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
This is PERFECT!! A great combination of sweet and salty, my favorite! Both together!
Love this recipe! I actually just made some but with a few variations. I wanted to keep it "nut free" so substituted the Reeces Pieces for M&Ms and the peanuts for pretzel nuggets. Then I used semi-sweet choc chips instead of the Almond Bark since I don't like white chocolate as much.
Oh- I also made Kettle Corn versus just regular buttered popcorn… That was just for fun really 🙂
End result is its super yummy and safe for a school snack!
I microwave my own popcorn kernels in a plain ole' brown paper lunch bag. Add 1/4 cup of kernels,fold the bag over & press "Popcorn" or 3 1/2 minutes–depending on your microwave. Listen for the pops to lessen, just like store bought microwave popcorn. It's simple, easy, no artificial junk & you can reuse the bag over and over. This is a Jillian Michael's tip from her radio show in LA. Our family has been doing this for over 3 years.
We're going Phantoming (or Booing) tonite and using this recipe for the treat! Found cute skelton hand treat bags and filling it with the monster much and putting a candy corn in the fingers of the gloves for fingernails! They are going to be so stinking cute!!!
I LOVE THIS SITE. My co-worker has been bringing your stuff to work and I just thought she was talented (which she is). But she told me about your site and now I know her sweet little secret. Couldn't stay out of the Monster Munch. Very very good.
OH MY HECK! We made this yesterday morning and it was soooooo good! Thanks for sharing it!
This was FANTASTIC! I had fun making it with my boyfriend, and we had even more fun eating it with his family. It's delicious, fun to make, and the recipe serves enough to leave room for leftovers.
E- any kind of microwave popcorn will work just fine. I usually try to get the natural type that's low in butter and salt. Enjoy!
Help! I want to make this delicous MM & wanted to know since I am using microwave popcorn which type do I buy? Is it the one with butter or should it be plain? Luv your site girls!!
I ♥ salty then sweet. Gotta have a sweet chaser after my salt!
You guys are amazing!! I ♥ all of these halloween ideas!