I absolutely love this Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe because it brings together the cozy, comforting flavors of a classic cinnamon roll into a crunchy, snackable treat that you can munch on anytime. It’s perfect for when you want something sweet but don’t feel like baking a full batch of cinnamon rolls – plus, it’s done in a flash and super fun to make. Whenever movie night rolls around or I need an easy dessert-ish snack, this popcorn is my go-to.
What makes this Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe really special is how the warm cinnamon and buttery sweetness coat each kernel so evenly, then get a delicate glaze finish that melts in your mouth. If you’ve ever struggled to capture that cinnamon roll vibe in a quick snack, you’ll find that this recipe hits just the right note between indulgence and simplicity. I’ve made it for family gatherings, and everyone goes crazy for it – it’s that good!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 35 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute snacks or parties.
- Delicious Flavor Combo: Combines buttery popcorn with cinnamon and sugary glaze for the perfect sweet treat.
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses simple pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
- Family Favorite: Always a hit with kids and adults alike, making it great for sharing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to create that perfect cinnamon roll flavor without any fuss. Each one plays a simple but important role in delivering buttery, sweet, and cinnamon-spiced popcorn with a glossy finish.
- Popcorn: The base of the recipe—air-popped or stovetop works best for crispness.
- Unsalted butter: Melts easily to coat the popcorn without making it greasy or salty.
- Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture, giving that classic cinnamon roll richness.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice for that warm, aromatic flavor.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Blends smoothly into the glaze for a sweet, delicate finish.
Variations
The Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe is pretty adaptable, and I love tinker with it depending on what I have in the kitchen or who I’m making it for. Feel free to add your own spin — it’s fun to play with flavors!
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom: I once tried tossing in a little ground nutmeg to the cinnamon, and it gave the popcorn a deeper warm-spiced flavor that was so cozy.
- Use coconut oil instead of butter: For a dairy-free twist, I sub coconut oil and it still tastes amazing — plus it gives a subtle tropical hint.
- Mix in chopped nuts or raisins: If you want some texture and unexpected sweetness, toasted pecans or raisins are awesome mix-ins.
- Make it extra gooey: Try drizzling a light caramel sauce on top along with the glaze for an ultra-indulgent treat.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe
Step 1: Toss Popcorn with Butter and Cinnamon Sugar
Start by popping about 1/4 cup of unpopped kernels into roughly 8 cups of popcorn – I like using my stovetop method because it’s crispier than microwave popcorn. Once popped, pour the warm melted butter over the popcorn on a large baking sheet, then sprinkle the brown sugar and ground cinnamon over everything. Use a spatula or your hands to gently toss it all together so each piece gets a nice coating. Spread the popcorn out evenly on the sheet so it’s ready for the glaze.
Step 2: Whisk and Drizzle the Glaze
Now, for the icing magic! In a small glass measuring cup, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar with 1 1/2 teaspoons of water. I discovered this trick when I realized a too-thick glaze just clumps up, so adding water in half-teaspoon increments until the glaze looks runny but not watery is key – it should look just like the glaze on a cinnamon roll. Once your consistency is right, drizzle the glaze evenly over the popcorn on the baking sheet.
Step 3: Let It Set and Enjoy!
After drizzling, pop the sheet in the refrigerator for 20 to 25 minutes so the glaze can set firm but still be soft and chewy. This step is where the popcorn really transforms from just sweet to irresistible cinnamon roll goodness. Once it’s set, break it apart if clumped and dig in. Trust me—you’ll want to make extra!
Pro Tips for Making Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe
- Use Fresh Popped Popcorn: Popping your own popcorn ensures it’s crisp and won’t get soggy under the glaze.
- Warm Butter Helps Even Coating: Melt the butter until hot but not browned so it coats the popcorn evenly and dissolves the brown sugar better.
- Don’t Over-Drizzle the Glaze: Too much glaze can make popcorn clumpy and hard; drizzle lightly and evenly to keep it crunchy with just a touch of sweetness.
