Peppermint Bark Popcorn

Get your chocolate and peppermint fix with this peppermint bark popcorn recipe. It's gluten-free, ready in 20 minutes and perfect for holiday parties.

9 Reviews
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peppermint bark popcorn recipe

This peppermint bark popcorn is my ideal Christmastime treat. It features my favorite salty snackโ€”stovetop popcornโ€”drizzled with melted dark chocolate, followed by white chocolate and crushed candy canes. Itโ€™s crisp, sweet, salty, pepperminty perfection, and I love it.

This popcorn has been one of my favorite holiday recipes since I shared it in 2012, and Iโ€™m updating it with new photos in 2024. For more classic peppermint bark flavor, Iโ€™ve stirred peppermint extract into the dark chocolate and added a generous drizzle of white chocolate as well.

If this popcorn recipe looks intimidating, I promise itโ€™s a manageable little project thatโ€™s ready in thirty to forty minutes (and half of that time is chilling time). Itโ€™s fun to make! Share your batch with friends this year, and Iโ€™m sure theyโ€™ll ask you for more next December.

Key Ingredients & Where to Buy Them

Youโ€™ll find the full recipe further below. Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll need.

  • Popcorn kernels: Look for unpopped popcorn near the microwave popcorn.
  • Semisweet to dark chocolate chips: I like Whole Foods 365 or Guittard.
  • Peppermint extract or flavoring: Iโ€™ve used Frontier Co-op and Whole Foods 365, both great. If you donโ€™t have it, you can skip it and still get a nice amount of peppermint flavor from the candy canes.
  • Chopped white chocolate: I used Ghirardelli white chocolate bars from Target. Bars of white chocolate melt better than white chocolate chips, in my experience.
  • Peppermint candy canes: These are generally only available during the holidays unless you can find them online.
  • Flaky sea salt (optional): I love Maldon Sea Salt and use it as a finishing salt on sweet and savory bites.

Popcorn Variations

Tailor the chocolate to your tastebuds. If you prefer a lighter, sweeter chocolate flavor, substitute milk chocolate in place of the dark chocolate chips. You can also trade all white chocolate for the dark chocolate or vice versa.

For a lighter treat, omit the white chocolate or use half as much dark chocolate. Itโ€™s still fantastic.

You could go in many different directions with this basic chocolate-drizzled popcorn concept. You could mix some lightly salted, roasted nuts with the popcorn before drizzling it with chocolate. You could even sprinkle it with coconut flakes or sprinkles instead of peppermint.

peppermint bark popcorn on pan

More Christmastime Treats

Please let me know how your popcorn turns out in the comments! I love hearing from you, and I hope this recipe becomes a holiday tradition for you as well.

peppermint bark popcorn in bowl
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Peppermint Bark Popcorn

  • Author: Cookie and Kate
  • Prep Time: 25 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6
  • Diet: Gluten Free

