Popcorn Balls Recipe
This Popcorn Balls Recipe is great for family gatherings, holidays, and parties. They are sticky, sweet, and crunchy, and remind you of your childhood days. These classic treats are simple and always a hit. Try them at your next Halloween or Christmas party.
Popcorn balls are one of the easiest recipes to whip up. You can have a batch ready within minutes with just a few pantry staples. This is the perfect recipe to get kids involved in the kitchen. They love to shape them, add sprinkles, and best of all, eat them.
If you love simple treat recipes, be sure to try my Easy M&M Cookie Recipe, Peanut Butter Haystacks, Candy Cane Sugar Cookies, and Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies. They are all easy recipes that everyone will love.
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💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Popcorn balls with marshmallows are a quick and crowd-pleasing dessert. They are a sticky, sweet, and nostalgic holiday treat everyone seems to love.
- Quick and Easy: They are ready in about 15 minutes.
- Kid-Friendly: Fun to make with kids.
- Party Favorite: Great for the holidays, parties, or bake sales.
- Customizable: Easily customized by adding sprinkles, candy, or chocolate.
- Nostalgic: Brings back memories of your childhood and a simpler time.
🛒 Ingredients Needed for Popcorn Balls
- Butter: I use salted butter for the taste, but unsalted butter will also work.
- Mini Marshmallows: I prefer mini marshmallows, but regular or jumbo marshmallows will work.
- Vanilla: This adds flavor to the popcorn.
- Popped Popcorn: Most of the time, I pop my own corn, but you can also use microwave popcorn or store-bought popcorn.
- M&Ms: These are optional, but they add flavor and color. Perfect for creating a themed treat.
- Sprinkles: These are optional, but the kids love them. Choose colors to match the holidays.
📖 Recipe Variations
- Holiday Themed: Add red and green M&Ms for Christmas, black and orange sprinkles for Halloween, and pastel candies for Easter.
- Nutty Crunch: Mix in peanuts, pecans, or almonds for a crunch.
- Chocolatey: Add chocolate or white chips, or candies, or drizzle with melted chocolate.
🥣 How to Make Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
Step 1: Prepare the Popcorn. Pop the popcorn and add it to a large bowl. You can also use microwave popcorn or store-bought popcorn.
Step 2: Melt the Butter. In a medium saucepan, add the butter and melt it over medium heat.
Step 3: Add the Marshmallows. Add marshmallows and stir until melted.
Step 4: Add Flavor. Add vanilla. Stir.
Step 5: Combine. Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and mix until well combined.
Step 6: Cool. Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes before adding the M&M’s and sprinkles.
Step 7: Shape. With well-greased hands, roll the popcorn into balls and place them on parchment paper until set. Tip: I like to keep a small bowl of oil near my workspace to keep my hands well-greased.
Step 8: Enjoy! Wrap each ball in plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
💭 Pro Tips
- Use Fresh Popcorn: Fresh popcorn not only tastes better, but it also holds together better.
- Remove Unpopped Kernels: Shake out and remove all of the unpoped corn. No one wants to break a tooth while enjoying a sweet treat.
- Work Quickly: Have everything ready before you begin. The marshmallow mixture sets up fast.
- Wait to Cool: Cool slightly before adding the chocolate. It will melt if the mixture is too warm.
- Grease Your Hands: You will need a bowl of oil or non-stick spray to keep your hands well greased. This is a sticky treat.
- Adjust the Size: Adjust the size of the balls to your preference.
🧺 How to Store
If stored properly, these delicious homemade popcorn balls can last for up to a week.
- Airtight Container: Keep popcorn balls in an airtight container. I still prefer to wrap them individually first. This keeps them from coming unrolled.
- Individually Wrapped: Wrap each ball in plastic wrap to keep it fresh and prevent it from getting hard.
- Avoid the Refrigerator: These are best kept at room temperature.
- Package for Gifts: These are great party favors or for trick-or-treat goodies. Wrap individually and place in a clear cellophane bag.
❔ Recipe FAQs
This popcorn ball recipe has a marshmallow base. No corn syrup is needed for this simple version.
Absolutely. These Halloween popcorn balls will keep for several days if stored properly.
It is not recommended to freeze these balls. It will change the texture and the taste.
More No-Bake Desserts
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👩🏻🍳 Recipe
Popcorn Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup Butter
- 16 oz. Mini Marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 12 cups Popped Popcorn
- ½ cup M&M's optional
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Popcorn. Pop the popcorn and add it to a large bowl. You can also use microwave popcorn or store-bought popcorn.
- Melt the Butter. In a medium saucepan, add the butter and melt it over medium heat.
- Add the Marshmallows. Add marshmallows and stir until melted.
- Add Flavor. Add vanilla. Stir.
- Combine. Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and mix until well combined.
- Cool. Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes before adding the M&M's and sprinkles.
- Shape. With well-greased hands, roll the popcorn into balls and place them on parchment paper until set. Tip: I like to keep a small bowl of oil near my workspace to keep my hands well-greased.
- Enjoy! Wrap each ball in plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
Notes
- Use Fresh Popcorn: Fresh popcorn not only tastes better, but it also holds together better.
- Remove Unpopped Kernels: Shake out and remove all of the unpoped corn. No one wants to break a tooth while enjoying a sweet treat.
- Work Quickly: Have everything ready before you begin. The marshmallow mixture sets up fast.
- Wait to Cool: Let the mixture cool slightly before adding the chocolate. It will melt if the mixture is too warm.
- Grease Your Hands: You will need a bowl of oil or non-stick spray to keep your hands well greased. This is a sticky treat.
- Adjust the Size: Adjust the size of the balls to your preference.
I added mini m&ms and cut up lifesaver gummies and added some of them also!
Hi Beth! Sounds wonderful!
This is a simple recipe that reminds me of my childhood. Easy and fast!