Popcorn balls are a nostalgic treat you used to enjoy every holiday season. But now that you’re grown up, you can make them anytime you want — whether for Christmas, Halloween, or just because.
This particular popcorn ball recipe uses marshmallows for a sticky yet mouthwatering (and fun to create) treat.
Ready with your Popper? Great! Then let’s make marshmallow popcorn balls.
Marshmallow Popcorn Balls Ingredients
- ½ cup kernels
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 bag mini marshmallows (approx 10 oz)
TAKE NOTE: This recipe makes around 12 to 16 popcorn balls, depending on how you portion them.
How to Make Popcorn Balls with Marshmallows
Step 1: Heat
Set your Popper over medium heat and allow it to preheat for 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add Popcorn Ingredients
Pour oil into the Popper and drop 3 kernels. When the first kernel pops, toss in the rest and cover the pot.
Step 3: Turn
Turn the crank clockwise while popping to keep the kernels from burning.
Step 4: Remove
When popping slows to 1 to 2 seconds between pops, take your Popsmith off the burner and transfer the popcorn into a large mixing bowl.
Step 5: Melt
Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat, then add your mini marshmallows and sprinkle salt. Stir until the marshmallows are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
Step 6: Mix
Pour the melted marshmallows over your popcorn. Coat the popcorn with the mixture using a spatula or wooden spoon.
Step 7: Shape
Take a piece of the marshmallow-coated popcorn and start forming it into a ball. Repeat until you’re left with a heap of evenly round and chewy popcorn balls.
IMPORTANT: Give the mallows time to cool a bit. You want them warm so the balls retain their shape, but not so hot that you burn your fingers.
Step 8: Cool
Place your marshmallow popcorn balls on parchment paper and let them set. This will take about an hour.
Step 9: Enjoy
Serve your popcorn balls and watch them disappear in a flash!
More Marshmallow Popcorn Balls Tips
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The faster you work, the better. It’ll be twice as hard to form the popcorn balls once the marshmallow mixture cools.
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You can use our pre-measured Oh Sooo Buttery Popcorn to give your popcorn balls a nice flavor boost.
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To keep the size of the balls consistent, an ice cream scooper or measuring cup can help you portion out the mixture.
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Working with marshmallows is always a sticky affair, but it’s double the trouble when you have to shape popcorn balls with your hands. You can make the job easier by greasing your hands with butter or a spritz of cooking spray.
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Making these popcorn balls ahead of time? Wrap them individually in wax paper or plastic wrap so they don't stick together.
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You can decorate the balls based on the occasion. Cover them in orange cellophane for Halloween or red and green for Christmas. During Easter, you can use assorted marshmallow bits for pastel colors.
Ready for Some Ooey Gooey Fun?
Popcorn balls with marshmallows are a sure hit, no matter the age or occasion. Try this recipe out for your annual holiday party, or if you have kids, why not let them help out with the mixing and shaping? It’s just as fun to make these popcorn balls as it is to eat them!
If you want more popcorn recipes, make sure to check out our blog for inspiration.
FAQs About Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
What are popcorn balls made of?
Popcorn balls are a sweet treat made of popcorn, of course, and a sticky substance that holds everything together. In this case, it’s marshmallows.
Why are my popcorn balls falling apart?
If your popcorn balls aren’t sticking, the mallows are the likely culprit. You might not have used enough marshmallows, or you could have waited a little too long for them to cool.
How long do marshmallow popcorn balls last?
Popcorn balls with marshmallows taste best the day you make them, but if you want to prep them ahead for a holiday party, they’ll stay good for up to five days.
