Ever wondered how to make Pop Rocks at home? These fizzy, crackly candies are not just a nostalgic treat—they’re also a cool science experiment you can eat! Whether you’re planning a fun kitchen activity with kids or just craving a retro sugar fix, this Homemade Pop Rocks recipe is easy, exciting, and packed with pop!
Colorful Homemade Pop Rocks
Method
- In a medium saucepan, mix together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Attach your candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Let the mixture boil without stirring until it reaches 300°F (149°C), known as the hard crack stage. This is what gives the candy its signature snap!
- Immediately remove the pan from heat. Working quickly, stir in the baking soda, citric acid, flavoring, and food coloring. Be cautious — the mixture may bubble or foam a little due to the reaction.
- Pour the hot candy onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread it thinly using a spatula. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature until hardened.
- Once hardened, break the candy into pieces using a rolling pin, mallet, or the back of a spoon. Crush it into small “pop rock” sized chunks.
Table of Contents
What Are Pop Rocks?
Pop Rocks are a type of hard candy filled with tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide. When they dissolve in your mouth, they release the trapped gas and create that iconic popping sensation. Store-bought versions use pressurized CO₂, but with this DIY version, we recreate the effect using citric acid and baking soda—still fizzy and fun!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This beginner-friendly recipe uses pantry staples and a few extras you can easily find online or at your local baking store.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon citric acid
- Food coloring (optional, for fun colors!)
- Flavor extract (like strawberry, orange, or blue raspberry)
Tools:
- Candy thermometer (essential for reaching the correct temperature)
- Parchment paper
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Rolling pin (for breaking the cooled candy)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Combine the Base
In a medium saucepan, mix together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves.
Step 2: Bring to Hard Crack Stage
Attach your candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Let the mixture boil without stirring until it reaches 300°F (149°C), known as the hard crack stage. This is what gives the candy its signature snap!
Step 3: Add the Pop!
Immediately remove the pan from heat. Working quickly, stir in the baking soda, citric acid, flavoring, and food coloring. Be cautious — the mixture may bubble or foam a little due to the reaction.
Step 4: Pour & Cool
Pour the hot candy onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread it thinly using a spatula. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature until hardened.
Step 5: Break It Up
Once hardened, break the candyinto pieces using a rolling pin, mallet, or the back of a spoon. Crush it into small “pop rock” sized chunks.
Tips for Success
- Store your homemade Pop Rocks in an airtight container to preserve their fizzy texture.
- Sprinkle on cupcakes, dip chocolate-covered strawberries, or serve at parties for a crackly surprise.
- Be quick when adding your fizz ingredients — timing matters!
- Always supervise kids around hot sugar — it can burn easily.
Why Does It Fizz?
This DIY version uses a chemical reaction between baking soda (a base) and citric acid to mimic the fizz. When the candy dissolves in your mouth, the moisture triggers the reaction and releases tiny bubbles—just like a science experiment you can eat!
Bonus Idea: Make Them Colorful!
Use a variety of food colorings and flavors to create rainbow batches of Pop Rocks—just like in the picture above! Try combining blue raspberry, watermelon, and lime for a bright, fun mix.
Final Thoughts
Making Pop Rocks at home is a fantastic blend of science, fun, and sweet nostalgia. With just a few simple ingredients, you can wow your kids, guests, or your inner child with this fizzy, tasty treat.
Colorful Homemade Pop Rocks
Method
- In a medium saucepan, mix together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Attach your candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Let the mixture boil without stirring until it reaches 300°F (149°C), known as the hard crack stage. This is what gives the candy its signature snap!
- Immediately remove the pan from heat. Working quickly, stir in the baking soda, citric acid, flavoring, and food coloring. Be cautious — the mixture may bubble or foam a little due to the reaction.
- Pour the hot candy onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread it thinly using a spatula. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature until hardened.
- Once hardened, break the candy into pieces using a rolling pin, mallet, or the back of a spoon. Crush it into small “pop rock” sized chunks.