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Cherry Jello Popcorn Recipe (Candied Popcorn)

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With just 5 ingredients, this easy cherry Jello Popcorn recipe is full of fruity flavor and baked to crunchy, candied perfection! It’s the perfect sweet snack or fun dessert idea for families! And candy popcorn is super easy to make!

Close up of Jello popcorn on a counter in front of a bowl full of popcorn.
Let’s make this Cherry Jello Popcorn recipe.

Why You’ll Love Popcorn with Jello

This candied popcorn with Jello is something you will crave. I’m serious.

Popcorn is a favorite crunchy snack for young and old. Adding a candy-coated flavoring, made from flavored Jello, makes it extra special and can take it into new, sweet territory.

This cherry candy popcorn recipe is perfect for people who don’t feel like they are great in the kitchen or want to get into the science of making homemade candy.

My baker friend, Kristin, showed me just how easy it is to make even flavored popcorn even if you don’t have any baking skills.

Related post: Strawberry Jello Cupcakes

This Cherry Popcorn can be made without a candy thermometer (thanks to the corn syrup) and is flavored easily by using Jello. This recipe, in particular, uses cherry Jello. It’s tangy and fruity and outrageously delicious!

Jello is a quick and easy way to make tasty treats. I’ve used it to make my popular Strawberry, Jello and Angel Food Cake Dessert.

You know I love my desserts, and this one is so super easy to make. And it’s pink! Who doesn’t love to eat pink, especially on Valentine’s Day.

Popcorn is also a pretty inexpensive thing to make and it’s easy to make in large quantities making it a great idea for parties. Trust me, once you taste this Jello popcorn, you won’t be able to put it down!

Ingredient Notes

Labeled ingredients to make flavored popcorn with cherry jello
What you need to make candy popcorn with Jello.

Scroll to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

I have a microwavable bowl that I use with kernels to pop my own but you can also use plain microwavable popcorn bags if you have to.

You can also use the pre-popped bags you find at the store. Just use something that is as plain as possible. You don’t want extra salt and butter.

Like my favorite Caramel Corn recipe, this Jello popcorn uses light corn syrup. It’s what helps to give it that crunchy candy coating when baking that is so delicious.

While we used Cherry Jello, this recipe works with any of their flavors.

How to Make Candy Popcorn

Pink Jello powder in a suace pan with a spatula.

Step 1

Place butter and corn syrup in small saucepan on medium heat and stir until butter is melted.

Step 2

Add sugar and Jello. Stir to combine and until Jello and sugar crystals are completely dissolved.

A pink candy mixture melted in a sauce pan.

Step 3

Let it come to a boil on medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.

When I tested the mixture (carefully, because it’s still pretty much hot molten sugar), it still felt a bit grainy to me. But I used it anyway and the finished popcorn was fine.

NOTE: Hot sugar is dangerous. It really clings to whatever it gets on, so if that is your finger, it can burn. Take caution!

Popcorn in a baking pan starting to be coated in pink coating.

Step 4

In a disposable baking pan or another large mixing bowl, mix popped popcorn and flavored candy coating until well coated.

Do the best you can as the sugar mixture starts to cool quickly and makes it difficult to mix.

Step 5

Bake the Jello popcorn in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and stir again.

The re-melted coating continues to cover the popcorn as you stir. Use the spatula to scrape up any pools of the coating from the bottom and get it all over the popcorn.

Step 6

Continue baking for 5 more minutes, then stir again.

Step 7

Bake one last time for 5 minutes then remove from the oven.

Stir to Cool

This time, continue to stir for about 5 minutes as it cools to keep the candy popcorn from hardening into one big clump.

Close up of pink candy coated popcorn in a baking dish.

Let it cool completely then break any larger chunks into smaller pieces. Trust me, you’re going to want to grab huge chunks of this cherry candy popcorn and shove them in your face.

Tips and tricks

  • Make sure the butter is completely melted before adding the Jello and sugar.
  • Stir frequently so the sugar doesn’t burn.
  • Using a large disposable roasting pan makes stirring easy so that you aren’t flinging sticky popcorn all over the place. It also makes clean up a breeze!
  • The baking is what takes this from a sticky candy-coated mess to a crunchy treat! Do NOT skip this step!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store candy popcorn?

Use an air-tight container to store this Jello popcorn. Any plastic storage container works as long as the lid fits nice and tight. I’ve tried storage bags, and it’s not the best. Especially since my kids will sneak tastes and then leave all kinds of air inside the bags.

