These festive Halloween Popcorn Balls are the perfect spooky snack for holiday gatherings! They are a delicious blend of salty-sweet flavors and textures and bring a fun aesthetic to any celebration.
If you’re looking for a Halloween treat that’s fun to eat and easy to make, you can’t go wrong with this Halloween popcorn balls recipe! A tasty mix of crunchy popcorn, sweet marshmallows, rich butter, and colorful candies creates a medley of festive flavors and textures in palm-sized spooky popcorn balls.
They’re great for parties, school events, or simply as a playful snack to celebrate fall! You can customize them with your favorite Halloween candies for a personal touch that fits the theme of your gathering.
For more Halloween-themed treats, try my Pumpkin Gummy Candy, Eyeball Mochi Skewers, or Rainbow Pumpkin Marshmallows.
What are Halloween Popcorn Balls?
Halloween popcorn balls are a festive twist on classic popcorn balls, incorporating seasonal candies and a spooky touch to make them perfect for celebrating Halloween. These treats are made by mixing popcorn with a gooey marshmallow mixture and then rolling them into balls. They’re topped with various Halloween-themed candies to create colorful candy popcorn balls that are perfect for celebrating the season!
Why These Halloween Popcorn Balls Are Best
- Easy & Fun: This Halloween popcorn recipe is simple to make and offers a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit!
- Customizable: Use your favorite combination of candies to give your popcorn Halloween balls a custom decorative flair.
- Perfect for Parties: The kid-friendly flavors and fun presentation make these the ultimate sweet-salty treat for Halloween parties and gatherings!
Ingredients for Halloween Popcorn Balls
- Popcorn – Use freshly popped popcorn for the best flavor and texture or pre-popped popcorn for convenience. If using fresh, you pop bagged popcorn or kernels. You will need 16 cups of popped popcorn.
- Unsalted Butter—This helps create a smooth mixture that holds the popcorn ball Halloween recipe together and adds a rich flavor. Use unsalted butter to control the seasoning of the recipe best.
- Vanilla Extract – Pure vanilla extract adds a touch of nutty sweetness and depth to the marshmallow mixture.
- Marshmallows – Key to helping bind the popcorn mixture together. Mini marshmallows work best for even melting.
- Reese’s Pieces – Adds a delicious peanut butter flavor, a pop of color, and a satisfying crunch to the popcorn balls.
- Candy Corn or Candy Pumpkins – These classic Halloween candies add a festive touch and extra sweetness. Choose one or the other, or use a mix of both!
- Chocolate-Covered Pretzels – Classic milk chocolate-covered pretzels add a sweet and salty crunch that complements the other flavors.
- Candy Eyes – These add a fun edible touch to the Halloween treats, bringing each Halloween popcorn ball to life.
- Cooking Spray – Used to help form the popcorn ball mixture and prevent your hands from sticking.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Popcorn Balls for Halloween
Step 1:
Place a large sheet of parchment paper on your work surface and set it aside. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine. Then add the marshmallows and stir until fully melted.
Step 2:
Add the popcorn and mix well until it is evenly coated in the marshmallow mixture. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool for 2-3 minutes.
Step 3:
Add half of the Reese’s Pieces, candy corn, candy pumpkins, and pretzels to the pot. Mix well until combined.
Step 4:
Spray your hands with cooking spray (or wear culinary gloves), then roll the popcorn mixture into 20 balls. The cooking spray will prevent the marshmallow from sticking to your hands.
Step 5:
Press the remaining candy and candy eyes onto the outside of the popcorn balls as decoration. Make sure to do this before the marshmallow stiffens.
Step 6:
Place the popcorn balls on the sheet of parchment paper and allow them to set at room temperature for about 1 hour before serving.
Substitutions for Halloween Popcorn Balls
- Popcorn – Instead of popcorn, you can substitute popped rice cereal or puffed corn.
- Unsalted Butter – For a dairy-free alternative, use margarine, coconut oil, or a plant-based butter.
- Vanilla Extract – Swap with almond extract for a different flavor profile, or use a splash of maple syrup or honey for a natural flavor enhancer.
- Marshmallows – Use vegan marshmallows or homemade marshmallow fluff to suit dietary needs.
- Reese’s Pieces: You can use chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, regular M&Ms, or any other candy-coated chocolate.
- Candy Corn or Candy Pumpkins – Use any other seasonal candies like autumn-themed M&Ms or chocolate-covered nuts.
- Chocolate-Covered Pretzels – Swap for white chocolate or dark chocolate-covered pretzels.
- Candy Eyes – Instead of candy eyes, use mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips, and create eye designs with edible markers or a dot of black icing.
- Cooking Spray – Coat your hands in a thin layer of melted butter or oil, or use culinary cloves for easy handling.
