Let’s talk about the ultimate Halloween treat that checks all the boxes!
This Monster Munch (Halloween Popcorn Mix) is salty, sweet, crunchy, colorful, and just a little bit spooky. Monster Munch is the kind of snack that’s almost too fun to eat…almost! We’re talking fluffy popcorn, pretzels, candy corn, festive sprinkles, and chocolate candies, all coated in a sweet, creamy vanilla candy coating. It’s the perfect mix for parties, movie nights, or packaging up in cute little bags for neighbors and friends. One batch makes a big bowlful, but it won’t last long! It’s addictive in the best way.
Ingredients Needed
- Almond Bark – If you’ve never bought almond bark before, you can find it in most normal grocery stores in the baking aisle. It’s usually by the chocolate chips on either the very top or very bottom shelves (why? I know not). It comes in a 1 pound brick, scored into squares and it melts really easily in the microwave or stove top. It tastes like white chocolate, but is much easier to work with.
- Popcorn – either air popped corn or buttered microwave popcorn work great here. If you use air popped corn, just add a little sprinkle of salt at the end when you mix everything up.
- Your favorite fall candy mix-ins – here, I used candy corn, dry roasted peanuts, and Reese’s Pieces, but feel free to make it your own!
How to Make Monster Munch
- Pop popcorn and place in a very large bowl; much larger than you think you need. In fact, just use the largest one you have! I love my trusty 20 quart mixing bowl for things like this. It makes mixing a lot easier!
- Pour peanuts, candy corn, and Reese’s Pieces on top.
- Take a large knife and break up the almond bark. Melt according to package directions. I just chop it up a little and microwave it in intervals until smooth and melted. Pour over popcorn mixture.
- Stir until everything is well coated and then spread out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Let sit until completely dry and then break up into clumps.
- This makes a big batch so it’s great for packing up into cute bags and sharing!
Storage & Other Tips
- Storage: Keep this stored in an airtight container and eat within 1-2 days for best results.
- Consistency: You can stretch this pretty far if you don’t like your popcorn quite so covered in the almond bark/candy coating. I like to have a little extra popcorn on hand and as I start stirring it together, I can add more popcorn if needed to get it to the consistency I like.
- Humidity Warning: If it’s humid where you live, the candy coating might get a little soft over time. Keeping it in an airtight container really helps.
- Freezing: Technically, you can freeze it in airtight containers for up to a month, but the texture of the popcorn might suffer a bit. We recommend just making it fresh—it’s quick!
- Make Ahead: You can easily make Monster Munch a day or two ahead of time for parties or treat bags.
- Customization: Feel free to swap in your favorite candies—mini peanut butter cups, gummy worms, or seasonal M&Ms are super fun. Want it extra festive? Add Halloween-colored sprinkles or edible eyes.
- Gift It: Package it in cellophane bags tied with ribbon or in cute paper cups for party favors, teacher gifts, or trick-or-treat handouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
The beautiful thing about popcorn mixes is that you can put whatever your heart desires in there! Try mini peanut butter cups, gummy worms, seasonal M&Ms, Halloween-colored sprinkles, edible eyes, other nuts (like cashews or almonds), chocolate chips, or pretzels!
You can substitute with white candy melts or white chocolate wafers—they both melt easily and coat the mix beautifully.
Both work! If using air-popped, the recipe suggests adding a sprinkle of salt at the end. With microwave popcorn, choose a lightly buttered or “natural” flavor to avoid an overly greasy mix.
Chop it into small pieces and melt in short bursts (30 seconds in the microwave), stirring until completely smooth—this helps prevent burning or seizing.
Yes! The recipe scales well—just use equal ratios of coating and mix-ins per cup of popcorn. Want a smaller batch? Halve the ingredients; need more? Double or triple them. Just make sure your bowl is huge, or plan to mix it in batches.
Monster Munch {Halloween Popcorn Mix}
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Almond Bark
- 12-14 cups popcorn, popped about ½ cup kernels, or 2 bags microwave neutral-flavored popcorn
- 1 cup candy corn
- 1 cup dry roasted salted peanuts
- ½ cup Reese’s Pieces more if desired!
- other mix-ins as desired see FAQs for great ideas!
Instructions
- Pop popcorn and place into the largest mixing bowl you have. Pour peanuts, candy corn, and Reese's Pieces on top.
- Take a large knife and break up almond bark. Melt according to package directions. (I recommend chopping it up a little, and microwaving it in intervals until smooth and melted.)
- Pour over popcorn mixture.
- Stir until everything is well coated and then spread out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil.
- Let sit until completely dry and then break up into clumps.
Notes
- If using air popped corn, add a sprinkle of salt as you’re mixing everything up at the end to bring out all of the flavors.
Questions & Reviews
I love the mix of sweet and salty. I love kettle corn. so. much. I can’t wait to try this. Maybe this will be Kate’s treat to take to her classmates in preschool.
Jen- I meant to mention that. I prefer the microwave popcorn because I like it to be salty, but you could air pop it if you want to. If it were *me* I’d add a little salt- and I suppose a little butter so it will stick.
Leigh Ann- Fritos?? Interesting! I saw on your blog that you put in crushed candy canes at Christmas time and I thought that sounded awesome.
I think I’ll try this with my air popper as well. So about how many cups of popcorn come in one micro bag? Also, what would be a good substitute for peanuts? Pretzles maybe – or not? I’m going to send this to preschool but I’d have to leave out the nuts.
Thanks for another fun recipe!
Always sweet! But this monster munch looks really good!
I swear I eat like a guy more often than a girl so give me the salty any day over sweet. I do like them combined though, this will be a great FHE treat! I’m curious about the air popped corn as well, thanks!
I just found your bog. Im trying to learn how to cook, so hopefully you can help 🙂 This monster munch looks awesome, I think Im going to have to try it. Thanks
I am definitely a both girl too! Love the idea of adding peanuts to the mix of almond bark, popcorn and candy corn. I love to keep a bowl of candycorn and peanuts out during the season. Another thing I love to add to popcorn I cover with white almond bark is fritos – try it sometime. It’s that sweet and salty thing!! Yum!
honestly? depends on the time of month. your two guy readers just stopped reading. sorry!
question: what if you want to air pop your popcorn? do you need to add butter and salt? i’m not a big microwave fan. thanks!
Both!! This sounds really good and easy, I love popcorn.
My question/answer to your question is which one first? Salty or Sweet? One has to follow the other. I am excited for your treat week!