Name: Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 cups popped popcorn; 1/2 cup butter; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/4 cup light corn syrup; 1 cup Red Hots candies; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/3 cup Red Hots candies; 3/4 cup white chocolate chips, divided; Red sprinkles

If you love that perfect dance of spicy, sweet, and crunchy, then this Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is about to become your new favorite snack. Imagine warm cinnamon glaze hugging every piece of popcorn, topped with creamy white chocolate and a pop of festive red candies—so good, 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

Honestly, I had so much fun making this spicy-sweet popcorn, and it’s quickly become my go-to for movie nights or when friends drop by. There’s something about the mix of crunchy popcorn with that fiery cinnamon kick and the smooth white chocolate drizzle that just feels like a celebration in every bite.

Bold Flavor Combo: The mix of Red Hots cinnamon candies and creamy white chocolate creates a unique sweet-and-spicy profile you won’t find in your regular snacks.
Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and perfect for whipping up in under an hour, even if you’re not a kitchen pro.
Perfect for Parties: With vibrant red candies and sprinkles, it looks as good as it tastes—perfect for festive gatherings or just brightening up your snack table.
Customizable Spice Level: You can easily tweak how spicy you want it by adjusting the Red Hots candies.

Ingredients & Why They Work

For this Red Hot Cinnamon Candy Popcorn, you’ll want fresh popped popcorn for the best crunch and tenderness. Each ingredient adds its own magic—from the buttery, sweet base to that fiery cinnamon kick and, finally, the creamy white chocolate that ties it all together.

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: Use fresh, plain popcorn so it holds the candy coating well without any added flavors interfering.
Butter: Adds richness and helps the candy coating stick to every kernel.
Sugar: Sweetens the glaze and caramelizes for that irresistible crunch.
Light Corn Syrup: Keeps the candy mixture smooth and prevents crystallization.
Red Hots Candies: The star ingredient that brings that bold cinnamon heat and vivid red color.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all flavor layers.
Baking Soda: Creates a light, airy texture in the candy coating for perfect crunch.
White Chocolate Chips: Adds a creamy, sweet contrast dripping over the spicy popcorn.
Red Sprinkles: For a festive pop of color and fun texture.

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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

One of the best parts about this Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to dial up the heat, mix in a festive twist, or keep it allergy-friendly, there’s room to make it truly your own.

Spicy Twist: If you love a serious kick, try adding an extra ¼ cup of Red Hots candies right into the candy coating. I personally enjoy this variation when watching a thriller—every crunch feels like a little burst of excitement!
Chocolate Swap: For a different flavor profile, swap out the white chocolate drizzle for dark or milk chocolate. This adds a rich contrast to the cinnamon spice and makes for a decadent treat perfect for chilly nights.
Allergy-Friendly: If you’re serving friends with dairy allergies, almond bark or vegan candy melts work beautifully as substitutes for the white chocolate chips.
Holiday Flair: Add green sprinkles instead of red for a festive Christmas vibe, or sprinkle with crushed candy canes for a minty-cinnamon mashup that’s delightful around the holidays.
Nutty Add-In: Toss in some chopped roasted almonds or pecans before baking to add an irresistible crunch and a nutty depth to the flavor.

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: Prep Your Popcorn Bed

Start by preheating your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out 8 cups of freshly popped popcorn into an even layer on the sheet—this helps the candy coating distribute evenly and crisp up nicely in the oven. Fresh popcorn is key here for that perfect crunch!

Step 2: Whip Up That Cinnamon Candy Sauce

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ cup of butter. Stir in ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 cup of Red Hots candies, ½ cup sugar, and ¼ cup light corn syrup. Bring everything to a boil while whisking constantly—this will help everything melt and meld together smoothly. Once boiling, remove from heat and quickly stir in ½ teaspoon baking soda. This step is magical—it aerates the mixture, giving your popcorn that light, crunchy texture.

