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Easy Candy Corn Popcorn Snack Mix: 5-Minute Treat

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This easy candy corn popcorn snack mix comes together in under five minutes with simple ingredients. The warm popcorn softens the candy corn just enough to create perfect pockets of chewy sweetness in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels or one standard bag of microwave popcorn)
  • 1 cup candy corn (about 6 ounces)
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 cup salted peanuts (optional)
  • 1/2 cup pretzel twists (optional)
  • 1/4 cup white chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pop the popcorn. If using stovetop popcorn, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 cup kernels, cover, and shake occasionally until popping slows, about 3-4 minutes. If using microwave popcorn, follow package directions. You want 8 cups of popped popcorn total. Remove any unpopped kernels.
  2. Spread the warm popcorn in a large bowl. Make sure it’s still warm when you add the other ingredients. If your popcorn has cooled, pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds to warm it back up.
  3. Melt the butter. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 3 tablespoons of salted butter. Microwave in 15-second intervals until fully melted, about 30-45 seconds total. Stir in 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until the sugar dissolves.
  4. Drizzle the butter mixture over the popcorn. Pour it evenly over the warm popcorn while tossing gently with a spatula. Work quickly while the popcorn is still warm.
  5. Add the candy corn and any optional mix-ins. Sprinkle 1 cup of candy corn over the popcorn. If you’re adding peanuts or pretzels, add them now. Gently fold everything together until evenly distributed.
  6. Sprinkle with flaky salt. Add 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt over the top and toss once more. Taste and add more salt if needed.
  7. Let it cool slightly before serving. Spread the mix on a baking sheet for 2-3 minutes if you want it to set faster, or just let it sit in the bowl.
  8. Serve immediately or store for later. This snack mix is best within the first few hours, but it keeps well for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Notes

Let popcorn cool for about 60 seconds after popping before adding candy corn to prevent it from melting completely. The mix actually gets better after about an hour as flavors meld. For best texture, serve within 4-6 hours. To refresh leftover mix, spread on a baking sheet and warm at 300°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: candy corn popcorn, snack mix, Halloween treat, fall snack, sweet and salty popcorn, easy popcorn recipe, 5-minute snack

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/easy-candy-corn-popcorn-snack-mix-5-minute-treat/