Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn comes together in this sweet, salty, and savory snack food that's perfect for movie night!
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We are huge popcorn lovers over here. While I usually reach for my almond bark popcorn when I'm craving something sweet and salty, a surplus of Reese's peanut butter cups and half a bag of marshmallows inspired me to get a little creative.
This peanut butter cup popcorn is incredibly easy to make. The hardest part is either picking out the unpopped kernels or waiting for the chocolate to set, and let's be honest, waiting is optional if you don't mind a little mess. Sometimes that's half the fun.
With crunchy popcorn, gooey marshmallows, rich chocolate, and salty peanut butter cups in every bite, this popcorn hits all the right notes. It's quickly become a favorite around here, and I think it will be in your house too.
For more popcorn recipes, be sure to check out my Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn, Snickerdoodle Popcorn, and White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's easy to make. With minimal prep and simple steps, this popcorn recipe comes together fast and fuss-free.
- It's frugal. Costing under $2.50 per batch, it's a budget-friendly option for movie nights or casual snacking.
- It's unique. Buttery popcorn combined with peanut butter, chocolate, and marshmallows delivers the perfect mix of crunchy, sweet, soft, salty, and savory in every bite.
🛒 Ingredients
Popped Popcorn. Use your favorite variety or brand. Plain or lightly salted works best to balance the sweet toppings.
Chocolate Chips. Semi-sweet or milk chocolate both work well. Semi-sweet is great for drizzling since the peanut butter cups already use milk chocolate.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Optional, but highly recommended for that classic chocolate-peanut-butter flavor and fun candy bites throughout the popcorn.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use store-brand popcorn and chocolate chips. Generic versions melt and taste just as good for a lower cost.
Swap in leftover candy. Chopped chocolate or peanut butter candies you already have work perfectly here.
Skip the drizzle if needed. The peanut butter coating alone still delivers plenty of flavor.
🥄 Instructions for Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn
Step 1: Pop your popcorn according to the package directions. Remove kernels and set aside.
Step 2: Add your marshmallows to a large microwave safe bowl (Image 1).
Step 3: Heat for 30 seconds in the microwave (Image 2).
Step 4: Add in the peanut butter and microwave for an additional 15 seconds (Image 3).
Step 5: Stir the marshmallows and peanut butter together (Image 4).
Step 8: Add your chocolate chips to a small bowl (Image 5).
Step 9: Melt the chocolate chips in 30 second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each, until smooth (Image 6).
Step 6: Add your popped popcorn to the peanut butter mixture. (Image 7).
Step 7: Toss well to coat (Image 8).
Step 10: Lay your peanut butter coated popcorn on a baking sheet in a flat even layer (as best as you can) (Image 9). Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the popcorn.
Step 11: Add your chopped peanut butter cups over the top (Image 10).
Step 12: Allow the popcorn to cool and set (this takes about 15 minutes.
Step 13: Break apart the popcorn chunks that may have stuck together and then place them into a large serving bowl and enjoy.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Microwave Caution. Heat the marshmallows and peanut butter carefully. Overcooking can cause the marshmallows to harden once cooled.
- Monitor Closely. Watch as the marshmallows puff up. Once expanded, they're melted enough to stir. Microwave power varies, so keep a close eye.
- Quick Assembly. This recipe comes together fast, with minimal time on your feet.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: Store Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Make Ahead: This popcorn is best made the same day for the best texture, but it can be prepared a few hours in advance.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
This chocolate peanut butter popcorn pairs well with movie night snacks, dessert boards, party spreads, or packaged into treat bags for gifting.
- Snickerdoodle PopcornRecipe $0.87 / Serving $0.22
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla ChipsRecipe $1.95 / Serving $0.49
- Purple Cow FloatRecipe $0.71
- Milk Dud CookiesRecipe $4.09 / Serving $0.11
❓ Recipe FAQs
Assuming you don't finish it all in one sitting, you can store leftovers of this easy popcorn recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Any longer than that and the popcorn will become pretty stale.
You can make it more nutritious by making wiser ingredient choices. Opt for healthier popcorn, and nut butter, and reduce the quantity of added candies to lower the calorie, sodium, and sugar content.
You can use either microwave popcorn or air-popped popcorn, depending on your preference. Air-popped popcorn is often favored for its unique qualities.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
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🐝 If you tried this Peanut Butter Chocolate Popcorn, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1 bag (3.2 ounces) popcorn, popped, about 7 to 9 cups - ($1.02)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows - ($0.21)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter - ($0.40)
- ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips - ($0.66)
- ½ cup chopped peanut butter cups - ($2.21)
Instructions
- Melt the peanut butter base. Add marshmallows to a microwave safe glass bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Add peanut butter and microwave for another 15 seconds. Stir until smooth and fully combined.
- Coat the popcorn. Add the popped popcorn to the peanut butter mixture and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Melt the chocolate. In a small microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Assemble. Spread the popcorn mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Drizzle with melted chocolate, then sprinkle the chopped peanut butter cups evenly over the top.
- Set and serve. Let cool and set for about 15 minutes. Break apart any large clusters and enjoy.
Notes
- Microwaving. Heat marshmallows and peanut butter carefully, as overcooking can cause them to become stiff once cooled.
- Storage. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutritional Information
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