Description
If you love the fizzy, crackling magic of Pop Rocks, you’ll be thrilled to make them at home! This easy recipe lets you create fun, flavorful popping candy with simple ingredients. Perfect for kids, parties, or just a nostalgic treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar – Provides the sweetness and structure.
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup – Prevents crystallization and keeps the candy smooth.
- ¼ cup water – Helps dissolve the sugar.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – Creates tiny air pockets for a crackly texture.
- 1 ½ teaspoons citric acid – Adds the signature tangy taste and reacts for the popping effect.
- ½ teaspoon flavor extract – Choose your favorite, like strawberry, watermelon, or lemon.
- A few drops of food coloring – Optional, but great for adding fun colors.
Instructions
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside. Have a candy thermometer ready to monitor temperature.
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, then stop stirring. Allow the mixture to boil until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on the candy thermometer.
Remove the saucepan from heat. Quickly stir in baking soda, citric acid, flavor extract, and food coloring. The mixture will bubble—this is normal!
Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out in a thin layer. Let it cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes until fully hardened.
Once hardened, break the candy into small, rock-like pieces using your hands or a rolling pin. For a finer texture, pulse briefly in a food processor.
To keep your Pop Rocks crisp and fizzy, store them in an airtight container with a silica gel packet. Avoid moisture to prevent stickiness.
Notes
- No candy thermometer? Drop a bit of the syrup into cold water—if it hardens immediately, it’s ready!
- Want extra fizz? Add a little more citric acid for a tangier, more explosive pop!
- Creative flavors? Try combining extracts like raspberry-lemon or vanilla-orange for unique tastes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Candy & Sweets
- Method: Stovetop & Cooling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tbsp
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0g