Step 3: Coat the Popcorn With Care

Working fast, pour the hot cinnamon candy sauce over your popcorn bed on the baking sheet. Use a spatula or spoon to gently toss and coat the popcorn evenly before the sauce hardens. The warm, spicy aroma will start filling your kitchen—a delicious sign you’re on the right track!

Step 4: Bake for Perfect Crispness

Pop the coated popcorn into your preheated 250° F oven for 30 minutes. Halfway through, take it out and give it another gentle toss to ensure every piece gets that luscious coating. After baking, let the popcorn cool slightly so it sets just right—this step locks in the crunchy, spicy-sweet goodness.

Step 5: Melt and Drizzle White Chocolate

Melt ½ cup of white chocolate chips in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently until smooth and creamy. Drizzle this beautiful, glossy white chocolate over the cooled popcorn using a spoon. The contrast between the spicy cinnamon candy and sweet white chocolate is a match made in snack heaven.

Step 6: Final Garnish for Festive Flair

Right after drizzling, sprinkle the popcorn with ⅓ cup Red Hots candies, the remaining ¼ cup white chocolate chips, and a handful of red sprinkles. This not only amps up the flavor layers but adds a fun pop of color that makes this snack a showstopper at any gathering.

Top Tip

Getting your Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe just right can make all the difference in flavor and texture. Here are my best tips from making this treat multiple times, so you get that perfect spicy-sweet crunch every time.

Use Freshly Popped Popcorn: To keep that irresistible crunch, always start with popcorn popped just before you begin. Stale popcorn won't hold up as well under the candy coating.
Work Quickly with the Candy Coating: The cinnamon candy mixture hardens fast once off the heat, so be sure to pour and toss the popcorn swiftly to get an even coating without clumps.
Even Baking is Key: Tossing the popcorn halfway through baking ensures that every piece is evenly coated and crisp. Don’t skip this step—it truly elevates the texture.
Choose Quality White Chocolate: Melting smooth, creamy white chocolate chips instead of lower-quality candy melts makes a noticeable difference in flavor and appearance for drizzling.

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, sprinkle a few extra Red Hots candies or red-colored sugar crystals on top before serving. You can also add some festive edible glitter or finely chopped crystallized ginger for a bit of sparkle and flavor contrast.

Side Dishes

This Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe pairs wonderfully with simple snacks like mixed nuts or cheese boards, especially mild cheddar or cream cheese spreads. It also shines alongside warm drinks—think cinnamon-spiced cider, hot chocolate, or even a rich coffee to balance the heat and sweetness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover cinnamon candy popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its crispness. It will keep fresh and tasty for up to 3 days, perfect for snacking throughout the week.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t recommended for this popcorn recipe since the candy coating can become sticky or lose its crunch when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh within a few days.

Reheating

If the popcorn loses crispness, you can refresh it by spreading it on a baking sheet and warming it in a 250°F oven for about 5–7 minutes. Let it cool before serving to regain that satisfying crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe less spicy?

Absolutely! You can adjust the amount of Red Hots candies used to suit your heat preference. Use fewer candies for a milder cinnamon flavor and more for extra spice.

Is it better to use microwave popcorn or stovetop-popped popcorn?

For the best texture and flavor, I recommend popping your own popcorn on the stovetop or using an air popper. This ensures it's fresh and free from extra oils or seasoning that might interfere with the candy coating.

Can I substitute the white chocolate chips with another topping?

Yes! Almond bark or candy melts can be used as an alternative. Just make sure to melt them smoothly for drizzling. If you prefer, you can also skip the white chocolate drizzle for a more straightforward cinnamon candy popcorn.

How long does it take to prepare and bake this popcorn?

The recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to bake, totaling roughly 40 minutes from start to finish. It’s a great quick treat for any occasion!

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is one of those joyful snacks that brings a little warmth and sweetness with a kick of spice. It’s perfect for cozy movie nights, festive parties, or anytime you want to treat yourself and your loved ones. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s not just popcorn, but an experience wrapped in a crunchy, cinnamon-coated hug!