Make your own red hot cinnamon popcorn with this easy recipe! This recipe makes popcorn that’s coated with a red hot candy coating.
We didn’t go to the mall very often while I was growing up. Even less frequent were the trips that involved a snack. Every once in a while, though, my mom would stop at the popcorn shop in the mall, and we would get popcorn and limeades.
I’ve always liked cinnamon flavored things, so I always picked the cinnamon popcorn. I still crave that cinnamon popcorn, but I can’t get it where I live now. So, I’ve had to learn to make my own version.
Thankfully, this cinnamon popcorn is really easy to make, and it keeps well. It’s a great snack, dessert, or movie-watching treat.
How To Make Red Hot Cinnamon Popcorn
Spread the popped popcorn in a lightly buttered roasting pan. Set pan of popcorn in the oven while you make the candy glaze.
Melt the butter most of the way. Add the red hots, sugar, corn syrup, and salt.
Bring to a boil. Once at a boil, let boil for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and carefully stir in cinnamon extract, if using, and baking soda. Carefully but quickly, pour the glaze over the popcorn and stir to coat.
Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Tips
Tips - First, work quickly! The candy coating sets up quickly, so you’ll want to work fast.
- Second, the popcorn don’t need to be completely coated before it goes into the oven. As you stir the popcorn, it will continue to get covered in the coating while it bakes.
- Third, gently break up the chunks of popcorn after it comes out of the oven while it’s still a little warm.
- Popcorn: You can use any type of plain popped popcorn that you like.
Do I Have to Use the Cinnamon Extract?
This popcorn has a good, strong cinnamon flavor, but it isn’t too spicy. If you want a milder cinnamon flavor, you can omit the cinnamon extract.
How To Store
I recommend storing the popcorn in an airtight container to help it stay fresh and crunchy.
More Popcorn Recipes!
More Popcorn Recipes!- Cinnamon Bun Popcorn
- Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe
- Birthday Cake Popcorn
- Caramel Corn
- Zebra Popcorn Recipe
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Red Hot Cinnamon Popcorn
Ingredients
- 3.3 ounce bag plain microwave popcorn, popped about 6-7 cups popped popcorn
- 1/4 cup butter
- 9 ounces red cinnamon imperial candies (red hots)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225 F.
- Spread popcorn in a lightly buttered roasting pan.
- Place the pan in the oven to start heating popcorn while you prepare the syrup.
- In a heavy pan, melt butter most of the way.
- Add the red hots, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat; carefully stir in baking soda and cinnamon extract.
- Working quickly, pour over warm popcorn stirring to coat.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven, and stir one last time.
- Let cool.
- Break into pieces; store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Published 3/3/12. Updated 1/31/2020.
Adapted from thesisterdish.blogspot.com
Reader Interactions
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Comments & Reviews
Scott says
My recipe is a little different but basically the same. After the oven I spread on waxed paper to cool and drizzle white candy coating over the top. I sometimes have trouble getting all of the imperials to melt before it starts to thicken too much.
Kate says
White chocolate sounds like a great addition! You can keep the heat lower until the red hots melt and then turn it up a bit to boil it if you’re having trouble getting the imperials to melt.
David Koehn says
I made this and it turned out amazing! Could not find red hots so I used cinnamon discs instead. I did not add extra cinnamon oil. I think the discs had more flavor anyways.
Kate says
Thank you!
Roxane Brown says
Can I use a non-dairy butter?
Kate says
I haven’t tried using nondairy butter to say for certain, but I would guess that it would work.
Fallon says
My husband loves red hot cinnamon popcorn but hasn’t been able to find it where we live. I made him this popcorn as a surprise treat and he said it was better than any red hot cinnamon popcorn he has had. He ate the little crumbs at the bottom of the pan. It was my first time having it and I loved it. I wish I could figure out how to upload the picture.
Kate says
Yay! I’m so glad that it was a hit!
Angie says
I tried to give this a five star but it wouldn’t let me press it this is a wonderful recipe I love it I have been wanting cinnamon popcorn forever I remember when I was a kid my parents used to take me to Topsy’s popcorn it is so expensive love this love this love this
Kate says
Thank you! Topsy’s was my favorite growing up!
Lesia Jones says
I have made this recipe several times and it’s as close to the popcorn I get back home. I love it and I make it to give away as Christmas gifts. I’m a cinnamon girl.
Thank you👍
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that you like the popcorn!
BROOKE says
I made this and mixed it with caramel, cheese, and buttered popcorn. FANTASTIC MIX!! I buy the cheese popcorn, and make my own caramel and buttered.
Kate says
Thank you! That is a great combination!
Katie says
Delicious recipe!
Kate says
Thank you very much!
Sylvia says
This is some really good popcorn ? good recipe!
Kate says
Thanks so much!
Jenifer says
Really delicious !! We used cinnamon oil (even more powerful than extract) because that was what we had – wonderful intense flavor
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it!
Liz says
Could I use honey instead of corn syrup?
Kate says
I haven’t tried using honey to say for certain. The corn syrup helps to keep the coating from crystalizing, so I’m not sure how the honey would work out. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Sheila says
The popcorn was decent. But I tried “baking” the popcorn. What a mess in my oven. I just popped in the microwave and it was fine.
Kate says
I think there was a misunderstanding. You aren’t popping the popcorn in the oven. The popped popcorn in placed in the oven to warm it while you make the coating so that it will be warm and give you a little extra time to work with the syrup before it hardens.
Christine Napurski says
Can you use butter flavored Pop corn ?
Kate says
I haven’t tried using butter flavor to say how it will work out.
Linda smith says
You stated to bring the candy to a boil. Do you use a candy thermometer and if so what temp?
Kristina says
Could I have this recipe sent email
Kate says
Just below the email sign up box underneath the recipe is teal bar that says “pinterest”, “facebook”, and “email”. If you click “email”, you will be able to email the recipe to yourself.
Carrie says
I am thinking of making this delicious looking recipe. Is it super crunchy and does the popcorn get soggy/chewy like chocolate covered popcorn?
Kate says
It stays crunchy. The coating forms a candy shell, and it should stay crunchy. However, if you’re in a humid area, you will need to store it in an airtight container to help keep it cruncy. Hope that helps! =)
Penny says
What exactly is cinnamon extract?
Kate says
Hi! It’s a concentrated cinnamon flavoring. It’s usually sold with the extracts and flavors in near the spices. Hope that helps!
Penny says
Like the Loraine flavoring the really hot cinn got hard tack
Jerusha Staggs says
My daughter and I made this this afternoon. It’s fantastic! Just exactly what I was craving. A bit complicated, but I made a huge batch to last a while (maybe) and will definitely make again.
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that you liked it! =) Thanks for commenting!
Stephanie says
This stuff is wonderful and so easy. A bit messy but definitely worth it. Tastes yummy! I don’t understand why the Baking Soda, but it turned out so good I don’t care. I will make this again. I did add the cinnamon extract. So pretty and yummy.
Kate says
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it. =) The baking soda helps to make the coating lighter and crispier. Thanks for coming back to comment!
Lisa Hadden says
Delicious but the popcorn really stuck to bottom of pan. Any suggestions? Thanks
Kate says
Thanks! You can line the pan with a silicone baking mat or with parchment paper to help with the sticking.
Gen says
This popcorn rocks! I didn’t use the cinnamon flavor and it was still awesome.
KB says
This popcorn is the business. Love it. I used butter popcorn se really times but I prefer kettle corn. I also sprinkle cayenne pepper in mine for a kick. Love it.
Kate says
Thank you!
Jb says
Yes I also use the cayenne pepper. A substantial amount. Live it.