Christmas Crunch
Published November 28, 2019. Updated June 19, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
Christmas Crunch! Every Christmas season this popcorn recipe is a reader favorite (I first shared this recipe 7 years ago)! This addictive white chocolate-coated treat can be whipped up in less than 15 minutes, and it’s perfect for gifting and holiday parties since it makes enough to feed a crowd.
Christmas Crunch Popcorn – the Easiest Christmas Treat!
This is one of those easy treats that’s likely to become a yearly holiday tradition. Not only is this Christmas popcorn a breeze to make but people of all ages love it! It’s so good it’s hard to know when to stop eating it!
You only need 5 ingredients and a very basic kitchen know-how for this one. Plus it’s one of those things the kids will love to help with, they can add all the sprinkles.
I like to divide them into treat bags tied with a ribbon and gift tag and take them around for Christmas treats. And now one needs to know how simple it was.
- Popcorn kernels – if you don’t have an electric popcorn popper you can use the brown paper bag and microwave method.
- Vanilla candy melts – I like to use Wilton candy melts for this recipe, white chocolate bark will work too.
- Pretzels – for years I’ve been searching for the tiny pretzels like they have on airplanes (because who doesn’t love tiny things?) and I finally came upon them this year so I used them in this recipe but crushed pretzels work great too.
- Red and green M&M’s candies – back when I first shared this recipe they sold 12 oz bags of M&M’s now they’re down to 10 oz bags so the 10 oz size will work fine or you can buy two bags and in some extra to equal 12 oz.
- Christmas sprinkles – nonpareils, sugar crystal sprinkles, or jimmies will work great. Here I used a blend of a few.
How to Make Christmas Crunch:
- Pop popcorn in a popcorn popper into a large bowl (or alternately in the microwave if using microwave bags of popcorn) according to manufacturer directions. Remove any un-popped popcorn kernels.
- Toss in broken pretzel pieces and M&Ms (you can set some aside to sprinkle on at the end if you want them to show through better).
- Melt Vanilla Candy Melts in a microwave-safe bowl on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth.
- Drizzle half of the melted white chocolate over the popcorn mixture, then stir, tossing gently a few times with a rubber spatula.
- Then drizzle the remaining half of the melted chips over the popcorn.
- Gently stir the mixture until evenly coated (don’t over-stir though or your sprinkles won’t stick if the white chips begin to set and harden).
- Pour mixture into a single layer onto wax paper or parchment paper (or into cookie sheets lined with the paper). Sprinkle the entire mixture evenly with sprinkles before vanilla chips are set. Allow to cool and harden, then gently break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
How Much Does it Make?
I’m able to fill 8 – 9 1/2″x 4″ party treat bags about 2/3 full with this recipe, just to let you know so you have an idea for gift giving. Something near 18 cups+ it makes a lot!
Tips and Variations
- You could also try different flavored candy melts such as chocolate, mint, or peppermint.
- For best results, I recommend serving this within a few days as popcorn tends to go stale.
- Try different festive sweets such as crushed candy canes mini candy canes or marshmallows.
- This is easily customizable for other holidays just swap it out with other colors of seasonal M&M’s and sprinkles.
More Easy Christmas Treat Recipes To Try:
Follow Easy Cooking Zone
Christmas Crunch {White Chocolate Popcorn}
Bring some holiday spirit to your snacks with funfetti popcorn Christmas style! It can be whipped up in only 10 minutes and decorated with as many sprinkles as you like. This popcorn treat is perfect for holiday gifts and parties.
Servings: 18
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (104g) popcorn kernels*
- 1 (12 oz) bag Vanilla Candy Melts (such as Wilton Candy Melts)
- 1 1/2 cups (75g) broken pretzel pieces or baby pretzels
- 1 (10 oz) bag** green and red Milk Chocolate or Mint M&Ms
- Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Pop popcorn in a popcorn popper into a large bowl (or alternately in the microwave if using microwave bags of popcorn) according to manufactures directions. Remove any unpopped popcorn kernels. Toss in broken pretzel pieces and M&Ms***.
- Melt Vanilla Candy Melts in a microwave safe bowl on 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Drizzle half of melted chips over popcorn mixture, then stir, tossing gently a few times with a rubber spatula.
- Then drizzle remaining half of melted chips over popcorn, and gently stir mixture until evenly coated (don't over stir though or your sprinkles wont stick if the white chips begin to set and harden).
- Pour mixture into a single layer onto wax paper. Sprinkle entire mixture evenly with sprinkles (as many as you'd like) before vanilla chips set. Allow to cool and harden, then gently break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
Notes
- *1/2 cup kernels should yield about 16 - 17 cups popped popcorn. If you don't have an electric popcorn popper you can use the brown paper bag and microwave popcorn method. It's also been said that 2 bags tender white popcorn works well here.
- **Previously recipe listed using a 12 oz. bag of M&M's but bag size has shrunk over the years (don't you love that?), so a 10 oz bag will work or you can use 2 extra ounces from another bag.
- ***If you'd like M&M's and pretzels to show through more and not be covered entirely by chocolate you can set aside 1/4 of each then sprinkle over the popcorn mixture when you add the sprinkles, this is totally optional.
- Note: I was able to fill 8 - 9 1/2"x 4" party treat bags about 2/3 full with this recipe, just to let you know so you have an idea for gift giving.
- Recipe Source: Adapted from Bake at 350
Nutrition Facts
Christmas Crunch {White Chocolate Popcorn}
Amount Per Serving
Calories 161
Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 2mg1%
Sodium 71mg3%
Potassium 24mg1%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 16g18%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 35IU1%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 19mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.