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 9 reviews

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Get your chocolate and peppermint fix with this peppermint bark popcorn recipe. Please do make the popcorn on the stove with a bit of oilโ€”itโ€™s really easy and tastes SO much better than microwave or air-popped popcorn. This peppermint bark popcorn is perfect to bring to holiday parties since it is gluten-free and easily vegan (see note). Recipe yields about six cups of popcorn.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil
  • ยฝ cup popcorn kernels
  • ยฝ teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet to dark chocolate chipsย 
  • ยฝ teaspoon peppermint extract or flavoringย ย 
  • ยฝ cup (3 ounces) chopped white chocolate
  • 4 standard-sized peppermint candy canes (to yield about โ…“ cup finely crushed peppermint)
  • Flaky sea salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cover a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the chocolate from sticking to the pan (youโ€™ll need to fit the baking sheet into your refrigerator laterโ€”use two smaller baking sheets if needed). Pour the oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pan with a lid (if you have a medium-sized Dutch oven, itโ€™s perfect for this). Turn the heat up to medium, add 2 kernels of corn, and cover.
  2. Once the kernels pop, remove the lid and pour in the remaining popcorn kernels. Cover the pot and give the pot a little shimmy to distribute the kernels evenly.
  3. Cook over medium heat, shaking the pot occasionally. Crack the lid just a smidge so the popcorn stays crisp, and cook until the popping sound slows to about one pop per every few seconds. Remove the pan from heat and dump the popcorn onto the parchment paper-covered pan. Discard any kernels that didnโ€™t popโ€”this is important because they will be hard to see later. Sprinkle the salt evenly all over and stir to combine.ย 
  4. Place the candy canes in a plastic bag. Cover the bag with a tea towel and crush the candy canes by rolling a rolling pin over it. (A mallet or hammer works, too.) When youโ€™re done, the candy canes should be pretty finely crushed.
  5. Place the chocolate chips in one microwave-safe bowl and the white chocolate in another microwave-safe bowl. Melt them in the microwave in twenty-second bursts, stirring between each, or over double boilers until itโ€™s completely melted and smooth (one may be done before the other).ย 
  6. Stir the peppermint oil into the dark chocolate chips, then drizzle the mixture all over the popcorn. Next, drizzle the white chocolate all over (if it has thickened, warm it up for 10 to 20 seconds first). Working quickly, sprinkle the popcorn with the crushed candy canes. Very lightly sprinkle it with flaky salt, if using.
  7. Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes or until the chocolate is set completely (it should be snappy when you try to break some off). Break up the popcorn sheet with your hands and serve. The popcorn is best served on the day itโ€™s made but will keep for a few days. Store leftovers in an airtight plastic bag at room temperature.

Notes

Make it vegan/dairy free: Substitute dairy-free chocolate chips, such as Enjoy Life. You can omit the white chocolate if you canโ€™t find it. Double-check that your candy canes are vegan, if necessary.ย 

Change it up: This recipe is very flexible. For a lighter treat, omit the white chocolate or use half as much dark chocolate. Or substitute milk chocolate if you prefer a lighter, sweeter chocolate flavor.

Nutrition

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionistโ€™s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.

Kate and Cookie

HELLO, MY NAME IS

Kathryne Taylor

I'm a vegetable enthusiast, dog lover, mother and bestselling cookbook author. I've been sharing recipes here since 2010, and I'm always cooking something new in my Kansas City kitchen. Cook with me!

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Comments

  1. jamie @ GB&G

    Iโ€™d be the one hovering over this at the office! YUM.

  2. Nicole

    Oh snap! I planned on making something very similar this weekend and Iโ€™m going all out with dark and white chocolate. Hoping I can capture some precious daylight. Yours looks lovely! I really need something with drizzled chocolate :)

  3. Chloe Moon

    I love anything peppermint!! Omg I havenโ€™t had lunch yet so I really wish there was like a smell-o-computer or something. Iโ€™d probably eat at least 2-3 servings of this in one sitting if I made it. Iโ€™m definitely going to pin this so I remember!

    Happy Holidays!

    1. Kate

      Ha. I think I ate at least three servings of this while I was typing up the post. Itโ€™s dangerous stuff.

  4. Abby@TheFrostedVegan

    Ohh I canโ€™t wait to try this one! Iโ€™m thinking white chocolate and pistachios!

  5. Jen

    Nice. Will be making this for work next week. Just made pretzels drizzled with chocolate and sprinkles for my daughterโ€™s Brownies xmas party last night. The salty and sweet together are so good.

  6. Grace

    Thanks for adding to my peppermint bark obsession! At least this one is easier on the waistline. I have an office party Friday so I think this will be just the snack to bring. Though Iโ€™ll have to make it just before work so i donโ€™t eat the whole batch. I canโ€™t believe you have leftovers to share. Stronger woman than I!

  7. Kathryn

    If it makes you feel any better, the only treat on offer at my workplace is the odd glass of cheap white wine ;)

    Love this popcorn โ€“ I bet crushed candy canes give it a really nice crunch!