- Chill to Set Glaze: Skipping the refrigeration step can mean sticky popcorn that’s hard to serve, so be patient and let that glaze firm up properly!
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe
Garnishes
Whenever I serve this Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe, I sometimes sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top before the glaze sets—this contrast really makes the sweetness pop. You could also toss in mini chocolate chips or a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving for extra visual appeal and flavor.
Side Dishes
I like pairing this popcorn with a warm cup of chai tea or hot apple cider because those drinks echo the cinnamon-spice theme, making for a cozy snack combo. It’s also great alongside vanilla ice cream if you want to turn it into a dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I love serving this popcorn in little brown paper bags tied with a festive ribbon—makes it look so cute and giftable! You could also fill mason jars and add mini cinnamon sticks as stirrers for a rustic, cinnamon roll-inspired party favor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature, and it usually stays fresh for 3 to 4 days. Keeping it sealed well is the key to preserving that glaze crunch without the popcorn getting soft or stale.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this popcorn a couple of times by sealing it tightly in freezer bags, and it thaws nicely without losing the flavor. Just make sure to break it into smaller pieces before freezing so you can grab a handful without thawing the entire batch.
Reheating
If your popcorn loses a little crispness after storage, pop it in the oven at 250°F (120°C) for about 5 minutes to refresh that crunch. Just watch closely so the glaze doesn’t melt or burn.
FAQs
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Can I make the Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe without brown sugar?
While brown sugar gives the best caramel-like flavor, you can substitute with granulated white sugar or coconut sugar, but the taste will be slightly different and less moist.
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What’s the best popcorn to use for this recipe?
I recommend using fresh homemade stovetop or air-popped popcorn for the best texture, as microwave popcorn can sometimes be too oily or soft.
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Can I make this Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe vegan?
Yes! Use a vegan butter substitute or coconut oil in place of butter, and make sure your confectioners’ sugar is vegan (some brands process it with bone char).
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How long does the glazed popcorn stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it stays fresh for up to 4 days. Beyond that, the popcorn may start losing its crispness.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe holds a special place in my snack repertoire for its blend of nostalgia and convenience. It’s the kind of treat that feels like a warm hug and can lift your day in minutes. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s definitely one of those little kitchen wins that keeps everyone coming back for another handful.
Print
Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cinnamon Bun Popcorn combines the sweet and comforting flavors of cinnamon buns with the light crunch of popcorn, creating a delightful snack that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying solo. Featuring a buttery, cinnamon-sugar coating and a smooth confectioners’ sugar glaze, this recipe offers an irresistible treat reminiscent of your favorite bakery pastry in a fun, easy-to-make format.
Ingredients
Popcorn Base
- 8 cups popcorn (from about 1/4 cup unpopped kernels)
Coating
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Glaze
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons water, plus more as needed
Instructions
- Toss popcorn with butter and spices: Place the popped popcorn in a large baking sheet. Drizzle the melted unsalted butter over the popcorn and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all the pieces. Sprinkle the light brown sugar and ground cinnamon evenly over the popcorn, then toss again to combine and ensure each kernel is flavorful. Spread the coated popcorn out in an even layer on the baking sheet.
- Prepare the glaze: In a glass measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar with 1 1/2 teaspoons of water. Add extra water in 1/2 teaspoon increments if needed until the glaze reaches a consistency similar to that of cinnamon roll icing—smooth, slightly runny, and easy to drizzle.
- Drizzle glaze and set: Evenly drizzle the prepared glaze over the popcorn, making sure to cover as much surface as possible for a sweet finish. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 20 to 25 minutes to allow the glaze to set and harden slightly, which helps keep the popcorn crisp and flavorful.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly popped popcorn to maintain the crunch of the snack.
- Adjust the cinnamon quantity according to your taste preference.
- You can substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a richer flavor.
- If the glaze is too thick, add water slowly in small amounts to avoid making it too runny.
- Store leftover popcorn in an airtight container to preserve crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
