December 13, 2023
Review RecipeChristmas Crunch
This sweet and salty Christmas crunch is such an addictive snack mix that it would make a great gift or snack!
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This bright, colorful and fun Christmas crunch is a great holiday treat. Popcorn is layered with sprinkles, candy, and pretzels. It has the perfect balance of sweet and salty for a tasty snack or to give as a delicious gift.
Christmas Crunch Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 2 bags of popcorn made according to package directions (about 10 cups)
- 6 tablespoons of salted butter
- 3 cups of mini marshmallows
- ¾ cup of white chocolate candy melts
- Mini M&M’s candy (red & green)
- Peanut M&M’s candy (red & green)
- Red and green sprinkles
- 1 cup of pretzels, broken in half
Substitutions And Additions
MIX-INS: You can add other ingredients to this sweet and salty snack mix, including white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or peanuts
M&M’s: If you can’t find the holiday M&M candy, any color will work in these Christmas treats.
POPCORN: You can also make air-popped popcorn if you prefer.
Creative Ways to Customize Christmas Popcorn
- Nutty Delight: Mix in almonds, walnuts, or pecans for a crunchy, nutty flavor.
- Fruity Twist: Add dried cranberries, cherries, or orange zest for a tangy taste.
- Chocolate Variety: Drizzle with white, dark, or milk chocolate.
- Candy Surprise: Top with crushed peppermint or candy canes.
PRO TIP:
This salty and sweet snack mix is easy to double and keeps well. Whip up a big batch for snacking or sharing throughout the Christmas season.
How To Make This Christmas Crunch Recipe
STEP ONE: Line an 11 x 17 baking sheet with parchment paper.
STEP TWO: Pop popcorn according to the package instructions on the popcorn bag.
STEP THREE: Spread popped popcorn over the parchment paper and set it aside.
STEP FOUR: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add the mini marshmallows and white candy melts to the butter mixture.
Stir until melted and no lumps remain. Remove from the heat.
STEP FIVE: Pour ¾ of the butter mixture over the popcorn. Toss to coat.
STEP SIX: Pour the remaining butter mixture over the popcorn and sprinkle the mini M&M’s candy, peanut M&M’s candy, red and green sprinkles, and the broken pretzels over the butter mixture.
STEP SEVEN: Let the popcorn mixture cool completely before serving in a large bowl.
How To Serve
SERVE AT CHRISTMAS PARTIES: If you’re hosting a holiday party, pack small portions of Christmas Crunch in decorative bags as a take-home Christmas party favor for your guests.
You can also serve this snack mix in large bowls as a menu item. Its bright and colorful appearance will surely attract guests. They’ll love it alongside reindeer cupcakes, candy cane dessert or these creative Christmas cupcakes.
Add a hot Christmas drink to your party menu with our crockpot peppermint hot chocolate or Christmas Hot Chocolate.
Our cranberry Christmas cocktail is a great holiday drink recipe, if you’re looking for an option with alcohol.
AS A GIFT IDEA: Christmas Crunch is a unique present that many will appreciate.
Package the Christmas crunch in cellophane bags, tie them with a gift tag and give them as edible gifts.
Alternatively, layer the Christmas Crunch in mason jars, alternating with different candies or colored sprinkles. Tie a ribbon around the jar and attach a label to personalize your gift.
Other ideas for food you can give as Christmas gifts include peanut brittle and Oreo peppermint bark.
SERVE AT A CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT: Make your Christmas movie night special by serving Christmas Crunch as the main snack.
Other fun treats include Christmas pretzel hugs, Grinch fudge and gingerbread fudge.
SERVE TO SANTA: Leave a bowl of Christmas crunch out for Santa Claus along with some milk. It’s a fun change from the traditional cookies.
Don’t forget to make our reindeer food for Santa’s reindeer.
Holiday Chex Mix Recipes
Storing This Christmas Crunch Popcorn
ON THE COUNTER: If you happen to have leftovers of this tasty treat, store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to eat again.
You’ll want to keep it in a cool place so that the candies don’t melt.
IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing this treat as the popcorn and pretzels may become soggy once thawed.
This crunchy, addicting Christmas crunch popcorn snack mix combines the best sweet and salty flavors into an irresistible treat that you’ll crave.
Quick and easy to make with a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll think the texture is amazing, and the decadent flavor is perfect for the holiday season!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store this Christmas crunch mix?
This easy recipe can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I use air-popped popcorn instead of microwave popcorn?
If you prefer using air-popped popcorn, you can certainly substitute it for microwave popcorn.
Can I add other ingredients to this treat?
You can be creative as to what you mix into your Christmas crunch. It’s a very flexible recipe and has plenty of room for extras.
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Christmas Crunch
This sweet and salty Christmas crunch is such an addictive snack mix that it would make a great gift or snack!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 10
Ingredients
- 2 bags popcorn, made per package directions (about 10 cups)
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- ¾ cup white chocolate candy melts
- mini M&M’s candy (red and green)
- peanut M&M’s candy (red and green)
- red and green sprinkles
- 1 cup pretzels, broken in half
Instructions
- Line an 11 x 17 baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pop the popcorn bags per package instructions.
