We Tried the TikTok-Famous Popcorn Salad and We Have Some Thoughts
Updated: Apr. 27, 2023
This chaotic snack is not for the faint of heart.
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When you hear the term “popcorn salad,” you may think of a crunchy, savory dish with mayo, cheese, veggies and bacon. However, thanks to the young freethinkers on TikTok, there’s a new, strange popcorn salad in town! And, of course, to protect my journalistic integrity, I had to try it. Here are my honest and unfiltered thoughts on the TikTok-famous popcorn salad, as well as tips on how to make your own.
What Is the TikTok Popcorn Salad?
The term “popcorn salad” came into the national consciousness in 2021 when Food Network star Molly Yeh shared her popcorn salad recipe on her show, Girl Meets Farm. She described this “riff on an iconic Midwestern dish” as “so Midwestern, so quirky and so delicious.” While this is also a “popcorn salad,” this is not the trendy TikTok popcorn salad I tried.
The TikTok popcorn salad is more like what some might call a popcorn mix. Basically, it incorporates candies, nuts and other silly junk food into your popcorn to make a sweet, zany, chaotic snack.
@fayes.edit I saw the cool kids are calling this a popcorn salad, I’ve always called it a popcorn mix 🤷🏼♀️ #popcornsalad #movienight #easyrecipesathome #easysnackideas #easysnacks ♬ original sound – NZ TATTED MUM
What Goes Into a TikTok Popcorn Salad?
In one prominent video, TikToker Faye (@fayes.edit) adds Maltesers (an English candy like American Whoppers), Cadbury mini eggs and Haribo snack mix to her popcorn. In another, TikToker sillysnorin (@sillysnorin) adds Sour Patch Kids and cheesecake-flavored M&Ms. She also considers adding trail mix, but foregoes it because her brother is allergic.
Generally, popcorn salad uses ultra-buttery popcorn and a few different classes of toppings: something gummy, something sour, something chocolatey and something nutty. Of course, everything should be sickeningly sweet as well.
@sillysnorin Rule no. 1 is always trust the tiktok girlies. This is so yummy! #popcornsalad ♬ original sound – sillysnorin
How I Made My Ideal Popcorn Salad
Now, because I am an adult and have standards, I treated myself to some nice versions of my favorite childhood candies. After all, no one wants a sugar hangover from a work assignment. Here are the products I selected to make my dream TikTok Popcorn Salad:
- Newman’s Own Butter-flavored Microwave Popcorn
- Burke’s Gummy Peach Rings
- Burke’s Wild Cherry Sour Strips
- Burke’s Naturals Honey-Roasted Cashews
- Burke’s Naturals Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Did I consider whether or not the dish’s flavor palette would be cohesive? Absolutely not. In the spirit of this ridiculous snack, I simply selected whatever sounded tasty and threw caution to the wind. What can I say? I want what I want. And if the cool TikTok teens can use refrigerated mystery cheesecake-flavored M&Ms, I can use organic ultra-sour cherry ribbons. To each their own.
How Did I Feel Leading Up to Trying TikTok Popcorn Salad?
At first, preternaturally confident. I love junk food, I love candy, I love popcorn—what could be wrong with combining them? But as I chopped my ultra-sour cherry strips into bite-sized pieces, I felt a wave of uncharacteristic trepidation wash over me. What was I doing? How had my illustrious life path wound to this particular crossroads? How sour were these ultra-sour cherry strips, anyways?
I Tried It: Here’s What I Thought
I’ll be honest, when I loomed face-to-face over that popcorn salad, the first descriptor that jumped into my head was “unholy.” And as I took bite after bite of this monstrosity, I regret to inform you that my suspicions were confirmed.
Here’s the problem: those sour crystals get on everything. So your salty popcorn is now also studded with citric acid. And while I am a die-hard fan of acidic flavors, sour popcorn wasn’t it. That tart tang really does pair best with fruit, no matter how artificial. Additionally, adding chocolate to hot popcorn means that inevitably some will melt. And while chocolate-covered popcorn is a delight, chocolate-covered peach rings are not.
