How to Make Pink Popcorn

Bright and colorful pink popcorn adds a POP of fun to any party! This sweet snack is incredibly easy to make in about 20 minutes, and can be customized with any color you like.

Kids (including your inner child!) will love the addition of sprinkles for an extra special treat.

What is Pink Popcorn?

If you grew up in Canada or the Bay area, you probably have fond memories of pink popcorn from childhood.

But even if you’ve never experienced as a sweet treat before, everyone will agree there is something terrifically nostalgic about this colorful and whimsical snack.

This easy pink popcorn recipe features fresh, crunchy popcorn coated in a sweet vanilla batter that includes a few drops of food coloring. It often also has sprinkles on top, so each bite tastes like a mouthful of birthday cake.

While pink is the classic color for this recipe, you can easily use any color you like for creating holiday or custom color themes. The end result will still be just as delicious!

Ingredients for Making Colored Popcorn

This no-bake pink popcorn recipe uses only a handful of basic baking staples. But did I mention there’s no actual baking required?

Here’s everything you need to make classic colored popcorn at home:

• Popcorn kernels – total about 14 cups of popped corn
• Milk – 2% or whole milk
• Light corn syrup
• Salt and sugar
• Vanilla extract or paste
• Red food coloring – or any preferred color
• Sprinkles – optional, but a super fun addition

Vanilla Paste vs. Vanilla Extract… What’s the Difference?

I prefer to use highly-concentrated vanilla paste in most of my dishes, including this pink popcorn recipe. It adds an incredibly strong, rich and almost smoky vanilla flavor that creates a great birthday cake-like taste. I like to recommend Nielson-Massey or Cambie Confections.

But if you want just a hint of vanilla to have more of a sweet and salty balance to your colored popcorn, use classic vanilla extract. A great choice is this Nielson-Massey option.

Equipment Needed for our Pink Popcorn Recipe

• Candy thermometer – like this Glass Candy Deep Fry Thermometer from OXO or a Classic Candy/Deep Fry Thermometer with Clip by Goodcook
• Popcorn popper – I recommend either the Presto PopLite Hot Air Popper, Great Northern Original Stainless Steel Stove Top Popcorn Popper, or the Yabano Popcorn Machine
• Baking sheets – best with a nice lip like these Zulay Large Aluminum Baking Sheets
• Silicone mats or wax paper/parchment paper – AmazonBasics has a great Silicone Baking Mat that comes as a set of 2
• Large bowls or roasting pan
• Large spoon or spatula

How to Make Pink Popcorn

Step #1: Make the Popcorn

Make the popcorn using an air popper or in a large pot on the stovetop. Microwave popcorn would work as well.

Place the popped corn into one or two large bowls or roasting pans. You want to have plenty of room in the bowl to stir and combine the popcorn with the coating in a later step.  

Prepare an area to cool your popcorn. Place some large baking pans, silicone mats or sheets of wax paper on your workspace.

Burnt Popcorn?! Learn 10 easy ways to get rid of the burnt popcorn smell now!

Step #2: Prepare the Candy Syrup

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, corn syrup and salt. Add the sugar to the center of the pan and gradually combine into the liquid. Cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.

Stir occasionally and continue with a low boil until the mixture reaches about 230 degrees F (also known as the soft ball stage).

Step #3: How to Make Colored Popcorn

Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and food coloring. Start with just a couple drops of food coloring and add more until you reach your desired color. It’s easy to add more color but you can’t take it away!

Immediately drizzle the sugar mixture over the popcorn. As the sugar cools, it will become sticky. Working quickly, stir until the popcorn is evenly coated with the pink mixture.

Step #4: Add Sprinkles!

Pour the popcorn on large baking sheets, silicone mats or sheets of wax paper to dry. Work quickly, so that the popcorn is still sticky, to top with sprinkles if desired.

Allow the colored popcorn to cool for at least 30 minutes or until the popcorn clusters are easy to break apart. Transfer to an airtight container, and store at room temperature for up to a week.

Other Ideas for Making Colored Popcorn

Our pink popcorn recipe is great for Valentine’s or a baby shower, but you can easily use other food colorings to coincide with other holidays or events.  Combine 2 (or more) colored popcorns like pink and blue for a baby shower, or 2 colors of a favorite sports team, or multiple colors for a rainbow popcorn. Try pastels with fun sprinkles for a unicorn popcorn, or teal/purple/pink for mermaid popcorn. Options are endless!

You can also drizzle colored popcorn with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate that’s been colored as well.

And feel free to mix up the flavor, too. Swap vanilla extract with other flavored extracts, like cotton candy, strawberry, hazelnut, or almond. Check out all of these great options from LorAnn!

You May Also Enjoy:

• The Best Strawberry Puppy Chow Recipe
• Fun Pink and White Circus Animal Cookies Ice Cream Recipe
• Easy No-Bake Circus Animal Cookie Truffles Recipe
• 2-Ingredient Twinkie Truffles
• Whimsical Circus Animal Cheesecake Cups Recipe