Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn

I’m pretty sure peanut butter popcorn is my soulmate. Buttery popcorn mixed with crunchy roasted peanuts, mini peanut butter cups, coated with creamy, melted peanut butter chips, AND chocolate? A million times, yes. This is the best easy treat to devour by the handful at movie nights and parties, and it’s so easy to make. Someone needs to hold me back from eating the whole bowl!

As soon as I zoned in on the original recipe in my friends’ cookbook, Savoring the Seasons by Our Best Bites, I knew this snackable chocolate drizzled popcorn and I were meant to be. 

Why Peanut Butter and Chocolate Popcorn Has Me Obsessed

• Easy ingredients. Grab a bag of peanut butter chips from your grocery store baking aisle, a bag of microwave popcorn, and a few easy add-ins.
• The best flavor combo. The chocolate and peanut butter combination is dangerously delicious (just ask my chocolate peanut butter bars and peanut butter balls). I love the mix of textures and crunch in this recipe.
• Great for gift-giving. I love making a huge batch and packaging up this peanut butter popcorn to give as gifts during the holidays.

What You’ll Need

I’ve included notes on the ingredients I use for this peanut butter popcorn here. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post with the full printable recipe.

• Popcorn – I like to use lightly buttered microwave popcorn, like Orville Redenbacher’s. You can use plain microwave popcorn or popping corn kernels.
• Peanuts – Any kind goes here, but I love the sweetness and crispy crunch of honey-roasted peanuts. You can use regular roasted, salted, or plain peanuts if you prefer. Pecans or walnuts are another option.
• Peanut Butter Cups – I use mini peanut butter cups, like Reese’s Minis. You could also use Reese’s Pieces or full-sized cups and chop them into smaller pieces.
• Peanut Butter Chips and Chocolate Chips – Melted peanut butter chips for coating the popcorn, and melted chocolate chips for drizzling.
• Vegetable Oil – Or shortening, to melt with peanut butter chips for a smooth, glossy finish.

How to Make Peanut Butter Popcorn

I’ve adapted this popcorn mix slightly over the years (for example, I’ve officially doubled the number of peanut butter cups, because I’m a fiend). Here’s how to make this crunchy peanut butter and chocolate popcorn:

• Prepare the popcorn. First, pop your choice of popcorn according to the package directions. Afterward, pluck out any unpopped kernels.
• Melt the peanut butter chips. Meanwhile, melt the peanut butter chips with vegetable oil using a double boiler or the microwave. If you’re using the microwave, heat the chips in 30-second increments, stirring in between until melted.

• Combine. Next, toss the popcorn in a bowl with peanuts and peanut butter cups. Pour the melted peanut butter mixture on top, and stir gently to coat every piece. Spread the peanut butter popcorn onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or flat countertop.
• Drizzle with chocolate. Lastly, melt the chocolate chips. I usually do this inside a heavy-duty zip-top baggie. Seal the chocolate chips inside the bag, and heat for 1 minute and 30 seconds, mashing the chocolate every 30 seconds until it’s melted, but not hot. Afterward, snip a small hole in the corner of the bag, and pipe the melted chocolate over your popcorn. Easy!
• Cool, then enjoy. Allow the peanut butter and chocolate popcorn to set up, then break it up into pieces, return it to the bowl, and serve.

Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Popcorn

• Pick out any unpopped corn kernels. If you don’t, these will be hard and disguised under the chocolate. Not a nice surprise for someone’s tooth!
• Speed up the setting process. Place the popcorn into the fridge or freezer to help it cool down and set the chocolate faster.
• If you’d prefer a more chocolatey flavor, replace half the peanut butter chips with chocolate chips. Melt as usual, and you can still drizzle additional chocolate over at the end.

Proper Storage

This popcorn is best enjoyed on the day it’s made. However, you can absolutely store it in an airtight container or bag for up to 2 days. Keep the popcorn at room temperature. It’s also great to stash in jars or plastic gift bags to give to friends, neighbors, and teachers.

More Sweet Snack Ideas

• Homemade Caramels
• Almond Roca
• Classic Peanut Brittle
• Turtles Candy
• Chocolate Covered Cherries