4th of July Popcorn is a sweet and salty party snack with popcorn, pretzels, M&Ms, and white chocolate. Make it for your next summer party!

author’s note

Gone Before the First Sparkler!

Every year, I make a big batch of this popcorn mix for fireworks night—and it disappears fast. It’s easy to prep ahead, fun to customize, and makes just the right balance of sweet and salty. Whether we’re packing it in treat bags or setting it out in a big bowl, it’s always the first thing gone!

I love that it’s simple enough to throw together during the chaos of party prep but still feels festive and special.

All the ingredients for 4th of July Popcorn laid out, including popcorn, pretzels, sprinkles, white chocolate, and M&Ms, ready for easy assembly.

Here’s What You Need:

Ingredient	Let’s Chat About It
Popcorn	You can buy pre-popped or pop your own with plain, lightly salted kernels. A popcorn machine or stovetop method also works, just be sure to remove any un-popped kernels before adding the other ingredients.
Mini pretzels	Break them in half so they mix in better and are easier to eat.
Red, white, and blue M&M’s	Regular M&M’s work too, just pick out the red and blue ones if needed!
White chocolate chips & oil	Melt slowly and stir often so the chocolate stays smooth in this 4th of July Popcorn.
Sprinkles & optional chocolate drizzle	Add sprinkles right away so they stick; drizzle chocolate after spreading the mix on the pan.

Quick Tip

Don’t let unpopped kernels ruin your treat! Put popcorn in a bowl, cover with a cooling rack, turn it upside down, and shake over a plate. The kernels will fall out!

White chocolate being poured into the bowl with the other ingredients and it all being mixed together for this 4th of July popcorn.

chelsea’s recipe tips

How To Make 4th of July Popcorn (Tips)

Use fresh popcorn: Pop it right before making for the best flavor and texture.
Use a big bowl: It makes mixing easier and less messy.
Line the pan: Parchment paper, foil, or a nonstick mat keeps it from sticking.
Melt slowly: Microwave in short bursts, stirring often, until smooth.
Choose good chocolate: Higher quality white chocolate melts smoother and tastes better.

Storage

Leftover 4th of July Popcorn?

Enjoy fresh within a day or two. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

For longer storage, freeze to keep it crisp. It’s delicious right out of the freezer!

More Festive 4th Of July Treats:

Desserts

4th of July Bark Recipe

Quick And Easy

4th of July Snack Mix

No Bake Cookies Recipe

Desserts

Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

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4th of July Popcorn

By Chelsea Lords

4th of July Popcorn is a sweet-and-salty mix of white chocolate-covered popcorn, pretzels, and M&M’s. Quick, easy, and perfect for adding your favorite festive sprinkles!

Prep Time: 15

Chilling Time: 30

Total Time: 45

Servings: servings

Video

Equipment

Large sheet pan (15" x 21")
Aluminum foil or parchment paper or a silicone liner

Ingredients

▢ 8 cups plain popped popcorn see note 1
▢ 2 cups mini pretzel twists broken in half
▢ 1-1/3 cups red, white, and blue M&M’s 1 (10-ounce) bag, see note 2
▢ 2 cups white chocolate chips an 11 to 12-ounce bag will work
▢ 1-1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil or canola oil
▢ 2 tablespoons red, white, and blue sprinkles optional
▢ Optional chocolate drizzle 1/2 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil

Instructions

Line a large sheet pan with foil, parchment paper, or a silicone liner. Set aside.
In a large bowl, add the popped popcorn, ensuring no kernels get in (see note 3). Break the pretzels in half and add them to the bowl. Add the M&M’s.
Add white chocolate chips and oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Be careful not to burn the chocolate. Pour the melted chocolate over the popcorn mix and quickly toss to coat everything evenly.
Spread the mixture in a single layer on the prepared pan. Immediately sprinkle with sprinkles, if using.
Optional Milk Chocolate Drizzle: If desired, melt the milk chocolate chips with oil in a microwave-safe bowl using 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth. Transfer to a small resealable plastic bag, snip the tip, and drizzle over the popcorn.
Let the popcorn harden at room temperature or in the fridge until solid. Once hardened, break into pieces. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. For the best flavor, eat within 1–2 days.

Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Buying pre-popped popcorn speeds things up, but costs more. You can also pop your own using lightly salted plain popcorn. Measure out 8 cups of cooked popcorn. If using plain popcorn, add a bit of salt.

Note 2: If you can’t find the red, white, and blue mix, use regular M&M’s and pick out the reds and blues.

Note 3: Place popcorn in a large bowl with a cooling rack on top. Turn it upside down and shake over a plate to let the un-popped kernels fall out.

Storage: Enjoy fresh within 1–2 days. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze to keep it crisp. It’s tasty right out of the freezer!