Patriotic Popcorn is the perfect snack for fireworks on the Fourth of July. Make your popcorn in the Instant Pot and then toss with candies and sweet treats for an easy red, white, and blue dessert.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword patriotic popcorn, red, white, and blue desserts
12cupsbuttered popcornabout 1 ½ three ounce bags popped
½cupsalted peanuts
12ozwhite chocolate chips or vanilla candy melts
3tbspsalted butter
2tbspshortening
¾cuppowdered sugar
1cupred, white, and blue M&Ms
2cupsmini marshmallows
¼cupred candy melts
¼cupblue candy melts
⅓cupred, white, and blue sprinkles
Instructions
Pop the popcorn according to instructions on the back of a 3 ounce bag of popcorn. Pour into a large bowl, making sure to discard any unpopped popcorn kernels.
Combine with the salted peanuts and set aside for now.
In a microwave or medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the white chocolate chips, salted butter, and shortening together. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the popcorn and peanuts. Gently stir to combine. Be patient as this can take a little bit to combine everything.
Place the popcorn and peanuts in a gallon Ziploc bag (if necessary you can split it evenly into two bags).
Take the powdered sugar and pour it into the plastic bag(s). Close the bag and shake it around, making sure the powdered sugar coats everything thoroughly.
Pour popcorn onto a large sheet pan and sprinkle on the m&ms and marshmallows.
Melt the red and blue candy melts in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds until smooth.
Drizzle the red, then blue candy melts onto the top of the popcorn.
Before the candy melts dry, evenly add on the sprinkles.
Wait until the chocolate has completely cooled and set before breaking the popcorn apart and serving, about 30 minutes.