Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn (Expert Tips & Ideas)

homemade chocolate covered popcorn recipe

With the approaching holidays, why not make chocolate drizzled popcorn for a multitude of occasions?!

Just like peanut brittle or microwave caramel corn, drizzled popcorn makes a quick and easy homemade gift. Or, with impending social calendars, bring chocolate covered popcorn as a hostess gift or offer as an addictive addition to a festive dessert platter.

With only a few ingredients and less than 10 minutes prep it’s the perfect emergency dessert or gluten-free snack! Make classic popcorn drizzled with chocolate, or try out some of the suggested variations such as white chocolate, kettle corn, peanut butter, or add M&Ms or salty nuts!

Below you will learn how to make chocolate drizzled popcorn, including the best popcorn to use, tips for melting smooth chocolate that doesn’t seize, and plenty of creative ideas and mix-ins. Let’s do this!

best type of popcorn to use

When choosing popcorn to drizzle, you’ll want to avoid using any that is heavily buttered or your treat will become soggy fast!

For best results use homemade popcorn or a microwave popcorn with minimal butter. I used sea salt microwave popcorn and the snack mix stayed fresh and crunchy for 4 days. Other microwave varieties that would work include kettle corn, natural, touch of butter, or healthy varieties.

If making homemade popcorn use 1/2 cup popcorn kernels. Pop in an air popper, a whirly-pop, simply use a pot on the stove top with a bit of oil.

Melting chocolate for drizzle

While no fancy chocolate is required you’ll want follow these simple tips to avoid seized chocolate, which is when it becomes clumpy rather than silky smooth for drizzling.

1. Choose from chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate, chocolate wafers, or candy melts. The best brands for melted chocolate are listed these chocolate bark and white chocolate bark recipes.
2. Place in a microwave-safe bowl with a teaspoon of vegetable oil or coconut oil. This helps thin the chocolate so it can drizzle. Be careful to not add too much oil, though, or it will not harden.
3. Candy melts or wafers may not require any oil. Melt first and see if it needs to be thinned with a dash of oil.
4. Heat in 20-30 second intervals, stirring occasionally, to make sure it is not overheated.
5. Microwave the chocolate until it is about 75% fully melted. Remove and then stir until the chocolate is completely smooth. This prevents overheated, seized or bloomed chocolate, which is when white spots appear after it hardens.
6. Use a fork to drizzle in thin ribbons. This helps distribute the chocolate without big globs.

more creative ideas and mix-ins

The sky is the limit for making your own unique drizzled popcorn! Swap out different types of popcorn, add mix-ins, or drizzle on different flavors.

If adding mix-ins sprinkle on immediately after drizzling with chocolate, white chocolate, or a mixture so it adheres as it cools.

• Caramel popcorn with chocolate drizzle
• White Out – white chocolate with coconut
• Use colored candy melts for baby showers or birthday parties themes
• Dried cranberries or cherries
• Flaky sea salt
• Melted peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips
• Candy – chopped Snickers, Reese’s peanut butter cups, Heath bars, Butterfingers, M&M’s, or Reese’s Pieces
• Nuts or candied pecans
• Rocky Road – peanuts and miniature marshmallows
• S’mores – chopped graham crackers and miniature marshmallows
• Chocolate covered popcorn – Dump the popcorn in a large bowl. Pour melted chocolate over top. Stir or cover with a large lid and shake until the chocolate covers the popcorn. Spread on a lined baking sheet to harden in chunks.

Holiday popcorn ideas

Turn chocolate covered popcorn into a festive treat by using holiday-specific sprinkles, such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, or Easter. For an added pop of color, you can also add holiday M&Ms before the chocolate hardens.

Christmas is also the perfect occasion to make white chocolate peppermint popcorn. Use white chocolate only and sprinkle with crushed candy canes while the chocolate is still wet.

Wilton also carries a variety of candy melts, which come in different flavors and colors to choose in holiday colors. They are available in craft stores or on Amazon.

storing tips

Once the chocolate has hardened, store in an airtight container up to 4 days. I like to use metal cookie tins for best storage.

Chocolate popcorn also makes an ideal homemade gift! If gifting, store in a tin or airtight container until you are ready to give out. I recommend making it one day ahead of time for maximum freshness.

Transfer to candy gift boxes, wrapped popcorn boxes, or small gift tins. Use coordinating gift tags and ribbon to match the season!