Monster Popcorn is seriously scary-looking popcorn. I agree the colors are a bit scary and if you are sensitive to food dyes you can still make this popcorn with a few simple substitutions. For a party or special occasion, this monster popcorn is a fun way to add some color, fun, and fright to the snack or dessert table.
Also check out my recipes for Monster Apple Snacks, Earth Day Waffles, and Easy Chocolate Unicorn Bark.
Key Takeaways:
- Fun & Frightening Treat: Monster Popcorn is a colorful, spooky snack perfect for parties, holidays, or themed events.
- Healthier Swaps Available: You can make a dye-free version using air-popped popcorn, white chocolate, and food-based color powders.
- Customizable Coloring: Natural powdered colors work best with melted candy or white chocolate—avoid water-based food colors.
- DIY Eyeballs: Create edible monster eyes at home using royal icing and safe food coloring for a cost-effective, creative touch.
- Simple Melting Method: Microwave candy melts or white chocolate in 15-second bursts with added shortening to avoid clumping.
- Assemble & Decorate: Coat popcorn in melted candy, drizzle with colors, then finish with sprinkles and eyeballs for a festive, frightful look.
Overview
Monster Popcorn is a frightfully fun treat perfect for parties, Halloween, or any occasion that could use a playful pop of color. With its eerie hues and edible candy eyeballs, this recipe adds both charm and spookiness to any snack table. Whether you’re planning a themed celebration or just looking to surprise the kids with a creative snack, Monster Popcorn delivers on both taste and presentation. The recipe is easily customizable—especially for those sensitive to artificial dyes—thanks to simple substitutions like natural food-based color powders and dye-free sprinkles. With step-by-step instructions, helpful product links, and even homemade royal icing eyeballs, this guide makes it easy to craft a healthier, colorful, and creepy snack that’s sure to delight.
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Make it Healthy and with Dye-Free Coloring :
Use Natural Popcorn and White Chocolate:
Use air-popped popcorn instead of microwave popcorn. You will need about 6 cups of popped popcorn. Use white chocolate in place of the candy melts. The candy melts have artificial flavors.
Dye-Free Coloring To color the white chocolate, use natural powdered food-based colors. (click here) for a link to purchase food-based powders for color. Remember, you have to use a color that works in an oil or candy base. The only colors I’ve found that work with candy are powders. Please don’t purchase a powder that requires you to mix it in water before using it. Use sprinkles that are free of food dyes. Supernatural makes a variety of sprinkles that are free of food dyes. (click here to purchase)
Make the Eyeballs Yourself::
For the eyeballs: make your own out of Royal Icing. Color the icing for the pupils black using the Jelife black color from the link above. You can make a variety of eyeball sizes for pennies with Royal icing. Save the leftover eyeballs for future “monster recipes.”
Lets make some Monster Popcorn.
Melt The Candy
Add a little vegetable shortening to the candy melts or white chocolate and melt in the microwave. To Melt Candy Melts in the microwave. Microwave for 15-second intervals. Stir after every 15 seconds. Be careful not to overheat the Candy Melts. Overheating them will cause the candy to form a solid clump of candy. If this happens, throw out the Candy and start over. Alternately you can melt in a double boiler on the stove.
Use pre-colored candy melts or color the candy after it is melted. If you use white chocolate, color it after it is melted. Add the coloring to the melted candy and stir in. Add more coloring if a deeper color is desired.
Add the Melted Candy to the Popcorn
Add the Orange candy to the popcorn and stir to coat the popcorn. Spread the coated popcorn on a baking sheet. Drizzle the popcorn with the green and blue melted candy. Add sprinkles and eyeballs.
Serve up a Frightfully Delicious Snack.
Let the candy firm up. Serve the popcorn once it can be handled without sticking to your fingers. For more yummy monster treats try my Fruity Cereal Monster Treats or my Monster Breakfast Parfait.
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FAQ:
Q: Can I use microwave popcorn instead of air-popped popcorn?
A: Yes, but air-popped is preferred for a cleaner taste and to avoid added oils or artificial flavorings found in microwave varieties.
Q: What food coloring is safe for candy or chocolate?
A: Only oil-compatible powdered colors work well. Water-based colors will cause the chocolate or candy to seize and become unusable.
Q: How do I avoid clumping when melting candy melts?
A: Add a bit of vegetable shortening and heat in 15-second intervals, stirring frequently. Avoid overheating to prevent solidifying.
Q: Where can I find dye-free sprinkles and colors?
A: Brands like Supernatural offer dye-free sprinkles, and food-based color powders can be found through recommended affiliate links in the recipe.
Q: Can I prepare the eyeballs ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Homemade royal icing eyeballs can be stored and reused for other monster-themed recipes.
Q: Is Monster Popcorn safe for kids with dye sensitivities?
A: Yes, when using the natural substitutions listed—air-popped corn, white chocolate, food-based color powders, and dye-free sprinkles.
Monster Popcorn
Equipment
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- cookie baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 bags Microwave popcorn
- ½ cup white candy melts (85g)
- ¼ cup bright blue candy melts(42g)
- ¼ cup fluorescent green or lime green candy melts (42g)
- orange candy coloring Make sure it is candy coloring and not regular liquid food coloring
- small candy eyeballs
- Monster sprinkles
- 2 tsp crisco vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Pop the bag of popcorn in the microwave. Remove all of the unpopped kernels. Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Add 1/2 tsp of vegetable shortening to each color of candy melts.
- Melt the white candy melts in the microwave. Add the orange candy coloring and stir to mix in. (see notes)
- Pour the orange-colored candy over the popcorn. Toss to mix and coat the popcorn.
- Spread the candy-coated popcorn on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Melt the blue and green candy melts in the microwave.
- Drizzle each color over the popcorn. Add the sprinkles before the candy dries. Let the candy firm up. Wait to serve the popcorn until the popcorn can be handled without any candy sticking to your fingers. Serve and enjoy your Monster Popcorn.
Video
Notes
- Use white chocolate in place the candy melts. The white candy melts have artificial flavor. Color the white chocolate, orange, green, and blue.
- To color the candy use natural powdered food-based colors. (click here) for a link to purchase. Remember you have to use a color that works in an oil or candy base. The only colors I've found that work with candy are powders.
- Use sprinkles that are free of food dyes. Supernatural makes a variety of sprinkles that are free of food dyes. (click here to purchase)
- Use air-popped popcorn instead of microwave popcorn. You will need 6 cups.
