4th of July Popcorn is a delicious mix of white chocolate-covered popcorn, pretzels, and M&Ms. It’s quick to make and can be customized with your favorite sprinkles or extra candy!

Overhead image of this 4th of July Popcorn

4th Of July Popcorn

Get ready for the Fourth of July with this fun popcorn mix, perfect for celebrating the holiday!

This treat starts with popcorn coated in creamy white chocolate, mixed with crunchy pretzels and bright red, white, and blue M&Ms. Drizzle everything in more chocolate (milk is my go to!) and then, if you’d like, add some colorful sprinkles on top for extra fun!

This mix is a delicious blend of sweet, salty, and chocolaty flavors that’s sure to be a hit! The best part? It’s super quick and easy to make!

Ingredient shot-- image of all the ingredients used in this recipe

Ingredients

  • Popcorn: Use 8 cups of popped popcorn. You can buy pre-popped or pop your own with plain, lightly salted kernels. Of course, you can also use kernels in a popcorn machine or on the stovetop.
  • Pretzels: Add some broken pretzels for a salty crunch.
  • M&Ms: Use red, white, and blue M&Ms for the American flag colors! I grab a Red, White, and Blue mix of M&M’s.
  • White Chocolate: Melt high-quality white chocolate chips for the best flavor.
  • Oil: Add a bit of oil to the chocolate to make it smoother.
  • Sprinkles: Optional, but fun! Add red, white, and blue sprinkles for extra color.

Process shots of 4th of July Popcorn-- images of the popcorn, pretzels, and M&Ms' being added to a bowl and white chocolate being melted

Tips For Melting Chocolate In The Microwave

  • Use the Right Bowl: Pick a microwave-safe bowl, like glass or ceramic, that won’t get too hot.
  • Short Bursts: Microwave the chocolate for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time to melt it evenly.
  • Watch Closely: Stop microwaving when most of the chocolate is melted and stir to finish melting it. Don’t let it overheat.
  • Stir Often: Keep stirring to make the chocolate smooth and avoid burning.
  • Keep Dry: Make sure everything is dry. Water can mess up the chocolate.
  • Fix Seized Chocolate: If your chocolate gets clumpy, stir in a teaspoon of vegetable oil per ounce to make it smooth again.

Process shots-- images of the white chocolate being poured into the bowl with the other ingredients and it all being mixed together

How To Make 4th of July Popcorn (Tips)

  • Use Fresh Popcorn: Pop the corn right before you make it for the freshest flavor.
  • Use a Big Bowl: Mix in a large bowl to avoid spills and make it easier to coat everything with white chocolate.
  • Line the Pan: Line your baking sheet with a non-stick mat, foil, or parchment paper. This stops the popcorn from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
  • Choose Good Chocolate: Use high-quality white chocolate for better taste and melting.

Process shots of 4th of July Snack Mix-- image of the milk chocolate being pipped over the entire snack mix

Storage

Storing 4th of July Popcorn

Enjoy fresh within a day or two. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

For longer storage, freeze to keep it crisp. It’s delicious right out of the freezer!

Up-close overhead image of the treat on the tray

Quick Tip

Don’t let unpopped kernels ruin your treat! Put popcorn in a bowl, cover with a cooling rack, turn it upside down, and shake over a plate. The kernels will fall out!

More Festive 4th Of July Treats:

5 from 1 vote

4th of July Popcorn

4th of July Popcorn is a delicious mix of white chocolate-covered popcorn, pretzels, and M&Ms. Itโ€™s quick to make and can be customized with your favorite sprinkles or extra candy!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients  

  • 8 cups plain popped popcorn (Note 1)
  • 2 cups mini pretzel twists, broken in half
  • 1โ…“ cups Red, White, & Blue M&M's (one 10 oz. bag) (Note 2)
  • 2 cups good-quality white chocolate chips (11-12 oz. bag will work)
  • 1ยฝ teaspoons vegetable or canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons Red, White, & Blue sprinkles, optional
  • Optional chocolate drizzle: 1/2 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil

Instructions 

  • PREP: Line a large sheet pan with foil, parchment paper, or a silicone liner. Set aside.
  • MIX: In a large bowl, add the popped popcorn, ensuring no kernels get in (see Note 3). Break the pretzels in half and add them to the bowl. Add the M&Ms.
  • WHITE CHOCOLATE: Add white chocolate chips and oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Be careful not to burn the chocolate. Pour the melted chocolate over the popcorn mix and quickly toss to coat everything evenly.
  • FINISH MIX: Spread the mixture in a single layer on the prepared pan. Immediately sprinkle with sprinkles, if using.
  • OPTIONAL MILK CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE: If desired, melt the milk chocolate chips with oil in a microwave-safe bowl using 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth. Transfer to a small zip-top bag, snip the tip, and drizzle over the popcorn.
  • HARDEN: Let the popcorn harden at room temperature or in the fridge until solid. Once hardened, break into pieces. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. For the best flavor, eat within 1-2 days.

Recipe Notes

Note 1:ย Buying pre-popped popcorn speeds things up, but costs more. You can also pop your own using lightly salted plain popcorn. Measure out 8 cups of cooked popcorn. If using plain popcorn, add a bit of salt.
Note 2: If you canโ€™t find the red, white, and blue mix, use regular M&Ms and pick out the reds and blues.
Note 3: Place popcorn in a large bowl with a cooling rack on top. Turn it upside down and shake over a plate to let the un-popped kernels fall out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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