Valentine’s Day Popcorn

Valentine’s Day Popcorn Ingredients

• Plain Popcorn: I use pre-popped bagged popcorn. Feel free to use microwaveable, air popped, or pop your own on the stove. Whatever you do, make sure it is not buttered or flavored. Lightly salted is okay but no salt is best.
• Mini Pretzels: This adds a delicious salty, crunch. I use mini twists but any small shape will work.
• Corn Squares Cereal: Another crunchy element, I like to use corn squares because they are sturdy and don’t break apart easily. You could also use rice squares, but they are not as sturdy.
• Mini Marshmallows: These become our gooey glue to the popcorn snack mix. Always make sure they are fresh and soft or they could have a hard time melting down.
• Unsalted Butter: Used to help melt down the marshmallows. Do not use salted butter, it will make the coating too salty.
• M&Ms: Grab a bag of the Cupid’s blend, they are pink, red, and white. I have seen them sold as milk chocolate (what I used), peanut, and peanut butter.
• Conversation Hearts: What screams Valentine’s Day more than conversation hearts? These add a crunchy, bright note.

Equipment Needed

• Saucepan: It can be on the small side because all we will do is melt the butter and marshmallows in it.
• Bowl: You will want this to be the biggest one you got. It has to hold a lot of goodies and you have to be able to stir it without flinging stuff everywhere.
• Baking Sheet: Line it with some parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray. This is so the marshmallow doesn’t make the popcorn snack mix stick to it.

How to Make Valentine’s Day Popcorn

Here’s a quick summary on how to make this popcorn snack mix. The recipe card below will have complete details.

1. IN A BIG BOWL COMBINE SNACK MIX INS– popcorn, mini pretzels, corn squares cereal, half the M&M’s, and half of the conversation hearts.

2. MELT BUTTER AND MINI MARSHMALLOWS in a small saucepan until both are smooth and well combined.

3. POUR MELTED MARSHMALLOW OVER SNACK MIX and fold together until everything is coated.

4. SMOOTH ONTO A BAKING SHEET and allow the Valentine’s Day Popcorn snack mix to harden and dry.

Storing Information

Any leftovers can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or sealable bag. It is best eaten within 3 days but still edible until it is stale. I live in a very dry climate so mine tends to last a lot longer than 3 days.

I do not recommend refrigerating or freezing your Valentine’s Day Popcorn.

Gifting Valentine’s Day Popcorn

I absolutely love making this popcorn snack mix to package up for gifts. It’s great for your kid’s school parties, your BFF’s at the Galentine’s Day party, or even your neighbor or mailman.

Here’s a few ways I would package it up for Valentine’s Day (with a handwritten Valentine of course):

• Place a cup or two of the popcorn snack mix into clear or colored cellophane baggies. Tie it off with festive ribbon or kitchen twine.
• Add the popcorn snack mix to a small canister or Valentine’s themed box and add a red bow to the top.
• Decorate paper lunch bags (with markers, stickers, or stamps), place the popcorn snack mix inside and staple the bag on the top. Add a small, stick-on bow for pizzaz.

Fun Variations To Try

Although this recipe tastes amazing as written, you can customize your Valentine’s Day Popcorn to make it your own.

COAT IT IN CHOCOLATE- Not a fan of marshmallows? No problem, swap them out for white chocolate or colored candy melts. You won’t need the unsalted butter or mini marshmallows if you opt for chocolate.

ADD OR SWAP IN YOUR FAVORITE GOODIES- This can be anything from roasted nuts to freeze-dried strawberries, Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles, a red or pink chocolate drizzle, other types of cereal, or mini chocolate chips. The list goes on and on, you cannot mess this up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

More Valentine’s Day Sweets To Try:

• Nutella Puppy Chow
• Coconut Rice Krispie Treats
• Raspberry Almond Cake (one layer)
• Red Velvet Oreo Cookies
• Raspberry Cupcakes
• Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
• White Forest Cake (one layer)
• Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondies
• Strawberry Filled Cupcakes
• Browse even more Valentine’s Day recipes.

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