Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, heading to a neighborhood parade, or prepping for a fireworks party, this red white and blue popcorn snack mix is the festive, patriotic treat your celebration needs.
When it comes to planning 4th of July party food, ease and speed are the names of the game. You don’t want to spend your entire holiday stuck in the kitchen when the sun is out and the grill is hot! That’s why these easy red white and blue snacks are a total game-changer for busy hosts.
Candy popcorn with drizzles of chocolate and patriotic candy and sprinkles is one of those versatile red white and blue appetizers that works beautifully for 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, or any occasion where you want to show off your American spirit.
If you love to make red white and blue treats, you may also like these patriotic rice krispie bars, and this red white and blue chocolate bark.
Why You’ll Love This Red White And Blue Popcorn Recipe
Sweet-and-salty treat: This popcorn mix hits that addictive flavor profile everyone craves. By pairing salty popcorn with sweet candy melts and chocolate M&Ms, you create a satisfying crunch that appeals to both kids and adults alike.
Customizable: This patriotic snack is easily customizable. Throw in some mini marshmallows, mini pretzels, or chex cereal for a 4th of July snack for kids. Or switch up the melted chocolate colors for different holiday occasions, and you have an easy party appetizer that’s perfectly on theme every time.
Quick to make: With a 10-minute prep time and only 30 minutes total from start to finish, this recipe is a lifesaver for busy hosts. It’s the ultimate “low-effort, high-reward” party snack.
Ingredients
To make this patriotic popcorn you’ll need the following ingredients. I cover a few of the key ingredients here, you can find the specific quantities and steps in the recipe card below.
- Corn kernels: It’s so easy to make popcorn from scratch, but you can also use microwave popcorn, or ready made popcorn.
- Chocolate: The easiest way to achieve the vibrant red, white and blue chocolate is to buy colored candy melts.
- M&Ms: Buy holiday M&Ms for your occasion, or purchase single color chocolate candies and combine to use in your popcorn snack mix.
- Festive decorations: Use your favorite holiday sprinkles to decorate – stars, sprinkles, or nonpareils are all good options.
How To Make Patriotic Popcorn
Here’s a quick overview of how to make 4th of July popcorn. For the full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements needed, scroll down to the printable recipe card below.
Make the popcorn: Use your preferred method to make a batch of popcorn -on the stove, in the microwave, or using an Air Popper.
Chocolate: Melt your three colors in separate bowls and transfer each color into a piping bag or ziplock bag for decorating.
Drizzle: Spread the popcorn out on a large tray lined with baking paper. Using a back and forth motion, drizzle each melted chocolate color over a section of popcorn.
Decorate: While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle the M&Ms and sprinkles over the popcorn – ensuring they stick to the melted chocolate.
Set the tray aside for the candy popcorn mix to firm up.
Serve: Break the popcorn into bite size chunks and serve!
How To Store Candy Popcorn
This patriotic food idea is best enjoyed fresh, but you can keep leftovers in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
Serving Suggestions
Individual Party Favor Bags: Use clear cellophane bags tied with red and blue curling ribbon or twine. Add a small “Thank You” tag or a “Happy 4th” sticker to the front. These are great for guests to grab on their way out or for kids to take home after a party.
Patriotic Appetizer: Serve the popcorn in a large galvanized metal bucket or a white ceramic bowl lined with patriotic parchment paper. Place a small silver scoop in the bowl so guests can serve themselves into small paper cones or cupcake liners.
Fireworks Viewing Snack Packs: If you’re heading to a park or beach to watch the fireworks, you need something lightweight and mess-free. Portion the popcorn into small brown paper bags or reusable plastic containers with lids.
Fun Dessert Garnish: Use this popcorn mix as a topping. Set out a bowl of vanilla ice cream and let guests pile the red white and blue popcorn on top for a festive sundae!
More Party Snacks Recipes To Try
- These red white and blue popsicles are a hit on hot Summer days.
- Some chocolate dipped pretzel rods are perfect for your snacks table.
- Discover even more fourth of July treats here.
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Red, White, And Blue Popcorn Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup popcorn kernels
- ¼ cup red candy melts
- ¼ cup white candy melts
- ¼ cup blue candy melts
- ¼ cup red white and blue M&Ms
- 1 tablespoon Patriotic star sprinkles
Instructions
- Pop the corn kernels: Use a popcorn maker, microwave or saucepan to pop the popcorn kernels (see note 1).
- Melt the candy: Place the red, white, and blue candy melts in separate small microwave-safe bowls. Heat the red candy in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until fully melted. Repeat for the white and blue candy.
- Transfer each color to a small piping bag or zip top with a tiny corner cut off for drizzling (see note 2).
- Assemble the popcorn candy: Spread the popcorn out in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the red melted chocolate over 1/3 of the popcorn. Drizzle the white chocolate over the next third of the popcorn, and the final third drizzle with the blue chocolate.
- While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle the M&Ms and festive sprinkles over the popcorn, ensuring they stick to the melted chocolate.
- Leave to set: Set the tray aside (at room temperature) to allow the chocolate to harden. This should take 15-20 minutes.
- Prepare to serve: Just before serving, break the popcorn snack mix into clusters. Serve in a large bowl or divide into individual party bags.
Notes
- If using an air popper, follow the manufacturers instructions for popping. To use a microwave, place the kernels in a large brown paper bag, fold the top over a few times to seal, then microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the popping slows to one every 5 seconds. Alternatively you can use ready made popcorn!
- Use a thin round tip with your piping bag. If you don’t have piping bags or zip lock bags, you can also drizzle the chocolate using a fork or spoon.
- Best enjoyed fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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