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    Home » Recipes » April Fool's Day

    Halloween Popcorn with Chocolate Bugs

    Published: Sep 6, '11 · Modified: Oct 11, '21 · By: Beth · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Creep out your friends and family by serving them a big bowl of Halloween Popcorn with Chocolate Bugs.

    This sweet and salty snack may look gross but it tastes great!

    gross Halloween popcorn - buckets of white chocolate popcorn filled with chocolate roaches

    You might wonder how someone like me who is so freaked out by the sight of a bug, could possibly eat a chocolate roach.

    Well, being the one who actually made these little pests, I am not fooled by their appearance.

    I was, however, a bit worried when I served this treat at our Halloween party last year, knowing many of my guests would feel the same about bugs as I do. To my surprise, most people thought this bucket of popcorn and roaches was hysterical. Only a squeamish few, walked by it without reaching in to grab some.

    Gross Halloween desserts including a spider cake, cheese ball rat, mouse pops, and chocolate roaches.

    When I planned our Carnival of the Creepy Crawlers-themed party, I knew I had to serve some sort of popcorn - what carnival would be complete without it?

    My guests always enjoy snacking on my white chocolate popcorn. I've served candy bar-filled chocolate popcorn, cookies and cream Halloween popcorn and even peanut butter popcorn.  The bowls are always empty by the end of the party.

    For this party, I decided it would be fun to sprinkle some chocolate roaches into plain white chocolate popcorn.

    If you just can't stomach making or eating a chocolate roach, you should try making the white chocolate popcorn.  It is crunchy and sweet and totally addicting.

    chocolate roaches climbing into a red and white striped popcorn box filled with white chocolate popcorn

    Milk Chocolate Roach Infested White Chocolate Popcorn

    popcorn - I prefer to pop my own popcorn using an air popper. I pop ⅓ cup of kernels to get about 10 cups of popcorn. It's important to remove any unpopped kernels before tossing the popcorn with white chocolate.

    white confectionery coating and milk confectionery coating, also known as candy melts, melting wafers, or almond bark

    OR melted and tempered pure white chocolate and pure milk chocolate

    I used Peters White Confectionery Coating wafers to coat my popcorn but it's difficult to find unless you have a cake/candy decorating store in your area.

    To make the white chocolate popcorn, you can also use:

    •  Merckens White Candy Coatings
    • Wilton White Candy Melts
    • Ghirardelli White Melting Wafers
    • Nestle Premier White Morsels

    For the roaches, you can use:

    • Ghirardelli Milk Melting Wafers
    • Merckens Coco Lite
    • Wilton Light Cocoa Candy Melts

    Before you begin: If you don't have much experience working with confectionery coating/candy melts or chocolate, you should read my chocolate-making tutorial. I give you a very detailed look at the types of chocolate and confectionery coating and how to melt and use them.

    Special Equipment Needed:

    air popper for the popcorn or a plain brown lunch bag and a microwave
    extra large mixing bowl
    2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper
    squeeze bottle fitted with a #1 round pastry tip or a disposable pastry bag, or a zip top bag
    popcorn boxes, optional

    Instructions:

    Step 1 - Pop popcorn.

    1. Pop ⅓ cup of popcorn kernels in an air popper.
      • If you don't have an air popper, then place your kernels in a plain brown lunch bag, fold the top of the bag over a few times, heat in the microwave on high power for 2-3 minutes until you hear the popping of the kernels slow to one to two pops per second.
      • Times will vary because every microwave heats differently.
      • However you pop your popcorn, you'll want to place the popped kernels in a very large mixing bowl and discard any unpopped kernels.

    If you prefer you can use 10 cups of store-bought popcorn.

    Step 2 - Melt the confectionery coating (candy melts).

    • To melt the white confectionery coating: heat on high in the microwave for three 30-second bursts of high power, stirring after each.
    • If the coating is not all melted, heat for 10-second increments, stirring after each until melted.
    • For more detailed instructions and step-by-step pictures read my chocolate-making tutorial.

    pour melted white chocolate or white candy melts over popped popcorn and toss to coat

    Step 3 - Toss white chocolate with popcorn.

    1. Pour melted white chocolate over your popped popcorn.
    2. Use a large spatula or spoon to gently fold the popcorn and coating just until the popcorn is covered in the coating.
      • If you stir for too long, the coating will begin to harden and you will end up with spikes of coating on your popcorn.

    spread white chocolate popcorn onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet

    Step 4 - Spread popcorn on a parchment paper-lined pan.

    1. Pour popcorn onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    2. Spread it into an even layer.
    3. Refrigerate for 10 minutes until the coating is hardened.
    4. Remove from refrigerator and break up into small chunks.
    5. Place in popcorn boxes, if using.

