Introduction

Enjoy a nostalgic treat with these easy popcorn balls, perfect for sharing or gifting during the holidays. Soft, sweet, and a little festive with optional cocoa and sprinkles, they come together quickly with simple ingredients.

Easy Popcorn Balls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

8 cups popped popcorn
1 tablespoon salted butter, plus more to butter baking sheet
10 ounce bag mini marshmallows
2 tablespoons hot cocoa mix powder (optional)
2 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
Step 2: Butter a large baking sheet or use cooking spray to grease it.
Step 3: Spread the popped popcorn evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add the mini marshmallows.
Step 5: Stir constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted, about 5 minutes. Once melted, stir in the hot cocoa powder if using.
Step 6: Pour the marshmallow mixture evenly over the popcorn. Use a spatula to coat the popcorn thoroughly, then sprinkle the Christmas sprinkles on top if desired.
Step 7: Allow the mixture to cool until it is safe to handle. Use a large ice cream scoop or your hands to shape the popcorn into balls, about 3 tablespoons each.
Step 8: Place each popcorn ball into a cupcake liner or wrap individually in plastic wrap for storage.

Tips & Variations

To prevent sticking, lightly butter your hands before shaping the popcorn balls.
Swap hot cocoa powder for cinnamon or pumpkin spice to change the flavor.
For a nutty twist, add chopped nuts or drizzle melted chocolate over the popcorn balls before they set.
Use festive sprinkles to match any holiday or party theme.

Storage

Store popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap each ball tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month. To enjoy, allow frozen balls to thaw at room temperature before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular sugar instead of marshmallows?

Regular sugar requires a different technique for making popcorn balls, such as creating a caramel syrup. Marshmallows simplify the process by melting quickly and binding the popcorn without additional cooking.

Will the popcorn balls stay fresh for a long time?

Popcorn balls are best enjoyed within a few days when stored properly. Over time, they can become hard or stale, so it’s best to consume them within 3 days or freeze for extended storage.

Easy Popcorn Balls Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.6 from 109 reviews

Easy Popcorn Balls are a fun and festive treat perfect for parties or holiday celebrations. This recipe combines fluffy popcorn with a sweet marshmallow and cocoa mixture, creating a chewy, flavorful snack that’s easy to make and decorate with sprinkles for a festive touch.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 12 popcorn balls 1x
Category: Snack
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Popcorn Base

8 cups popped popcorn

Marshmallow Mixture

1 tablespoon salted butter, plus more for buttering baking sheet
10 ounce bag mini marshmallows
2 tablespoons hot cocoa mix powder (optional)

Decoration

2 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the baking sheet: Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set aside. Spread butter onto a large baking sheet or use cooking spray to grease it evenly.
Spread the popcorn: Pour the popped popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out evenly to ensure good coverage with the marshmallow mixture.
Melt butter and marshmallows: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the mini marshmallows and stir constantly for about 5 minutes until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
Add cocoa powder: Once the marshmallow mixture is melted, stir in the hot cocoa mix powder thoroughly to create a sweet and chocolatey coating.
Combine popcorn and marshmallow mixture: Pour the melted marshmallow mixture evenly over the spread out popcorn. Using a spatula, gently coat all the popcorn to ensure it is well covered. Then sprinkle the Christmas sprinkles over the top for decoration.
Shape the popcorn balls: Allow the mixture to cool enough so you can handle it safely. Using a large ice cream scoop (about 3 tablespoons), scoop out the coated popcorn. Roll each scoop between your hands to form a compact ball.
Set the popcorn balls: Place each popcorn ball into a cupcake liner to hold its shape. Alternatively, you can wrap them in plastic wrap to store or gift.

Notes

Butter the baking sheet well to prevent sticking or use cooking spray.
Hot cocoa powder is optional but adds a delicious chocolate flavor.
Sprinkles add a colorful festive touch but can be omitted or substituted with other toppings.
Work quickly when shaping the popcorn balls before the mixture hardens.
Store popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days for best freshness.

Keywords: Popcorn Balls, Marshmallow Treat, Holiday Snack, Easy Popcorn Recipe, Party Food