These Easter Popcorn Bars make the perfect treat for the spring holiday season — they're easy, versatile, and full of festive colors! My popcorn bar recipe combines light and airy popcorn with sticky marshmallows, rich chocolate, crunchy candy, and brightly colored sprinkles for a sweet treat everyone will love.
Easter is a time to revel in sweet desserts, and these marshmallow popcorn treats are some of the best you'll make all season. Not only are they absolutely crave-worthy (I bet you can’t stop at just one!), they’re also completely customizable to whatever flavors and candies you want to include.
Easter Popcorn Bar Recipe
This marshmallow popcorn bars recipe was inspired by my Easter Rice Krispies baskets recipe. Popcorn marshmallow treats are basically just a Rice Krispies treats recipe that uses popcorn instead of cereal!
Why You Will Love this Recipe
- It uses simple ingredients that are available at any grocery store. You can also swap in or add any ingredients that tickle your fancy.
- This no-bake dessert recipe is super easy to make. In fact, it’s easy enough for kiddos to get involved!
- Popcorn and candy are a match made in heaven — they’re a perfect balance of salty & sweet.
- You can make them incredibly festive just by using store-bought candies and sprinkles.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You'll only need a few basic ingredients to make this Easter popcorn recipe, and they're all easily found at any grocery store. See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
- Mini Marshmallows - You can use regular marshmallows instead. Just cut them in half so they melt quickly when microwaved.
- Butter - I prefer using salted butter to balance out all the sweetness. Feel free to swap in unsalted butter and add flaky sea salt to taste.
- Popcorn - You can buy popcorn that is already popped or you can pop your own. This is also a great way to put any leftover theater popcorn to good use — it’s way too expensive to throw away!
- Vanilla Extract - Vanilla is a universal crowd-pleaser, but feel free to swap in (or add) a ¼ teaspoon of almond, coconut, peppermint, lemon, banana, maple, or orange extract instead for a different flavor.
- Easter Egg Candy - You know I’m a fan of Cadbury mini eggs, but you’re welcome to use any egg-shaped candies you prefer.
- Sprinkles - Any Easter or pastel-colored sprinkles, jimmies, or sanding sugars will work.
- Candy Melts - These are optional, but delicious for all you chocolate lovers out there. Any pastel-colored melts will work.
- Easter Candy Decorations - Flowers, bunnies, chicks, eggs, or any Easter or spring candies are welcome to give these tasty popcorn treats a little extra flair.
Optional Variations
- Make Popcorn Balls - Instead of pressing the popcorn mixture into a pan, butter your hands, shape the mix into balls, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet instead.
- Vegan - Swap in your favorite plant-based butter and use vegan marshmallows (easily found at Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods, as well as online). Make sure to use vegan candy options too.
- Other Colorways - Feel free to swap out the colors depending on the holiday or event you’re celebrating! Use purple, orange, and green for Halloween, red, white, and blue for 4th of July, or red, white, and green for Christmas. You’re also welcome to use school or team colors for fundraisers or post-game snacks!
- Add-Ins - You can also add extra texture with other fun additions like:
- Crushed Cookies - e.g. Oreos, ginger snaps, Biscoff
- Toasted Nuts - e.g. macadamia nuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, or pecans
- Flaked Coconut - You can even dye it in Easter colors first for an added burst of festive flair.
- Pretzels - Perfect for adding a little extra salty goodness and extra crunch. Consider using chocolate or yogurt-covered pretzels to balance out the sweetness.
- Yogurt Raisins - For added chew and sweetness.
- Dried Fruits - Just make sure to chop them into small enough bits before adding so the bars don’t fall apart.
Did you come up with an amazing twist on these marshmallow popcorn bars? Let us know in the comments below or tag us in your social media posts (@kitchendivas) so we can cheer you on!
How To Make Marshmallow Popcorn Treats
This is one of the easiest recipes you'll ever make. Check out the overview below to see just how easy. And see the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact instructions.
