Updated on |By Kate|54 Comments
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This easy marshmallow popcorn ball recipe is extremely fast & easy. No need to break out the candy thermometer or corn syrup to make these popcorn balls!
Popcorn Balls are an easy way to make everything from movie nights to parties to holiday celebrations more fun. And this easy popcorn ball recipe is a great basic recipe!
It’s really similar to the recipe for cereal treats with a few tweaks and additions. The popcorn balls are delicious with candy added or as-is!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Butter: I use salted butter. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch or two of salt.
- Marshmallows: Either mini or regular marshmallows.
- Vanilla: The vanilla is optional and adds extra flavor. Another flavor could be used instead to add flavor to the popcorn balls.
- Popcorn: This is about 1 microwave popcorn bag’s worth.
How to make popcorn balls
In a large saucepan, melt butter.
Add marshmallows, and stir constantly until marshmallows have melted. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.
Add popcorn, and fold into marshmallow mixture. When mixture is cool enough to handle, lightly spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray.
Scoop about 1 cup of the popcorn mixture and smoosh it into a ball.
Place on a sheet of waxed paper, parchment paper, or silicone baking mat to cool.
Tips
- Have fun with the flavors of popcorn! I use plain (no butter, no salt) air-popped or microwave popcorn. Try out flavored popcorn like caramel, marshmallow, or kettle corn.
- The popcorn mixture is very sticky. It’s important to grease yours hands to shape the popcorn balls.
- Be sure to take out any unpopped kernels before you add in the popcorn.
- Press candies, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or other treats to the outside of the popcorn ball.
Can I use different types of popcorn?
Yes! You can use air-popped or any other type of popcorn that you’d like to use. The amount of popcorn that you would need to use is in a note underneath the recipe.
Halloween popcorn balls
The popcorn balls makes a great Halloween treat! You can add candy eyes to the popcorn ball to mummy popcorn balls, or add Halloween-colored candies or sprinkles to the outside of the popcorn ball.
More popcorn ball recipes
- S’mores Popcorn Balls
If you’ve tried this easy popcorn ball recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!
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5 from 20 votes
Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe
Author Kate @ I Heart Eating
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
Total Time 15 minutes minutes
Easy marshmallow popcorn ball recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 10 ounce bag marshmallows
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 8-9 cups unflavored popped popcorn
Instructions
In a large saucepan, melt butter.
Add marshmallows, and stir constantly until marshmallows have melted.
Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla, if using.
Add popcorn, and fold into marshmallow mixture.
When mixture is cool enough to handle, lightly spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray.
Scoop about 1 cup of the popcorn mixture and smoosh it into a ball.
Place on a sheet of waxed paper, parchment paper, or silicone baking mat to cool.
Video
Notes
- Butter: I use salted butter. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch or two of salt.
- Marshmallows: Either mini or regular marshmallows.
- Vanilla: The vanilla is optional and adds extra flavor. Another flavor could be used instead to add flavor to the popcorn balls.
- Popcorn: This is about 1 microwave popcorn bag’s worth.
- You can press candy pieces into the outside of popcorn balls.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
Serving: 1popcorn ball | Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Originally published 10/16/13. Updated with new pictures and tips on 10/9/21.
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Created by Kate
Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.
Reader Interactions
Love this recipe?
Share your thoughts below and let’s chat! Make sure to connect with me on your favorite social platform below and show me what you made!
Sharon Allen says
How many balls do you get with one batch?
Reply
Kate says
Hi! You get 9 popcorn balls. As an FYI – the yield for my recipes is just above the recipe by the print, pin, and rate buttons.
Reply
Lisa says
Perfect. Easy prep easy cleanup. Yummy!Reply
Kate says
Thank you!
Reply
Pam Heimuller says
I wanted to make popcorn balls for Halloween but didn’t want to spend much time doing it. I microwaved the butter & marshmallows a minute at a time stirring in between until the right consistency. Two bags of microwave popcorn was perfect which made 10 popcorn balls. I dumped the popcorn into a large mixing bowl so I could pour the melted mixture over the popcorn to stir. I added green sprinkles for color. Food coloring would also work well. Easy Peezy!Reply
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad it worked out well for you!
Reply
Cheryl says
This is my kind of recipe, quick and so, so good. The grandkids have already requested them again. :)Reply
May May says
Cool! Tastes delicious!!! 5 stars from me!!!
Reply
Kate says
Thank you!
Reply
Gail says
Easy, tastes good – does not over promise. I did red, white and blue balls – rolled in some sprinkles for the 4th.
First time I tried but happy the clean up was easy too! (3 bowls.)Reply
Kate says
Thank you!
Reply
Nadine says
That was awesome to cook
Reply
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