If you're craving a sweet snack with a fiery twist, this Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine crunchy popcorn coated in a warm cinnamon candy glaze, then drizzled with white chocolate and finished with festive red sprinkles—it’s absolutely addictive!

A close-up view of freshly popped white popcorn being covered with a thick, bright red sauce that is poured from a red ladle. The popcorn fills the bottom layer, with the red sauce flowing generously over it, creating a shiny and smooth texture contrast against the fluffy popcorn. The background features a white marbled texture that softly reflects light. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m honestly obsessed with this popcorn—it brings together spicy, sweet, and crunchy in a way that’s perfect for movie nights or holiday parties. Plus, it’s super fun to make alongside friends or family.

Bold Flavor Combination: The fiery kick of Red Hots candies paired with sweet popcorn keeps your taste buds intrigued.
Easy to Make: Just a few simple steps and ingredients transform ordinary popcorn into something spectacular.
Perfect for Sharing: This recipe makes about 10 servings, so it’s great for gatherings or gifting.
Festive Appearance: The white chocolate drizzle and red sprinkles add that cheerful holiday look that’s hard to resist.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you get started, it’s good to know what makes this recipe special. I recommend grabbing fresh popcorn and genuine Red Hots candies, which really give the spicy cinnamon flavor its signature punch.

Flat lay of popped popcorn kernels, a stick of fresh butter, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of light golden corn syrup, a small white bowl filled with vibrant red cinnamon candies (Red Hots), a small white bowl with fine salt, a small white bowl of white baking soda powder, a small white bowl of glossy white chocolate chips, and a small white bowl of bright red sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Popped popcorn: The crunchy base that soaks up the cinnamon candy coating perfectly.
Butter: Adds richness and helps melt the candy together smoothly.
Sugar: Provides sweetness and caramelizes nicely with the corn syrup.
Light corn syrup: Keeps the candy coating smooth and sticky without crystallizing.
Red Hots candies: The star ingredient that delivers that distinct cinnamon spice and vibrant color.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Baking soda: Creates a light, foamy texture in the candy coating for a brittle snap.
White chocolate chips: Their creamy sweetness complements the spice while adding festive flair.
Red sprinkles: Give the popcorn a playful, holiday-ready finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you like it a little sweeter, a bit more spicy, or want to switch up the toppings, feel free to make it uniquely yours!

Variation: I love adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cinnamon candy sauce for an extra fiery kick! It balances beautifully with the sweetness, especially if you enjoy a bolder spicy flavor.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap the butter and white chocolate chips for coconut oil and dairy-free white chocolate melts to keep things vegan and allergy-friendly.
Seasonal Twist: Around the holidays, I like to sprinkle in some crushed peppermint candies along with the Red Hots for a festive flair that’s both refreshing and spicy.
Nutty Delight: For some crunch variety, toss in chopped roasted pecans or almonds right before baking the popcorn. It adds wonderful texture and richness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe

A bright red bowl filled with popcorn covered in red candy coating, white drizzled glaze, and topped with small red candy pieces and white candy chips scattered throughout. The popcorn pieces are glossy and clustered, showing various textures from smooth candy coating to crunchy popcorn. Some popcorn spills over around the bowl on a white marbled surface. The background includes a blurred box with red and orange colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Popcorn

Start by preheating your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread 8 cups of freshly popped popcorn in a single layer on the sheet. This even layer is key for ensuring every bite gets coated with that irresistible cinnamon candy glaze. Set it aside while you prepare the sauce.

Step 2: Cook Up the Cinnamon Candy Sauce

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ cup of butter. Once melted, stir in ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 cup of Red Hots candies, ½ cup sugar, and ¼ cup light corn syrup. Stir frequently as you bring the mixture to a boil — this helps the sugar dissolve evenly and prevents burning. As soon as it boils, remove from heat and quickly whisk in ½ teaspoon baking soda. You’ll notice the mixture get foamy and lighter in texture — that’s exactly what you want!

Step 3: Coat the Popcorn

Working fast, pour the hot cinnamon candy sauce evenly over the popcorn on the baking sheet. Use a spatula or large spoon to gently but thoroughly toss and coat every kernel before the candy hardens. The heat from the sauce will make the popcorn sticky and glossy — trust me, it’s going to be delicious.

