This Halloween popcorn recipe is simple, festive, and fun — a colorful twist on kettle corn that kids call “Monster Munch.” With just popcorn, sugar, and gel food coloring, you can whip up a spooky snack that’s sweet, salty, and crunchy.
Use classic Halloween shades of green, purple, and orange, or mix it up with your favorite colors. For extra flair, toss in candy corn, gummy worms, or mini chocolates and serve in a Halloween-themed bowl.
We always pop our popcorn on the stove (you can find our directions on how to make perfect popcorn here), but you can also use microwave popcorn in a pinch. Just know that in some brands, the oil used inside the microwave bag can alter the food coloring you might use. Once you have the popcorn made, salt it liberally. Why? Because the salt plays nicely off the sweet candy coating.
Quick Answer
Halloween Colored Popcorn is a sweet-and-salty snack made by coating popcorn in sugar tinted with food coloring. Ready in under 30 minutes, this colorful mix of orange, green, and purple kernels is perfect for Halloween parties, treat bags, or scary movie nights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick + easy: just 30 minutes and simple pantry ingredients.
Kid-friendly: bright colors and sweet-salty crunch.
Flexible: swap colors, add candy mix-ins.
Naturally gluten-free: all Dell Cove® popcorn is gluten-free.
All Recipes, Desserts, Special Occasions, Sweet Recipes, Holiday Recipes
Cuisine
American
Servings
10
Learn how to make Halloween-colored popcorn that’s perfect for your spooky celebrations! Our easy recipe transforms ordinary popcorn into a vibrant, festive treat that is a little sweet, a little salty and adds a pop of color and fun to your Halloween festivities. Discover how to create this tasty and eye-catching snack!
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Next, divide the sugar evenly between 3 small bowls. Then, you want to color each bowl of sugar a different tone by adding 2 to 5 drops of the food coloring.
The more dye you add, the darker (or more vibrant) the color will be. Stir each bowl of sugar with a clean fork, until the sugars are sandy in texture.
Handy tip: Gloves recommended to avoid staining your fingers!
Step 2: Pop your popcorn
Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and 2 tablespoon of the Mushroom popcorn kernels to a medium nonstick saucepan with a lid. Cover and place the pan over medium heat. Gently shake the pan back and forth, to make sure the kernels are evenly coated with the oil.
This next part is very tricky – be careful! Once the kernels begin to pop, move the pan off the heat and quickly add one of the bowls of colored sugar, and immediately re-cover the pan. BE CAREFUL!The oil is VERY VERY hot!
Step 3: Color your popcorn
Return your pant to burner. Shake constantly until your popcorn pops slow to 3–5 seconds apart.
Immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour your now candy-coated colored popcorn onto a baking sheet. Sprinkle the popcorn with salt, and let cool.
Step 4: Repeat the process
Wipe out your pan. (Remember, it will be hot.)
Then, repeat steps 2 and 3 for each color, wiping out pan between batches.
Step 5: Finish and serve
When your popcorn cools, break apart and put into a fun Halloween-themed bowl or spooky tray.
Drizzle a white glaze (optional) to add even more sweetness. Top with Halloween decorations, such as a fake snake or candy spiders or gummy worms, and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Note
Tips and Serving Ideas
Add candy corn or chocolate candies for extra sweetness.
Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top for “spider web” popcorn.
Package in Halloween treat bags for party favors or trick-or-treaters.
Want to make it a spooky night in? Pair this recipe with our
Vampire Popcorn Kit!
FAQ – Halloween Colored Popcorn
Q: How do I store Halloween Colored Popcorn?
A: Keep in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days.
Q: Can I use microwave popcorn?
A: Yes — but some brands add oil that can interfere with food coloring. Stovetop is more reliable.
Q: Can I use natural food coloring?
A: Yes. Natural dyes like beet, spirulina, black cocoa powder, or turmeric will work, but colors will be softer and the popcorn will have a different flavor.
Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: Yes! All Dell Cove® popcorn is naturally gluten-free. Just double-check food coloring and candy add-ins.
Share your creations with us on Instagram! You can find our Instagram account here – or tag your creation with #dellcovespices and we would love to give you a shout-out!
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