Recipe Variations
The following are optional Halloween popcorn ideas to switch up this recipe and suit dietary preferences:
- Pretzel Rods Handles: Form the popcorn marshmallow mixture into balls as outlined in the recipe, then press a pretzel rod into the center of each ball. This makes the popcorn balls easy, as well as the handheld treats, and adds extra crunch.
- Nut-Free: Simply omit the Reese’s Pieces and use extra candy corn or regular M&Ms instead.
- Spiced Pumpkin: To add more fall flair, incorporate one teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice blend into the melted marshmallow mixture. This adds a warm, spiced flavor perfect for the season.
- Vegan: This popcorn for Halloween is easily made vegan-friendly by using vegan marshmallows, plant-based butter, and dairy-free candies. Make sure the popcorn you choose is also dairy-free.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the finished popcorn balls for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
Tips for Making Perfect Halloween Popcorn Balls
- Use fresh popcorn. Pop your own popcorn for the best-tasting popcorn balls. Or, use store-bought popcorn that is within its expiration. Stale popcorn won’t hold the marshmallow mixture well and can affect the overall texture and flavor.
- Thoroughly melt the marshmallows. Be patient when melting them. Ensure they are fully melted and smooth before mixing with the popcorn so it mixes evenly.
- Cool before stirring in candies and handling. Allow the marshmallow mixture to cool slightly before stirring in the candies and forming the popcorn balls. This prevents the candy from melting, makes them easier to handle when forming, and protects you from burning your hands.
- Decorate before setting. Add the candy eyes and other desired candy decorations to the popcorn balls before the marshmallow mixture sets completely. This ensures that the decorations stick properly and don’t fall off later.
Serving Suggestions
This popcorn balls Halloween recipe is the perfect addition to Halloween-themed parties! They also make fantastic classroom treats or a festive, spooky movie night snack. Pack them in cellophane bags for easy sharing, or display them on a spooky-themed platter.
Storage Directions
At room temperature – Store leftover popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
In the refrigerator – For a firmer texture and longer shelf-life, store the balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Other Halloween Recipe Ideas
Spooky cheese balls shaped like brains, skulls and hands. Covering them in a thin layer of prosciutto makes them look extra creepy and realistic!
Cute rice balls shaped like owls, pumpkins and candy corn! Perfect for a Halloween-themed lunch box.
Fruit punch, but sparkly, glittery and purple!
Sweet rice dumplings shaped like red blood cells, served in delicious raspberry syrup.
Halloween Popcorn Balls
These Halloween Popcorn Balls turn a classic recipe into a festive holiday treat. It is made with crunchy popcorn, gooey marshmallows, and colorful Halloween-themed candy! Perfect for your Halloween parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
- 16 cups popped popcorn about 2/3 cup unpopped kernels
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 16 oz marshmallows
- ¾ cup Reeses pieces
- ¾ cup candy corn and candy pumpkins
- ¾ cup pretzels chopped
- ¼ cup candy eyes
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Place a large sheet of parchment paper on your work surface and set it aside.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine. Add the marshmallows and stir until fully melted.
- Add the popcorn and mix well until it is evenly coated in the marshmallow. Turn off the heat and allow it to cool for 2-3 minutes. Then add half of the Reeses pieces, candy corn, candy pumpkins and pretzels. Mix well.
- Spray your hands with cooking spray, then roll the popcorn into 20 balls. The cooking spray will prevent the marshmallow from sticking to your hands.
- Press the remaining candy, as well as the candy eyes, onto the outside of the popcorn balls. You want to make sure to do this before the marshmallow stiffens.
- Place the popcorn balls on the sheet of parchment paper and allow them to set for about 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Storage Directions
At room temperature – Store leftover popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
In the refrigerator – For a firmer texture and longer shelf-life, store the balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Success Tips
- Use fresh popcorn. Pop your own popcorn for the best-tasting popcorn balls. Or, use store-bought popcorn that is within its expiration. Stale popcorn won’t hold the marshmallow mixture well and can affect the overall texture and flavor.
- Thoroughly melt the marshmallows. Be patient when melting them. Ensure they are fully melted and smooth before mixing with the popcorn so it mixes evenly.
- Cool before stirring in candies and handling. Allow the marshmallow mixture to cool slightly before stirring in the candies and forming the popcorn balls. This prevents the candy from melting, makes them easier to handle when forming, and protects you from burning your hands.
- Decorate before setting. Add the candy eyes and other desired candy decorations to the popcorn balls before the marshmallow mixture sets completely. This ensures that the decorations stick properly and don’t fall off later.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ballCalories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 39.8gProtein: 3.7gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 76mgPotassium: 76mgFiber: 2.9gSugar: 17.7gCalcium: 3mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Hi everyone! My name is Cayla Gallagher and I’m the creator of pankobunny!
I’m In The Mood For:
@pankobunny
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: Invalid Feed ID.