Step 4: Bake for Crunch and Cohesion

Place the coated popcorn in your preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. This baking step is crucial — it helps the candy set and makes the popcorn perfectly crispy. Halfway through, take the sheet out and gently toss the popcorn again to distribute the coating evenly. Then pop it back in to finish baking.

Step 5: Melt and Drizzle White Chocolate

Once the popcorn has cooled completely, melt ½ cup of white chocolate chips in the microwave according to the package directions. Stir until smooth and silky. Using a spoon, drizzle the melted white chocolate over the popcorn in a pretty zigzag pattern — this adds a sweet, creamy contrast to that spicy cinnamon kick.

Step 6: Add Final Festive Touches

Right after drizzling, sprinkle ⅓ cup of Red Hots candies, the remaining ¼ cup of white chocolate chips, and festive red sprinkles on top. The candies will stick nicely to the chocolate drizzle. Let everything set until the white chocolate hardens a bit, and then it’s ready to share — or sneak bites from, no judgment here!

Top Tip

These handy tips will help you master the Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe with ease, ensuring perfect coating, crunch, and that delightful spicy-sweet balance every time.

Even Popcorn Layer: I always make sure to spread the popcorn in a single layer on the baking sheet before pouring the cinnamon candy sauce. This helps every kernel get that perfect glaze and bake evenly without clumping.
Continuous Stirring: When heating the butter, sugar, corn syrup, and Red Hots, stirring constantly is key. I learned that from experience—skipping this step can lead to burning or grainy candy sauce.
Quick Pouring: Once the baking soda is added and the sauce foams up, I work fast to pour it over the popcorn. The sauce hardens quickly, so having everything ready prevents sticky, uneven coating.
Gentle Tossing: After baking and when the popcorn cools, gently tossing it again keeps the coat consistent. Avoid aggressive mixing to prevent breaking the popcorn pieces.

How to Serve Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe

The left side shows a small silver pot filled with a bright, glossy red sauce with a soft, slightly bubbly texture, and a silver whisk inside it. The pot sits on a square brown cork mat on a white marbled surface, with a bit of liquid spilled next to it. On the top left corner, there is a white bowl partially visible, filled with plain white popcorn. The right side features a white baking tray filled with popcorn covered in a shiny, thick red coating, with a black spatula resting on top, smeared with the red sauce. The popcorn shows some white peeking through the red layer, and the baking tray sits on the same white marbled surface with the brown cork mat underneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To enhance presentation and flavor, sprinkle a few extra Red Hots candies over the popcorn just before serving for that festive red pop. Adding a light dusting of cinnamon sugar makes it even more aromatic. If you want a bit more decadence, drizzle some additional melted white chocolate in a delicate zigzag pattern right before guests arrive.

Side Dishes

This Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn pairs wonderfully with warm beverages like hot apple cider, spiced tea, or even a cozy cup of hot chocolate. For parties, serve alongside cheese platters or a fresh fruit arrangement to balance out the sweet and spicy notes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its crunch. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to one week—perfect for snacking throughout the week or saving some for later festivities.

Freezing

If you want to keep your Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn longer, you can freeze it. Place the popcorn in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag, and it'll keep well for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t usually necessary, but if your popcorn loses some crispness, spread it on a baking sheet and warm it in a 250°F oven for about 5-10 minutes. This will revive that delightful crunch without melting the chocolate toppings.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different candy instead of Red Hots?

Yes! While Red Hots are perfect for that bold cinnamon kick, you can substitute with other cinnamon-flavored candies if preferred. Just keep in mind it might alter the intensity of the spice.

Is it necessary to bake the popcorn after coating?

Baking at 250°F for 30 minutes helps the candy coating set evenly and makes the popcorn crispier. Skipping this step could result in sticky spots and less crunch.

Can I melt the white chocolate on the stovetop instead of microwave?

Absolutely! Use a double boiler on low heat to melt the white chocolate gently, stirring until smooth. This method prevents overheating and burning.

How spicy is the final popcorn?

This recipe balances sweetness with a warm spicy kick from the Red Hots. It’s pleasantly spicy but not overpowering, making it perfect for most palates—including kids and adults alike.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about the cozy warmth of the Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe — that mix of sweet, spicy, and crunchy all wrapped into one festive treat. Whether you’re sharing it at a party, enjoying a movie night, or looking for a unique holiday snack, this recipe delivers smiles and satisfied taste buds every time. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to a bowl of this spicy indulgence—you won’t regret it!