- Spread popped popcorn over the parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the mini marshmallows and white chocolate to the butter mixture. Stir until melted and no lumps remain. Remove from heat.
- Pour ¾ of the butter mixture over the popcorn. Toss to coat.
- Pour the remaining butter mixture over the popcorn and sprinkle the mini M&M’s candy, peanut M&M’s candy, sprinkles, and the broken pretzels over the butter mixture.
- Let cool completely before serving.
Video
Notes
- This salty and sweet snack mix is easy to double and keeps well. Whip up a big batch for snacking or sharing throughout the Christmas season.
- You can also make air-popped popcorn if you prefer.
Nutrition
Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Treena says
What a great idea! Cant wait to try this out!
Toni Thomason says
I love sweet treats that are easy to make. This one is perfect for kids!
Gloria says
Such a delicious, fun, and pretty treat!
Buddie says
I love your recipes.
kim fallowfield says
Can i freeze the Christmas crunch?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Kim – I would store in an airtight container at room temperature. Enjoy!
Darla Greene says
Loved it, easy to make and the perfect gift to give out at the holidays.
Loved it
MegN37 says
Delicious! Doubled recipe for 2 large bowls. We also added mini marshmallows and white choc chips to the popcorn pretzel mix. Sooooo good!!!
Gina Reiley says
It would be a great snack for anyone. Especially reindeer!!
Paula Hopper says
I would love to make this with my 10 year old great niece, my 4 1/2 year old great great nephew and when he is old enough my 1 1/2 year old great nephew. I think they would love to make this as gifts for their teachers at school and pre-k as well as for their granny. I know they would love to add Reese’s pieces to the mix and maybe some nuts. I think this will definitely be my next years Christmas project with them. I can’t wait!!
Anna says
I would absolutely make this with my kids! I’d leave out the peanut m and m’s and just add more regular ones.
Shaunda Snider says
Yes I would make this Christmas crunch as a gift for family and friends!
Leanne Starr says
I would like to add melted red and green chocolate wafers then make them into individual candy canes or even a wreath to gift it to someone
Janet says
I would add corn cheese or cheerios
Maria says
I’ve been looking for an easy, but different recipe to make for gifts for my co-workers. This looks like the one! I think it would be fun and easy to make with kids, too. We could brainstorm other possible add ins. Can’t wait to try it!
Elizabeth M Heimlich says
Wow! So festive and tasty! I am definitely going to make this with my granddaughters!
Lori Pennington says
The Christmas crunch is a fun treat we make at Christmas to snack on while watching Christmas movies
Dee Ware says
Maybe add a little Chex mix. But definitely going to make this it sounds so good and easy to make. Merry Christmas ⛄⛄🎄🎄.
Gale says
I also change up this popcorn pretzel recipe by leaving out the m&Ms and adding in salted caramels and peanuts. I make your recipe for the caramels but use a Ziploc baggie and only dot the caramels onto wax paper so that they are tiny… One year I cut up probably 20 caramels very tedious LOL.
Kimberly says
I think I would add Bugles to this recipe.
Robillard Karen says
Sweet & salty is great! I might add roasted nuts!
Suzanne says
Me and my granddaughter will be making this recipe. We might even add in some reese’s pieces and some peanut butter chips.
Nancy Wood says
I would add caramels, cut in half after the rest have been added. Might make caramels if had time.
Pamela Robinson says
I would possibly add walnuts!
Rachel Rock says
Hey there!! I would DEFINITELY make this with my grandkids!! They will love it! Looks delish….
🙂
Karen says
I would love to share this treat as a Christmas gift!
Al says
WOW!!!
Elizabeth says
I would definitely create this Christmas Crunch with my kids! I think we will get the ingredients when we go to the store today!
Sable says
I love how simple & yummy this looks! I think I’ll be making this an edible gift to some friends & family!
Joelyn Bissing says
I would add pecan’s and sliced almonds.
Jill says
Would definitely make with kids and for edible gifts!
Gabriela B. says
What other ingredients would you mix into this Christmas Crunch recipe?
– Mint Chocolate pieces (Andes)
Virginia says
I might add some dried cranberries to the mix!
Lynn says
I have made a recipe very similar to the one you published. For adults I crushed up coffee candy and added that. For my minty friends I crushed up starlight perpermints. For me toffee bits in this mix. I love toffee.
Maureen says
What a great idea. My grandchildren would enjoy making this. My freinds have children and I think they would love this. A great gift for them. You could add peppermint pieces to the mix. That would really make it Christmas treat.
Maureen says
A great idea for the kids down the street. I’ sure they would love this. Don’t know about mom with the suger hiigh.
Joyce Chunias says
yummy snack all year round using different colors of candy
BARB says
Very festive and colorful with a great taste combination.
Shirley Jones says
Great for holiday party at work.
Joni says
Sounds yummy! I think that adding dried cranberries would enhance the flavor of this!
Janet Hennigar says
I would add milk chocolate chips
mary says
add some raisins and sunflower seeds
Evelyn Rogers says
If you are making this for children or as a gift for friends
, I would omit the peanut M&Ms as a precaution for any peanut allergies. I think colored sprinkles would be a better choice.
Trista says
This recipe would be excellent to make and entertain with family kids keep them busy to help make