EASY Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn (7 variety ideas!)
This super easy chocolate drizzled popcorn is SO simple to make! It’s the perfect sweet treat for family movie night or to make in bulk to package up & give away as edible gifts! (Plus, you can customize it in so many different ways!)
Here’s what you’ll love about this easy chocolate drizzle popcorn recipe:
- It’s SUCH an easy recipe! Simple ingredients + simple process to make. It’s a super quick dessert to make!
- Homemade popcorn is great for any party! This is a seriously crowd-pleasing treat. It’s so easy to make in bulk, and you can customize it to whatever party theme you’d like, just by changing out the kind of sprinkles you use.
- It’s the perfect edible homemade gift – if you’re looking for ideas for a hostess gift, party favors, or a small Christmas gift for neighbors, coworkers, or teachers, this is a great homemade holiday treat! (Especially packaged up with these fun Christmas popcorn gift tags, they look like custom-made gifts!)
- You can customize it to your liking. It tastes great as-is, but you can also get creative with add-ins such as candy cane bits, M&Ms, toffee bits, peanuts, mini peanut butter cups, crushed Oreos, mini chocolate chips + mini marshmallows, etc. HAVE FUN!
- It’s the perfect easy treat for family movie night!
Ingredients for easy chocolate drizzle popcorn:
You just need a few simple ingredients!
- Microwave popcorn – you can really get any kind, but salty popcorn (vs. kettle) is probably better! I usually just get the one with light butter.
- Vanilla baking bark – also known as white almond bark, and basically the same flavor as white chocolate chips except that it melts MUCH more easily. Even though we’re making chocolate drizzle popcorn, using this almond bark adds a lot of flavor & sweetness to the popcorn.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Hershey’s is my favorite brand of chocolate chips, but you can use any kind as long as they melt well. (You can use milk chocolate chips if you want, but they can often be a bit too sweet for my taste, so I really think semisweet is the best chocolate to use. You could also try dark chocolate chips for a slightly richer flavor!)
- Any add-ins you’d like! Ideas might include: sprinkles, crushed oreos, crushed candy canes, peanuts + mini peanut butter cups, toffee bits, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows
Equipment you’ll need:
- Large cookie sheet covered with foil
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula
How to make Easy Chocolate Drizzle Popcorn:
Step 1: Pop your popcorn
Pop your first bag of popcorn like you normally would in the microwave, and then set it aside.
(If you’re wanting to make as much as I usually do for a batch, I typically pop all 3 of my bags in a row, that way they’re done.)
Step 2: Melt your baking bark
Put 6 ounces (usually 3 cubes) in a microwave-safe bowl, and then microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring between each one. I usually only need to do this 2x (so for a total of 60 seconds in the microwave).
> Pro tip: You want to make sure to use a bowl that works WELL in the microwave. Don’t use ceramic – it’ll get way too hot in some parts and the baking bark won’t cook evenly.
Step 3: Add PART of the popcorn & melted baking bark to a large bowl
Two important things here:
- Don’t dump the bag of popcorn into the bowl. If you do, you’ll add the unpopped popcorn kernels, and when those mix with the melted white chocolate and then stick to the regular popcorn, it’s not a fun surprise for your teeth.
Instead, the best way to avoid the kernels is to shake the bag up and down for about 5 seconds to get the unpopped kernels to fall to the bottom of the bag, and then use your hand to scoop out the popped kernels into the mixing bowl. This will help you avoid all those unpopped kernels at the bottom!Add part of the melted white chocolate, and then stir somewhat lightly, just so you don’t crush too much of the popcorn.
- Don’t use up ALL the melted almond bark here. You’ll want to reserve some – maybe a couple tablespoons – for drizzling on top.
Step 5: Repeat until you’ve used up the bag of popcorn & most of the melted bark
Again, reserve a couple of tablespoons for drizzling on top.
Step 6: Melt the chocolate & stir most of it in
You’ll melt the chocolate chips the same way you melted the almond bark – in a microwave-safe bowl (one that cooks evenly and doesn’t get hot spots) – at 30-second intervals, stirring between.
I usually only need to put it in the microwave 2x before it’s completely melted.
Drizzle chocolate – again, reserving a couple of tablespoons for drizzling on top – on the popcorn and stir gently with a spatula until the popcorn is completely coated.
Step 6: Pour onto prepared baking sheet & drizzle remaining bark & chocolate
Pour the popcorn mixture onto a large rimmed cookie sheet covered in foil. (No need to grease. The popcorn will come right off after the white chocolate dries.)
Try to spread the popcorn out into a single layer. (This doesn’t have to be perfect – you just want it as spread out as possible so it’ll harden up a little more easily & so the drizzle will more evenly coat the popcorn.)
Using a fork, drizzle on remaining white almond bark & melted chocolate chips on top of the popcorn.
Mmmm – looking so good! Adding that white chocolate drizzle and chocolate drizzle at the end really makes this look (and taste!) like such a decadent snack!
Step 7: Add any toppings you desire!
Here are SOME variation ideas:
- Cookies & cream chocolate drizzled popcorn – sprinkle on crushed & crumbled Oreos
- Chocolate M&M popcorn – use regular, peanut, peanut butter, or any other kind of M&Ms. You can get creative and find certain colored ones for a particular party theme, or use Christmas ones for the holidays!
- Chocolate drizzled popcorn with sprinkles – the easiest way to dress up popcorn for any party!
- Hot chocolate popcorn – add in mini chocolate chips & mini marshmallows
- Chocolate peppermint popcorn – sprinkle on crushed candy canes, maybe some Andes mints crumbles, and Christmas sprinkles
- Peanut butter-lovers chocolate popcorn – sprinkle in mini Reeses peanut butter cups & peanuts
- Toffee-lovers chocolate popcorn – sprinkle crushed toffee bits (you can find these on the baking aisle of your grocery store) over the top!
