How to Make Popcorn Balls as an Easy Halloween Treat

These Halloween-inspired popcorn balls hit all the flavor and texture notes; sweet, salty, and crunchy. Made with fresh crunchy popcorn, sticky and sweet marshmallows and a combination of chocolate chips and candy these balls are truly addictive. You’ll be popping more than one, I am sure!

These popcorn balls are a delicious treat to serve at your Halloween party though they can be served any time of the year and can make a nice addition to a dessert buffet. I find no-bake desserts my go-to option when I am preparing a big spread.

Get creative and customize these popcorn treats for the occasion; orange and black candies for Halloween, red and green candies for Christmas or try pink and blue for a baby shower.

Looking for Halloween-inspired crafts to accompany your Halloween treats? Check out this Easy Halloween Cricut, this Halloween Coffee Table Tray Decor or this Easy Halloween Doormat.

For more Halloween treats try these Ghost Pretzels or this recipe for Peanut Butter Cup Oreo Fudge.

Why You’ll Love These Popcorn Balls

• Quick and easy to prepare
• Fun to eat
• Customizable
• Inexpensive Halloween party food – these are great if you have a limited budget!

Equipment Needed To Make Popcorn Balls

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cookie sheet

Ingredients Needed To Make Halloween Popcorn Balls

• 2 bags popcorn- popped
• 4 ounces butter
• 16 ounces marshmallows
• 12 ounces chocolate chips
• 3 drops green food coloring
• Eyeball candy sprinkles
• A second variety of colorful sprinkles

How To Make Popcorn Balls

• Combine the marshmallows and butter in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl and melt in the microwave.

• Stir it until combined and then add the food coloring. Stir once more.

• Fold in the popcorn followed by the chocolate chips.

• Mold into balls and set on parchment paper on a flat surface or cookie sheet.

• Decorate with eyeballs and sprinkles.

• Chill in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours.

Tips and Tricks For Making Halloween Popcorn Balls

• Using store bought popped popcorn makes this recipe even easier to prepare. You can easily pop your own which may be more affordable.
• Unsalted or lightly salted popcorn works best is this recipe. Not quite sure the cheese flavored popcorn will work well.

Variations of Popcorn Balls

• Instead of regular marshmallows use mini-sized ones or colored marshmallows
• Use a combination of different kinds of chocolate; dark, semi-sweet or white will all work.
• Chop up M&Ms or Skittles and add to the bowl of butter and marshmallows.
• Try different colors instead of green.
• Add chopped nuts, seeds or dried fruit or pretzel bits.
• Make mini popcorn balls for small hands and mouths.
• Spice them up and add a pinch of cayenne pepper!
• Place popcorn mixture in muffin tray wells with fancy muffin liners.

How to Store Popcorn Balls

Popcorn balls can be kept in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze the popcorn balls. I suggest you freeze them individually wrapped so you can easily grab one when the mood hits.

FAQs

What are popcorn balls?

Popcorn balls are bite-sized treats that are made using a combination of popcorn, marshmallow or marshmallow cream, and a variety of other ingredients like candies, nuts, seeds, or pretzels.

Do you have to refrigerate popcorn balls?

Popcorn balls can be kept on the kitchen counter and do not need to go in the fridge.

Can I use freshly popped popcorn to make popcorn balls?

Freshly popped or bagged popcorn both work in this recipe. If you are using bagged popcorn make sure not to get flavored popcorn as it will change the overall flavor of your balls. I also like to buy unsalted or lightly salted popcorn when I use store-bought. Home popped popcorn obviously will be plain to start with so it is a good option as well.

Why don’t the popcorn balls stick together?

If your candies and popcorn don’t stay together it could be because you didn’t use enough marshmallows. Marshmallows are the glue in this recipe and help bind all the ingredients together. Or it could be because you added too many candies and other items. You need a fair amount of marshmallows to hold these balls together.

Are these popcorn balls gluten-free?

If you are looking to make these gluten-free check the labels of the add-ins for gluten. If you want to use pretzels there are many gluten-free options.

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