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Few treats are as iconic during Halloween season as the humble popcorn ball. And, blessedly, they are ridiculously easy to make with just three ingredients!
Some recipes will have you brewing up what basically equates to candy to make your popcorn balls, but, well, ain't nobody got time for that. I like easy, simple and failproof.
That's why I love these popcorn balls using just popcorn, marshmallows and butter!
These were featured in my vintage-inspired Halloween party, and today I'll teach you how to make - and customize - them!
Classic Halloween Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
- 1 bag microwave popcorn
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 8 oz mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Pop popcorn according to directions. Set aside and allow to cool.
- In a stock pot over medium heat, melt three tablespoons of butter.
- Once butter is melted, add 8 oz of mini marshmallows.
- Stir until the mixture is combined and smooth.
- Pour in microwave popcorn. (Consider sifting out unpopped kernals first.)
- Gentle stir to combine.
- Allow mixture to cool until you can handle it with your hands.
- Use approximately 1/2 cup of the popcorn mixture to form balls with your hands, then place popcorn balls on wax paper lightly greased with cooking spray.
- Allow popcorn balls to dry for an hour, then store in an air-tight container for 3-4 days.
How to make Classic Halloween popcorn balls, step by step:
As always, we start by gathering our ingredients - mini marshmallows, butter and popcorn. I used microwave popcorn containing as little salt as possible, but you can use whatever kind you'd like. (Popping it yourself with zero additives would be ideal!)
First, you'll want to pop your popcorn according to the directions on the package or your own preference. Once popped, set aside and allow to cool.
Then, add three tablespoons of butter to a large saucepan. I actually used the one pot I own to do this so I would have space to stir up my mixture. I recommend doing the same!
Next, throw in your 8 ounces of mini marshmallows. Mini 'mallows are optimal because the surface area will ensure they melt quickly.
Heat until the mixture is combined and smooth.
Then toss in the popcorn.
Note on popcorn: I mention it in the instructions above, and I wish I would have done this to sift out the unpopped kernels.
Consider creating your own sift by setting a checked cooling rack (like this) on top of a sheet pan (these are what I have), then pour the popped popcorn on top of the cooling sack. Shake gentle to work kernels out of the popcorn.
Gently stir the mixture to combine, then allow it to cool until you can handle the popcorn without burning your hands.
In the meantime, spread out wax paper and spray with vegetable oil. We'll place our popcorn balls here to dry, and the oil will keep them from sticking.
When the popcorn mixture is cool enough to handle, spray your hands down with vegetable oil too to prevent the mixture from sticking. Make balls using 1/2 cup of the mixture per ball. Roll gently and place on wax paper to dry.
They should look something like this!
Allow them to dry for one hour, then store in an air-tight container for 3-4 days.
The perfect classic Halloween treat!
How to customize your popcorn balls:
This is a ridiculously easy recipe to customize! Here are a few ideas for doing that:
Add your favorite bite-sized candy, like M&M's or Reese's Pieces
Chop up your favorite candy bar and toss it in
Add your favorite nuts
Add candy corn!
Coat with Halloween-themed sprinkles
Add food coloring into the butter and marshmallow mixture before adding the popcorn to make your balls fun colors
What classic Halloween recipe do you make each October?
Caramel apples are one I'm still trying to crack the code on. It might be the climate where I live (Houston is almost always humid...), but I am forever battling against the caramel sliding off the sides of the apples, even when I do everything I can to get rid of the waxy seal on them!
But...that's another blog post for another day.
Until then, give these popcorn balls a try and let me know what you think of them!
Looking for more Halloween recipes? Browse the blog archives and follow my Halloween recipes board on Pinterest.
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