I have been making Jello Popcorn for years.
Even before Pinterest if you can believe it.

Now I know there are lots of jello popcorn recipes out there and I’m sure they are lovely but, in my humble opinion, this one is the best because….

1. You make it in the microwave! Don’t even get my started on my enormous electric bill this summer. Let’s just say I am no longer doing laundry, watching TV or using the oven. Until further notice. So any snack I can make in the microwave without heating up the house is golden.

2. This recipe takes about 10 minutes. So it is my go to snack when kids bring friends over. (And I figure costs less than $3 a batch) Bonus!

3. I always have the ingredients on hand.

4. It can be color coordinated for any holiday, occasion or event. Ashleigh made pumpkin popcorn balls here.

5. EVERY SINGLE TIME I make it, someone asks for the recipe. And I don’t brag about my cooking people. I never want to set myself up for failure. But everyone loves this popcorn.

Start with a big bowl of popcorn in a microwave safe bowl. I use my air popper. Approximately 12 cups.

In a medium size microwave safe bowl melt one cube of butter.

Add 3 oz. jello powder. Any flavor. (Half of a regular box)

Add 1/4 cup light corn syrup.

Stir and put the bowl in the microwave for one minute. Stir. Microwave another minute. Stir. Microwave another 30 seconds. Stir. Whenever the mixture is still boiling after you stir, its done. Your microwave may vary. So keep doing 30 second increments as needed.

Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and stir into mixture. It will get frothy and lighter in color.

Pour this hot (be careful) mixture over your popped popcorn and stir to generally coat. It’s hot and can be a bit messy. Just try not to have any big pockets of the jello mixture.

Put the whole bowl of popcorn into the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir.
(It’s actually easier to stir at this point and the jello coats the popcorn better.)
Another 30 seconds. Stir. Another 30 seconds. Stir.

Now this is where I stop but you may have to experiment with your microwave and personal taste. The more you microwave it, the crunchier it will be, but you run the risk of burning it.

When you feel you have pressed your luck far enough, pour the popcorn on to some parchment (or your counter cause you’re lazy)

Let it cool and look for any kernels that slipped by. In just a few minutes it’s ready to put in a bowl and serve.

I made no less than 30 batches of Microwave Jello Popcorn during this summer. And I won’t even go into how many of those batches I ate myself. Insert chubby cringing face.