Halloween popcorn balls are made with marshmallows, butter, M&M's, candy corn, and Halloween sprinkles (no corn syrup here). They're satisfying, simple, and delicious treats for school parties, Halloween get-togethers, or scary movie nights. In only 10 minutes, you will have a sweet and salty no-bake treat that everyone will love.
Check out my Halloween treats, trunk-or-treat ideas, pumpkin cakes, spider taco crescent ring, and how to play the Halloween Booing game.
These Halloween popcorn balls are fun, gooey, and crunchy treats for the Halloween season. Get your kids involved in the kitchen, and everyone will have a blast.
Microwave popcorn is combined with melted mini marshmallows, then stuffed with candy corn and M&M's, and finally topped with seasonal sprinkles. If you are looking for a new Halloween crowd-favorite dessert recipe, this is it.
🥘 Ingredients
- Microwave Popcorn - Use your favorite microwave popcorn. Go ahead and pop it according to the instructions and let it cool slightly.
- Miniature Marshmallows - Mini marshmallows will act as glue to hold your popcorn balls together.
- Butter - Dice your butter into pieces so that it melts quickly and evenly.
- Vanilla (optional) - A splash of vanilla extract makes the popcorn balls taste better overall.
- M&M's - Grab some M&Ms and sort out the Halloween colors: orange, yellow, and brown.
- Candy Corn - You can leave your candy corn whole or chop it up.
- Halloween Sprinkles (optional)- Halloween sprinkles are a fun addition.
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
🔪 How To Make Halloween Popcorn Balls
Halloween popcorn balls are so quick and easy that you'll want to make them every year. You only need a mixing bowl, a large stockpot, and a silicone spatula set.
This recipe will yield about 18 servings, depending on how small or big you shape the popcorn balls.
Pop Your Popcorn & Combine
Step 1: Microwave popcorn. Pop your 2 packs of microwave popcorn and spread it on a baking sheet to let the unpopped kernels rest on the baking sheet. Transfer the popped popcorn into a large mixing bowl, discard the unpopped kernels, and line your baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.
Step 2: Add ingredients and melt. Combine 8 cups (400 grams) of miniature marshmallows and ½ cup (113.5 grams) of butter pieces in a large microwave-safe bowl or a large saucepan.
In the microwave: Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each heating cycle. Once mostly melted, stir vigorously to finish melting the marshmallows. Add the optional vanilla extract to combine (photo 1).
On the stovetop: Melt over medium-low heat, stirring constantly while the marshmallows are heating. Remove from heat once the marshmallows are mostly melted, then stir vigorously and add optional vanilla.
Step 3: Add optional food coloring. If you would like to color the popcorn balls with orange, yellow, or purple gel food coloring (*see notes), this is when you can add it.
Step 4: Pour mixture over popcorn. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and stir gently to coat all of the popcorn evenly (photo 2).
Step 5: Add candies. Add 1 cup (208 grams) of Halloween color M&M's candies and 1 cup (175 grams) of candy corn, then stir to coat and evenly distribute the candies throughout the popcorn (photo 3).
Form the Popcorn Balls
Step 6: Coat hands to form balls. Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray, or coat with softened butter to handle and shape the popcorn balls. Re-apply the spray or butter as needed if your hands get tacky from the melted marshmallows.
Step 7: Form popcorn balls and cool. Squeeze generous handfuls of the popcorn mixture gently into ball shapes, then roll in optional Halloween sprinkles. Set aside on parchment paper lined baking sheet(s) or in a cupcake liner until cooled and set. *You may need to give a squeeze to help them hold their shape while cooling.
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💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- You will need 8 cups of marshmallows. Each 1 cup of mini marshmallows equals approximately 1.66 ounces, so you will need about 13.25 ounces of marshmallows.
- Add some food coloring. To color your Halloween popcorn balls, use gel food coloring rather than liquid food coloring drops for the best results. Use candy corn colors like orange or yellow or some purple coloring for a Hocus Pocus theme.
- Add some extracts. A small amount of vanilla extract or your preferred flavoring can be added to the popcorn balls. However, your popcorn balls will hold their shape better without any extract added (in my experience).
