Christmas Popcorn Mix

A sweet-salty Christmas popcorn mix made with white chocolate, candy-coated chocolates, sprinkles, and half-dipped pretzels. Designed for gifting, sharing, and keeping out on the counter all season.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword Christmas popcorn, Christmas popcorn for gifts, Christmas popcorn mix, holiday popcorn mix, homemade Christmas snack mix, white chocolate popcorn

Prep Time 15

Set Time: 20

Total Time 35

Servings cups

Calories 265kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Equipment

mixing bowls (large) Holds the popcorn while coating without crushing it.
microwave safe bowls For melting white chocolate smoothly in stages
baking sheet (lined with parchment) Spreads popcorn in an even layer so it sets properly.
rubber spatula Gently coats popcorn without compressing it.

Ingredients

8 cups popped popcorn (about ½ cup / 95 g unpopped kernels)
12 oz (340 g) white chocolate divided
1 tsp (5 ml) coconut oil (optional, but recommended), divided
1½ cups (45 g) mini pretzels
1½ cups (255 g) M&M's holiday colored or any
½ tsp (3 g) fine sea salt
holiday red and green nonpareils as needed

Instructions

Pop the popcorn using an air popper, on the stovetop, or in the microwave. Transfer it to a large mixing bowl and remove any unpopped kernels so they do not interfere with coating or texture.
8 cups popped popcorn
Line a baking sheet and a separate tray with parchment paper and set aside.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 4 oz (113 g) of the white chocolate with ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of the coconut oil, if using. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth. Dip each pretzel halfway into the melted chocolate, allow excess to drip off, and place on the prepared tray. Immediately decorate with sprinkles and let set at room temperature until firm.
12 oz (340 g) white chocolate, 1 tsp (5 ml) coconut oil, 1½ cups (45 g) mini pretzels
In a clean microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining 8 oz (227 g) white chocolate with the remaining ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) coconut oil, if using, using the same interval method and stirring until smooth.
Pour the melted chocolate over the popcorn and gently toss until evenly coated. Spread the coated popcorn in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle evenly with the candy-coated chocolates, fine sea salt, and decorative sprinkles.
1½ cups (255 g) M&M's, ½ tsp (3 g) fine sea salt, holiday red and green nonpareils
Allow the popcorn to set at room temperature for about 20 minutes, or refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes to speed up setting. Avoid extended refrigeration, as moisture can affect texture.
Once the chocolate has fully set, break the popcorn into clusters and gently fold in the decorated pretzels. Serve immediately or package for gifting.

Notes

Use plain popcorn only so the white chocolate adheres evenly.
Melt white chocolate slowly and stop early to avoid seizing.
Keep pretzels separate until the end to preserve their shape and decoration.
Sprinkle toppings while the chocolate is still wet so they stay in place.

If you’re making this Christmas popcorn mix, check out the full post. That’s where I keep extra tips, FAQs, and details that don’t always make it into the recipe card.

Nutrition info is an estimate and will vary depending on the brands you use.

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Nutrition