Marshmallow Popcorn Balls are a delicious spin on a classic treat! They are so simple to make and only need a few ingredients!
Imagine the perfect combination of salty, sweet, and crispy. Each bite is a burst of buttery popcorn coated in a smooth, gooey marshmallow layer.
It’s popcorn’s fancier cousin, and it’s a treat you’ll want to share…or not!
It’s a fun twist on traditional popcorn balls, using marshmallows for a softer, creamier texture.
This popcorn balls recipe is simple enough you can make it with your kids for a sweet bonding session. Parenting win!
The ingredients are pantry staples, so you can whip up this sweet treat anytime.
You can add food coloring for a pop of color, making these balls perfect for themed parties or holidays. Any holiday you can think of! Seriously!
These popcorn balls are easy to store and stay delicious for days, ensuring you have a treat ready whenever your sweet tooth strikes!
What are Popcorn Balls?
Popcorn balls are a fun treat where popped popcorn is mixed with a sweet, sticky binder, then formed into a ball shape.
They’re a delicious snack, perfect for movie nights, parties, or just for munching on when the craving hits!
And they are a big hit during the holidays! I personally LOVE making them as neighbor gifts.
You can even make popcorn balls for a Halloween treat. Each trick-or-treater gets a ball. You’ll definitely be the favorite house!
They’re even great for Christmas! Wrap each one in plastic wrap and stick Christmas gift tags on them. Done!
What Ingredients are in Marshmallow Popcorn Balls?
Our ingredients list is delightfully short for this great recipe:
- Popcorn: The star of our show, providing that satisfying crunch.
- Marshmallows: Giving us that delicious, gooey sweetness.
- Butter: Adding richness and helping our marshmallows melt into the perfect sauce.
- Food Coloring: Completely optional, but fun if you want to add a splash of color!
Pro Tips:
- Since this recipe is based on amount, you can use mini marshmallows or regular marshmallows.
- You can use microwave popcorn or pop popcorn kernels on the stove. Either works.
- St. Patrick’s day? Green dye! Valentine’s day? Pink dye! Mix and match!
How to Make Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
These easy popcorn balls are an great way to make fun treats with the whole family!
- Pop your kettle corn and transfer to a large bowl.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan or pot over medium heat, then add your marshmallows.
- Stir until your marshmallows have completely melted into a beautiful, creamy sauce. Add your food coloring now if you’re using it.
- Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over your popcorn and mix until every piece is coated.
- Use your hands to form your popcorn into balls.
- Place your popcorn balls on parchment paper or wax paper to cool and set.
Pro Tip:
- To make it easier, you could also use a large microwave-safe bowl to pop popcorn and melt marshmallows.
- Be sure to remove any unpopped kernels. You do NOT want them in your popcorn ball.
- Coat your hands with nonstick spray to prevent them from sticking to marshmallow mixture.
- Be gentle when mixing! Otherwise you’ll crush your popcorn.
- Use low heat to medium heat. Be careful not to burn the marshmallows.
How to Make Popcorn Balls Without Corn Syrup
The beauty of this recipe is that it uses marshmallows instead of light corn syrup as a binder like a classic popcorn ball does.
Marshmallows actually have corn syrup in them, so you won’t be avoiding corn syrup all together.
But I don’t always have corn syrup on hand. Though I pretty much always have marshmallows in the house.
Unless the kids find them! I get it! They’re good!
In addition to this recipe, I use them in Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookies, and Double Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Brownies. So good!
Are Popcorn Balls Gluten-Free?
Generally, popcorn balls can be gluten-free, and this recipe is too.
But always be sure to check your individual ingredients (especially the marshmallows and popcorn).
Typically both of those things are already gluten free, but it never hurts to double check.
This can make them the perfect treat for those with gluten sensitives.
How to Store Popcorn Balls
Store your delicious marshmallow popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature.
They should keep their deliciousness for up to 3 days!
I don’t recommend keeping them in the fridge as I like the texture much more when they are soft.
Though if you do keep them in the fridge, just remove them for a bit before eating to let them soften up again.
Can You Freeze Marshmallow Popcorn Balls?
Yes! Wrap easy marshmallow popcorn balls individually in plastic wrap and then in a freezer bag.
When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature.
This makes it great for gift giving and parties! You can have them ready to go whenever you need them!
Can Dogs Eat Marshmallow Popcorn Balls?
No, it’s not recommended to let dogs eat popcorn balls.
The sugar content is too high for dogs, and popcorn can be a choking hazard.
You pretty much always want to keep pet food for dogs and human food for humans.
If you have any questions, just ask your vet to be sure.
More Tasty Popcorn Recipes You’ll Love…
- Ghost Poop
- White Cheddar Popcorn
- Homemade Cheddar Cheese Popcorn Recipe
- Kool Aid Popcorn
- Peeps Popcorn Balls
- Coconut Caramel Corn
- Microwave Caramel Corn
- Tootsie Roll Caramel Corn
- Easy Caramel Corn Recipe
- Chewy Caramel Corn
- Monster Munch Popcorn Snack Mix
So there you have it! A fun, easy popcorn ball recipe that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth and add a bit of color to your snack time. So gather up your ingredients and get popping!
Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
Craving a sweet, salty, and fun snack? Try these Marshmallow Popcorn Balls—they're a delicious treat you can't resist!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pop kettle popcorn in microwave.
- Pour popcorn into a bowl and swirl/shake so seeds fall to the bottom.
- In a second bowl - LARGE - scoop out popcorn and discard seeds.
- In a nonstick pot, over medium heat, melt butter.
- Once butter is melted, add entire bag of marshmallows.
- Continually stir until melted.
- Add 3 drops of food coloring {optional} and mix in.
- Pour melted marshmallow mixture over popcorn.
- Stir until all of popcorn is covered in marshmallow mixture.
- Spray one hand with cooking spray. Rub hands together so both hands are covered.
- With hands, scoop out popcorn and create a ball. Do not squeeze as you do not want to crush popcorn. But form tight enough to form ball.
- Place popcorn balls onto wax paper or parchment paper.
- Popcorn balls should be about the size of a tennis ball.
- Enjoy immediately or wrap individually in saran wrap.
- Eat within 3 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 176Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 74mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 0gSugar: 21gProtein: 1g
Photos & Text Updated: October 25, 2023