Candy Cane Popcorn is made with just 3 ingredients to produce popcorn coated in melted white chocolate and crushed candy canes! It’s the perfect holiday popcorn recipe — white chocolate-y, with tons of peppermint flavor and crunch! — everyone will love it! 

You can find more gourmet popcorn recipes on my site! Cinnamon Roll Popcorn is another favorite any time of year, but there’s something delicious about cinnamon recipes during the holidays! Or you can try my Maple Bacon Popcorn, Red Velvet Popcorn (perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or the 4th of July!). Or for a salty recipe, try my Parmesan Popcorn!

A red bowl filled with Candy Cane Popcorn and two candy canes on top.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Fun holiday popcorn recipe. If you are looking for a fun, easy holiday snack, this is the one for you! This candy cane popcorn crunch is incredibly easy to make and is so fun and festive! My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite snacks for Christmastime. 
  • Perfect homemade stocking stuffer! I’ve recently started making homemade goodies for our stockings, and this white chocolate candy cane popcorn recipe is perfect to make into a popcorn ball for your kid’s stockings!
  • Great gift for neighbors. This candy cane popcorn is perfect to use for any friend or neighborhood gifts. Form the popcorn into balls and wrap in plastic wrap or place in cellophane bags with a pretty ribbon — it’s an affordable and sweet treat to share! 
  • White chocolate and peppermint combo is 😍. I love the white chocolate coated popcorn, and the addition of candy cane pieces makes it the perfect snack for the holiday season! 

Ingredient Notes

Candy Cane Popcorn ingredients on a white background: popcorn, crushed candy canes, and white chocolate.
  • Popcorn Kernels: Just the popcorn kernels, not the bagged popcorn.
  • White Chocolate Wafers: The melting chocolates. I buy mine from Michaels.
  • Crushed Candy Canes: About 4 regular-sized candy canes (the traditional peppermint candy canes).

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Pop the popcorn kernels and crush the candy canes. Using an air popper, pop 1/2 cup popcorn kernels. Place several candy canes in a food processor or blender, blend until finely crushed. I love this small ninja food processor for smaller things like this.
  2. Melt the wafers. Place 1/3 cup white chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, mixing after each. Continue until fully melted. 
  3. Coat popcorn in white chocolate. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popped popcorn, stir to coat. Add the peppermint candy cane pieces and gently mix to combine. Enjoy!
A white spatula stirring white chocolate Candy Cane Popcorn in a glass bowl.

Recipe Tips

I use this small food processor all the time. I love it because it’s easier to clean than a food processor! If you don’t have a food processor, place the candy canes in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush. 

Use the traditional peppermint candy canes! Candy canes come in so many different flavors, but my favorite with this candy cane popcorn recipe is the traditional peppermint.

You will want to use a very large bowl. It will make mixing so much easier!

If you don’t have a large enough bowl, spread the popcorn out on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper and drizzle the white chocolate on top, then sprinkle the crushed candy canes. Let the chocolate cool before moving the candy cane popcorn crunch to a popcorn bowl.

You can also mix the crushed candy canes into the white chocolate before pouring. This will really ensure they stay stuck to the popcorn. 

I use the chocolate wafers you can buy at Michaels. You could also use red-colored chocolate wafers to make the popcorn extra festive. You can use almond bark instead of white chocolate if you’d prefer. 

You can use microwave/bagged popcorn if you’d like, Preferably unsalted and unbuttered. BUT, if you love a little butter and saltiness, go ahead and try it with the white chocolate and peppermint. Who knows, maybe you’ll have found a winning combo!

Add holiday sprinkles to really bring home the Christmas colors! 

We love enjoying this popcorn during family movie night with our favorite Christmas movies! 

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

If making ahead of time, store the popcorn in an airtight container. I would eat/share within 24 hours so those you are sharing with can enjoy it for at least a day or too as well!

Store the candy cane popcorn in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Best when fresh though!

I don’t recommend freezing this peppermint popcorn because the chocolate will probably chip off. The popcorn will store for a few days anyway, so you shouldn’t need to freeze it. Plus it’s really easy to make quickly if you need a fresh batch later. 

Candy Cane Popcorn in a red bowl with candy canes in the background.

Recipe FAQs

Can you use microwave popcorn?

Yes! I’d recommend without butter and unsalted, since that’s what you’d get if you were using just the kernels. But like I mentioned above, if you want the saltiness and buttery flavor, then go for it.

How long does popcorn last?

Typically, plain popcorn will last up to 1 week. But this popcorn recipe is coated in chocolate, so the longer the popcorn is out, the softer the popcorn will become due to the coating. 

What candy canes should I use?

I recommend using the traditional peppermint candy canes. This will give you the best flavor! If you want to venture out and try other flavored candy canes, you can. I just can’t guarantee it will taste good!   

Can I use white chocolate chips?

Yes you can. White chocolate chips aren’t very white, so keep that in mind. Also, chocolate chips include stabilizers to help them keep their chip form. This will make is so they don’t melt as easily. I buy the white chocolate wafers at Michaels stores and these melt really well and are much whiter than regular white chocolate chips. If you use white chocolate chips, add a teaspoon of coconut oil to help it melt more easily.

Candy Cane Popcorn in a red bowl on a gray metal large plate.

More Holiday Treats

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Christmas Candy Cane Popcorn in a red bowl.
Print Save Review
5 from 2 votes

Candy Cane Popcorn

Candy Cane Popcorn Crunch is the most delicious holiday recipe featuring popped popcorn covered in white chocolate and crushed candy canes. This is a great recipe to make and give as gifts to neighbors, family, and friends.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12 cups of popcorn

Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 1/2 cups white chocolate wafers
  • 1/3 cup candy canes - crushed (will need about 4 regular sized candy canes)

Instructions
 

  • Pop the popcorn kernels with an air popper. 
  • Place several candy canes in a food processor or blender, blend until finely crushed. 
  • Melt the dipping wafers according to package directions. (I place in a microwave safe bowl and heat at half power in 30 second intervals, stirring well after each interval. Continue doing this until fully melted).
  • Pour the white chocolate over the popped popcorn, stir to coat. Add the crushed candy canes and gently mix. 
  • Let popcorn sit for 1 hour or so to let the white chocolate set. Store in an airtight container for up 5-7 days.

Notes

You can use white chocolate chips, but they aren’t as white as the wafers.
Recipe from my mother-in-law. 

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal (9%)Carbohydrates: 25g (8%)Protein: 2g (4%)Fat: 8g (12%)Saturated Fat: 4g (20%)Cholesterol: 5mg (2%)Sodium: 21mg (1%)Potassium: 83mg (2%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 18g (20%)Vitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 45mg (5%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
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