Name: Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 cups popped popcorn; 1/2 cup butter; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/4 cup light corn syrup; 1 1/3 cups Red Hots candies, divided; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 3/4 cup white chocolate chips, divided; Red sprinkles

If you love snacks that pack a punch of flavor, you’re going to adore this Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe. Imagine crunchy popcorn with a spicy cinnamon candy coating and a sweet white chocolate drizzle—it’s a total game changer for movie nights or festive gatherings.

A close-up view of white popcorn scattered over a white marbled surface, being coated with a thick, shiny red sauce that is being poured from a red ladle just above the popcorn. The sauce spreads unevenly, covering parts of the popcorn in vivid red streaks and patches, contrasting sharply with the fluffy white kernels underneath, showing a glossy and sticky texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this is one of those recipes I keep coming back to because it’s so much fun to make and even better to eat. The perfect balance of heat and sweetness keeps me reaching for more, and I can’t wait for you to try it yourself!

Bold flavor combo: The spicy Red Hots candy pairs perfectly with creamy white chocolate, creating a unique taste you won’t find everywhere.
Crunchy, not soggy: Baking the coated popcorn sets the candy just right, keeping every bite crisp and satisfying.
Simple ingredients: You only need pantry staples plus your favorite Red Hots—easy to grab and easy to mix.
Great for sharing: This recipe makes about 10 servings, perfect for parties, gifts, or cozy movie nights with friends.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When I shop for this recipe, I like to pick fresh popcorn that pops up light and airy and get good-quality white chocolate chips to melt smoothly. The Red Hots candies are the star here, so make sure they’re fresh for maximum cinnamon kick.

Flat lay of a large mound of fluffy popped popcorn, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding glossy light corn syrup, a small white ceramic bowl overflowing with vibrant red cinnamon candies, a tiny heap of fine white salt, a small white ceramic bowl containing white baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl brimming with smooth ivory white chocolate chips, and a delicate scattering of bright red sprinkles, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Popped popcorn: The crunch base of this snack, so make sure it’s fresh and free of un-popped kernels.
Butter: Adds richness and helps melt the candy mixture into a glossy coating.
Sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes the candy coating for that irresistible sticky crunch.
Light corn syrup: Keeps the candy coating smooth and prevents crystallization.
Red Hots candies: The secret star spice, delivering that classic cinnamon heat with every bite.
Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Baking soda: Adds airiness to the candy coating, creating a lighter texture.
White chocolate chips: Melted and drizzled on top to add creamy sweetness and a beautiful finish.
Red sprinkles: For the festive pop of color and extra fun garnish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about the Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is how easily you can tailor it to your preferences or the occasion. Whether you want to dial up the heat or add a twist of your own, there’s plenty of room to make this snack truly yours.

Spice it up or tone it down: If you prefer a milder treat, simply reduce the amount of Red Hots candies slightly. On the flip side, add a few extra for that fiery kick that tickles your taste buds.
Chocolate swap: Feeling adventurous? Try drizzling dark or even milk chocolate instead of white chocolate for a different flavor dimension.
Seasonal spin: Around the holidays, consider mixing in some crushed candy canes along with the Red Hots for a peppermint-cinnamon combo that’s festive and fun.
Diet-friendly tweak: For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with coconut oil and choose a dairy-free chocolate alternative—I tried this once and still loved how crunchy and flavorful it turned out!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe

A white bowl filled with bright red popcorn mixed with white drizzle and scattered with small red round candies and white chocolate chips; the popcorn clusters are piled high with a mix of shiny red candy pieces and smooth white chips evenly spread throughout; some pieces spill onto a white marbled surface around the bowl; the background shows a blurry red box adding to the vibrant red and white color theme; photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Popcorn Base

Start by preheating your oven to 250° F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out 8 cups of freshly popped popcorn in a single layer on the baking sheet. Fresh popcorn really makes a difference — it gives that perfect crunchy texture that holds up under the candy coating.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cinnamon Candy Coating

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ cup butter. Stir in ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 cup of Red Hots candies, ½ cup sugar, and ¼ cup light corn syrup. This mixture needs your attention — whisk frequently as it comes to a boil to keep it from sticking or burning. Once boiling, remove from heat and quickly stir in ½ teaspoon baking soda. You'll notice the mixture foam up slightly — that's exactly what you want! This gives the coating a light, crunchy texture.

Step 3: Coat the Popcorn

Pour the hot candy mixture evenly over your popcorn on the baking sheet. Work quickly but gently toss to ensure every piece gets a glossy, spicy coating without breaking the popcorn. The scent of cinnamon warming up here is absolutely irresistible—a true sign you’re on the right track.

