Here’s an easy popcorn balls recipe you can dress up for just about any holiday! They’re inexpensive, delicious, and simple enough to make with kids — plus you can customize them with fun mix-ins to match the season.
Homemade Popcorn Balls Recipe
Everyone loves popcorn balls, especially the soft, chewy kind made with marshmallows. If you don’t feel like rolling them into balls, you can press the mixture into a pan (just like Rice Krispie treats) and cut it into squares instead — same great taste, less effort.
Popcorn balls aren’t just for Halloween! You can easily turn them into treats for Christmas, Easter, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or even Thanksgiving by changing the colors or mix-ins. (See the variations below.)
Popcorn balls are great fun for birthday parties, hay rides, and snacks for the kids!
Popcorn balls are also a great way to use up leftover or clearance candy after Halloween and other holidays.
Easy Popcorn Ball Variations (Add-Ins)
Mix in any of these to match the holiday or occasion:
- Red Hots – Valentine’s Day or the 4th of July
- Spice drops – Christmas or winter parties
- Crushed candy canes – Christmas
- Jelly beans – Easter
- Peanuts – especially good for caramel-style popcorn
- Candy corn – Halloween
- Sprinkles ( birthday parties or sprinkles that match the colors of the different holidays)
- M&M’s – any time
- Or any other favorite candy you have on hand
Homemade Popcorn Balls Recipe
Soft, sweet, and perfectly chewy, this easy homemade popcorn balls recipe makes a treat that tastes just like the ones you remember. Make them classic or turn them into caramel-style popcorn balls with one simple upgrade!
Ingredients
6 Tbsp. butter
5 cups marshmallows
2 qts. popped popcorn*
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. (If making the caramel-style version, add the brown sugar now and stir until dissolved.)
- Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, if using.
- Add the popped popcorn (and any optional candies or nuts). Gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Butter your hands well. Scoop and shape the mixture into balls, or press it into a well-buttered 9×13-inch pan.
- Place popcorn balls on wax or parchment paper and let cool until set.
- Store in an airtight container or wrap individually in plastic wrap.
Notes
- For a caramel-corn flavor, add ½ cup brown sugar + ½ tsp vanilla when melting the butter.
- To remove unpopped kernels, dump the popcorn onto a clean surface first. Scoop it back into the bowl by handfuls, leaving the unpopped “old maids” behind.
- These popcorn balls are great for parties, lunchbox treats, or holiday gifting.
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