Step 1: Melt the marshmallows and butter.
Step 2: Mix the popcorn into the marshmallow mixture. Then, add the Easter eggs and *most* of the sprinkles. (You’ll want to reserve some for decorating the top.)
Step 3: Press the marshmallow popcorn evenly into a pan, then drizzle melted candy melts over it and add more sprinkles along with Eater candies. Hint: Butter your hands, then press the popcorn evenly in the pan. This will help prevent the marshmallow from sticking to your hands.
Step 4: Cool. Let set until the chocolate melts are firm (about 1-2 hours at room temperature), and cut into squares.
Storage
Room Temperature: Store in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
Refrigerator: Don't store these in the refrigerator. They'll get dry.
Freezer: Store for up to 6 weeks in an air-tight, freezer-safe container. Place in single layers separated by wax paper.
Make Ahead: You can make these a day or two ahead of time. In fact, they taste better with a little bit of time to set!
What To Serve With Easter Popcorn Balls
These tasty treats are perfect with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea to balance out the sweetness.
They’re the perfect treat to send with your little ones for sharing at school, or for tucking into their lunchboxes for dessert. They also make a great addition to any Easter dessert table.
Serve them alongside cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, and other desserts.
Expert Tips
- Start with PLAIN popcorn. If you’re in a rush, turn to pre-popped bags for a faster and easier recipe. You can also buy 1 to 2 bags of microwave popcorn, or make it on the stovetop, in your air popper, or using a microwave. Make sure to remove any hulls that don’t pop.
- Use mini marshmallows — they will melt more quickly than large ones. Feel free to chop any large marshmallows into halves or in quarters so they will melt evenly and quickly when microwaved with butter.
- Don't over-microwave the marshmallow mixture. It can become too hard as it cools.
- Drizzle the melted candy melts while still warm so that any decorations you add stick better on top. Also, make sure you’re decorating cooled bars before cutting them into individual servings.
- If you don’t have a microwave, melt the butter and marshmallows in a double boiler. Place the marshmallows and butter in a glass or metal bowl and make sure the bowl fits tightly over a pan with boiling water. Stir until the marshmallows are melted.
- Line the pan with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Lightly butter or oil your hands, then press the popcorn evenly in the pan. This will help prevent the marshmallow from sticking to your hands.
Top Tip:
It's best to stir the popcorn into the marshmallow mixture with a spatula so the popcorn retains its shape.
FAQ
You can try using natural candy melts without artificial dyes instead of pastel-colored candy melts. Adding natural food dyes like beetroot powder or butterfly pea powder is a great way to add color without chemicals.
Additionally, you could opt to leave out some of the Easter candies and replace them with nuts or dried fruit for added nutrition.
You can use either store-bought pre-popped popcorn or you can pop your own kernels. The important thing is to make sure the popcorn is not flavored, as the flavor will interfere with the other ingredients in the recipe.
Yes. You can put the cooked mixture into the refrigerator to cool down faster and help it set quicker. Once it is cooled and hardened, you can remove it from the refrigerator and cut it into slices before serving.
I suggest letting them come to room temperature before serving, though, as they’re a bit hard to bite into when they’re still cold from the fridge.
Make sure that your pan is properly greased before pouring in the marshmallow mix. Also, be sure to let your bars cool completely before cutting them into pieces, this will help keep them from sticking together.
If you find that your bars are still sticking, try lining your pan with parchment paper before adding your mixture and then lifting it out after cooling as one large piece before cutting.
You can use any type of pastel or Easter-themed candies such as flowers, bunnies, chicks, eggs, etc. To create a festive look, you can also use sprinkles or candy melts in pastel colors.
Video
More Marshmallow Recipes
Do you like marshmallows? Here are some recipes you may also like to try
Popcorn Bars
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Easter Popcorn Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 cups popcorn
- 1 cup Easter egg candy
- ¼ cup sprinkles divided
- ½ cup Candy melts optional (pastel colors)
- Easter candies for decoration
Instructions
- Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray and parchment paper for easy removal.