I mean, ya just can’t go wrong!
Step 8: Allow the popcorn to set
Place the pan in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes to allow the popcorn to set. The baking bark hardens quickly, but the refrigeration helps to speed up the hardening of the melted chocolate.
Remove from fridge. Gently lift the foil on either end to help break up the popcorn and then use it as a funnel to put all of the popcorn in a large bowl, or break apart and add to goodie bags or mason jars for gift-giving. ENJOY!
Check out these chocolate-covered popcorn variation ideas!
Cookies & Cream Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn
How fun!
The Oreos just add an additional flavor & crunch!
Chocolate M&M Popcorn
Perfect for any party! Or, add red & green ones for Christmas. (Perfect for gift-giving! Use these adorable Christmas popcorn tags to dress up your gift!)
Chocolate-drizzled popcorn with sprinkles
So simply festive! Use sprinkles that go along with your party theme!
Hot Chocolate Popcorn
Add in some mini chocolate chips & mini marshmallows. Perfect Christmas treat!
Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn
Add in some crushed candy canes + Christmas sprinkles. LOOK HOW PRETTY!
Peanut Butter-Lovers Chocolate Popcorn
My personal fave!
Drive home the peanut buttery goodness with adding some Reeses peanut butter chips. 😋
Toffee-Lovers Popcorn
Sprinkle on some toffee bits. YUM.
Questions about making this chocolate drizzle popcorn:
Can I use candy melts for this recipe?
You can, but I think you’ll have a richer flavor with regular chocolate chips. I think white candy melts – in lieu of the almond bark – would be fine. That flavor will be about the same!
How long does the popcorn last?
It tastes the freshest within the first day, but it still tastes great within a few days of making it. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I make this in bulk?
YES! I actually almost always make 3 bags of popcorn at a time because I usually make this for parties or to give as gifts. It’s very easy to just double or triple the recipe!
You really don’t need to do anything different – I would still just stir chocolate + popcorn one bag at a time, but you can easily fit all 3 bags of coated popcorn on one baking sheet.
Also: remember to add toppings one bag at a time. You won’t be able to evenly coat the popcorn very well if you wait until you’ve added all 3 bags to the pan.
Whether you’re making this easy snack recipe for the whole family to enjoy on your next movie night, for a big party, or to package up and give out as gifts, I hope you have so much fun putting it together and customizing it with your favorite toppings!
More popcorn recipe ideas:
- White chocolate popcorn – this exact recipe, just minus the chocolate chips!
- Gingersnap popcorn – fun & festive flavor for the holidays
- White chocolate lemon popcorn – mmm – perfect for summertime gatherings!
Ingredients
- 1 bag of microwave popcorn
- 6 oz white candy bark (also known as vanilla candy coating or almond bark)
- 3/4 c semisweet chocolate chips
Other topping or add-in ideas:
- crushed Oreos ("Cookies & Cream")
- peanuts & mini peanut butter cups
- crushed candy canes (Chocolate peppermint)
- toffee bits
- mini chocolate chips & marshmallows ("Hot Cocoa")
- M&Ms
- festive sprinkles Perfect for themed parties & celebrations!
Instructions
- Pop the bag of popcorn as you normally would in the microwave.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add the white candy bark/white chocolate and place in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove, stir, and repeat for another 30 seconds. Stir, and if you need to add it to the microwave one more time, just try it for about 20 seconds. It'll likely be fully melted after the 2nd round in the microwave, though! Set aside once it's melted.
- Shake the bag of popcorn up and down for a few seconds to get the unpopped kernels to fall to the bottom of the bag.
- Using your hand, scoop out about 1/3-1/2 of the popped popcorn into a large bowl. (Don't pour it in so you can avoid the unpopped kernels!) Add part of the melted baking bark to the popcorn, lightly stir, and repeat with remaining popcorn in the bag & MOST of the rest of the melted candy bark. **Reserve a little bit of the melted candy bark - about 2 T - for drizzling on top at the end.**
- Add chocolate chips to microwave safe bowl & microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat this process until melted. (Probably just 2 rounds in the microwave.)
- Drizzle MOST of the melted chocolate onto the popcorn - again, reserving about 2 T for drizzling on top at the end - and stir until popcorn is evenly coated.
- Pour popcorn mixture on large baking sheet covered with foil. Using a fork, drizzle remaining melted white baking bark & melted chocolate on top of the popcorn. Immediately add toppings.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes to allow the popcorn to set. The baking bark hardens quickly, but the refrigeration helps to speed up the hardening of the melted chocolate.
- Remove from fridge. Gently lift the foil on either end to help break up the popcorn and then use it as a funnel to put all of the popcorn in a large bowl, or break apart and add to goodie bags or mason jars for gift-giving. ENJOY!
Notes
- Make a larger batch: I almost always make 3 bags of popcorn at a time because I usually make this for parties or to give as gifts. It's very easy to just double or triple the recipe!
- MAKE SURE you use good, microwave-safe bowls. I always use my little Pyrex bowls for melting chocolate in the microwave. If you use ceramic or something else that doesn't heat evenly, your chocolate may not melt well.
- Making this as a Christmas gift? Use these adorable free printable Christmas popcorn gift labels to package this treat up for gifts!
- The chocolate may be a little sticky - THAT'S OK. Melted chocolate chips don't harden up as much as baking bark does. However, they taste MUCH BETTER than chocolate wafers or milk chocolate baking bark, so I would absolutely still use them!