Halloween Popcorn Mix

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You will love gobbling up this easy Halloween Popcorn Mix while watching scary movies. It brings together salty + sweet in the most perfect way!

The perfect Halloween party treat

Forget boring popcorn balls and replace them with these gooey marshmallow bars topped with your favorite candies and salty nuts for all your Halloween parties. This recipe is kid-friendly (to eat and help make!) and can be made ahead of time!

If you’ll be enjoying some football as part of your Halloween, check out my Game Day Snack Ideas!

Why you’ll love this party popcorn mix

• Quick and Easy to Make: This treat comes together in minutes, making it perfect for busy days when you need a fun and festive snack without the hassle.
• Customizable and Versatile: You can easily switch up the ingredients with whatever sweet treats you have on hand, allowing for endless flavor combinations that suit any taste or occasion.
• Perfect for Halloween Celebrations: Whether you’re hosting a party or need a treat for trick-or-treaters, this sweet and salty popcorn mix is both visually appealing and irresistibly delicious, making it an instant hit.

Don’t forget to check out my dessert recipes for more sweet recipes.

Ingredients

• Marshmallows: Whether you prefer jumbo or mini marshmallows, both work perfectly in this recipe for that gooey, sweet coating.
• Popped Popcorn: You’ll need just under 1/2 cup of uncooked popcorn kernels. I recommend steering clear of kettle corn for this recipe to keep the sweetness balanced.
• Butter: You can use either salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference. Both will add a rich, creamy texture to the mix.
• Vanilla: Optional, but a splash of vanilla can add a lovely depth of flavor to the marshmallow mixture.
• Salted Cashew Halves: Feel free to substitute with any other salty nut, like peanuts or almonds, to suit your taste.
• Reese’s Pieces: These peanut butter candies add a delightful crunch, but if you have allergy concerns, milk chocolate M&M’s make a great alternative.
• Toffee: Opt for ground toffee found in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips, or break up a toffee bar into small pieces for an added caramelized crunch.
• Snickers: Use two regular-sized Snickers bars or four snack-sized bars, chopped into small bite-sized pieces, for a satisfying blend of chocolate, caramel, and nougat in every bite.

Feel free to get creative and add some fun Halloween touches like sprinkles, gummy worms, googly eyes, candy pumpkins, or candy corn. You can customize this marshmallow mixture any way you like to make it the perfect treat for all your Halloween festivities.

Instant pot recipes I love

For more Instant Pot inspiration, check out my Tuscan Soup, Salsa Verde Chicken, and Instant Pot Pulled Pork.

How to make Instant Pot Popcorn

Turn on the saute feature on your instant pot. Once it’s hot add either vegetable oil or coconut oil to the pot. Let the oil get hot for about 1 – 2 minutes. Next, add 1/2 cup popcorn kernels.

Put a clear glass lid on the pot and cook until you hear the kernels begin to stop popping.

Turn off the saute feature and let it sit for another 1-2 minutes. Once the popcorn is done, transfer to a large bowl. Season with a pinch of salt.

How to make Halloween Popcorn Mix

Step 1: Start by getting your popcorn ready either by cooking in an air popper, using microwave popcorn, on the stovetop or in your instant pot. Set aside 8 cups. Use any extra as a snack as you create this spooky treat.

Step 2: Prep all of the toppings so that you can top them while the marshmallows are good and sticky.

Step 3: There is no need to use a double boiler to melt miniature marshmallows (any size will work). Add the marshmallows and the butter to a large glass bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove the bowl and stir the butter and marshmallow mixture. If the butter has not fully melted or the marshmallows are not completely melted, put it back for an additional 30 seconds.

Step 4: Mix 2 cups of popped corn into the marshmallow mixture at a time. Continue to add until all 8 cups are combined.

Step 5: Spread the mixture onto a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a fancy platter if you prefer.

Step 6: Have the kids help with this part. Sprinkle all ingredients over the popcorn mixture and lightly press into the sticky popcorn.

Step 7: To set the popcorn mixture, it’s best to place it in the fridge for 1 – 2 hours.

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