    Step 5 - Melt chocolate and print roach template.

    1. Melt your candy melts (confectionery coating).
    2. Heat in the microwave on high for 15 seconds, then stir, 15 more seconds, then stir, then for 10-second increments, stirring after each, until melted. You can also melt the wafers in a double boiler. If you prefer, melt and temper pure milk chocolate.
    3. Print out the roach template (click on the link and you'll be connected to a PDF file of the roach.)

    Do you think you could handle eating this Halloween Popcorn with Chocolate Bugs? If so, you have to make this delicious snack! Or make it to scare your kids with!

    Step 6 - Make chocolate roaches.

    1. Place the image under a sheet of parchment paper that is set on a baking sheet.
    2. Pour melted chocolate into a squeeze bottle or piping bag fitted with a #1 round pastry tip (or fill a disposable pastry bag or zip-top bag with the chocolate and snip off a very small amount of the tip of the bag - allowing only a small amount of chocolate to be piped.)
    3. Begin by piping the antenna.
    4. Next, pipe on the legs.
    5. Then, pipe on the head and body.
    6. Carefully move the image of the roach over a few inches and pipe another roach.

    Do you think you could handle eating this Halloween Popcorn with Chocolate Bugs? If so, you have to make this delicious snack! Or make it to scare your kids with!

    Step 7 - Add the chocolate roaches to the white chocolate popcorn.

    1. Continue piping roaches until you have plenty (I made 36 and had several of them break). Be sure to reserve some of the melted chocolate to use as glue.
    2. Refrigerate your roaches for 1-3 minutes just until they harden. If you leave them in too long, they will curl up quite a bit.
    3. Gently peel them off of the parchment paper.
    4. Pipe small amounts of the melted coating onto the backside of each roach and attach them to the popcorn, as well as, the outside of the boxes. I think they look great crawling all over the boxes.

    You will probably need to re-heat your chocolate at some point.

    If you are using a squeeze bottle with a plastic pastry tip, you can just place the entire bottle in the microwave and heat it on high for 10 seconds. If you use a metal pastry tip, remove it before putting the bottle in the microwave. If you are using a disposable pastry bag or zip-top bag, just put the filled bag in a tall glass and heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds.

    a big bucket of white chocolate popcorn filled with milk chocolate roaches for a Halloween snack

    Step 8 - Storing your popcorn.

    1. Store your Halloween popcorn in an airtight container (I suggest a metal tin) for up to 3 weeks. If you don't store it in an airtight container, it will start to lose its crunch.
    2. Keep the popcorn in a cool, dry place away from any heat source.
    3. Do not store in the refrigerator.
    gross Halloween popcorn - buckets of white chocolate popcorn filled with chocolate roaches
    Print
    Halloween Popcorn with Chocolate Bugs
    Prep Time
    40 mins
    Cook Time
    2 mins
     

    Serve a big bowl of white chocolate popcorn filled with chocolate roaches for Halloween. It may look gross but it tastes great!

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: chocolate, chocolate popcorn, halloween popcorn, popcorn
    Servings: 12
    Author: Beth
    Ingredients
    • 10 cups popped popcorn (from ⅓ cup kernels)
    • 12 ounces white candy melts (confectionery coating or melting wafers)
    • 2 ounces light cocoa candy melts (or milk chocolate melting wafers)
    Instructions
    1. Remove any unpopped kernels then pour the popcorn into a large mixing bowl.

    2. Melt the candy melts in the microwave for 30-second bursts of power, stirring after each.

    3. Pour the white chocolate over the popcorn and gently toss until well coated.

    4. Spread into an even layer on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

    5. Chill for 10 minutes until the chocolate hardens.

    6. Print out the roach template.

    7. Set the template under a piece of parchment paper.

    8. Pipe the melted light cocoa candy melts over the roach.

    9. Freeze for about 2 minutes until hardened.

    10. Break up the popcorn into small chunks and place it in a bowl or bucket.

    11. Attach chocolate roaches to the popcorn using candy melts.

    Recipe Notes

    Store in an airtight container, preferably a popcorn tin, for up to 3 weeks. 

    More Halloween popcorn recipes...

    Orange and Black OREO Cookie and white chocolate Halloween popcorn in a black and orange polka dot gift box.

    Orange and Blake Cookies and Cream Popcorn

    white chocolate popcorn skull

    White Chocolate Popcorn Skulls

    Make a quick batch of popcorn balls using the microwave then dress them up to look like gruesome Popcorn EYEballs for Halloween using candy clay.

    Popcorn EYE-Balls

    White chocolate popcorn bowl decorated like a jack-o-lantern for Halloween.

    White Chocolate Popcorn Pumpkin Bowl

     

     

     

    Be sure to check out all the Halloween recipes here on Hungry Happenings.

