How to Color Popped Popcorn

Color popcorn green for St. Patrick's Day.

Popped popcorn is a delicious treat that, if left uncovered by melted butter and other fattening flavor enhancers, is also low in fat and calories. You can use popcorn to decorate your home during major holidays, including popcorn strings on the Christmas tree or yummy popcorn balls for trick-or-treaters. Dying popcorn balls will give your next popcorn craft a new dimension, or it can be a special treat that your kids will enjoy.

Things You'll Need

• Large glass bowl
• Food coloring
• Plastic zippered bag

Instructions

1. Pop 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels and place them into a large plastic bowl. Do not use plastic, as the food coloring will stain.

2. Add two to three drops food coloring and 1 tbsp. water to a plastic zippered bag.

3. Add the popcorn to the zippered bag and close.

4. Shake the bag gently to work the food coloring into the popcorn. Do not shake the bag too vigorously, so as to avoid crushing the popcorn.

5. Open the zippered plastic bag and pour the popcorn into the large glass bowl. Allow the popcorn to sit for five to 10 minutes. This will allow the popcorn to dry before you use it in a craft project.

Tips & Warnings

• Use powered food coloring instead of liquid to achieve a brighter color.

References

• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service: Pop, Pop, Popcorn
• Craft Bits: Popcorn Garland