make and will make your whole house smell amazing!

Tips & Tricks

• Use fresh, air-popped popcorn and avoid microwave popcorns.
• You can double the caramel recipe if you want more caramel and use the rest for other treats.
• Work fast once you’ve started pouring the caramel sauce over the popcorn.
• Once the caramel has hardened, this recipe will store for several days in an airtight container.
• Make it vegan by using dairy-free butter

6. Oreo Popcorn

This sweet treat is so easy to make and is always a hit with the kids!

Making Oreo Popcorn is a great family activity that involves only three main steps – crush up Oreo cookies, melt white chocolate chips, and pour the mixture over popcorn.

It’s got a fun, festive look and, with a combination of sweet white chocolate and crunchy Oreos, you won’t be able to stop eating it.

Tips & Tricks

• Use fresh, air-popped popcorn or stovetop popcorn.
• Separate the unpopped kernels from the bowl before adding the other ingredients.
• You can also crush the Oreo cookies by putting them in a plastic bag and rolling over them with a rolling pin.
• Don’t zap your chocolate for too long in the microwave. It will caramelize.

7. Grandma’s Candy Popcorn

This sweet popcorn is all about the colors! It’s lightly sweetened with sugar and butter and lightly salted, with a slight crunch.

What makes this recipe pop, though, is the use of food coloring. Before you cover the popcorn in a sweet coating, you dye it with food coloring – any color you choose.

Customize this easy popcorn idea for different kinds of parties, holidays, and gatherings.

Add a secret ingredient to the mix like M&M’s, sprinkles, or Red Hots, and you’ll have people asking you for the recipe!!

Tips & Tricks

• This popcorn will be good for 1-2 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Work quickly to coat the popcorn but allow plenty of time for it to dry.
• Have different bowls ready for different colors of popcorn.
• Make it vegan by using dairy-free butter.

8. Sweet and Salty Marshmallow Popcorn

This sweet and salty popcorn recipe is easy to make and fun to eat!

It’s a combination of M&M’s, pretzels, and popcorn, all coated in a brown sugar and marshmallow sauce.

The popcorn stays soft, creating a gooey, sticky treat. Stir in nuts or chocolate chips for an added twist!

Tips & Tricks

• The mixture will be sticky so pour it as evenly as you can on the first try.
• You might have to add more salt to taste.
• Stores for up to a week in an airtight container.
• Stir constantly while heating the coating mixture to avoid burning.

9. Moose Crunch (Munch) Caramel Corn

This sticky, gooey sweet popcorn recipe is coated in a homemade brown sugar caramel sauce and drizzled with a heavy amount of chocolate.

It’s a rich and decadent treat that has a hint of salt, a bit of a crunch, and it’s easy to eat.

Sprinkle crushed walnuts onto the caramel-covered popcorn before drizzling on the melted chocolate for a twist on the recipe.

Tips & Tricks

• Air-popped, microwave, and stove-top popcorn work in this recipe.
• Be sure to separate the unpopped kernels before coating them in caramel.
• Use a liberal amount of chocolate and drizzle on with a spoon.
• Let the popcorn cool completely before breaking it up into pieces.

10. Chocolate Covered Popcorn

What’s better than one type of chocolate drizzled over popcorn? Two kinds of chocolate drizzled over popcorn!

Sweet white chocolate meets dark chocolate for a sweet and salty combination.

This popcorn recipe is the best for chocolate lovers – it has five easy steps, it looks great at parties and as a gift, and it’s a perfect collision of sweet and salty.

For a festive twist, top with crushed candy canes, jolly ranchers, or sprinkles.

Tips & Tricks

• Melt your chocolate slowly, and don’t cook on full power.
• Add a tiny bit of butter or oil to the chocolate as it is melting.
• Coat the popcorn with as much chocolate as you like – you could completely cover if you want!
• Fresh popped or bagged popcorn works best for this recipe.

