you know that moment in the grinch when his heart grows three sizes and suddenly he’s not a miserable cave dwelling christmas hater anymore? this popcorn mix is basically that but you can eat it.
bright green candy coating. fluffy white popcorn and marshmallows like whoville covered in snow. salty pretzels for the grinch’s pre-redemption personality. and big red heart sprinkles because that’s the whole point of the story.
it takes maybe 15 minutes to make. looks like you ordered it from some fancy holiday treat shop. tastes like sweet and salty and christmas movie night all mixed together. kids lose their minds over it.
why this popcorn mix actually works
it’s not just popcorn. plain popcorn covered in candy gets soggy and sad within an hour. this is a munch mix. popcorn, mini marshmallows, pretzels. different textures. stays crunchy longer. way more interesting to eat.
sweet and salty balance. those pretzels break up the sugar so you don’t hit that wall where everything tastes too sweet and you feel kind of sick. you can actually eat more than a handful.
the heart sprinkles are the whole thing. this isn’t just “green popcorn.” the jumbo red heart sprinkles make it obviously grinch themed. his heart grew three sizes, remember? that’s the visual hook. that’s what makes kids get excited and adults go “oh that’s clever.”
it’s stupid easy but looks impressive. melt some candy melts. toss everything together. spread it out. sprinkle hearts on top. done. but it looks like you spent an hour crafting each piece.
it travels well. unlike frosted cookies or chocolate covered things that melt, this stays stable. bag it up for parties, movie nights, teacher gifts, whatever.
what you’ll need
for the mix:
- 8 cups popped popcorn (plain, no butter, no salt)
- 2 cups mini pretzel twists
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 12 oz bright green candy melts (not white chocolate with food coloring, see below)
- jumbo red heart sprinkles (or red cinnamon imperials if you want spicy)
- red m&ms or red candy coated chocolates (optional but adds more pops of red)
equipment:
- large baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- large bowl for mixing
- microwave safe bowl
- spatula for stirring
the green candy melt situation (important)
do not try to make green chocolate by melting white chocolate chips and adding liquid food coloring. it will not work. liquid makes chocolate seize up into a grainy clumpy mess.
and even if you use gel coloring, white chocolate plus green dye makes a pale minty pastel color. not grinch green. grinch green is vibrant and almost neon.
use candy melts. wilton makes bright green candy melts. so does ghirardelli. they’re made to melt smooth and the color is already in there. you can find them at any craft store or on amazon.
if you absolutely must use real chocolate, use white chocolate and add oil based candy coloring.
the kind that comes in tiny bottles specifically for chocolate. americolor makes good ones. but honestly candy melts are easier and cheaper.
how to make it (the actual steps)
prep everything first. pop your popcorn. pick out any unpopped kernels because biting into those is a great way to ruin christmas. measure out your pretzels and marshmallows.
line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
mix the dry stuff. in a really big bowl, toss together popcorn, pretzels, and marshmallows. you need room to stir so use a bigger bowl than you think.
melt the candy melts. put green candy melts in a microwave safe bowl. microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring between each one. don’t rush this or you’ll burn the chocolate and it’ll be grainy.
it takes maybe 2 minutes total. stir until completely smooth.
coat everything. pour the melted green candy over the popcorn mixture. use a big spatula to toss and fold everything together until it’s all coated.
you want most pieces covered in green but it doesn’t have to be perfect. some white peeking through looks good actually.
spread and decorate. dump the whole mix onto your parchment lined baking sheet. spread it out in one layer. work fast because the candy coating sets up quick. while it’s still wet, sprinkle the red heart sprinkles all over.
press them in gently so they stick. if you’re using red m&ms, add those too.
let it set. let the whole thing sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes until the candy coating hardens. you can speed this up by putting the pan in the fridge for 10 minutes but don’t leave it in there too long or condensation will make it sticky.
break it apart. once it’s hard, break the popcorn mix into chunks. store in an airtight container or bag it up for gifts.
the heart sprinkles (where to find them)
jumbo red heart sprinkles are what make this obviously grinch themed. regular tiny sprinkles don’t have the same impact.
wilton makes jumbo heart sprinkles. they’re in the baking aisle at walmart, target, michaels, hobby lobby.
if you can’t find heart sprinkles, use red cinnamon imperials (the little spicy red candies). they’re shiny and red and have that cinnamon kick which actually works really well with the sweet green coating.
red hots work too but they’re smaller. still good.
dried cranberries if you want to pretend this is healthy. it’s not. but the cranberries add a tart pop that’s actually pretty good.
variations to try
extra chocolatey:
drizzle melted red candy melts over the top after the green coating sets. looks like the grinch is bleeding. kind of dark but kids think it’s cool.
peanut butter grinch:
add a cup of peanut butter chips to the mix before coating. or use half green candy melts and half peanut butter chips melted together.
white chocolate whoville:
make a second batch with white candy melts instead of green. mix them together so you have green and white pieces. looks like the grinch and the snow.
spicy grinch:
add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper to the melted candy before coating. just a pinch. makes it spicy sweet which is weirdly good.
add crushed candy canes:
sprinkle crushed peppermint on top with the hearts. adds a minty crunch.
packaging ideas for gifts
clear cellophane bags: fill with popcorn mix, tie with red and green ribbon. attach a little tag that says “his heart grew 3 sizes” or “straight from mt crumpit.”
mason jars: layer the mix in clear jars. looks cute on a shelf. tie a ribbon around the lid with a small ornament.