How long does candied popcorn last?

A long time if kept in the airtight container. I don’t want to be gross, but I’ve kept this for more than a week. And I’m sure it could go longer but we ate it all. Sorry, not sorry.

Where do you buy candy popcorn?

It’s so easy to make candy popcorn. But if you don’t want to make it yourself? No problem! Amazon has lots of flavored popcorns that you can buy!

A bowl holding Cherry flavored popcorn on a counter.

This super easy cherry Jello popcorn is a delicious sweet snack for Valentine’s Day (especially because it’s pink!). Or any day. Or baby showers. Kid’s love this, in case you had any doubts.

More Popcorn Recipes

More Easy Dessert Recipes

Close up of a white bowl holding Jello Popcorn with a cherry flavored candy coating.

Cherry Candied Popcorn Recipe with Jello

This fruity and crunchy Cherry Jello Popcorn recipe is the perfect snack to make your kids on Valentine's Day! Make this 5 Ingredient Candy Popcorn now!
4.34 from 9 votes
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Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Calories: 792kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pop your popcorn. 
  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. 
  • Line a baking sheet with foil and spray foil with a small bit of cooking spray so it won’t stick and set aside or use a large disposable baking pan sprayed with a little spray.
  • Place butter and corn syrup in small saucepan on medium heat and stir until butter is melted. Add sugar and Jello. Stir to combine and until Jello and sugar are completely dissolved.
  • Bring to a boil on medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • In a large bowl or disposable pan, mix popped popcorn and syrup until well coated. Spread on to the prepared sheet pan and spread out, or place the baking pan in the oven.
  • Bake 5 minutes, then stir well to help coat the popcorn that wasn't coated well to begin with.
  • Bake another 5 minutes and mix again.
  • Bake 5 more minutes then remove from oven. Continue stirring for 5 minutes as it cools to keep it from hardening into one large clump.
  • Cool completely. Break any large chunks into smaller pieces.
  • Store the candy popcorn in an air-tight container (not a plastic zipper bag) for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • I’ve used air-popped popcorn and used slightly salted microwave popcorn and both turn out delicious.
  • Make sure the butter is completely melted before adding the Jello and sugar.
  • Stir frequently so the sugar doesn’t burn.
  • Using a large disposable roasting pan makes stirring easy so that you aren’t flinging sticky popcorn all over the place. It also makes clean up a breeze!
  • The baking is what takes this from a sticky candy-coated mess to a crunchy treat! Do NOT skip this step!
  • You can use any flavor Jello but I prefer the Cherry flavor.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8Servings | Calories: 792kcal | Carbohydrates: 153g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 452mg | Fiber: 21g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CupcakesCutlery or tag #cupcakescutlery!

    The recipe is adapted from Kraft’s Rainbow Popcorn recipe.

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    11 Comments

    1. 1 star
      Didn’t work! Followed recipe to the letter. Seasoned cook. Won’t waste the ingredients again this.

    2. i think I’m doing something wrong, Cuz when I pour my syrup my popcorn shrinks and it doesn’t look like the picture. What am I doing wrong ??? I read all these great comments and it taste great but it’s not the same help me please !

      1. Hi Miriam! I’m so sorry that is happening. That has never happened to me before. Maybe you are at a different altitude? Let me reach out to Kristin, since it is her recipe, and see if she can help you trouble shoot!

    3. What an awesome recipe! Do you know how long it wil hold? My son’s birthday party is on a Sunday and I would like to make it Saturday night – please let me know, thanks!

      1. Sharon Garofalow says:

        Hi Xenia, I think it holds up fine. At most it starts getting a bit chewy rather than crunchy but making it the night before should be fine. Keep it in an airtight container and it should be crunchy for your party! Let me know how it comes out!!!

    4. Who doesn’t love some good candy popcorn? I’m excited to try this one…and I especially love the little edible hearts, such a nice touch :)

      1. Sharon Garofalow says:

        I’d like to say that my kids ate it all but in reality I did. It is so yummy! Everything is cuter with hearts. :)

      2. Saleemah Akram says:

        Q: With this recipe, can I infuse any kind of whiskey to the syrup mixture?

        1. I am sure you could! I haven’t tried it yet. I would think a few tablespoons of whiskey wouldn’t hurt anything and could add a really delish flavor! Let me know if you try it!

    5. This was SO FUN! and it came out great!! Now I can’t stop thinking about what other flavors we should make :D

      1. Sharon Garofalow says:

        Yes. I need more of this immediately. :)

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