Name: Festive Green Popcorn: Easy St Patrick's Day Treat
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 10 cups Air Popped Popcorn; 1 cup Granulated Sugar; ½ cup Light Corn Syrup; ¼ cup Water; 2 tablespoons Butter; ½ teaspoon Green Gel Food Coloring; ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract; Optional: Green or Shamrock Sprinkles; Pinch of Salt

Festive green popcorn is the perfect snack to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or any occasion that calls for a bit of whimsical fun! This vibrant treat combines the salty satisfaction of popcorn with a sweet, colorful coating, creating a delightful experience for both kids and adults. I remember making batches of this with my grandma every year leading up to St. Patrick’s Day. The kitchen would be filled with the sweet aroma and the happy chatter of us both creating a truly special moment in time. Get ready to bring a little luck (and a lot of flavor!) to your next gathering with this easy and delicious festive green popcorn.

festive green popcorn - Detail or variation — Close-up detail

Why You Will Love This festive green popcorn Recipe

Oh, where do I even begin? This festive green popcorn is more than just a snack; it is a burst of joy in every bite! It’s incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort, which makes it a perfect treat for those spontaneous cravings or last minute celebrations. The sweetness perfectly balances the salty popcorn, creating an irresistible flavor profile.

Plus, the vibrant green hue instantly brightens any room and adds a touch of festive cheer, especially when St Patrick popcorn is on the menu. Think movie nights, potlucks, or a fun afternoon project with the kids. I love how this recipe stirs up so many nostalgic memories from childhood get togethers. It is happiness in popcorn form!

Ingredients Needed for This festive green popcorn Recipe

Popcorn: 10 cups (air popped or microwave, no butter or salt)
Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
Light Corn Syrup: ½ cup
Water: ¼ cup
Butter: 2 tablespoons
Green Food Coloring: ½ teaspoon (gel food coloring recommended for the best color)
Vanilla Extract: ½ teaspoon
Optional: Green sprinkles or shamrock sprinkles: For extra festive flair!
Pinch of Salt: To balance the sweetness.

festive green popcorn - Process or ingredients — Preparation process

How to Make This festive green popcorn Recipe

Pop the Popcorn: First, pop your popcorn using your preferred method (air popper or microwave). Be sure to remove any unpopped kernels. Place the popcorn in a very large bowl.
Make the Candy Coating: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Boil to Hard Crack Stage: Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Use a candy thermometer and cook until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). This is a crucial step for that perfect crunchy coating.
Remove from Heat: Once the mixture reaches 300°F, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
Add Butter, Food Coloring, and Vanilla: Quickly stir in the butter, green food coloring, and vanilla extract. Be careful, as the mixture will bubble! Stir until the butter is melted and the color is evenly distributed.
Pour Over Popcorn: Pour the candy coating over the popcorn in the large bowl. Be sure to work quickly to coat evenly.
Mix Thoroughly: Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently toss the popcorn until it is completely coated with the green candy mixture.
Spread and Cool: Spread the coated popcorn in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and allow it to cool evenly.
Add Sprinkles (Optional): While the popcorn is still slightly warm, sprinkle with green sprinkles or shamrock sprinkles for an extra touch of festivity.
Break Apart: Once the popcorn is completely cool and the coating has hardened, break it apart into clusters or individual pieces.
Enjoy!: Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious festive green popcorn!

How to Serve This festive green popcorn Recipe

Festive green popcorn is perfect served in individual bowls for a St. Patrick’s Day party. Get creative with your serving dishes; think clear glass bowls or festive green containers to show off the vibrant color. Pair it with other St. Patrick’s Day treats like green cookies or cupcakes for a truly festive spread. Add a sprinkle of edible glitter for extra sparkle! It also makes a great party favor distributed in cellophane treat bags. For an extra touch, pair it with a batch of homemade shamrock cookies.

How to Store This festive green popcorn Recipe

Store your festive green popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature. Properly stored, it should keep for up to a week, although it is best enjoyed within the first few days for optimal crunch. Avoid storing in the refrigerator, as the moisture can make the popcorn sticky. Freezing is not recommended, as it will affect the texture of the coating.

Tips to Make This festive green popcorn Recipe

For the best results, use freshly popped popcorn. Stale popcorn will not absorb the coating as well.
Gel food coloring provides a more intense color than liquid food coloring.
Work quickly when coating the popcorn, as the candy coating will harden as it cools.
If you don’t have a candy thermometer you can test the mixture by dropping a small amount into a bowl of ice water. It should form hard, brittle threads.
Use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent the popcorn from sticking to the baking sheet.

Helpful Notes for This festive green popcorn Recipe

If you don’t have light corn syrup, you can substitute it with equal amounts of honey or golden syrup. However, this may slightly alter the flavor of the popcorn. Also, make sure your popcorn is unsalted, the coating is already sweet and salty popcorn can be a tad much. If you are looking to add some extra flavor to your festive green popcorn consider adding a pinch of mint extract along with the vanilla. This will complement the green coloring adding another festive layer! I would suggest using an air popper for the best results, this eliminates access oils which can effect the coating, but microwave popcorn works just fine.

Variation of This festive green popcorn Recipe

Get creative with your St Patrick popcorn! For a chocolatey twist, drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled popcorn and sprinkle with green sprinkles. Create a “pot of gold” version by adding edible gold glitter or gold coin candies. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the candy coating. You can also incorporate other festive colors and change the extract add-ins. Create a pink popcorn for valentines day by simply changing the food coloring!

How do I make festive green popcorn?

Making festive green popcorn involves popping your favorite popcorn and then coating it with a melted mixture of sugar, corn syrup, butter, and green food coloring. The coated popcorn is then spread out to cool and harden.

What ingredients do I need for festive green popcorn?

You will need popcorn kernels, sugar, corn syrup, butter, green food coloring, and optionally vanilla extract or other flavorings. Salt is also a good addition to balance the sweetness.

How can I store leftover festive green popcorn?

Store leftover festive green popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent it from becoming sticky or stale. It typically stays good for several days when stored properly.

Can I use different types of food coloring?

Yes, you can experiment with different types of green food coloring, such as gel food coloring or natural food coloring. Adjust the amount to achieve your desired shade of green, keeping in mind that liquid food coloring could make the popcorn softer.