Oreo popcorn has recently emerged as a popular snack food, combining the classic cookie with the light, crunchy texture of popcorn. While Oreo itself does not make an official Oreo popcorn product, the concept has caught on among food bloggers and snack makers. Homemade Oreo popcorn recipes allow you to create this tasty treat with just a few simple ingredients. Store-bought versions can also be found from some specialty snack retailers. So while Oreo popcorn may not be as ubiquitous as the classic chocolate sandwich cookie, it definitely exists as a real snack food thanks to creative culinary minds.
What is Oreo Popcorn?
Oreo popcorn is exactly what its name implies – popcorn that is flavored to taste like Oreo cookies. It takes the crunchy, fluffy texture of popcorn and coats it in ingredients reminiscent of Oreo filling and cookie pieces. The most basic recipe calls for popping plain popcorn kernels and then tossing the popped corn with Oreo crumbles and a binding agent like melted butter or marshmallow fluff. The Oreo pieces stick to the popcorn, delivering that distinctive cookie flavor in each bite. More elaborate homemade recipes add ingredients like white and dark chocolate, cream cheese, or vanilla to enhance the Oreo taste. Pre-packaged Oreo popcorn sold by specialty retailers tends to include a flavored oil or seasoning powder to provide the signature cookie flavor. So while recipes vary in their ingredients, the core components of popcorn and Oreo cookies remain consistent in this snack.
What Does Oreo Popcorn Taste Like?
When prepared well, Oreo popcorn succeeds in tasting like you are eating milk’s favorite cookie one bite and fluffy popcorn the next. The popcorn brings a light, crispy texture that gets coated in the sweeter, richer flavors of Oreo filling and cookie crumbs. The filling provides a vanilla, creamy taste while the cookie pieces add crunchy chocolate and sugar notes. It essentially creates an Oreo-flavored shell around each popcorn kernel. The popcorn still maintains its puffy, airy feel in the mouth. So you get an alternating experience of melty, cookie dough-like flavor and airy crunch. The dark chocolate in the cookie pieces and use of butter or marshmallow as a binder provides a nice roasty, savory undertone as well. It satisfies cravings for both sweet and salty snacks.
History of Oreo Popcorn
While Oreo first hit store shelves in 1912, Oreo popcorn is a much more recent invention. The concept of coating popcorn in Oreo or Oreo-inspired flavors likely first emerged in the 2010s alongside the rise of food blogs and recipes going viral online. Creative home cooks realized the potential of combining these two beloved snack foods into one treat. The earliest recipes appeared on blogs like Oh Sweet Basil and Two Sisters Crafting. Social media and YouTube provided a way for these recipe creators to showcase their Oreo popcorn creations. As images and videos of irresistible Oreo popcorn were shared across platforms, more bloggers and brands jumped on the bandwagon with their own takes on the snack.
Around the mid-2010s, small-batch popcorn brands started selling their versions of Oreo popcorn through online stores and retail shops. This helped bring the snack into the mainstream. So while Oreo itself does not officially sell an Oreo popcorn product, the viral spread of recipes online combined with specialty popcorn brands led to this creative flavor combo becoming a real thing people could buy and enjoy. It demonstrates the power recipe creators and entrepreneurs have today in innovating new snack foods thanks to blogs and social media. The Oreo popcorn trend took off with everyday people at home experimenting with fun flavor mashups until it became a retail product.
Where Can I Buy Oreo Popcorn?
While you won’t find Oreo popcorn sitting on grocery store shelves next to the regular microwave popcorn just yet, it has become a popular product among gourmet popcorn brands:
Popcornopolis – This leading popcorn company sells Oreo Popcorn as one of its gourmet flavors. Their version combines popcorn with Oreo mini cookies and marshmallow creme. You can purchase it online through their website or Amazon store.
Snappy Popcorn – This specialty popcorn brand based in Illinois sells an Oreo popcorn coated in white chocolate, cookie pieces, and Oreo cream seasoning. You can order it from their online store.
