Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (2024)

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Pretty much these are the easiest kind of dessert you’ll ever make – 3 ingredient Popcorn Balls. They take minutes to make but are sticky sweet.

Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (1)

Popcorn Balls

There are a few different versions of popcorn ball recipes out there. The traditional recipe is a little scary because you have to use a candy thermometer. But this one uses popcorn and marshmallows as the base. And the fun thing is that you can use different flavors of marshmallows. There are pink ones, tropical ones, and the plain version as well. Try all kinds of varieties out!

How to Make Popcorn Balls:

Popcorn balls are so easy and delicious – and you probably already have these items on hand! We always have popcorn and marshmallows in our pantry. Here’s what you need to make them:

  • popcorn
  • marshmallows
  • butter
  • wax paper
  • stockpot or large pot
  • wooden spoon

Have you made rice krispy treats before? If you have, this recipe is the same idea except using popcorn!

Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (2)

This is the perfect recipe to make with your kids too. Since it’s so easy to do and they turn out great every time, you can have them go at it and they’ll be so proud of their work! Win/win for everyone.

Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (3)

Other Popcorn Recipes:

If you love this easy Popcorn Ball recipe, you’re going to love these other popcorn recipes. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe:

  • Microwave Caramel Corn
  • Candy Popcorn Treats
  • S’mores Caramel Popcorn
  • Patriotic Popcorn

Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (4)

Food photography and styling courtesy of My Name is Snickerdoodle.

Popcorn Balls Recipe

If you love this Popcorn Balls Recipe as much as I do, please write a five star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!

Popcorn Balls

Using only a few staple ingredients, these Popcorn Balls are not only easy to make but they are sticky sweet and delicious.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: popcorn balls

Servings: 4

Calories: 320kcal

Author: Mique Provost

Ingredients

  • 6 c popcorn popped
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 8 oz marshmallows

Instructions

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 300IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.6mg

And here’s one quick tip:
Roll out some wax paper and spray it with cooking spray. Lay the popcorn balls down on the sprayed paper so that they don’t stick.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (6)ALi says

    How far in advance can I make these?

  2. Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (7)Emily says

    These are our family Christmas tradition. As long as I can remember we have made red and green ones each year. My husband and I have kept up the tradition too. We did “family traditions” for our wedding favors and made these and Russian tea cookies (my husbands family tradition) along with a recipe card for each. We also add vanilla to the melted marshmallows. Everything is better with vanilla!

  3. Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (9)Estera says

    Hi, can you tell me the serving size that this recipe for popcorn balls yields? I want to make 250 for wedding favors :-O trying to do the calculations of how much of each ingredient I need to buy! Thank you!

  4. Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (10)Ruthie says

    How fun… and super cute for spring too! Thank you so much for coming to share at Super Saturday Show & Tell! I’d love to have you come and share again today http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com Have a great weekend! xoxo~ Ruthie

  5. Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (13)Amy says

    Yum! I will try these. thanks!

  6. Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (14)Lisa says

    The cream cheese squares sound really good.

  7. Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (15)Loni says

    Can you please tell us how many ounces the package of marshmallows was?

    • Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (16)Mique says

      Hi Loni- there was only one size at the store for that kind (the fruit kind) and it was 8 oz. Hope that helps!

Easiest Ever Popcorn Balls Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why won t my popcorn balls stick together? ›

If the syrup mixture is too hot it won't allow the popcorn to hold together and if it has cooled too much it will make it difficult to mold and form the popcorn into balls. The second issue can also be that there is not enough of a syrup to popcorn and toppings ratio.

Why are my popcorn balls chewy? ›

Why are my popcorn balls chewy? Overcooking the syrup mixture can result in chewier popcorn balls. Be mindful of the cooking time and avoid exceeding the recommended temperature. Additionally, using too much marshmallow can also contribute to a chewier texture.

What are popcorn balls made of? ›

Combine corn syrup, butter, water, confectioners' sugar, and marshmallows in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat and stir until the marshmallows have melted and the mixture comes to a boil. Carefully pour hot marshmallow mixture over popcorn and toss together to coat each kernel evenly.

How do you make popcorn even better? ›

Some ideas for flavors include Classic Butter: Melted butter and a pinch of salt. Cheese Lovers: Sprinkle powdered cheddar cheese or nutritional yeast on the popcorn. Sweet & Salty: Mix caramel sauce with a dash of sea salt. Spicy Kick: Add chili powder or cayenne pepper for a.

How do you get ingredients to stick to popcorn? ›

The way that we do this is to spray our popcorn with any of the following—-cooking oil spray in a variety of choices—-canola, corn or olive oil or butter spray. Otherwise, toss the popcorn with melted butter and then sprinkle your favorite seasoning on it. Butter/oil is the usual method.

How do you get popcorn toppings to stick? ›

If you use oil for popping your popcorn, the seasoning will stick to it easily. However, to get flavor and stick to air-popped popcorn without fat, you can mist your popped popcorn with a bit of water or some other liquid. Sprinkle your popcorn as you move it to the bowl with a little liquid spray bottle.

How do you make popcorn fluffier? ›

A good lid is important when making popcorn, but there's a bit of a strategy here. For the best results, and lowest number of un-popped kernels leave the lid open just a hairline amount. It allows any steam or moisture to get out as well, resulting in fluffy kernels.

How do you make popcorn more crunchy? ›

In general, 1 tablespoon of oil for 1/4 cup or so of popcorn kernels tends to be a good ratio to keep your popcorn from getting too chewy.

Why put an egg in the middle of popcorn? ›

Popcorn at home is not hard to make. Even if you want to add candy or sauces, it doesn't require an egg. Still, some say the egg keeps the kernels from sticking together, while others say it's to keep wannabe chefs from adding too many kernels to the pan.

What is the black thing in popcorn? ›

The black specs you may be seeing are not mold. In fact, these are burnt sugar crystals. Sometimes with Kettle Corn the sugar gets so hot that it burns, especially if you have a new or higher end microwave. This is 100% safe and not harmful.

Why use an egg in popcorn? ›

"Whole eggs absorb excess heat so it's an easy way to regulate the temperature balance of the other ingredients," a user wrote.

How do you make popcorn taste like movie theater? ›

Use four tablespoons of coconut oil for the true movie theater flavor, or use canola oil if you want to be a bit healthier. Put the salt into the oil and stir it up until it is well mixed. Then put it into the whirley popper and put it on the stove on medium heat.

Can dogs eat popcorn? ›

Is Eating Popcorn Safe for Dogs? Yes and no. Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities. Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings is not safe for your dog on a regular basis, although eating a few dropped pieces here and there probably won't hurt them.

Can you fix chewy popcorn? ›

Why is my popcorn chewy and rubbery? A top reason popcorn turns out chewy is because steam gets trapped in your pot when the popcorn kernels are popping. Fix this by using a well-vented lid or leave the pan slightly open to make a light and crispy popcorn.

Does freezing popcorn make it pop better? ›

And once there's enough pressure from the steam, the hulls will burst and you'll have fresh, crunchy popcorn ready for you to eat. So when you freeze unpopped kernels, they'll lose moisture and turn into old maids way before they even have the chance to pop.

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