Of course, there are some undeniable positives to this dish. First, it hits a wide variety of flavor notes so you don’t have to choose just one indulgence. And isn’t that what salad is all about? Additionally, the textural range of crunchy nuts, gummy candy and fluffy popcorn is a delightful break from the brainless monotony of scarfing down a regular bowl of popcorn. And finally, each little gem of candy was still my favorite candy. As in, even the surrounding popcorn couldn’t dull the shine of a sour cherry strip, and in getting to eat those for work in any form, I really can’t complain.
Parting Thoughts
Overall, this snack made me feel like a child on Halloween, plunging my grubby hands into a candy-filled pillowcase and stuffing the contents haphazardly into my mouth. Was it a culinary revelation? Absolutely not. Was it nostalgic as all get out? Definitely. And I suppose, on some particularly stressful days, we could all use a jolt of that childhood abandon—myself included.
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I invented this confection for a bake sale at our children's school. Boy, was it a hit! The crunchy chunks of sandwich cookie soften a bit as the mixture mellows. It's so sweet that one panful serves a crowd. —Laura Lane, Richmond, Virginia
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I use this white chocolate truffle recipe to make homemade holiday gifts. The candies are so easy to make and will look so pretty in a gift box.—Gloria Nolan, Peoria, Pennsylvania
Curry-Kissed Coconut Fudge
If you love Thai flavors and love fudge, you'll adore this creamy coconut fudge sprinkled with a hint of sweet curry powder. —Sarah Meuser, New Milford, Connecticut
Trail Mix Clusters
These delicious snacks make wonderful gifts, and although they look and taste like they came from an expensive chocolate shop, they couldn't be more guilt-free. The dried fruit and nuts are heart-healthy and full of fiber. Bet you can't eat just one! —Alina Niemi, Honolulu, Hawaii
Crunchy Candy Clusters
These cereal and marshmallow clusters are so simple that I make them for the holidays each year, as my family looks forward to them. —Faye O'Bryan, Owensboro, Kentucky
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Perfect for road trips, these peanut butter oatmeal balls won’t stick to your hands. Keep them in the refrigerator for portable snacks. —Sonia Rohda, Waverly, Nebraska
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My sister shared the recipe for this unbelievably easy peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream. I prefer using creamy peanut butter for this mouthwatering dessert, but the chunky style works just as well. —Mary Jane Rummel, Linglestown, Pennsylvania
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One of my first experiences with cooking was helping my mother make these caramels. We'd make up to 12 batches each year. Today, I do at least 95 percent of the cooking at home, but my wife does much of the baking. —Robert Sprenkle, Hurst, Texas
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My indulgent, nutty treat is simple to make and looks fabulous. At our house, we use all-natural ingredients for them. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Almond Cherry Fudge
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Marbled Orange Fudge
This decadent treat doesn't last long at our house. The Creamsicle flavor of this soft fudge brings on the smiles. Bright orange and marshmallow swirls make it a perfect takealong for events and get-togethers. —Diane Wampler, Morristown, Tennessee
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I wasn't a fan of white chocolate until I made this candy. It's tangy, sweet and creamy all at the same time. The bark was a lovely treat during a springtime shower but would be nice year-round. —Diana Wing, Bountiful, Utah Fun fact: peppermint bark happens to be one of the most popular Christmas candy options in several states.
Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter & Pretzel Truffles
Sweet chocolate, creamy peanut butter and salty pretzels create a to-die-for truffle. It’s a little bite of decadence and a special indulgence for the holiday season.—Ashley Wisniewski, Champaign, Illinois
Matzo Toffee
Once you start eating matzo toffee, you may not be able to stop! Matzo crackers are topped with buttery caramel, chocolate and slivered almonds and then baked to perfection. —Sharalyn Zander, Jacksonville, Alabama
