Brightly colored rainbow popcorn is a magically sweet treat. Colorful and delicious, each bite of crispy rainbow popcorn has a different fruity flavor.
½cupsalted butter for each color of popcorn you want to make
½cupgranulated sugar for each color of popcorn you want to make
½cuplight corn syrup for each color of popcorn you want to make
½teaspoonsea salt for each color of popcorn you want to make
3ounceJell-O or flavored gelatin for each color of popcorn you want to make
½teaspoonbaking soda for each color of popcorn you want to make
Instructions
Preheat oven to 250°F.
Spread popcorn in a 3 to 4 quart glass or metal baking dish, at least 9x13 but larger will make it even easier to stir the popcorn.
In a medium saucepan heat butter, sugar, corn syrup, and sea salt over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil, stirring frequently.
Add contents of the jello packet to the saucepan and stir until fully combined.
Bring the mixture back up to a low boil and leave to simmer undisturbed for a full 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in baking soda, the mixture will foam up a bit.
Pour jello mixture over the popcorn and stir to coat as evenly as possible.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, stirring thoroughly every 15 minutes. After popcorn has cooked for 45 minutes, remove a piece from the oven and allow it to cool for a couple minutes. Taste to determine if the coating is crisp and dry or if it is sticky. Continue cooking the popcorn 5 to 10 minutes longer until it is no longer sticky when cooled.
Remove popcorn from the oven and immediately scoop out onto parchment paper. Allow popcorn to cool and break into pieces.
Repeat for additional colors and flavors.
Notes
NOTE: The ingredients listed above are for 1 color of popcorn. If you want to create rainbow popcorn as we did, you need separate ingredients for each color you intend to make.TIP: ⅓ cup of popcorn kernels yields approximately 10 cups of popped corn.TIP: Once it starts to cool, the candy coating sets fast. Stir it quickly and evenly into the popcorn to completely coat it before the mixture starts to cool.TIP: If you don't bake your popcorn long enough, it will be chewy. You can pop it back into the oven for a few more minutes if this happens.