  8. Elizabeth Jarrard RD

    oh. my. god. making!!

  9. andra

    It does look decadent. What a great idea for something light AND minty-chocolatey good.

  10. Barbara Thukral

    You had leftovers?!

    1. Kate

      Donโ€™t worry, I polished off most of the leftovers while I was typing up this post. :)

  11. Katherine Sacks

    This looks really lovely. Iโ€™ve been trying to focus on making even more at home, and snacks can be a big problem. This is just enough sweet without being overkill.

  12. Beth {local milk}

    Considering my โ€œnight lifeโ€ consists of bedtime movies & sweets + saltiesโ€ฆ I kind of have to have this. I absolutely plan to eat this. In my bed. & re: your last commentโ€ฆ man, thatโ€™s the thing about blogging. You end up *seriously* wanting to hang out & we all seem to be scattered to the four corners! One of these daysโ€ฆ

  13. Brooke

    Oh my!! This looks soo good! Salty, sweet, chocolatey, pepperminty. Bookmarking now!!

  14. a farmer in the dell

    I think this will make a lovely Christmas present. Mason jar, ribbon, and peppermint bark popcorn. Done and done! Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Kate

      I think youโ€™re right!

  15. Cassie

    Great idea! I am such a big popcorn fan! Love the peppermint.

  16. Stefanie

    Amazing! You could totally package this up for gifts! I love it.

  17. Jodye

    Yes, please. Iโ€™ll have the whole batch, all to myself! This sounds so wonderful. Itโ€™s my dadโ€™s birthday tomorrow. Maybe I should make some for him (at least half will get there).

  18. ashley-bakerbynature

    I will be totally making this over the weekend! I always drizzle my popcorn with dark chocolate, but the peppermint is going to put it over the top โ€“ I just know it!

  19. Laura (Tutti Dolci)

    Love this idea, Iโ€™m a peppermint bark addict!

  20. Alissa

    This was devine and totally addictive. Iโ€™ll have to make this for my coworkersโ€ฆand then not share it. :)

    1. Kate

      Keep it all to yourself! I might make some more for Jordanโ€™s party.

  21. Erin @ The Speckled

    Kate, this looks INCREDIBLE and just like the treat I need to get myself moving this afternoon. As a non-office worker, I feel you on not having a copious amount of treats around this time of year, and itโ€™s always nice to treat yourself to something scrumptiousโ€ฆ Definitely making this today. :) Thanks for sharing!

  22. Joanne

    Working in an office of some kind has its perks in that senseโ€ฆbut then you realize your pants donโ€™t fit come January first! Oops!

    This popcorn/peppermint bark fusion sounds like it would make that SO worth it though.

    1. Kate

      Iโ€™ll be lucky if my pants fit in January. Youโ€™re right, though, this peppermint bark popcorn is definitely worth it.

  23. Aggie

    I know I would be at least 5lbs heavier this week if I were working in an office around all those treats! I totally get what you are saying. This is totally my kind of treat, love it!

  24. Elise

    Thank you so much for posting this recipe! Iโ€™ve have been looking for a great recipe for holiday gifts.

  25. Sylvie @ GitK

    Yes, Iโ€™ve been taking the treating making into my own hands as well since Iโ€™m in the same boat. The best part is we get to make what we like!

  26. M.A.

    Not in this house will it โ€œkeep for a couple of daysโ€. Itโ€™ll be a wonder if it lasts the afternoon!

  27. Heidi @ Food Doodles

    Yum! I love this! I made something similar last year and couldnโ€™t get enough of it. This is like the best holiday snack ever :D

  28. Elizabeth

    Oh my. Oh. My.

    This looks awesome, and with ingredients I already have around the house for Christmas! What a great way to change up the typical idea of peppermint bark.

