Take your snack time to the next level with Nutella Popcorn. This chocolate covered popcorn is coated in a sweet hazelnut spread and colorful candies, making it the perfect snack for game or movie nights.
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Gourmet popcorn recipes are one of my favorite things to make for snacking or giving as gifts. A few of our favorites are Reese's, coffee, and s'mores popcorn. The beauty of homemade popcorn is that you can add anything to it.
Today's recipe might be my new favorite, though. I stirred Nutella into the melted white chocolate to create the dreamiest coating ever! I went even further and added a drizzle of green chocolate and colorful M&M candies.
The colors in this sweet treat make it great for St. Patrick's Day. However, you can easily customize this snack mix for any holiday by using different colored chocolate and candies.
What is Nutella?
Nutella is a popular chocolate hazelnut spread with a rich and creamy flavor. It was created in Italy in the 1940s. Although the delicious concoction has become popular worldwide in the past few years.
Why This Nutella Popcorn Recipe Works
This delightful snack consists of buttery, salted popcorn coated with white chocolate and hazelnut spread. The addition of colorful candies gives the treat a bright pop of color.
- Ready in minutes. Just toss it all together in a big bowl, spread it on a sheet pan, and it's ready to go.
- Fun party treats! Prepare this simple recipe for your next party and watch it disappear within minutes. Customize the colors to match the theme of your choice!
- It's easy to share. It's the perfect snack to enjoy with friends while watching movies or playing games.
What You Need
You only need four key ingredients to make this Nutella popcorn. You can assemble it in minutes, but beware because it disappears just as quickly!
- Popcorn - Any air-popped or microwave popcorn will work, although we prefer the butter variety. Another fun option would be to use caramel corn instead of crunchy popcorn.
- White Chocolate Candy Wafers - I like using the Ghirardelli melting wafers because they melt and taste better. You can also use almond bark or white chocolate chips instead of the wafers.
- Nutella - This rich and creamy spread adds a chocolate hazelnut flavor to the white chocolate.
- M&M's - We used the original miniature candies for this chocolate-covered mix. Feel free to use any size or variety.
BruCrew Tip: Use the leftover spread to make Nutella pop tarts or cheesecake Nutella crescent rolls.
How To Make Nutella Popcorn
Our hazelnut popcorn recipe is quick and easy to prepare. Just pop some kernels and melt some chocolate before allowing the mixture to set up.
- Pop the kernels. Whether you use a microwave or prefer a popcorn maker, the choice is yours. Dump the popcorn into a very large bowl. Make sure to remove any unpopped kernels!
- Melt the chocolate. Place the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and then heat according to the package directions. Stir in the spread until smooth and creamy.
- Drizzle and toss. Pour the melted Nutella mixture over the popcorn, then give it a good stir. Spread it on cookie sheets lined with wax or parchment paper, then sprinkle with some candies and sea salt.
- Add some color. Add green food coloring to extra melted white chocolate. Spoon into a bag and then drizzle over the pan of popcorn. Top with additional candies, then let it harden for 10-15 minutes before breaking it into chunks.
Storage Recommendations
Chocolate-covered popcorn tends to lose its crispiness quickly. It is best if served within 24 hours of making it, but it will keep for a few days. To keep it fresh, store it in an airtight container or ziplock bag to keep moisture out.
Keep the bag in a cool, dry place like the pantry or cupboard. Do not place it in the refrigerator because this can dry out the popcorn and make it chewy.
Tips and Tricks
- Pop mushroom popcorn kernels in an air popper because they pop up round and hold the chocolate the best.
- Remove any unpopped kernels before adding the chocolate. No one wants to bite into a seed and break a tooth!
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper to keep the chocolate from sticking to the pan.
- Add the M&M candies and salt immediately because the chocolate hardens quickly.
- Change it up by adding chopped hazelnuts and mini marshmallows to the mixture.
How To Choose The Best Popcorn
Did you know that there is a difference in popcorn kernels? The difference between the butterfly and the mushroom popcorn is the shape of the kernel.
Mushroom seeds pop up in a round shape with an even surface. This makes it easier for coatings to stick to it. It's commonly used to make caramel corn, kettle corn, or chocolate-covered popcorn. The shape of the popped corn is more compact so that it can hold up to heavier coatings.
