Peppermint Popcorn with Dehydrated Marshmallows

The holidays are a perfect time for festive snacks, but this Peppermint Popcorn with Dehydrated Marshmallows is great anytime! It starts with popcorn in a bag, so you’re off to a quick and easy start. With its sweet peppermint flavor, crunchy popcorn, and colorful marshmallows, it’s a fun treat for all occasions. Whether it’s a birthday party, movie night, or just a quick snack to brighten your day, this recipe is sure to be a hit!

What You’ll Need to Make Peppermint Popcorn

One of the best things about this recipe is that it doesn’t require precise measurements! You can easily adjust the amounts to suit your taste. Love marshmallows? Add a little extra. Would you prefer more peppermint crunch? Sprinkle in as much as you’d like. This snack is super forgiving, so feel free to experiment and make it your own. It’s all about having fun and creating a treat everyone will enjoy!

popcorn

Make this recipe easy on yourself and start with a bag of pre-popped popcorn. Sure, you can pop it yourself if you’d like, but sometimes convenience is key, and a store-bought bag works perfectly! I used about 1 1/2 to 2 full bags of popcorn from Walmart. The bags held 6.25 oz.

almond bark

Melt a full bag of vanilla almond bark for this recipe—it’s quick, easy, and coats the popcorn beautifully. If you prefer, you could use melted chocolate instead or even a mix of both for extra variety. Personally, I love the look and taste of the white almond bark—it pairs perfectly with the peppermint and colorful marshmallows!

peppermint

The most time-consuming part of this recipe is unwrapping the candy canes! Once that’s done, place them in a zip-lock bag and crush them into small pieces using a rolling pin, meat tenderizer, or even a hammer if needed. Be sure to crush them finely—nobody wants a surprise of a big hard peppermint chunk in their popcorn. For a gentler option, especially if you’re making it for “elderly” folks, consider using soft Bob’s peppermint sticks. They’re easier to crush and just as delicious! Another option is one or two of those big 12″ peppermint sticks.

dehydrated marshmallows

The dehydrated rainbow marshmallows I used came from Price Cutter, under the brand Valued Naturals Rainbow Marshmallows. I spotted them while shopping and couldn’t resist grabbing a bag—they were an impulse buy originally meant for hot chocolate (and they’re perfect for that, too!). For this recipe, I ended up using about 3/4 of an 8 oz bag. These marshmallows not only add a lovely pastel pop of color but also a delightful little “surprise” in every bite!

How to Make Peppermint Popcorn with Dehydrated Marshmallows

Pour the popcorn into a large bowl.

Melt the almond bark in 15-second intervals in the microwave, stirring after each interval until smooth. Be careful not to overcook.

Pour the melted almond bark over the popcorn and toss gently to coat.

Add the dehydrated marshmallows and toss gently again to combine.

Spread the coated popcorn onto waxed paper and let it cool completely.

Once cooled, break it into pieces. Most of the popcorn will be separated into single pieces or small clusters.

Store in a tightly covered container to keep it fresh.

Variations and Gift Ideas

This Peppermint Popcorn with Dehydrated Marshmallows is wonderfully versatile! You can easily switch things up by trying different flavors of candy canes or stick candy. The fun options at Cracker Barrel come to mind—pina colada, coconut, caramel, lemon, or pineapple. Food for thought, isn’t it? 😊

It’s also perfect for gifting. Package it in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbon for a festive and thoughtful touch. Whether for holidays, birthday parties, or even Halloween, this popcorn is a sweet way to spread some joy. My grandchildren love taking home a bag, and I bet yours will too! 🎁

More Sweet Treats to Try

Peppermint Bark

Old Fashioned Tea Cakes