This St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn is a fun, festive treat! It’s a colorful mix of M&M’s, Lucky Charms marshmallows, sprinkles, and popcorn, all coated in white chocolate.

Try some other St. Patrick’s Day Treats or festive Leprechaun Bait next!

Overhead image of the St. Patrick's Day Popcorn

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St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and I’m already planning some fun surprises for my little ones including a batch of this festive popcorn! Let me tell you, my kids are popcorn fanatics but add in some creamy white chocolate, colorful M&M®’s, and Lucky Charms® marshmallows, and they go absolutely wild for it!

There’s something about the combination of salty popcorn and sweet, indulgent toppings that makes this snack mix absolutely irresistible. I love that it’s easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Plus, it’s a great way to add some festivity to any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

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

How To Make St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn:

  1. Use fresh popcorn: For the best flavor and crunch, use fresh popcorn and remove any unpopped kernels.
  2. Melt white chocolate in short bursts: Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring after each burst until smooth. Stir every 20-25 seconds to prevent getting too hot, as chocolate continues to melt after microwaving.
  3. Use a large bowl: Mix the popcorn and chocolate in a large bowl to ensure everything is covered without spilling.
  4. Work quickly with mix-ins: Add M&M’s, Lucky Charms marshmallows, and sprinkles right after the white chocolate, mixing to cover well before it sets.
  5. Allow chocolate to set: Spread the mix on parchment paper or a baking mat and let it sit. Need it faster? Chill the tray in the fridge.

Quick Tip

To get rid of unpopped kernels, put the popcorn in a large bowl, cover with a rack, flip, and shake. The unpopped kernels will fall out. Scoop out the rest of the popcorn and continue with the recipe.

Process shots of St. Patrick's Day Popcorn-- images of the white chocolate being poured over the popcorn

St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn Ingredients

  • Popcorn: Pre-popped popcorn saves time. If you prefer to pop your own, use these packets, kernels in a popcorn machine, or stovetop.
  • White Chocolate: Use melting wafers or white chocolate chips for a better melt and flavor.
  • Oil: Add a bit of oil or shortening to the chocolate before melting to smooth it out.
  • M&M’s: I use 3-different kinds of M&Ms, if you don’t want to buy multiple bags, use one or two types. Or pick greens out of a regular bag.
  • Lucky Charms Marshmallows: You can pick these out of the cereal or buy just the marshmallows online.
  • Sprinkles: Optional, but green sprinkles add a fun crunch and color!
Process shots--images of the M&M's and marshmallows being poured over the treat

Storage

St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn Storage

For the best flavor, enjoy this popcorn fresh within 1-2 days.

Store it in a sealed container at room temp.

The white chocolate makes it soggy over time, so it’s best to eat it soon. To keep it crispy longer, put it in the freezer.

Up-close overhead image of the St. Patrick's Day Popcorn, ready to be enjoyed

More Delicious Snack Mix Recipes

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5 from 1 vote

St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn

By Chelsea Lords
This delicious and easy-to-make St. Patrick's Day Popcorn recipe makes a fun and festive treat! We've got a mix of M&M's, Lucky Charms marshmallows, sprinkles, and popcorn all coated in white chocolate. This mix is a colorful and tasty snack that is perfect for sharing with friends and family. Whether you're planning a St. Patrick's Day party or just want a fun treat to enjoy at home, this recipe is sure to be a hit!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients  

  • 10 cups popped popcorn unbuttered (Note 1)
  • 2 cups white chocolate chips (or white chocolate melts)
  • 1½ teaspoons vegetable (or canola) oil
  • ½ cup regular M&M's (pull out the greens) (Note 2)
  • ½ cup pretzel or crunchy cookie M&M's (pull out the greens)
  • ⅓ cup miniature M&M's (pull out the greens)
  • 1 cup Lucky Charms marshmallows (Note 3)
  • 1-2 tablespoons green sprinkles, optional

Instructions 

  • PREP: Line an extra-large sheet pan with foil, parchment paper, or a silicone liner. Set aside. In a very large bowl, measure and add the popped popcorn. Separate out all the green M&M's and marshmallows from the cereal. Measure and set aside.
  • WHITE CHOCOLATE: Place the white chocolate chips and oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in bursts of 30 seconds stirring in between each burst until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Be patient to avoid burning the chocolate. Once the white chocolate is smooth and fully melted, use a spatula to scrape it out and over the popcorn. Working quickly, toss together to coat in the white chocolate.
  • FINISH MIX: Immediately add in all the different M&M's and the Lucky Charms marshmallows. Toss again to coat in the chocolate. Dump mixture onto prepared pan, space in one layer, and immediately sprinkle with sprinkles (if using).
  • HARDEN: Let the popcorn harden at room temperature or in the fridge until it becomes solid. Once solid, break it into pieces and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. For the best flavor, eat within 1-2 days.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Popcorn: Purchasing already popped popcorn makes this recipe come together a little bit quicker, but it’s a bit more spend-y. 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 you choose to use, measure out 10 cups of popcorn for this recipe. If you use kernels, don’t forget to add a touch of salt.
Note 2: M&Ms®: We’ve found that a variety of M&M® flavors really takes this treat to the next level. But we get it, not everyone wants to buy three separate bags of candy. If that’s the case for you, feel free to use just one or two kinds of M&Ms®. Our personal favorite combo is plain, miniature, and either pretzel or crunchy cookie M&Ms. 
Note 3: Lucky Charms Marshmallows: You can use either the ones from the “Leprechaun Trap” cereal or the original cereal. (We’ve used the Leprechaun Trap cereal in these pictures.)
To simplify: You don’t HAVE to use all-green candies and marshmallows. You can certainly use multi-colored ones and it’ll taste the same–it just won’t be St. Patrick’s Day themed! When substituting, however, keep in mind that Lucky Charms marshmallows are freeze-dried marshmallows, not regular soft ones. Be sure to pick up the right kind!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg

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

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Meet Chelsea

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

Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

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