    SaveSave

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Beth
    Beth
    Hi, I'm Beth Jackson Klosterboer, a professional chocolatier & baker, cookbook author, and event planner. I love sharing recipes for happy occasions here on Hungry Happenings. I also create easy fudge recipes to share at HowToMakeEasyFudge.com, rice krispie treat recipes at HowToMakeCerealTreats.com, and easy cookie recipes at HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    Beth
    Latest posts by Beth (see all)
    • Mini Basketball Cheeseburgers - February 15, 2023
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    1. Gmail sign in

      October 26, 2016 at 8:06 am

      I love this idea 😀 I'm not scared of cockroaches and for me, this is a cute idea (I'm freaked out by bloody-look things) 😀 Thank you for sharing!!

      Reply
      • Beth

        October 26, 2016 at 9:34 pm

        I'm glad you like it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Anonymous

      October 11, 2013 at 5:17 pm

      Has anyone tried this with a package of microwave popcorn? Seems like that would add even more flavor. Thanks!

      Reply
    3. Jenn

      October 14, 2011 at 9:41 pm

      The popcorn sounds delicious and the chocolate bugs are brilliant!

      Reply
    4. Kimberly

      September 17, 2011 at 3:47 pm

      This is so cute and looks easy! Thanks for sharing it will be fun to scare people with this one 😉

      Reply
    5. Jennifer @Miss Maggie's Place

      September 09, 2011 at 11:47 am

      My 5 yr old son will LOVE this! thanks for sharing it.
      Jennifer

      Reply
    6. Beth Jackson Klosterboer

      September 09, 2011 at 11:15 am

      Linda - so happy to hear you got a chuckle out of this recipe!

      Rachel - thanks for the feature at Sun Scholars. I do appreciate it!

      Beth @ Hungry Happenings

      Reply
    7. Rachel at Sun Scholars

      September 09, 2011 at 5:18 am

      This is great! Perfect for Halloween!! Thanks so much for sharing this at For the Kids Fridays at Sun Scholars. I am featuring this post at this week's party!! Stop by and grab yourself an A++ Button!!!

      http://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/09/for-kids-friday-27.html

      Reply
    8. Linda

      September 09, 2011 at 3:42 am

      This made me laugh out loud! I think I'll need to add this to the Halloween Party list or maybe April Fool's Day.

      Thanks for the giggle...

      Linda @ babiesandbumblebees.blogspot.com

      Reply
    9. Beth Jackson Klosterboer

      September 08, 2011 at 9:10 pm

      Too funny CuteEverything. Glad to know even young kids find this recipe to be fun.

      Thanks for stopping by Bento Cat. I agree it's a bit gross!

      I agree Patricia, the roaches would be great on cupcakes or even cookies.

      Beth @ Hungry Happenings

      Reply
    10. Patricia Calef

      September 08, 2011 at 8:51 pm

      The cockroaches will be perfect on top of Halloween cupcakes. Thanks for the idea.

      Reply
    11. Bento Cat

      September 08, 2011 at 10:16 am

      Hahahaha! this is kinda gross but is DEFINITELY FUNNY!! My first time on your blog and already loving it 😀

      Reply
    12. Beth Jackson Klosterboer

      September 07, 2011 at 2:12 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Mary. It is always so nice to hear from new readers that enjoy what I have to offer here. I do hope you stop back to see what I create next.

      Beth @ Hungry Happenings

      Reply
    13. CuteEverything.com

      September 07, 2011 at 6:28 am

      My daughter said, Now I want some roach infested popcorn! You make it look yummy!

      Reply
    14. Mary

      September 06, 2011 at 10:27 pm

      I think this is very creative and more will like it than not. This is my first visit to your blog, so I've taken some extra time to browse through your earlier posts. I'm so glad I did that. You've created a wonderful spot for your readers to visit and I really enjoyed the time I spent here. I'll be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

      Reply
    15. Anonymous

      September 06, 2011 at 5:05 pm

      Cool!!!!, i'll try it 🙂 if u can find chocolate molds u could fill the roaches with caramel and get chewt roaches :)... puaj!!! but either way it's a great idea!, you can infest almost any sweet with roaches 🙂

      Anilú

      Reply
    16. Tiffany

      September 06, 2011 at 3:29 pm

      Ew...gross! But too cute! You had me at white chocolate. LOL I think if the roaches had been more 3-D I wouldn't be able to stomach it though! I will definitely be making this soon!

      Reply

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    Beth Jackson Klosterboer

    Welcome to Hungry Happenings!

    I'm Beth. I've been a professional chocolatier & baker for over 30 years, have written 5 cookbooks, and love creating fun food for holidays and special occasions.

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