Description
These Halloween Popcorn Balls are a fun and festive treat combining lightly sweetened popcorn with colorful neon green marshmallow coating, M&M’s in Halloween colors, and vibrant sprinkles. Perfect for parties, trick-or-treats, or seasonal snacking, they are easy to make and shaped by hand into delightful snack-sized balls.
Ingredients
Scale
Popcorn
- 2 envelopes microwave popcorn (popped, about 18 cups popped popcorn)
Marshmallow Coating
- 8 cups miniature marshmallows
- ½ cup butter
- Neon Green Food Coloring Gel (2-3 drops, adjust to preference)
Add-ins and Decorations
- 1½ cups M&M’s – Halloween colors
- Halloween sprinkles
Instructions
- Pop the Popcorn: Pop the microwave popcorn according to package instructions, then remove any unpopped kernels by pouring the popcorn over a cooling rack so the kernels fall through. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for the popcorn balls.
- Prepare Popcorn Base: Spray a large extra-large mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray and add the popped popcorn to prevent sticking later.
- Melt Marshmallows and Butter: In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter and miniature marshmallows together, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until smooth and fully melted.
- Add Food Coloring: Stir 2 to 3 drops of neon green food coloring gel into the melted marshmallow mixture. Add more if a brighter color is desired to achieve vibrant Halloween green.
- Combine Mixture and Popcorn: Pour the colored marshmallow mixture over the popcorn in the bowl, then stir thoroughly with a rubber spatula to coat every kernel evenly.
- Add M&M’s and Sprinkles: Mix in the Halloween-colored M&M’s and sprinkles, distributing them evenly throughout the coated popcorn.
- Form Popcorn Balls: Spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then shape the mixture into balls of desired size. If your hands get sticky, respray and continue shaping. Roll the formed balls in additional sprinkles for extra festive decoration.
- Set the Popcorn Balls: Place the popcorn balls on the parchment-lined baking sheets and allow them to cool and set completely. You may need to reshape them every few minutes during the setting process to maintain their form.
Notes
- Using a cooling rack to remove unpopped kernels helps prevent any hard pieces in your popcorn balls.
- Nonstick spray on hands is essential to avoid stickiness while shaping the balls.
- Adjust the food coloring gradually to avoid overly strong color or taste.
- These popcorn balls are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Try different candy mix-ins or sprinkles to customize for other holidays or themes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popcorn ball
- Calories: 307 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 175 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 19 mg
