Valentine’s Popcorn is a simple Valentine’s snack made with popcorn, marshmallows, M&M’s, and melted chocolate that comes together in minutes.
Author’s Notes
My Brothers Still Roast Me For This…
Growing up, pink was always my favorite color. It even ended up in my very first email address: chelslovespink. Yes, really. And yes…my brothers have never let me live that one down.
But, honestly, I still love pink. So, of course, Valentine’s Day has always had a soft spot in my heart, especially from an aesthetic point of view. I love the pinks, reds, and whites, and I love them even more all mixed together.
Valentine’s M&M’s are hands down my favorite of all the holiday mixes, and seeing them pop out of cute desserts like this popcorn, this snack mix, or these muddy buddies just makes me ridiculously happy.
This popcorn isn’t just cute and festive, though. It’s an easy last-minute win for parties, Galentine’s Day, rom-com movie nights, or gifting to friends and family.
Valentine’s Popcorn Ingredients
| Ingredients | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|
| Popcorn | Use plain air-popped popcorn with no butter for the best flavor, and make sure it is fully cooled before coating it in chocolate. |
| Mini marshmallows | Use very fresh, soft marshmallows for the best texture. |
| Valentine’s M&M’s | Divide them and press some in while the chocolate is still soft so they stay visible and pretty. If you can’t access this specific bag, pick out red M&Ms from a standard bag. |
| White chocolate | Melt slowly and stir often to keep it smooth and avoid scorching. |
| Milk and dark chocolate | The better the quality of chocolate used, the better the flavor of this Valentine’s popcorn! |
Quick Tip
To avoid unpopped kernels, place the popcorn in a large bowl, cover with a cooling rack, flip over, and shake. The unpopped kernels will fall out. Scoop the rest of the popcorn and continue with the recipe.
My Top Tips For Melting Chocolate
This Valentine’s Popcorn uses three types of melted chocolate, so be sure to check out my top tips for melting chocolate.
- Stir often: Stir the chocolate every 20 seconds while melting. Chocolate continues to melt outside the microwave, which helps prevent overheating.
- Use good chocolate: Choose high-quality white chocolate like Ghirardelli® or Guittard® for better melting and flavor. Cheaper brands can turn waxy.
- Avoid moisture: Keep all liquid away from the chocolate. Even a small amount can cause it to clump and harden.
- Work fast: White chocolate sets quickly, so mix it with the popcorn right after melting.
Reader’s Notes & Tips
Valentine’s Popcorn Tips For Success
Toss everything with the white chocolate in an extra-large bowl. It makes it much easier to coat everything evenly without making a mess.
Line the sheet pan(s) with parchment paper or a non-stick liner to prevent sticking.
Storage
Chocolate-covered popcorn can soften since popcorn absorbs moisture easily, especially from warm chocolate or humid air. Using fully cooled popcorn helps, but this mix is best enjoyed shortly after making.
Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months and enjoy straight from the freezer or barely thawed for the best crunch.
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Valentine’s Popcorn
Video
Equipment
- Large sheet pan (15" x 21") or 2 large sheet pans
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Ingredients
- 10 cups popped popcorn no butter added, just lightly salted, see note 1
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 (10-ounce) bag Valentine’s Day M&M’s divided
- 1 (11-ounce) bag white chocolate chips or melts
- 1/2 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon coconut oil divided
- 1/3 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips or more milk chocolate
- 3 tablespoons Valentine’s Day sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Line an extra-large sheet pan or two large sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone liners. Set aside.
- In a very large bowl, add the fully cooled popcorn, mini marshmallows, and 1-1/4 cups of the Valentine’s M&M’s.
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, add white chocolate chips and 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring well between each burst, until fully melted and smooth. Be patient and stir A LOT outside of the microwave to avoid burning the chocolate.
- Let slightly cool then pour the melted white chocolate over the popcorn mixture. Working quickly, gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Immediately spread the coated popcorn into an even layer on the prepared sheet pan(s).
- Add the milk chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring between each burst, until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate to a small resealable plastic bag, snip a tiny corner, and drizzle evenly over the popcorn.
- Repeat with the dark chocolate chips and remaining 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil.
- While the chocolate is still soft, gently press the remaining M&M’s into the popcorn. Sprinkle with Valentine’s sprinkles, if using.
- Place the popcorn in the fridge until the chocolate is fully set. Break into pieces and enjoy right away!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi! How long does it stay fresh tasting? If I’m making for party favor treats and putting into plastic bags, can I plan to make it the day or two prior? Or will the popcorn go stale by then? Any tips for this?
Thank you! Cannot wait to try it!