About the Recipe
Rainbow popcorn is one of those recipes that’s just plain fun to make—and even more fun to eat. It started as a quick snack idea for movie night with the kids, but now it’s become a repeat request for birthdays, playdates, and even cozy winter days when we just need a pop of color. The process is simple: pop your corn, add a bit of sugar, a dash of salt, and swirl in some color. That’s it. You get a snack that looks like confetti and tastes like kettle corn with a twist.
If you’re looking for more ways to bring a playful rainbow vibe into your baking, try customizing the Black and White Butter Cookies—just tint the white chocolate coating with your favorite food colors or swap it out entirely for a colored glaze. And if you're already making Homemade Ice Cream, a handful of this rainbow popcorn on top is a crunchy, candy-like topping that adds both color and texture. Even my Puff Pastry Bites work with a sweet spin: think Nutella or jam fillings and a few rainbow sprinkles over the top for a festive finish.
It’s pure joy in a bowl – Eye-catching and irresistibly colorful, this popcorn turns snack time into party time.
Easy and customizable – You only need a few basic pantry staples, and you can choose your own colors for any theme or occasion.
Kid-approved fun – A guaranteed hit for birthday parties, movie nights, or just because. It’s edible confetti!
Not overly sweet – A touch of sugar adds sweetness, but it’s still snackable and light.
Great for gifting – Package it up in bags or jars for a cheerful homemade treat.
What You'll Love
Can I use microwave popcorn instead of popping my own kernels? Yes, as long as it’s plain (no butter or seasoning), you can substitute 10 cups of plain popped microwave popcorn.
How do I keep the popcorn from getting soggy when adding the sugar syrup? Make sure your sugar syrup is hot and pour it in a thin stream while stirring the popcorn constantly. Bake it briefly at a low temperature if needed to crisp it up.
What kind of food coloring works best? Gel food coloring gives vibrant color with less liquid, but liquid food coloring works fine too—just be careful not to overdo it.
Can I flavor the popcorn too? Absolutely! Try adding a splash of vanilla extract or even flavored extracts (like strawberry, mint, or lemon) to each color batch for a multi-flavored rainbow.
How long does it keep? Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It’s best eaten fresh, but it holds up well if kept dry.
Can I make this with natural food dyes? Yes! You can use natural food coloring made from fruit and vegetable powders or juices—though the colors will be more muted.
Can I use butter instead of vegetable oil? Butter adds flavor but can burn easily at high temperatures, so it’s not ideal for popping the kernels. Stick with oil for popping, and save the butter for drizzling later if you want added richness.
Frequently asked Questions
Ingredints Explained
Ingredients
1/2 cup Popping Corn Kernels (makes about 10 cups of popped corn
3 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
Granulated Sugar (about 10 tablespoons)
Food coloring (colors of your choice)
Salt for flavoring
Preparation
Start by popping the popcorn kernels using your preferred method. You can use an air popper, stovetop method, or microwave according to the instructions provided.
I usually use a large saucepan on the stove, heating up my oil and kernels. Make sure to cover the pot with a lid and to shake the kernels around fron time to time to prevent burning.
Once the popcorn has been popped, evenly separate the sugar into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to the sugar. I used 5 bowls with about 2 tablespoons sugar per bowl and 5-6 drops of food coloring. Use a spoon to mix well to ensure even distribution of the color. Start with a small amount and gradually increase until you achieve the desired vibrancy of color.
Divide the popped popcorn evenly into the number of colors you have decided to create (in my case it was about 2 cups of popped popcorn per color). This will allow you to color each portion separately.
Next, work in batches to melt the colored sugar over medium heat with 1 teaspoon of water. When your sugar has dissolved lower the heat and add a batch of popcorn to the pot. Toss well until the popcorn is coated. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and lay out on a baking tray to cool and for the sugar to set. Once cool, add it to a large bowl.
Repeat this step for each color making sure to wipe out any remaining colored sugar before adding the next (this will prevent the colors from mixing and becoming muddy).
Once the popcorn has dried slightly, it is ready to be served.
Feel free to experiment with different colors and combinations to create your own unique rainbow popcorn. Just remember to adjust the amount of food coloring accordingly to achieve your desired intensity of colors.
Now, sit back, relax, and savor the magic of your homemade rainbow popcorn.