Forget the hassle of popcorn balls; these homemade no-bake chocolate chip popcorn bars are crowd-pleasing, easy to put together, and taste just fabulous without all the fuss! As added bonus, they’re customizable and you’ll end up with a ridiculously tasty treat.
I hope you like popcorn because it’s all about popcorn and chocolate mix today. Best duo! Before you jump to the recipe section, be sure to make extra because these dessert bars are freezer-friendly and perfect for a movie night.
Why you need to make this recipe
Easy! These popcorn candy bars can’t be any easier, especially with five ingredients and five simple steps to follow.
Customizable. You can mix and match the ingredients by adding pretzels, nuts, white chocolate, and so much more. And you can make these no-bake dessert bars without marshmallows!
Kid and adult-friendly. Everyone will love these bars!
Nut-free. Unless you add nuts in this recipe
No-bake. Turn off that oven and enjoy this popcorn dessert in less than 1 hour.
Freezer-friendly. Wait..you’re saying I can store these popcorn bars in the fridge? Indeed!
The ingredients
This easy chocolate popcorn bar only takes five ingredients. And the best part is you don’t need to turn on the oven, and these bars can be ready in less than 1 hour. You will need:
- Popcorn. I use 3.5 oz of microwave popcorn or store-bough popcorn, such as Lesser Evil Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn
- Chocolate chips. You can use dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips; however, I recommend using 70% dark chocolate to balance the sweetness from toffee bits
- Mini marshmallows will act as a glue
- Butter. Use unsalted butter only
- Toffee bits for extra crunch and texture
How to make popcorn bars
- Get the popcorn according to the package instructions
- Combine mini marshmallows and butter and let it melt on a stove top or in a microwave. Stir continuously until melted
- Mix in popcorn and marshmallows, then press into a 9×12 pan
- Melt chocolate and pour over the popcorn marshmallow bars
- Sprinkle with toffee bits and let it set for 30 minutes in the fridge before you cut the bars
Latest Recipes
Popcorn chocolate chip bars without marshmallow
You can substitute marshmallows with a combination of honey and brown sugar with a pinch of salt. Combine 1 cup of honey with 1 cup of brown sugar and a pinch of salt on a small pot. Cook until the brown sugar dissolves, frequently stirring to avoid burning, 2–3 minutes. Let the mixture come to a low boil for 1–2 minutes, constantly stirring, then remove the pot from the heat and pour over popcorn.
Sweet & salty popcorn recipes
I’ve always enjoyed a good combination of sweet & salty, so I like adding crushed potato chips of flakey sea salt for a finishing touch, and they blend perfectly with toffee bits.
What to put on popcorn chocolate bars
Here’s the fun part because the combination is endless!
Use melted white chocolate for popcorn white chocolate.
Add pretzels for some extra crunch and make it popcorn with chocolate and pretzels.
If you’re a fan of dark chocolate, make it a popcorn dark chocolate combo!
Another fun recipe is making popcorn with cranberries for extra zing.
And of course, you need to try adding crushed potato chips…because chocolate-covered potato chips are always a huge hit.
Expert tips
If you prefer low-carb chocolate chips or low-carb chocolate bars, try Lily’s or Lakanto.
Use Lesser Evil Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn if you don’t plan to use microwavable popcorn, and you will get a dash of salty and sweet feeling.
Flaky salt will also add a perfect crunch, but not too much and it will balance perfectly with toffee bits.
Can you freeze popcorn bars?
Yes! They store best in the refrigerator for up to a week or freezer. Although, I don’t guarantee they will last that long after one bite. And oh, be sure to layer each bar with parchment paper to prevent sticking if you decide to freeze them.
If you like no-bake recipes, you will also enjoy cookies and cream bark thins, chocolate brownie pudding, or low-carb cookies.
No-bake Chocolate Chip Popcorn Bars
Ingredients
- 1 package microwave popcorn popped in the microwave
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cups toffee bits
Instructions
- Make popcorn according to thepackage instructions
- Melt mini marshmallows and butter and stir continuously until melted
- Mix in popcorn and marshmallows. Press into a 9×1 2 pan
- Melt chocolate and pour over the popcornmarshmallow bars
- Sprinkle with toffee bits and let it set for 30 minutes in thefridge and then cut
Sherry says
What a fun and tasty treat. I made this recipe for my daughters basketball team and it was a huge hit!!
Kim at Three Olives Branch says
Such a great idea and so delicious! Always a hit in our house
Mayuri Patel says
Wow, that is a great recipe, love both popcorn and chocolate.
Donna says
Yummo, the toffee bits take these bars over the edge, so good!
Susannah says
Popcorn bars! These are speaking my love language.
Jennifer says
Chocolate and popcorn? Yes please! These were so good the kids gobbled the whole pan up right away!
Amy Liu Dong says
This is definitely an easy and delicious treat to make for my kids. I am sure they will love this!