Salty and sweet is one of the best flavor combinations for snacking. And chocolate covered popcorn is the perfect salty and sweet treat.
My favorite snack of all time is popcorn and chocolate. During my TV time, I pop a bag of popcorn and pour chocolate chips into the bowl. But if I’m planning ahead for a movie night or girls’ night, I make chocolate covered popcorn!
Chocolate covered popcorn is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Plus, you can add toppings to the mixture. And what’s better than marshmallows or fun sprinkles with your popcorn and chocolate?!
Ingredients Needed for Chocolate Covered Popcorn
- Popped popcorn
- Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers
- White Chocolate Melting Wafers
How to Make Chocolate Covered Popcorn
Chocolate covered popcorn is such an easy snack to make! Start with a bag of popped popcorn. Just use your favorite popcorn. I prefer buttered popcorn, even for this recipe. It makes the start contrast between sweet and salty even more pronounced.
Pour the popcorn onto a large shallow baking pan lined with parchment paper. The parchment paper makes transferring the set popcorn easier. And keeps cleaning to a minimum!
Next, melt the chocolate. White and dark chocolate give this popcorn so much additional flavor. It’s a can’t miss combination!
What Kind of Chocolate is Best
The best kind of chocolate for chocolate covered popcorn is melting chocolate. I love the Ghiradelli bags of melting wafers. The chocolate melts wonderfully. Even in the microwave! And melting chocolate in the microwave is sometimes a bit tricky. The consistency of the melting chocolate is perfect for drizzling over the popcorn.
The Best Way to Melt the Chocolate
Melt the melting chocolate in the microwave on the defrost setting in 30-second increments. The defrost setting reduces the power of the microwave to about 30 percent. The lower power melts the chocolate at a slower rate. That reduces the chance of the chocolate seizing as it melts.
Melting the chocolate on the stovetop is another option. Add about 2-3 inches of water to a small saucepan. Then place a slightly smaller heat-safe bowl over the saucepan. The bowl should not touch the water in the pan. Place the chocolate in the bowl. Then slowly heat up the water. The steam and heat from the water slowly melt the chocolate.
What is Seized Chocolate?
Seized chocolate is when the chocolate gets too hot. Or if it comes in contact with moisture. The texture of seized chocolate is thick and grainy. It doesn’t taste terrific either. The desired texture is smooth and easy to stir. So heat the chocolate slowly and at low heat.
Adding a little vegetable or coconut oil to the chocolate also helps it maintain the smooth, silky texture!
Once the chocolate melts, slowly drizzle it over the popcorn. Start with the white chocolate. Then add the dark chocolate.
At this time, add any additional toppings you may enjoy. Sweet or salty toppings work well with chocolate covered popcorn. It creates a great snack mix.
The toppings are also great if the popcorn is for a special occasion! Add themed sprinkles or candy for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, July 4th, or a birthday.
Chocolate Covered Popcorn Toppings
- Crushed pretzels
- Marshmallows
- Sprinkles
- Chocolate chips
- Caramel
Allow the chocolate covered popcorn to rest for at least an hour. Or until the chocolate sets.
Then add it to a bowl and enjoy! It’s the perfect treat for movie night!
How to Store Chocolate Covered Popcorn
In my opinion, popcorn tastes best fresh! So I recommend serving and eating right away. However, the popcorn can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. My daughter loves popcorn for a snack at school. So I pack leftovers in a Ziploc baggie for her often.
More Delicious Sweet Snack Ideas
Chocolate Covered Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1 bag popped buttered popcorn
- 1 cup dark chocolate melting wafers
- 1 cup white chocolate melting wafers
- 1 tsp vegetable oil or coconut oil
Instructions
- Pour a bag of popped popcorn onto a large shallow baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Melt the melting chocolate in the microwave on the defrost setting in 30-second increments.
- Add a little vegetable or coconut oil to the chocolate helps it maintain its smooth, silky texture.
- After the chocolate melts, slowly drizzle it over the popcorn.
- Start with the white chocolate. Then add the dark chocolate.
- Add any additional toppings, like marshmallows, pretzels, sprinkles, or caramel.
- Allow the chocolate covered popcorn to rest for at least an hour.
- Then serve in a bowl or popcorn container and enjoy!
This popcorn looks delicious! I love the Christmas sprinkles and the marshmallows you threw in too!
Merry Christmas, friend! Wishing you and your family a beautiful day!
Make Life Marvelous