- Place the marshmallows and butter in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then stir until melted. If the marshmallows haven’t completely melted, continue microwaving for another 30 to 45 seconds.
- Stir in the Easter eggs and all but one tablespoon of the sprinkles. Press evenly into the pan.
- Melt the candy melts in the microwave and mix until smooth. Drizzle over the popcorn bars.
- While the drizzled candy is still soft, sprinkle with remaining sprinkles and add an Easter candies over the tops.
- When the drizzled candy has hardened, cut into 15 to 20 slices and serve.
Notes
- Start with PLAIN popcorn. If you’re in a rush, turn to pre-popped bags for a faster and easier recipe. You can also buy 1 to 2 bags of microwave popcorn, or make it on the stovetop, in your air popper, or using a microwave. Make sure to remove any hulls that don’t pop.
- Use mini marshmallows — they will melt more quickly than large ones. Feel free to chop any large marshmallows into halves or in quarters so they will melt evenly and quickly when microwaved with butter.
- Don't over-microwave the marshmallow mixture. It can become too hard as it cools.
- Drizzle the melted candy melts while still warm so that any decorations you add stick better on top. Also, make sure you’re decorating cooled bars before cutting them into individual servings.
- If you don’t have a microwave, melt the butter and marshmallows in a double boiler. Place the marshmallows and butter in a glass or metal bowl and make sure the bowl fits tightly over a pan with boiling water. Stir until the marshmallows are melted.
- Line the pan with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Lightly butter or oil your hands, then press the popcorn evenly in the pan. This will help prevent the marshmallow from sticking to your hands.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Optional Variations:
- Make Popcorn Balls - Instead of pressing the popcorn mixture into a pan, butter your hands, shape the mix into balls, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet instead.
- Vegan - Swap in your favorite plant-based butter and use vegan marshmallows (easily found at Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods, as well as online). Make sure to use vegan candy options too.
- Other Colorways - Feel free to swap out the colors depending on the holiday or event you’re celebrating! Use purple, orange, and green for Halloween, red, white, and blue for 4th of July, or red, white, and green for Christmas. You’re also welcome to use school or team colors for fundraisers or post-game snacks!
- Add-Ins - You can also add extra texture with other fun additions like:
- Crushed Cookies - e.g. Oreos, ginger snaps, Biscoff
- Toasted Nuts - e.g. macadamia nuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, or pecans
- Flaked Coconut - You can even dye it in Easter colors first for an added burst of festive flair.
- Pretzels - Perfect for adding a little extra salty goodness and extra crunch. Consider using chocolate or yogurt-covered pretzels to balance out the sweetness.
- Yogurt Raisins - For added chew and sweetness.
- Dried Fruits - Just make sure to chop them into small enough bits before adding so the bars don’t fall apart.
Nutrition
Jill says
I never imagined a popcorn bar could taste this good I now realize how many cool things we can do with this recipe So many different chocolate treats can be added. So many options and we’re excited to try them all actually most of them. I’m sure I won’t want to try all of your suggestions! I’m also sure we have a bunch of our own that were so excited to try Thank you Karin for giving my family something fun to do We’re having a blast You’re the best Keep up the great work
Karin and Ken says
It’s true. The possibilities are endless with this recipe. I’m so glad you’re having fun creating amazing popcorn bars with your family. You truly made my day. Thank you for letting me know. All the best. Karin
Nigel says
Our popcorn bars didn’t look as pretty as yours but they turned out so good They’re delicious and so easy to make too I couldn’t believe how much everyone loved them either Thank you for another great recipe we love your site Thanks again for sharing
Karin and Ken says
I am sure your bars looked great. It’s impossible for them not to. More importantly it sounds like everyone enjoyed them. That’s most important. Thank you for taking the time to comment and let me know you made my day! All the best. Karin