Pop it Up Popcorn – This retailer offers Oreo Blizzard popcorn made with popcorn, Oreo pieces, white chocolate, and marshmallow. Check their website to order online.
My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream – While better known for mochi, My/Mo recently launched an Oreo popcorn mochi ice cream treat. It combines mochi, ice cream, and Oreo popcorn pieces. Find it in the freezer section of select grocery stores.
Williams Sonoma – The upscale homewares store sells gourmet Oreo popcorn coated in milk chocolate and crushed Oreo thins through their online food catalog.
So while Oreo popcorn may not be ubiquitous, you can certainly get your hands on it through retailers specializing in unique popcorn flavors and gift baskets. The price ranges from $5-$15 for a bag, depending on the brand. And of course, you can always make your own at home with just a few simple ingredients.
How Do You Make Oreo Popcorn?
Whipping up a batch of Oreo popcorn at home just takes 5 basic steps:
Ingredients You Need:
- Bag of popped popcorn (air-popped works best)
- Oreo cookies
- Butter, melted
- Marshmallow fluff, melted
- Sprinkles or other optional toppings
Steps to Make It:
- Pop your popcorn either through air-popping, on the stovetop, or in the microwave per the package instructions. Remove any un-popped kernels.
- Crush Oreos into fine cookie crumbles. A food processor makes this easy.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. You just need about 1-2 tbsp for a few servings.
- Add a couple tbsp marshmallow fluff to the melted butter and stir until combined into a smooth binder.
- Pour popcorn into a large bowl. Drizzle the butter-fluff mixture overtop and toss with a rubber spatula to evenly coat popcorn.
- Add the crushed Oreos and any sprinkles or toppings you want. Toss again until the cookie crumbs adhere and the popcorn looks fully coated.
- Enjoy your homemade Oreo popcorn immediately while the flavors are fresh!
Customize your popcorn by using double stuffed or other Oreo flavors. Add in chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, extra sprinkles, or powedered sugar to make it your own signature spin on Oreo popcorn. This 5-minute microwave snack satisfies sweet and salty cravings any time of day.
What About Kettle Corn Oreo Popcorn?
For a caramel-coated take on Oreo popcorn, try using kettle corn instead of regular popcorn. The sugary kettle corn coating combines with the Oreo crumbles for an extra decadent, sweet crunch in each bite.
Follow the same recipe above but use pre-made bags of kettle corn instead of plain popcorn. The popcorn already has the sweetness, so you can skip adding marshmallow fluff to the melted butter binder unless you want an extra sticky coating. Toss the kettle corn with melted butter and then shower it in crushed Oreo cookies. The mix of sweet kettle corn and rich Oreo delivers a delightful flavor sensation!
You can also make homemade kettle corn on the stovetop by popping corn kernels with oil and sugar. Then coat it in crushed Oreos while the kettle corn is still warm and sticky. This gives you control over how sweet and crisp you want your base kettle corn to be. Either way, Oreo popcorn pairs perfectly with the caramelized flavors of kettle corn varieties.
Trying Oreo Popcorn Flavor Combos
Once you master the basics of Oreo popcorn, the possibilities are endless when it comes to remixing flavors. A few tasty combos to try:
S’mores Oreo Popcorn – For ultimate campfire flavor, use graham crackers along with the crushed Oreos. Add mini marshmallows too if desired.
Cookies & Cream Oreo Popcorn – Add white chocolate chips and rough chopped chocolate sandwich cookies like Chips Ahoy.
Birthday Cake Oreo Popcorn – Toss in rainbow sprinkles and vanilla extract for a funfetti vibe.
Peanut Butter Oreo Popcorn – Mix in peanut butter chips and drizzle with melted peanut butter before adding Oreos.
Snickerdoodle Oreo Popcorn – Dust the coated popcorn with cinnamon-sugar for a snickerdoodle twist.
Rocky Road Oreo Popcorn – Use mini marshmallows and chopped walnuts for a rocky road flavor.