- Use salt to balance the sweetness. I usually add quite a bit of candy to my popcorn balls, so a pinch of salt in the mix helps to balance the sweetness out. It is completely optional but recommended.
⭐ Testimonials
These popcorn balls were so simple to make and my kids loved them. I'm planning on making them for an upcoming party, too. ~ Elise D, WY
🥄 Make Ahead Options
If needed, you can prepare these popcorn balls and freeze them for up to 2 weeks. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a sealed freezer container.
Thaw at room temperature before serving.
🥡 Storing
To store your popcorn balls, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them into a cellophane bag (perfect for gifts). They will last at room temperature for about 1 week.
❓ Halloween Popcorn Balls Recipe FAQs
If your popcorn balls are falling apart, you may not have squeezed them hard enough to set the form while cooling. Make sure not to squeeze too hard because they may be tough to eat.
Absolutely. You can use Brach's Mellowcreme Pumpkins, Reese's Pieces, or mini chocolate chips. There are new candies to try every year!
Yes. You will need to wrap them in plastic wrap first before placing them in an airtight container.
You can freeze for up to 2 weeks. Allow your popcorn balls to thaw at room temperature before removing them from the plastic wrap.
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📖 Recipe Card
Halloween Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
- 2 packs microwave popcorn (popped and cooled slightly)
- 8 cups miniature marshmallows (*see note)
- ½ cup butter (1 stick or 8 tablespoons, cut into pieces)
- 1 cup M&M's candies (sorted into Halloween colors - brown, yellow, orange)
- 1 cup candy corn (whole or chopped)
- Halloween sprinkles (optional, assorted)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Pop your popcorn and spread it on a baking sheet to let the unpopped kernels rest on the baking sheet. Transfer the popped popcorn into a large mixing bowl then discard the unpopped kernels and line your baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.
- Combine marshmallows and the butter pieces in a large microwave-safe bowl or in a large saucepan.In the microwave: Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each heating cycle. Once mostly melted, stir vigorously to combine.On the stove top: Melt over medium-low heat, stirring constantly while the marshmallows are heating. Remove from heat once the marshmallows are mostly melted and stir vigorously.
- If you would like to color the popcorn balls with orange, yellow, or purple gel food coloring (*see notes), this is when you can add it.
- Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and stir gently to coat all of the popcorn evenly. Add the Halloween color M&M's candies and candy corn then stir to coat and evenly distribute the candies throughout the popcorn.
- Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray, or coat with softened butter, to handle and shape the popcorn balls. Re-apply the spray or butter as needed if your hands get tacky from the melted marshmallows.
- Squeeze generous handfuls of the popcorn mixture gently into ball shapes, then roll in optional Halloween sprinkles. Set aside on parchment paper lined baking sheet(s) or in a cupcake liner until cooled and set. *You may need to give a squeeze to help them hold their shape while cooling.
Notes
- Each 1 cup of mini marshmallows equals approximately 1.66 oz, so you will need about 13.25 ounces of marshmallows.
- To color your Halloween popcorn balls, use gel food coloring rather than liquid food coloring drops for the best results. Use candy corn colors like orange or yellow, or some purple coloring for a Hocus Pocus theme!
- A small amount of vanilla extract or your preferred flavoring can be added to the popcorn balls. However, your popcorn balls will hold their shape better without any extract added (in my experience).
- I usually add quite a bit of candy to my popcorn balls, so a pinch of salt in the mix would help to balance the sweetness out. It is optional.
Angela Latimer says
These are super easy popcorn balls to make and I love that you only need marshmallows (no extra corn syrup) to make them stick together wonderfully. They're packed with my favorite candies are perfect for you to customize with your faves. Enjoy!! ~ Angela
Sabine says
Dat ziet er super leuk uit!
Kun je het ook een dag van tevoren maken? Of is het het beste om ze meteen na maken op te eten? (That looks super nice!
Can you also make it a day in advance? Or is it best to eat them right after making them?)
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Bedankt. Ja, je kunt ze een dag of twee van tevoren maken voor feestdagen en feestjes! (Thank you. Yes, you can make them a day or two ahead of time for holidays and parties!)