If you love a little kick with your sweet treats, you’re going to adore this Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe. Imagine crispy, buttery popcorn tossed in a zesty cinnamon candy coating and drizzled with smooth white chocolate — a perfect snack to spice up any gathering!

A close-up view of white popcorn scattered over a white marbled surface, being coated with a thick, shiny red sauce that is being poured from a red ladle just above the popcorn. The sauce spreads unevenly, covering parts of the popcorn in vivid red streaks and patches, contrasting sharply with the fluffy white kernels underneath, showing a glossy and sticky texture. 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 first made this spicy cinnamon candy popcorn when I was craving something bold yet comforting — and it did not disappoint. The balance between sweet, spicy, and buttery is just addictive, and it’s become a go-to whenever friends or family are around!

Sweet meets spicy: The Red Hots candies bring that fiery cinnamon punch you won’t get from regular popcorn.
Crispy, buttery base: Perfectly popped popcorn that holds up wonderfully under the candy coating.
White chocolate drizzle: Adds a creamy sweetness that cuts through the heat for a well-rounded flavor.
Easy to make: Just a few ingredients, simple steps, and you’ve got a showstopper snack in about an hour.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start mixing up this sweet and spicy snack, here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients. I always recommend using fresh, high-quality popcorn for the best crunch. Red Hots candies are the star here, delivering that iconic cinnamon heat that makes this recipe pop.

Flat lay of a large mound of fluffy popped popcorn, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding glossy light corn syrup, a small white ceramic bowl overflowing with vibrant red cinnamon candies, a tiny heap of fine white salt, a small white ceramic bowl containing white baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl brimming with smooth ivory white chocolate chips, and a delicate scattering of bright red sprinkles, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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: Go for freshly popped, plain popcorn so the candy coating sticks nicely without extra oils or flavors.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create that smooth candy coating.
Sugar: Essential for the sweet base of the candy mixture.
Light corn syrup: Keeps the candy coating from crystallizing and adds shine.
Red Hots candies: The spicy cinnamon flavor that makes this popcorn unforgettable.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Baking soda: Creates a light, airy texture in the candy coating with its bubbling reaction.
White chocolate chips: Used for drizzling and decorating – their sweetness complements the spicy cinnamon perfectly.
Red sprinkles: Adds festive color and a fun crunch on top.

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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 make your own twist! Feel free to tweak the heat, sweetness, or toppings so it fits your taste perfectly.

Variation: If you prefer a milder spice, try reducing the amount of Red Hots candies in the candy coating, or swap half for cinnamon sugar for a more subtle warmth. I once made a batch with crushed peppermint candies mixed in with the Red Hots for a festive, minty twist that was a crowd-pleaser during the holidays.
Dairy-Free Option: Use a dairy-free butter substitute to keep this recipe friendly for dairy sensitivities without compromising the buttery flavor.
Chocolate Swap: Instead of white chocolate chips, try drizzling melted almond bark or candy melts to switch up the look and taste while keeping that creamy sweetness.
Extra Crunch: For added texture, sprinkle chopped roasted nuts like pecans or almonds along with the sprinkles after drizzling the white chocolate.
Holiday Colors: Beyond red sprinkles, add green or gold sprinkles for a festive holiday popcorn mix that's as fun to look at as it is to eat.

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

A white bowl filled with bright red popcorn mixed with white drizzle and scattered with small red round candies and white chocolate chips; the popcorn clusters are piled high with a mix of shiny red candy pieces and smooth white chips evenly spread throughout; some pieces spill onto a white marbled surface around the bowl; the background shows a blurry red box adding to the vibrant red and white color theme; photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Popcorn Bed

Start by preheating your oven to 250° F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out 8 cups of freshly popped popcorn in a single, even layer on the sheet. This base is the canvas for our spicy cinnamon candy coating—having it well spread out helps every kernel get coated beautifully during baking.

Step 2: Create That Sweet and Spicy Candy Coating

Over medium heat, melt ½ cup butter in a saucepan. Once melted, stir in ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 cup of Red Hots candies, ½ cup sugar, and ¼ cup light corn syrup. Bring this mixture to a boil, whisking frequently to ensure it blends smoothly and the candy dissolves evenly. Once boiling, remove from heat and quickly stir in ½ teaspoon baking soda. You’ll notice it bubbles up—that’s exactly what makes the coating light and crispy!

Step 3: Coat the Popcorn with Hot Cinnamon Candy Mixture

Working quickly before the candy hardens, pour the hot cinnamon candy mixture evenly over the popcorn on your baking sheet. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently toss and mix so every kernel gets a delicious coating. This step is key for achieving that perfect, even crunch and spicy-sweet flavor.

