Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (2024)

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!

Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (1)

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!

Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (2)

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

Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (3)

In a large saucepan, melt butter.

Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (4)

Add marshmallows, and stir constantly until marshmallows have melted. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.

Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (5)

Add popcorn, and fold into marshmallow mixture. When mixture is cool enough to handle, lightly spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray.

Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (6)

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.

Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (7)

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.

Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (8)

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.

Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (9)

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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Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (11)

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?

Share it with me on Instagram @i_heart_eating and follow on Youtube @katedean and Pinterest @katedean for more!

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

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. 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

  2. Lisa says

    Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (12)
    Perfect. Easy prep easy cleanup. Yummy!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you!

      Reply

  3. Pam Heimuller says

    Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (13)
    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

  4. Cheryl says

    Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (14)
    This is my kind of recipe, quick and so, so good. The grandkids have already requested them again. :)

    Reply

  5. May May says

    Cool! Tastes delicious!!! 5 stars from me!!!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you!

      Reply

  6. Gail says

    Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (15)
    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

  7. Nadine says

    That was awesome to cook

    Reply

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Easy Popcorn Ball Recipe (2024)

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