  29. Allison

    This was a hit!!! Oh wow! I made this for a military squadron holiday party, and holy bajoly, it flew out of the bag. I could barely get it out of my house because I couldnโ€™t stop munching. This tastes like a gourmet specialty treat. The cool thing is (well, aside from the deliciousness), is it was beyond simple to make. And cheap! Thanks for posting. I canโ€™t wait to make a batch for my family, here at home.

    1. Kate

      Thanks for the glowing review, Allison. Iโ€™m so glad you loved the recipe! It is so simple and cheap, and I was glad that it was gluten-free so I could share it with all my friends. Happy holidays!

  30. Baking Serendipity

    This should be on every office holiday snack listโ€ฆstarting now. I love the popcorn base!

  31. lapiubelladitutte

    This looks like a very good treat, easy to make and not very fattening!

  32. Jill

    I made this and it was great- however,I did use trader joes air popped pppcorn( I know, I know) .
    I wasnโ€™t able to create the โ€œbark texture. It fell apart after a long time in the fridge. Tried the freezer too.
    Was it my need for instant gratification and using store bought popcorn?
    Thanks!

    1. Kate

      Hey Jill, I think you would just need to use a lot more chocolate in order to achieve the texture of peppermint bark. I didnโ€™t want a heavy treat so the one cup of chocolate seemed about right for me.

  33. Jaycee

    Holy Effin Delicious. Easy and delicious and amazing. And well enough said.

  34. Crystal Clark

    Looks super yummy and simple. Maybe Iโ€™ll make this for dessert for my hubby and me tonight. :)

  35. Kate

    I make this recipe with WHITE chocolate and it is a family fav! It looks really festive too!

  36. Nancy Jones

    Looking for something to send clients for the holidaysโ€ฆhow long do you think this popcorn will stay fresh?

    1. Kate

      Nancy, sorry I didnโ€™t see your question sooner! I think it will stay fresh for up to 5 days or so. You might make a test batch to be sure. It is delicious and super simple! :)

  37. Sarah Stites

    I just made this for a college Christmas party, and it was quite the hit. So easy and festive!

    1. Kate

      Happy to hear it! Thank you, Sarah.

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  39. Barb

    I was given a huge bag of popcorn from Costco made with coconut oil, and I had about 1/4 c crushed candy canes left from another baking project, so had to try this. The melted chocolate didnโ€™t want to come off the spoon so I added about 1tsp coconut oil and put the bowl over boiling water as I workedโ€ฆstill couldnโ€™t get the nice lines like your photo and ended up mounding the popcorn on the baking tray and smearing it with melted chocolate using a spatulaโ€”sprinkled the crushed peppermint candy on top, then stirred, spread it out and popped it in the refrigerator. It tasted amazing! Wonderful treat with minimal work that tastes like Christmas. Put it in a jar with a ribbon and youโ€™d have a perfect gift!

    1. Kate

      Sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Barb.

  40. Emilie

    I was going to make this last year but had trouble smashing the candy canes. This year I was given a jar of them pre-crushed. I thought of this recipe last night. Itโ€™s easy and worked out great. I put it in plastic bags and left it in the fridge overnight. Just tried a piece and itโ€™s still fantastic. Thank you and enjoy your holidays!

    1. Kate

      Thanks for trying it, Emilie! Iโ€™m glad you tried it. I appreciate the review!

  41. Emilie

    I thought I posted something a few days ago, but maybe it didnโ€™t take. I remembered this recipe from last year โ€“ Iโ€™d given up after trying to smash candy canes โ€“ but this year my mother gave me crushed candy canes in a jar. So I made it, and everyone enjoyed it. Since there were so many other sweets around, I liked the amount of chocolate on the popcorn..just enough! Looking forward to making it again, thanks!

    1. Kate

      Thanks for your comment! Iโ€™m glad everyone loved it.

  42. Ily

    Hi there, do I store these in the freezer if Iโ€™m giving them away tomorrow?

    1. Kate

      Hi! Storage suggestions are below the recipe notes.