Step 4: Bake for the Perfect Crunch

Pop the coated popcorn into your preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. This low and slow bake helps the candy coating set up perfectly without burning. When time’s up, take it out and give it a good toss again to redistribute the coating. Then let it cool completely so it crisps up to perfection.

Step 5: Melt and Drizzle the White Chocolate

While the popcorn cools, melt ½ cup of white chocolate chips in the microwave according to the package instructions. Stir frequently until the chocolate is totally smooth and creamy—this smoothness is what lets you create those gorgeous, delicate drizzles over the popcorn.

Step 6: Final Touches with Chocolate and Sprinkles

Drizzle the melted white chocolate evenly all over the cooled popcorn using a spoon. Right after drizzling, sprinkle on the remaining ⅓ cup Red Hots candies, ¼ cup white chocolate chips, and a handful of red sprinkles for color and extra flair. These final touches add bursts of cinnamon heat and creamy sweetness in every bite, plus a festive look that's perfect for parties.

Top Tip

These tips will help you nail the perfect balance of sweet heat and crispy texture in your Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe every time. Trust me, a few little tricks go a long way!

Fresh Popcorn Matters: Using freshly popped popcorn makes a huge difference in crunch and flavor absorption – stale popcorn just won’t give you that satisfying snap.
Work Quickly: When you pour the hot cinnamon candy mixture, do it fast but gently so every kernel gets coated evenly before it starts to harden.
Even Tossing: Tossing the popcorn both before and after baking ensures the candy coating is spread nicely without clumps or bare spots.
Temperature Check: Keeping your oven steady at 250° F is key for crisping the popcorn without burning the candy coating.

How to Serve Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe

The left side shows a close-up of a silver pot with a whisk inside, filled with a thick, bright red sauce that has a glossy, almost bubbly texture. The pot sits on a white marbled surface with a small piece of cork underneath. In the top left corner, there is a white tray partially filled with plain white popcorn. On the right side, there is a white baking dish filled with popcorn coated in shiny, bright red sauce. A black spatula is resting on top of the popcorn with some red sauce stuck on it, and the white marbled surface is partially visible underneath the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To dress up this spicy-sweet popcorn even more, consider sprinkling extra Red Hots candies or a pinch of cinnamon powder on top. A light dusting of powdered sugar can add a hint of delicate sweetness that beautifully contrasts the heat. For a festive touch, add edible gold flakes or mini candy canes during the white chocolate drizzle stage.

Side Dishes

This popcorn is fantastic on its own but pairs wonderfully with creamy, mellow snacks to balance the spice. Try serving it alongside a bowl of vanilla yogurt dip, a mild cheese platter, or rich hot chocolate. For parties, it complements savory mix-and-match nuts or soft pretzels, giving your snack table an exciting flavor contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keeping it sealed prevents moisture from making the candy coating sticky or soft, preserving that perfect crunch.

Freezing

You can freeze the popcorn in a sealed freezer bag or airtight container for up to 2 weeks. To avoid crushing, pack it gently with no heavy items on top. Thaw at room temperature before serving to bring back the crispiness.

Reheating

If the popcorn loses a bit of crunch, gently warm it in a 250° F oven for about 5-7 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent the candy coating from melting. This quick refresh helps restore that fresh, crispy texture and makes the white chocolate drizzle slightly melty again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I adjust the spice level in this Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe?

Absolutely! You can control the heat by adjusting the amount of Red Hots candies you use. Using fewer candies will mellow the spice, while adding more will up the fiery kick.

Is there a substitute for white chocolate chips?

Yes, you can replace white chocolate chips with almond bark or candy melts, both of which melt smoothly and work well for drizzling and decorating.

Why do I need to add baking soda to the candy coating?

Baking soda causes the hot candy mixture to bubble and aerate, which lightens the coating and helps create a crisp, slightly fluffy texture on the popcorn.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Make sure your popcorn is plain and gluten-free (most plain popcorn is), and use gluten-free certified ingredients especially for the candies and white chocolate. This recipe is naturally gluten-light otherwise.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so joyful about the crackle of spicy cinnamon candy paired with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate — it’s like a party in every bite! Making this Spicy Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe has become one of my favorite ways to add a little warmth and whimsy to snack time. Whether you’re sharing it during the holidays or indulging on a cozy night in, I hope it brings a smile and just the right amount of zing to your day. Happy snacking!