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.
Servings: 20 balls
Calories: 215kcal
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: 1ball | Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 39.8g | Protein: 3.7g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 2.9g | Sugar: 17.7g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg