If you’re on the hunt for a sweet, crunchy, and colorful treat that screams springtime fun, the Easter Popcorn Bars Recipe is absolutely your new best friend. This delightful snack brings together fluffy marshmallows, buttery popcorn, and a festive touch of Easter egg candy and sprinkles, transforming simple ingredients into a whimsical and irresistible bar. Whether you’re preparing for a family gathering, an Easter party, or just craving a joyful treat, these bars are sure to brighten your day with every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A large white bowl filled with light yellow popcorn sits in the upper left, showing fluffy, slightly crunchy texture. Below it, a white bowl is crowded with tiny white marshmallows, smooth and powdery. To the right of the marshmallows is a small white bowl with colorful pastel sprinkles, tiny and round. Nearby, a white plate holds a rectangular block of yellow butter. Above that plate, there are three clear small bowls: one with blue candy disks, smooth and flat; one with bright green, purple, and yellow coated candies that are shiny and round; and one with red, orange, green, and purple gummy bears, translucent and soft. At the bottom left, a clear bowl contains bright pink candy disks. Next to it, a white bowl holds small, smooth pastel-colored candy eggs in yellow, light blue, pink, and beige. To the right, there is a clear plastic container with white edible flowers that have yellow centers, laying flat. All items are placed on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering the ingredients for this Easter Popcorn Bars Recipe is a breeze, and each component plays a vital role in delivering the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and vibrant color. From gooey marshmallows that bind everything together to colorful sprinkles that add delightful crunch, you’ll appreciate how simple ingredients create something magical.

10 ounces mini marshmallows: These provide the sweet, sticky glue that holds the bars together perfectly.
4 tablespoons butter: Adds richness and helps melt the marshmallows smoothly for that delicious chewy texture.
6 cups popcorn: Use plain or lightly salted popcorn for a light, airy crunch that contrasts wonderfully with the sweet marshmallow.
1 cup Easter egg candy: These pastel-colored treats bring bursts of flavor and festive visual appeal.
1/4 cup sprinkles (divided): Sprinkles add a playful crunch and a pop of colorful fun on top and inside the bars.
½ cup Candy melts (optional, pastel colors): When melted and drizzled on top, candy melts create a gorgeous glossy finish and extra sweetness.
Easter candies for decoration: Place these on top for that extra festive look that makes these bars irresistible.

How to Make Easter Popcorn Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Start by spraying a 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray and lining it with parchment paper. This simple prep trick ensures your bars will come out cleanly and hold their shape beautifully when it’s time to cut and serve.

Step 2: Melt Marshmallows and Butter

Combine the mini marshmallows and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and fully melted. If any marshmallow pieces remain unmelted, pop back into the microwave for another 30 to 45 seconds, stirring after to get that perfect gooey texture that binds the bars.

Step 3: Mix in the Easter Egg Candy and Sprinkles

Gently fold in the Easter egg candy along with all but one tablespoon of the sprinkles. These add not only sweetness but also delightful pops of color and texture. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared pan, making sure it’s packed well to hold together once set.

Step 4: Drizzle with Melted Candy

Melt your candy melts in the microwave, stirring until smooth and creamy. Drizzle this thoughtfully over the entire popcorn mixture in the pan, adding a layer of beautiful pastel color and a sweet finishing touch.

Step 5: Add Final Decorations

While the candy drizzle is still soft, sprinkle on the remaining sprinkles and arrange your Easter candies on top. This step adds festive flair and a cheerful texture that guests will love seeing and tasting.

Step 6: Chill and Cut

Allow the candy drizzle to harden completely before cutting the bars into 15 to 20 squares. This chilling step helps keep each piece intact and makes serving easy and mess-free. Now your Easter Popcorn Bars Recipe is ready to enjoy!

How to Serve Easter Popcorn Bars Recipe

The image shows a white scalloped plate filled with small square treats that have three clear layers: the bottom is a pale creamy base, the middle is a light blue layer with a soft texture, and the top is a thick drizzle of lavender frosting with a smooth texture, decorated with colorful round and butterfly-shaped candy pieces in yellow, red, orange, and green. Multicolored tiny round sprinkles cover the top of each square, making the treats appear festive and bright. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Adding a little extra garnish can elevate these bars from simple treats to eye-catching delights. Consider sprinkling additional pastel-colored sugar crystals or edible glitter right before serving for that magical sparkle. Or, add a small marshmallow bouquet skewer for an adorable presentation that kids will adore.

