This Red, White, and Blue Popcorn recipe is just about as easy as it gets. If you’re looking for a fun patriotic popcorn recipe, this is the one for you. Grab a handful or a bowl and enjoy!
Pair this up with another sweet treat favorite of mine – Sugar Cookie Fruit Cups! Because who wouldn’t want to have fruit and popcorn together?!
Related: Loaded Steak Fries
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Red, White, and Blue Popcorn
We all know that popcorn is such a simple and easy snack. And it’s also quite versatile in taste. You can literally have sweet popcorn, savory popcorn, hot popcorn and movie theater butter popcorn that will have you licking your fingers because it’s so good.
But recently, we’ve discovered this delicious candied popcorn recipe that truly is a simple 4th of July dessert. Because when it comes down to it, don’t we all just want a dessert that we can grab a handful of and eat as we’re passing by?
This simple dessert needs to be on your radar for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. Not only does it take mere moments to make but it will have everyone asking you for all the tasty details, too.
Set out a couple of bowls and let everyone fill up their very own popcorn containers with this delicious Red, White, and Blue popcorn recipe!
Related: Grasshopper Bars
Is this dessert popcorn recipe sticky?
Eh, it all just depends. I don’t find it to be sticky but that’s because it’s literally in my hands for just a few seconds before I’m stuffing it into my mouth.
But if you or someone you know holds onto it for a while, there’s always the chance that it’s going to leave a little bit of residue on their hands.
My simple answer to this? Just do a few taste tests and see what happens. (it’s a simple way to snack, too!)
Can you make this 4th of July popcorn recipe ahead of time?
You can! But it’s super important that you store it in an airtight container so it doesn’t get stale. Make this patriotic popcorn recipe up a few hours ahead of time (or even a day!) and add it to ziplock bags for freshness.
Then, when it’s time to serve, just open the bag and load up into the bowls. It’s really as simple as that.
Related: Chocolate Cupcakes
How do you make Red, White, and Blue Popcorn?
Believe it or not, this simple candied popcorn recipe is super simple to make. All you need are the simple ingredients listed below to get started.
Ingredients needed to make this patriotic popcorn recipe:
- 24 c popped popcorn
- 4 c granulated sugar
- 1½ c half & half (can use whole milk or 2% but will not be as rich)
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp light corn syrup
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract (clear extract will help keep the mixture a little lighter)
- gel food color in red and royal blue
- 10 oz white chocolate chips
Directions to make candied popcorn:
Start by dividing the popcorn into two bowls for being able to mix in the colored syrup.
Once that is done, take a large saucepan and combine the sugar, half & half, corn syrup, and salt.
As that is being mixed, take and insert a candy thermometer into the pan. You’re going to cook the ingredients over medium heat until all the sugar dissolves.
Once it’s dissolved, bring the mixture to a low boil, all while stirring frequently, and watch until the temperature reaches 230 degrees. Just so you can prepare, this will take about 20 minutes of time. When it’s done and ready, you can test it by taking a small spoonful from the pan and putting it into a cup of cold water. As you drop it in, it will form a soft ball if it’s ready.
Once the mixture reaches 230 degrees, you’re going to stir in the vanilla and then take off the heat.
Once removed from heat, take and divide the mixture between two heatproof bowls and/or measuring cups. Once they are divided, you’re going to add in the red coloring into one of the bowls and blue into the other.
Make certain that you stir each mixture well to get the color that you want.
At that point in time, you’ll need to quickly add one of the colored syrups to each bowl of popcorn. Start mixing well with a large spoon or your hands, but be careful as it’s going to be hot. If the syrup is too thick, place it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to loosen up and melt.
Next, take and preheat your oven to 250 degrees.
Grab each bowl of the colored popcorn and spread it onto a separate parchment covered cookie sheet. Place in the oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes or until crisp.
Once done, take out of the oven and let cool.
Once it has cooled down, you’re going to want to pour the white chocolate into a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl. Put it in the microwave and melt in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until it is melted and smooth.
Grab a fork or spoon and drizzle the white chocolate over the pans of popcorn. Allow to set up before serving. Enjoy!
Red, White, and Blue Popcorn
This patriotic popcorn recipe is such a great red, white, and blue treat!
Ingredients
- 24 c popped popcorn
- 4 c granulated sugar
- 1½ c half & half (can use whole milk or 2% but will not be as rich)
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp light corn syrup
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract (clear extract will help keep the mixture a little lighter)
- gel food color in red and royal blue
- 10 oz white chocolate chips
Instructions
Start by dividing the popcorn into two bowls for being able to mix in the colored syrup.
Once that is done, take a large saucepan and combine the sugar, half & half, corn syrup, and salt.
As that is being mixed, take and insert a candy thermometer into the pan. You're going to cook the ingredients over medium heat until all the sugar dissolves.
Once it's dissolved, bring the mixture to a low boil, all while stirring frequently, and watch until the temperature reaches 230 degrees. Just so you can prepare, this will take about 20 minutes of time. When it's done and ready, you can test it by taking a small spoonful from the pan and putting it into a cup of cold water. As you drop it in, it will form a soft ball if it's ready.
Once the mixture reaches 230 degrees, you're going to stir in the vanilla and then take off the heat.
Once removed from heat, take and divide the mixture between two heatproof bowls and/or measuring cups. Once they are divided, you're going to add in the red coloring into one of the bowls and blue into the other.
Make certain that you stir each mixture well to get the color that you want.
At that point in time, you'll need to quickly add one of the colored syrups to each bowl of popcorn. Start mixing well with a large spoon or your hands, but be careful as it's going to be hot. If the syrup is too thick, place it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to loosen up and melt.
Next, take and preheat your oven to 250 degrees.
Grab each bowl of the colored popcorn and spread it onto a separate parchment covered cookie sheet. Place in the oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes or until crisp.
Once done, take out of the oven and let cool.
Once it has cooled down, you're going to want to pour the white chocolate into a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl. Put it in the microwave and melt in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until it is melted and smooth.
Grab a fork or spoon and drizzle the white chocolate over the pans of popcorn. Allow to set up before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield 24 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 268Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 8mgSodium 131mgCarbohydrates 48gFiber 1gSugar 44gProtein 2g
Have so much fun chowing down on this candied popcorn recipe! It’s pretty and tasty!