Let your imagination run wild coming up with Oreo popcorn recipes suited to your favorite cookie flavors and mix-ins. The light crunch of popcorn makes the perfect base for any candy or dessert-inspired toppings.
Is Oreo Popcorn Good for You?
While Oreo popcorn provides an indulgent snack experience, it is relatively low in calories and fat compared to other desserts. Air-popped popcorn only has about 30 calories per cup. The additional ingredients of crushed Oreos, butter or marshmallow fluff, and mix-ins still keep the calorie count reasonable for a modest serving size. The use of actual crushed Oreos rather than artificial flavorings also provides a more natural, less processed treat.
However, the snack can still be high in sugar due to the cookie coating. So Oreo popcorn is best enjoyed in moderation as an occasional guilt-free pleasure. The protein in the popcorn and use of dark chocolate Oreos also offers some nutritional substance. Overall, Oreo popcorn allows you to get a sweet fix for fewer calories than you would consume by eating an entire sleeve of Oreos or large bowl of ice cream. Just keep your serving size modest. You can even use mini 100 calorie Oreo packs as a guide for how many cookies to use.
Should You Make Oreo Popcorn for Kids?
Oreo popcorn can make a fun snack or movie night treat for kids. It provides the satisfaction of both sweet cookies and salty popcorn in one bite. Make sure to supervise young kids closely though while they enjoy Oreo popcorn. The small crumbled Oreo pieces pose a choking hazard for little children. Stick to regular sized popped kernels rather than un-popped or partially popped kernels which are hard and also difficult to chew.
For school-aged kids and older, Oreo popcorn offers a creative way to get them excited about eating popcorn versus less healthy chip or candy options. Let them help crush the Oreos and toss the popcorn for a hands-on treat-making activity. Just Control portions to prevent overindulging in the high-sugar snack. Provide it in individual bags or cups. Oreo popcorn can be a better alternative to candy or cookies before a movie, while still feeling like an indulgence.
Is There Oreo Popcorn for Sale Near Me?
While Oreo itself doesn’t make Oreo popcorn, you can find pre-packaged versions sold at some specialty stores:
Gourmet Gift Baskets – Gift basket companies like Cheryl’s Cookies, Wolferman’s Bakery, and Harry & David often sell gourmet popcorn tins featuring Oreo popcorn. Buy gift tins online.
Popcorn Shops – Look for independent popcorn specialty shops in your area that create their own popcorn flavors. Several in-store popcorn brands like PopitUp sell Oreo popcorn.
Candy Stores – Fancy candy shops may carry novelty flavors like Oreo popcorn alongside their sweets. Check labels to see if they offer it.
Home Goods Stores – Home goods chains like TJMaxx, Marshall’s or Ross sometimes stock seasonal popcorn gift tins with limited flavores like Oreo popcorn.
Movie Theaters – Major movie theater chains likely don’t sell Oreo popcorn, but some independent cinemas may offer specialty flavors.
Again, while not as ubiquitous as basic buttered popcorn, you can find Oreo popcorn both online and sometimes in-stores if you look for gourmet popcorn retailers. Or save money and make your own with just 5 ingredients!
Conclusion
Oreo popcorn magically combines two iconic snack foods into one creative treat. While Oreo itself doesn’t produce this flavor, food bloggers, specialty brands, and recipe creators have made the concept a reality through homemade recipes and retail products. Satisfying sweet and salty cravings at once, Oreo popcorn delivers crunchy, popcorn texture coated in creamy cookie flavors. You can buy pre-made versions online and sometimes in stores. Or whip up a batch at home in just 5 minutes with pantry staples. Flavor variations are endless too, whether you go for s’mores, birthday cake, or peanut butter themes. Oreo popcorn offers indulgent taste with reasonable nutrition as an occasional snack. With both kid-friendly and grown-up appeal, this mashup treat proves two snacks are better than one. The next time you’re looking for a new twis