There’s something magical about mixing warm spices with a little sweetness and crunch, and that’s exactly what this Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is all about. Imagine popcorn glazed with a spicy cinnamon candy coating, topped off with silky white chocolate and festive red sprinkles — it’s a snack you won’t want to stop munching!

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

I was hooked the moment I took the first bite. The mix of spicy, sweet, and that satisfying crunch makes this popcorn so much more than just your usual snack – it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for sharing at any gathering.

Deliciously Spicy & Sweet: The Red Hots candies add that unforgettable cinnamon kick balanced by a sweet candy glaze.
Texture Heaven: Crunchy popcorn coated in a smooth candy layer with a soft drizzle of white chocolate on top.
Festive and Fun: Bright red sprinkles and white chocolate make it as pretty as it is tasty, perfect for holiday parties.
Easy to Make: With simple pantry staples and straightforward steps, you can whip this up anytime.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Getting your ingredients right sets you up for success with this cinnamon candy popcorn. A few tips: Use fresh popped popcorn (avoid stale bags!) and pick good-quality butter and white chocolate chips for the richest flavor. And if you want that real kick, don’t skimp on the Red Hots candies — they’re the star of the show.

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 crunchy base that carries all the tasty coating and toppings beautifully.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth candy glaze.
Sugar: Sweetens the glaze and balances the spice perfectly.
Light Corn Syrup: Prevents crystallization and keeps the candy coating smooth.
Red Hots Candies: Packed with spicy cinnamon flavor—this is what gives the popcorn its signature zing.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and keeps the sweetness from being overwhelming.
Baking Soda: Creates a light and airy texture in the candy glaze because of the fizz it produces.
White Chocolate Chips: Adds creamy, sweet contrast that pairs beautifully with the spice.
Red Sprinkles: For a bright, festive pop of color and a little extra crunch.

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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

The beauty of this Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is how easy it is to put your own spin on it. Whether you want it spicier, sprinkled with festive extras, or tailored to dietary needs, there’s plenty of room for creativity.

Lower-Heat Version: If you’re sensitive to spice or serving kids, I find reducing the Red Hots candies to ¾ cup keeps the flavor without overwhelming heat.
Chocolate Lover’s Twist: Swap the white chocolate chips for dark or milk chocolate—melting them for that rich, glossy drizzle adds a whole new level of indulgence.
Festive Mix-Ins: Try tossing in crushed peppermint candies or red and green M&Ms along with the red sprinkles for an extra holiday pop of color and flavor.
Allergy-Friendly: Use coconut oil instead of butter and check for dairy-free chocolate chips to make the snack vegan-friendly without losing that irresistible crunch and sweetness.

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: Get Your Oven Ready and Popcorn Spread

First, preheat your oven to 250°F – this low heat will help the cinnamon candy glaze set up perfectly without burning. While it warms, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; this keeps cleanup easy and prevents sticking. Spread 8 cups of freshly popped popcorn evenly across the sheet so every kernel gets a chance to shine under that cinnamon glaze.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Candy Mixture

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ cup of butter. Once melted and bubbling slightly, stir in ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 cup of Red Hots candies, ½ cup sugar, and ¼ cup light corn syrup. Whisk continuously as the mixture heats to a gentle boil—this usually takes just a few minutes. When it’s boiling, remove from the heat and stir in ½ teaspoon baking soda. Notice the mixture foam lightly—that’s the baking soda working its magic to give the glaze a lovely texture.

Step 3: Coat the Popcorn Quickly and Evenly

Pour the hot cinnamon candy mixture over the popcorn without delay—that glaze begins to harden fast! Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently toss and coat every kernel lightly in the spicy-sweet candy mixture. Aim for even coverage but avoid crushing the popcorn.

Step 4: Bake for Crisp Perfection

Slide your baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Halfway through, remove the sheet and toss the popcorn again—this step ensures every bite is beautifully coated. When the timer goes off, take it out and let it cool completely. That cooling period is crucial—it lets the glaze finish setting up with that perfect snap.

Step 5: Melt White Chocolate and Add the Finishing Touches

Melt ½ cup of white chocolate chips using your microwave in short bursts, stirring often to avoid overheating. Once smooth and creamy, drizzle the warm white chocolate over the cooled popcorn with a spoon. Don’t wait—the next fun step comes right after!

Step 6: Decorate with Extra Candies and Sprinkles

Immediately sprinkle ⅓ cup of Red Hots candies, ¼ cup of white chocolate chips, and as many vibrant red sprinkles as you like. These toppings add layers of texture, flavor, and festive flair — and make this snack truly irresistible. Let it all set before serving or storing.

Top Tip

These tips come straight from the heart of making this Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe perfectly every time — ensuring a crisp, flavorful, and beautifully balanced snack.

Use Parchment Paper: It makes cleanup so much easier and prevents the sticky cinnamon candy glaze from sticking to your baking sheet.
Work Quickly: When pouring the hot candy mixture over the popcorn, move fast! This helps coat every piece evenly before the glaze starts to harden.
The Baking Soda Trick: Adding baking soda creates a lovely foamy texture in the glaze, which gives your popcorn that irresistible crunch and lightness.
Don’t Skip Tossing: Toss the popcorn halfway through baking to keep the candy coating evenly distributed — it makes all the difference.

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

For an extra festive touch, try garnishing your popcorn with a sprinkle of extra red sprinkles just before serving, or toss in a handful of crushed peppermint candies during the last drizzle of white chocolate for holiday flair. Fresh cranberries or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar can also add a beautiful visual and tasty twist.

Side Dishes

This Cinnamon Candy Popcorn makes a fantastic snack all on its own, but it pairs beautifully with warm drinks like spiced apple cider, hot chocolate, or a cozy chai latte. For gatherings, serve alongside a cheese board featuring sharp cheddar and mild gouda to balance the popcorn’s sweet and spicy kick.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Cinnamon Candy Popcorn fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay crisp and delicious for up to one week—perfect if you want to make it in advance for a party or just to have on hand for snacking.

Freezing

While freezing popcorn isn’t usually recommended due to potential sogginess, your cinnamon candy coated popcorn can be frozen in a sealed bag or container for up to one month. Just be sure to thaw it completely at room temperature to help retain as much crunch as possible.

Reheating

If your popcorn loses a bit of crispness, refresh it by spreading it on a baking sheet and warming in a 250°F oven for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it to avoid melting the candy coating again!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Cinnamon Candy Popcorn less spicy?

Absolutely! Simply reduce the amount of Red Hots candies slightly to tame the heat while still keeping that signature cinnamon flavor.

What can I substitute for white chocolate chips?

You can use candy melts or melted white almond bark as a tasty and smooth alternative to white chocolate chips for drizzling and decorating.

Why do I need to add baking soda to the candy mixture?

Baking soda creates a light foam in the cinnamon candy glaze that helps make the coating crisp and crunchy rather than hard and brittle.

How long will the cinnamon candy popcorn stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container, the popcorn will stay fresh and crunchy for up to one week at room temperature.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is truly one of those snacks that brings warmth, fun, and a little kick to any occasion. Whether you're prepping it for holiday parties or cozy nights in, I hope you enjoy every spicy, sweet, crunchy bite as much as I do. Happy snacking and enjoy making memories around this festive treat!