This Popcorn Snack Mix is a tasty mix of sweet and salty elements. It features the crunchy duo of popcorn and pretzels mixed with sweet Chex cereal and mini M&M’s, all covered in a layer of creamy white chocolate. Throw in some sprinkles for extra fun and sweetness, and voila – you’ve got a totally irresistible snack! Best of all, it’s simple to whip up with no baking needed!
Popcorn Snack Mix
In our home, a good snack mix is a staple for our weekly family movie nights. My kids have graduated from ordinary popcorn – they’re now all about caramel corn (this quick microwave version is a game changer) or some kind of chocolate-covered popcorn mix.
That’s where this Popcorn Snack Mix comes in. Not only is it a big hit with the kids, but it’s also incredibly quick and simple to prepare. The best part? There’s no baking needed! It’s also a fun way to involve the kids in the kitchen – they love measuring the popcorn, cereal, and M&M’s® and pouring them into the mixing bowl. And let’s not forget how much they enjoy (AKA fight over) breaking the pretzels in half!
The microwave does all the heavy lifting when it comes to melting the white chocolate. After everything is thoroughly coated in the white chocolate and topped with sprinkles, all that’s required is a little waiting for the mix to set. Once it’s hardened, it’s all set to be enjoyed! (And at this point, who even needs a movie when you’ve got this snack mix stealing the spotlight?!)
Popcorn Snack Mix Ingredients
- Popcorn: Purchasing already-popped popcorn makes this recipe come together a little bit quicker, but it’s also a bit more spendy. If you’d rather pop your own, these are the packets we use (lightly salted plain popcorn). Of course, you can also use kernels in a popcorn machine or on the stovetop. Whatever type you choose to use, measure out 3 cups of cooked popcorn for this recipe. If you make plain popcorn, don’t forget to add a touch of salt.
- Corn Chex® cereal: The crispness of Corn Chex adds a delicious crunch to the mix. This cereal holds up well with the other ingredients and won’t get soggy under the melted chocolate. While we prefer corn Chex for its flavor in this mix, feel free to use Rice Chex or any variety you prefer.
- Pretzel sticks: Using thin pretzel sticks gives a salty counterpoint to the sweet ingredients. Break them in half so the pieces aren’t too large and blend in well with the other elements of the snack mix.
- Mini M&M’s: Mini M&M’s provide a sweet, chocolatey burst of flavor. Their small size makes them a perfect addition as they evenly distribute throughout the mix and stick nicely to the other elements.
- White chocolate chips: These add a smooth, sweet, and creamy coating to the snack mix. When melting, be careful not to overheat them as they can seize and become grainy. Using short intervals and stirring in between in the microwave can help prevent this.
- Vegetable oil: This helps melt the white chocolate chips and gives the chocolate a smoother, more drizzle-able consistency. Canola oil will work just as well!
- Sprinkles: While optional, sprinkles can add a fun pop of color and a hint of extra sweetness. Choose ones that fit the occasion – be it a holiday, birthday, or just because!
Quick Tip
Use quality white chocolate: The better the quality of your white chocolate, the better your Popcorn Snack Mix will taste. Look for high-quality white chocolate that’s creamy and melts well for the best results.
How To Make Popcorn Snack Mix (Tips)
Here are some tips to ensure your Popcorn Snack Mix turns out perfect every time:
- Use fresh popcorn: Start with fresh popcorn for the best flavor and texture. Pop the kernels just before you plan to use them.
- Choose a large bowl: When combining the ingredients with the melted white chocolate, a big bowl will help prevent spills and make it easier to stir everything together for an even coating of chocolate.
- Melt the chocolate: While melting the white chocolate chips in the microwave, be careful not to overheat them as they can seize and become grainy. Heat in short intervals, stirring for at least 30 seconds in between.
- Add the chocolate to the popcorn: As soon as the white chocolate is melted, work quickly to add it to the popcorn mixture. The chocolate will begin to harden as it cools, so you’ll want to ensure everything is coated before that happens.
- Line the pan: Before spreading the mix on it, line your baking sheet with a non-stick baking mat, foil, or parchment paper. This will prevent the popcorn from sticking to the pan and make the hardened mix easier to lift off later.
- Use sprinkles: If you’re including sprinkles, add them immediately after spreading the mix on the baking sheet. The sprinkles need to stick to the chocolate before it hardens. Remember white chocolate hardens quickly!
- Cool the mix: Allow the Popcorn Snack Mix to fully cool and harden before breaking it into pieces.
Variations
Change It Up!
- Different cereals: You could use other cereals instead of Chex, like Cheerios®, Captain Crunch® (without berries) or Golden Grahams®, for a different flavor and texture.
- Add nuts: Mix in some roasted almonds or peanuts for extra crunch and protein.
- Change up the chocolate: You could use milk chocolate or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate.
- Holiday themes: For a festive spin, use holiday-themed sprinkles and candies. For instance, red and green M&M’s and sprinkles for Christmas, pastel shades for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween.
- S’mores version: Substitute the pretzels with broken graham crackers, use dehydrated marshmallows instead of M&M’s, and drizzle with milk chocolate instead of white chocolate for a popcorn snack mix that tastes like S’mores!
Storage
Storing Popcorn Snack Mix:
For optimal enjoyment, we recommend preparing this Popcorn Snack Mix fresh and finishing it within a day or two. To keep it fresh, place it in an airtight container and store at room temperature.
Remember, the white chocolate will soften the popcorn over time, so for the best texture, consume it within the first couple of days after making it.
If you need to store it longer, you can keep the popcorn mix in the freezer. This can help slow down the softening process and keep your snack mix crunchier for a longer period.
More No-Bake Treats:
- No-Bake Cookies peanut butter flavored
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake with an Oreo cookie crust
- Four No-Bake Treats including cookie butter melt-aways!
- Mint Oreo Truffles with a chocolate coating
- No-Bake Granola Bars drizzled in chocolate
Popcorn Snack Mix
Equipment
- large sheet pan,
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 3 cups popcorn popped and lightly salted, see note 1
- 4 cups corn Chex Cereal
- 2 cups thin pretzel sticks broken in half
- 1-1/2 cups miniature M&M’s
- 2 cups white chocolate chips 11 to 12-ounce bag works here, see note 2
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper (or foil/liner). Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the popcorn (see note 3), Chex cereal, broken pretzel sticks, and mini M&M’s.
- In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, mix together the white chocolate chips and oil. Heat this in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the popcorn and cereal mix. Use a silicone spatula to quickly (but gently) stir and fold the mixture until all the ingredients are evenly coated in chocolate.
- Transfer the coated mixture onto the prepared sheet pan, spreading it in an even layer. If using sprinkles, scatter them over the mix immediately, before the chocolate hardens.
- Chill the sheet pan in the fridge for about 30 mins to an hour, or until the chocolate has fully set.
- Once set, break the snack mix into bite-sized pieces. Serve it in a large bowl and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