Butterfly popcorn pops up in random shapes. It looks like it has wings that stick out in different directions. It is the most common popcorn that you find in movie theaters because butter and seasoning easily stick to it. Chocolate and caramel make this popcorn crumble.
FAQs
Nutella has a rich and creamy texture with a distinct chocolate hazelnut flavor. This spread has a unique blend of flavors.
It can be used on bread, toast, crackers, desserts, and snacks. This makes it versatile and enjoyable.
When choosing popcorn kernels, consider the texture you want in your end product. If you're making heavily coated popcorn, mushroom popcorn is the better choice because it is sturdy. Butterfly popcorn is a great option for lighter, fluffier popcorn.
If you're using a microwave, melt the chocolate in short intervals at 50% power, stirring between each one. Keep the heat low and stir until the chocolate is smooth if you are using a double boiler.
More Sweet Popcorn Treats
- White Chocolate Popcorn
- Banana Split Popcorn
- Almond Joy Popcorn
- Mint Popcorn
- Neapolitan Popcorn
- Toffee Popcorn
- Lucky Charms Popcorn
- White Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn
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Recipe
Nutella Popcorn
Take your snack time to the next level with Nutella Popcorn. This chocolate covered popcorn is coated in a sweet hazelnut spread and colorful candies, making it the perfect snack for game or movie nights.
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- 1 - 10 bag white chocolate melts, divided
- ½ cup Nutella
- ¼ or ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- ½ cup miniature M&M candies, divided
- green gel food coloring
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place the popcorn in a large bowl. Melt 1 cup of candy wafers according to the package directions.
- When melted, stir in the Nutella until melted and smooth again. Pour over the popcorn and toss until completely coated.
- Place popcorn on a lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt and ¼ cup M&M's and toss again. Let set in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
- Melt 2-3 tablespoons candy melts and add a drop of green gel food color to the melted chocolate. Stir. Repeat if you want a darker color.
- Place in a plastic bag and cut one corner off. Drizzle over set popcorn and sprinkle with the other ¼ cup M&M's. Let set. Store in a sealed container for 3-5 days.
Notes
- Pop mushroom popcorn kernels in an air popper because they pop up round and hold the chocolate the best.
- Remove any unpopped kernels before adding the chocolate. No one wants to bite into a seed and break a tooth!
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper to keep the chocolate from sticking to the pan.
- Add the M&M candies and salt immediately because the chocolate hardens quickly.
- Change it up by adding chopped hazelnuts and mini marshmallows to the mixture.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 380Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 151mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 1gSugar: 40gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
This post was first published in February 2013. It was updated and republished in March 2024.
Tim
Refrigerate for 3-5 days? Or is that just the shelf life after made?
Jocelyn
You only need to refrigerate this for 5 minutes to set the chocolate. I usually store ours in a ziplock bag on the counter for a few days. It never lasts very long though!
Barbara Kay
This recipe sound really good. I have a question. What is Candi Qui. Is it like white chocolate or almond bark? Thanks!
Jocelyn Brubaker
It is a brand of melting chocolate. You can buy it at Walmart and most grocery stores in the baking aisle.
Laurie
How do you manage to stay so slim while baking all this yummy goodness? I need to know!!!
Michelle
I still have this sitting in front of me to make LOL - one more question. Do you use the M&M baking pieces?? Or actually M&M's?? Does it matter? I have no idea what the difference is.
Jocelyn Brubaker
For these I used the smaller baking M&M's, but you could use any size. Chocolate is chocolate 🙂
Michelle
Oh yeah, now that I've actually read the recipe -- it doesn't go in the oven hahaaaaa. One more question then I promise I will make it & leave you along -- is CandiQuik just the melting candies, like Wilton's?? I think I only have white chocolate chips -- would those work?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, CandiQuik is a melting chocolate. You could use the white chocolate chips too, they just don't set quite as hard as the melting chocolate. It will be ok though! I hope you like the popcorn!!!
Louise
This looks fab - going to have to have a go at making it, the boys will love it
LuAnn Braley
Congratulations on being featured on Strut Your Stuff Saturdays at Six Sisters' Stuff! I am a new follower.
You need to start a "gourmet-popcorn-of-the-month-club" or something like that. I'm going to the store later and I think white chocolate, popcorn and mini M&M's just appeared on my shopping list!
madge | the vegetarian casserole queen
Mmmm. I need to go buy a jar of Nutella!
Amanda
Oh my...what better mixture of deliciousness could there be? Pinning!