Popcorn balls made with marshmallows are the best! I'll show you how to make this old-fashioned treat with just 5 simple ingredients in 15 minutes! These colorful popcorn balls are a Halloween favorite, just like my Mummy Cookies, but can be made with any color for whatever occasion you want!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- You will not need a candy thermometer! That's how easy these are!
- No corn syrup!
- These stay soft and chewy instead of becoming hard and tacky!
- Hand these traditional popcorn balls out to treat or treaters!
- You can even add M and M's or other mix-ins to these colorful treats for movie nights!
- Could be shaped with molds instead of shaped into balls!
Ingredient Notes
- Mini Marshmallows - Sometimes, I have other sizes of marshmallows on hand instead of the mini ones. If you're like me, you'll want to check out this awesome Conversion Chart for Marshmallows!
- Popcorn - You'll need between ⅓ cup and ½ cup of popcorn kernels. Do not use microwave popcorn for this recipe.
- Butter - can be either salted or unsalted. It also doesn't need to be at room temperature. It can be straight from the fridge since you'll melt it with marshmallows.
How to Make Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions
- NOTE - Before you start, decide if you want to make these easy popcorn balls all in one color or different colors. I you want to make two different colors, you'll need to divide the popped corn into two bowls and divide the melted marshmallow into two bowls before adding the food coloring.
- Air pop some unpopped kernels in an air popper.
- After popping the corn, I shake the bowl a bit and then measure out 12 cups of popcorn into a different large bowl so that I can easily leave out any un-popped kernels or partially popped kernels.
- Place popcorn in the large bowl aside for a moment.
- Then melt the butter in a small pot over medium heat.
- Stir in the marshmallows.
- Once the marshmallows are completely melted, remove from the heat.
- Stir the food coloring and vanilla extract into the melted marshmallows.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and mix until all the pieces are coated.
- Using a 1-cup measuring cup, scoop the marshmallow popcorn out into 5 piles on wax paper to shape into individual popcorn balls.
- TIP: Spray your hands lightly with some non-stick cooking spray and shape each pile into a ball. The only time I had a problem with it sticking to my hands was if it was still fairly hot. It is easier to shape when it is a little bit cooled.
- Each popcorn ball turned out to be bigger than a baseball but not quite as big as a softball.
- Set them on wax paper or parchment paper for an hour or so to completely set up.
- Wrap each ball in plastic wrap or store these in an airtight container to keep them from getting hard.
Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips
How do I shape balls without them sticking to my hands?
Spray your hands lightly with some non-stick cooking spray and shape each pile into a popcorn ball.  The only time I had a problem with the popcorn sticking to my hands was if it was still fairly hot. It is easier to shape when it is a little bit cooled.
What can I mix into these for something extra?
You can add sprinkles, m'n'm's, skittles, sugar babies, gummy bears....pretty much any small candy.
How long are these good for?
These are good for about a week. After that, the sugars start turning syrupy.
Can these be frozen?
Yes! Just wrap them tightly with plastic wrap, place them in an airtight container, and pop them in the freezer. Thaw at room temperature.
Are these gluten-free?
Yes, they are!
Related Halloween Recipes
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Easy Marshmallow Popcorn Balls Recipe
Popcorn balls made with marshmallows are the best! I'll show you how to make this old-fashioned popcorn treat with just 5 simple ingredients in 15 minutes! These colorful popcorn balls are a Halloween favorite but can be made with any color for whatever occasion you want!
Ingredients
- 12 Cups Popped Popcorn
- ½ Cup Butter
- 4 Cups Mini Marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Food Coloring
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn and remove the unpopped kernels and partially popped kernels.
- Melt butter in a medium pot on the stovetop.
- Add the marshmallows to the melted butter and stir until completely melted.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and food coloring.
- Pour over the popcorn and stir until all the pieces are well coated.
- Scoop out into 5 piles onto wax paper.
- Spray your hands lightly with non-stick cooking spray and press each pile into a popcorn ball.
- Set the popcorn balls on wax paper and give them about an hour to completely set up.
- Wrap individually in plastic wrap to store and keep soft.
Notes
- You'll need ⅓ to ½ cup of popcorn kernels for this recipe. Do not use microwave popcorn for this recipe.
- Spray your hands lightly with some non-stick cooking spray and shape each pile into a popcorn ball.  The only time I had a problem with the popcorn sticking to my hands was if it was still fairly hot. It is easier to shape when it is a little bit cooled.
- Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutrition
Calories: 1693kcalCarbohydrates: 343gProtein: 44gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 232mgPotassium: 1093mgFiber: 50gSugar: 37gCalcium: 71mgIron: 13mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Holly
Would marshmallow fluff work instead of marshmallows? If so, how many ounces or grams of fluff? Thanks!
Mindee
I have never tried it so I'm not 100% sure of the results but Kraft foods says that 7 oz of marshmallow fluff can be used in place of 4 cups of mini marshmallows.
Maurie
I love making these and putting them in my snowman molds at Christmas time.’
L.S.
Sooooo good! Do you remember Screaming Yellow Zonkers? Then you will love these!