Side Dishes

Pair these popcorn bars with light and fresh side dishes like fruit salad or a tangy yogurt dip to balance their sweetness. A zesty lemon water or sparkling punch complements the bars perfectly, making your Easter gathering both flavorful and festive.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving your Easter Popcorn Bars Recipe in clear glass jars or pastel-colored treat bags for easy gifting. Layering broken-up bars with mini marshmallows and candies in a trifle bowl creates a stunning dessert centerpiece. No matter how you serve them, these bars instantly become the life of the party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Easter Popcorn Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to preserve their perfect texture and flavor. Make sure they are completely cooled and set before storing to prevent any sogginess or stickiness.

Freezing

If you want to prepare these bars ahead of time or save extras, they freeze wonderfully. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving to enjoy their full deliciousness.

Reheating

While these bars are typically enjoyed as-is, if you prefer a slightly warm treat, heat them gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This will soften the candy drizzle and make the bars even gooier and more indulgent.

FAQs

Can I use regular-size marshmallows instead of mini ones?

Absolutely! Just chop the regular marshmallows into smaller pieces to help them melt evenly and bind the bars smoothly.

What kind of popcorn works best for this recipe?

Plain, lightly salted popcorn works best so the sweetness of the marshmallows and candy shines through. Avoid flavored or heavily buttered popcorn to maintain the ideal balance.

Is it necessary to use candy melts?

The candy melts add a beautiful decorative drizzle and extra sweetness, but you can skip them if you prefer a simpler look. Your bars will still taste fantastic!

How do I make sure the bars don’t stick to the pan?

Lining the pan with parchment paper after spraying it makes removal so easy. Once the bars cool completely, just lift them out using the parchment paper edges.

Can these bars be made gluten-free?

Yes! Just make sure to use popcorn and Easter candies that are labeled gluten-free, and the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

This Easter Popcorn Bars Recipe is more than just a treat; it’s a celebration of spring’s joyful colors and flavors. Easy to make, full of fun textures, and vibrant enough to brighten any holiday table, these bars will quickly become a favorite for your family and friends. Give them a try and watch as they disappear faster than you’d expect at your next Easter gathering!

Easter Popcorn Bars Recipe

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4.1 from 45 reviews

Author: Amina
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings

Print Recipe

Description

These Easter Popcorn Bars are a festive and delicious treat perfect for celebrating the holiday. Made with gooey mini marshmallows, buttery popcorn, colorful Easter egg candy, and pastel candy melts, these bars are easy to make and delightfully sweet with a fun crunchy texture.

Ingredients

Base

10 ounces mini marshmallows
4 tablespoons butter
6 cups popcorn

Mix-ins and Toppings

1 cup Easter egg candy
1/4 cup sprinkles (divided)
½ cup Candy melts (optional – pastel colors)
Easter candies for decoration

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the pan: Spray a 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the popcorn bars once set.
Melt the marshmallows and butter: Place the mini marshmallows and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then stir until fully melted and smooth. If needed, microwave for an additional 30 to 45 seconds to melt completely.
Combine ingredients: Stir in the Easter egg candy and all but one tablespoon of the sprinkles into the melted marshmallow mixture. Quickly fold in the popcorn and mix until evenly coated.
Press into pan: Evenly press the popcorn mixture into the prepared pan, ensuring it is compacted well for the bars to hold together.
Melt and drizzle candy melts: Melt the candy melts in the microwave and stir until smooth. Drizzle the melted candy melts over the popcorn bars in a decorative pattern.
Add finishing touches: While the candy melts are still soft, sprinkle the remaining sprinkles over the top and add Easter candies for decoration.
Set and serve: Allow the candy melts to harden completely. Once set, cut the bars into 15 to 20 slices and serve.

Notes

For best results, use fresh mini marshmallows to ensure even melting.
The popcorn should be plain and not buttered or salted, to balance the sweetness of the marshmallow mixture.
If candy melts are unavailable, you can skip the drizzle or use white chocolate colored with food-safe dyes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep bars fresh and chewy.
Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan helps the bars hold their shape better when cut.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Desserts
Method: Microwaving
Cuisine: American