Halloween popcorn balls are simple and quick delicious treats to make for school parties, Halloween get-togethers, or scary movie nights! These adorable popcorn balls are made with marshmallows, butter, M&M's, candy corn, and Halloween sprinkles (no corn syrup here)! In only 10 minutes, you will have a perfectly sweet and salty no-bake treat that everyone will love!
Easy Halloween Popcorn Balls
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!
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Check out all of my tasty Halloween treats, trunk-or-treat ideas, pumpkin cakes, and how to play the Halloween Booing game!
🥘 Halloween Popcorn Balls Ingredients, Notes, & Substitutions
This simple no-bake dessert only requires 6 easy-to-find ingredients! You can use gel food coloring to make various colored batches if desired.
- Microwave Popcorn - 2 packs of microwave popcorn (popped and cooled slightly).
- Miniature Marshmallows - 8 cups of miniature marshmallows (*see note).
- Butter - ½ cup butter (1 stick or 8 tablespoons, cut into pieces).
- M&M's - 1 cup of M&M's candies (sorted into Halloween colors - brown, yellow, orange).
- Candy Corn - 1 cup of candy corn (whole or chopped).
- Halloween Sprinkles- Halloween sprinkles (optional, assorted).
*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. There is plenty for sharing at your next Halloween get-together or kid's school party!
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 combine.
On the stovetop: Melt over medium-low heat, stirring constantly while the marshmallows are heating. Remove from heat once the marshmallows are mostly melted, and stir vigorously.
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. 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.
Form the Popcorn Balls
Step 5: 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 6: 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.
These sweet and salty marshmallow popcorn balls make a delicious treat on their own. However, if you need more spooky dishes to make for your Halloween party, check out my mummy dogs, crescent roll witches hats, and mini mummy pizzas! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe 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.
🥄 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.
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❓ FAQ
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!
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.
😋 Best Halloween Dessert Recipes
- Meringue Ghosts- Adorable, ghostly, airy meringue cookies that feature egg whites, sugar, and melted chocolate chips!
- Mummy Macarons- These spooky and cute macarons are filled with sweet buttercream, perfect for all your Halloween festivities!
- Mummy Pie- A sweet and delicious holiday pie filled with raspberries that the whole family will enjoy!
- Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats- Simple no-bake Rice Krispie dessert bars made with marshmallows and candy corn!
- Candy Corn Sugar Cookies- An incredibly soft and delicious sugar cookie to make with the kids!
- Bat Sugar Cookies- This recipe for rolled-out, spooky sugar cookies with black royal frosting is great for baking with the kids!
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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)
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.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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!)