11. Kool-Aid Popcorn

Who doesn’t love a bright, sweet snack? This popcorn is the perfect centerpiece snack for any party. And, your color options are as limited as the Kool-Aid packets you can find.

It’s a vibrant way to display a smattering of popcorn flavors, and it is a fun project in the kitchen.

Add extra ingredients like M&M’s or other brightly colored candy to make your snack pop.

Tips & Tricks

• Be sure to remove all the unpopped kernels before you coat the popcorn.
• Be prepared for the baking soda and Kool-Aid mixture to foam up when combined.
• Coat as evenly as possible when pouring the coating the first time – it’s sticky!
• Spread the candied popcorn thinly out on the baking sheets to cool.

12. Sweet and Salty Caramel Popcorn Mix

This party snack is a bowl of crunchy delights that packs a flavorful punch.

Sweet and Salty Caramel Popcorn Mix is just what its name indicates – a mixture of Chex cereal, nuts, potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn, all smothered in caramel.

Add chocolate chips for an extra twist on this tasty treat.

Tips & Tricks

• Prep everything ahead of time, and this recipe is quick and easy to make!
• Avoid using thinly sliced potato chips as they’ll burn in the oven.
• Watch the popcorn while baking and stir halfway through. It’s easy to burn.
• Coat everything as evenly as possible and let it cool until it’s hardened completely.

13. Scotcheroos Popcorn

Butterscotch takes the spotlight in this sweet popcorn recipe! Scotcheroos Popcorn is a lovely, chewy snack made with peanut butter, butterscotch, and chocolate.

It is sweetened with honey and brown sugar and is a great go-to for any gathering or a movie night with the family.

Tips & Tricks

• Use a heat-proof bowl to mix the peanut butter mixture and the popcorn.
• Spread it out in thin, even layers on the baking sheets.
• Work fast when you are drizzling the chocolate as it hardens quickly.
• Be sure to remove those unpopped kernels!

14. Christmas Popcorn

This white chocolate-coated popcorn is sweetened with white cake mix and decorated with candy and sprinkles.

It is a perfect party favor or snack on the buffet table, a great treat for a movie night, and a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays in the kitchen.

Switch up the theme by changing the colors of candies and sprinkles you add to the popcorn mixture!

Tips & Tricks

• Want more of a crunch? Add some nuts!
• Mint it up with the addition of crushed peppermint candy canes.
• Be sure to add the cake mix in dry.
• It Will last 1-2 weeks in an airtight container.

15. Cookies and Cream Popcorn

Who doesn’t love Oreo cookies and milk? Well, take it to the next level with this popcorn dessert recipe that combines white chocolate, cookies, and popcorn.

This is one of the best ideas for your kid’s next sleep-over, for movie nights or game days.

Tips & Tricks

• Add coconut oil to the chocolate to thin it if it’s getting too thick.
• Heat the chocolate on medium heat, avoid heating on high to avoid scorching.
• Crush the Oreo cookies with a rolling pin or use a food processor.
• Add some peppermint flavoring or crushed candy canes to give the popcorn an extra twist.

16. Kettle Corn

This traditional kettle corn recipe is sweet and salty, and easy to make.

It is crunchy and lightly flavored, has only four ingredients, and is the perfect addition to movie night! It’s also a great daytime snack, party snack and is an easy homemade gift idea.

Tips & Tricks

• Use fresh, air-popped, or stove-top popcorn.
• Combine the rest of the ingredients while the popcorn is still warm to help with coating.
• Salt and sugar to taste.
• Stir well as the salt and sugar can migrate to the bottom of the bowl.

17. Caramel Popcorn Recipe

This sweet and salty combination of popcorn and caramel is traditional, tasty, and easy to make.

Who doesn’t love a good caramel recipe, one that fills your whole house with the smells of baking and autumn?

This recipe is a perfect standard for caramel popcorn and can be tailored to your taste.

If you like your caramel softer, bake it for a shorter time and bake longer for harder, more crunchy caramel popcorn.