red paper boxes: those chinese takeout style boxes. line with tissue paper, fill with popcorn, close it up. looks fancy.
classroom party: make a big batch and portion into small ziplock bags. one for each kid. way easier than individually wrapped candy and parents won’t hate you.
storage and shelf life
room temperature: keeps in an airtight container for up to a week. after that the marshmallows start to get hard and the popcorn loses its crunch.
don’t refrigerate. condensation makes everything sticky and gross.
freezing: you can freeze this for up to a month but the texture changes a little. the marshmallows get chewier. still edible just different.
best eaten: within 3 to 4 days for optimal crunch.
movie night pairing ideas
obviously you’re watching how the grinch stole christmas while eating this. the jim carrey version or the original animated one, both acceptable.
other snacks to serve with it:
hot chocolate with whipped cream and red sprinkles
roast beast sandwiches (aka roast beef sliders)
who hash (tater tot casserole)
green punch (lime sherbet in sprite)
make it a theme night:
everyone wears christmas pajamas. put up some twinkly lights. make the popcorn mix together before the movie starts. it’s a whole vibe.
common mistakes to avoid
using buttered popcorn. the butter makes the candy coating slide off. use plain popcorn.
adding marshmallows after coating. they need to be mixed in before so they get coated too. otherwise they just sit on top and fall off.
not working fast enough. candy melts set up quick. have everything ready to go before you start melting.
overheating the candy melts. burnt candy melts are grainy and unusable. microwave in short bursts and stir constantly.
skipping the parchment paper. the candy coating will stick to your pan and you’ll be scraping for days.
why kids love it (teacher perspective)
i’m not a teacher but i know teachers who make this for classroom parties and here’s what they say works:
it’s not messy. unlike frosted cookies or chocolate covered anything, this doesn’t melt on little hands or get smeared on desks.
allergy friendly options. you can make this peanut free, gluten free (use gluten free pretzels), dairy free (some candy melts are). check labels but it’s adaptable.
it looks festive. kids get excited about food that looks fun. the bright green and red hearts make it feel special.
they can help make it. stirring the mix, sprinkling the hearts, breaking it apart. easy tasks for small humans.
the grinch connection (why it matters)
look, you could just make green popcorn and call it christmas. but tying it to the grinch story makes it memorable. the heart sprinkles aren’t just decoration. they’re the whole point of the movie.
his heart grew three sizes. he learned that christmas doesn’t come from a store. maybe christmas means a little bit more.
and then we made snack mix about it because that’s what we do. we take heartwarming holiday lessons and turn them into sugar coated popcorn. very on brand for modern christmas.
faq quick hits
can i use microwave popcorn?
plain microwave popcorn works but make sure it’s unsalted and unbuttered. pick out all the unpopped kernels.
what if my candy melts are too thick?
add a teaspoon of coconut oil or vegetable shortening. stir it in. it’ll thin out the coating without changing the flavor.
can i make this ahead?
yeah, up to 3 days before. store airtight at room temperature.
how much does this make?
about 12 cups. enough for 8 to 10 people or one person with no self control.
is there a way to make it less sweet?
use less candy coating. or add more pretzels. the salt cuts the sweetness.
Related Recipe
if your heart is set on making the perfect, adorably grumpy, chewy christmas cookie, your search is over.
Grinch Popcorn Mix
Equipment
- Large Rimmed Baking Sheet: You need the rim so the popcorn doesn’t roll onto the floor, and a large surface area so it dries crunchy, not soggy.
- Parchment Paper: Don’t skip this—melted candy is like glue. This makes cleanup instant.
- The Biggest Bowl You Own: Seriously. You need room to stir the coating without crushing the popcorn. If you don’t have a giant bowl, use a clean roasting pan or stockpot.
- Silicone Spatula: The best tool for folding the sticky mixture gently.
Ingredients
The Base:
- 8 cups Popped Popcorn Salted, remove all unpopped kernels!
- 2 cups Mini Pretzel Twists The “Salty” element
- 2 cups Mini Marshmallows The “Whoville Snow” element
- The Green Coating:
- 12 oz 1 bag Vibrant Green Candy Melts (Wilton or similar)
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil This is the secret to a smooth, glossy coating that isn’t waxy
The Decoration:
- ½ cup Green & White M&Ms Mint or Plain
- ¼ cup Jumbo Red Heart Sprinkles Essential for the theme!
- Optional: Green sanding sugar or glitter for sparkle.
Instructions
- Prep the “Trash” Mix: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In an extra-large bowl, combine the popped popcorn, pretzels, and marshmallows. Toss them together gently so the heavy items don’t just fall to the bottom.
- Melt the Green: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the Green Candy Melts and the coconut oil. Microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring vigorously in between, until completely smooth and runny.
- Note: Do not overheat, or the candy will become thick and clumpy.
- The Green Takeover: Pour the green mixture over the popcorn mix. Using a rubber spatula, fold the mixture gently. Use a “bottom-to-top” motion to coat the pretzels and popcorn evenly without crushing them.
- Spread and Decorate (Timing is Key): Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet in an even layer.
- Immediately scatter the M&Ms and the Red Heart Sprinkles over the top while the green coating is still wet. (If you mix the hearts in step 3, they get covered in green slime and you lose the effect!)
- Cool and Serve: Let the mix sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes until the green coating creates a firm crunch. Break into clusters and serve for movie night!
Notes
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles. Also an aspiring cook we he researches and tries all kinds of different food recipes and shares what works best.