Step 4: Bake and Set the Coating

Pop the coated popcorn into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. This slow bake lets the coating set perfectly and deepens the flavor. Halfway through, remove the pan and toss the popcorn gently again to redistribute the coating evenly. Then let it cool completely — patience here means crispier, less sticky popcorn.

Step 5: Drizzle with White Chocolate

Melt ½ cup of white chocolate chips in the microwave, following the package instructions. Heat until smooth and completely melted without overheating to avoid seizing. Once the popcorn has cooled, use a spoon to drizzle the white chocolate beautifully across the top — it adds a lovely subtle sweetness and contrast to the spicy cinnamon.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Right after drizzling, sprinkle on the remaining ⅓ cup Red Hots candies, ¼ cup white chocolate chips, and some festive red sprinkles. This final flourish not only boosts the flavor layers but makes your popcorn look so inviting and perfect for sharing at movie nights or parties. Once everything is set, break it up gently and enjoy!

Top Tip

These tips will help you master the Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe with ease and get the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and crunchy every time.

Use Fresh Popcorn: Always start with freshly popped popcorn to ensure the coating sticks well and your snack stays light and crispy.
Watch the Candy Mixture Closely: When boiling the butter, sugar, and Red Hots mixture, frequent whisking prevents burning and helps achieve that perfect smooth coating.
Work Quickly: Pour the hot cinnamon candy mixture over the popcorn right after removing it from the heat to evenly coat every kernel before it hardens.
Cool Before Drizzling: Let the popcorn cool completely before adding the melted white chocolate—this avoids melting the drizzle and keeps your popcorn looking beautifully decorated.

How to Serve Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe

The left side shows a close-up of a silver pot with a whisk inside, filled with a thick, bright red sauce that has a glossy, almost bubbly texture. The pot sits on a white marbled surface with a small piece of cork underneath. In the top left corner, there is a white tray partially filled with plain white popcorn. On the right side, there is a white baking dish filled with popcorn coated in shiny, bright red sauce. A black spatula is resting on top of the popcorn with some red sauce stuck on it, and the white marbled surface is partially visible underneath the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To make your cinnamon candy popcorn even more festive, garnish it with extra colorful red sprinkles or crushed Red Hots for added texture. You can also toss in a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for a crunchy twist. If you want to balance the heat, a light sprinkle of powdered sugar can add a gentle sweetness to top it all off.

Side Dishes

This spicy, sweet popcorn pairs wonderfully with simple, refreshing sides such as a chilled fruit salad or creamy vanilla yogurt dip. For a movie night, consider serving it alongside savory snacks like cheese platters or vegetable crudités to balance the flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cinnamon candy popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it fresh and crunchy. It will stay delicious for up to one week, perfect for snacking over a few days without losing that spicy kick.

Freezing

You can freeze this popcorn by placing it in a sealed freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, allow it to thaw at room temperature—avoid microwaving as it can melt the white chocolate and candy coating.

Reheating

If your popcorn loses its crunch, refresh it by spreading it on a baking sheet and warming it in a 250° F oven for about 5 minutes. This will help firm up the candy coating and bring back that satisfying crisp texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought popcorn or microwave popcorn for this recipe?

Yes, you can use store-bought or microwave popcorn as long as it’s plain and unsalted. Freshly popped popcorn works best to ensure the candy coating sticks well and the texture stays crispy.

What if I don’t like it too spicy? Can I reduce the Red Hots?

Absolutely! If you prefer a milder cinnamon spice, try reducing the amount of Red Hots candies by a quarter or half. You’ll still get that sweet cinnamon flavor without the intense heat.

Can I substitute white chocolate with another type of chocolate?

You can substitute white chocolate chips with milk or dark chocolate chips, but keep in mind this will change the flavor profile. White chocolate complements the cinnamon spice beautifully by adding a creamy sweetness.

How long does the cinnamon candy popcorn keep its crunch?

When stored properly in an airtight container, this popcorn stays crunchy for up to one week. Storing it in a humid environment can cause it to soften, so keep it sealed and dry.

Final Thoughts

Making this Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is like infusing your snack time with a burst of warm cinnamon heat paired with sweet, creamy white chocolate. It's a fun and festive treat that brings spice, sweetness, and crunch all in one bite — perfect for cozy movie nights, holiday gatherings, or an anytime indulgence. I hope these tips and ideas inspire you to try making this delightful snack at home and share it with your loved ones. Happy snacking!