These Halloween Popcorn Balls are so much fun to make with kids. They are loaded with Reese’s candies, marshmallows, and pretzels for a bit of crunch and of course some candy eyes for extra Halloween fun! Perfect for party favors too!
Halloween Popcorn Balls
Halloween is my second favorite holiday because I have a crazy sweet tooth and I can buy candy bars under the guise of giving them out to the kids in costume but really I eat them myself!
Aside from all the fun sweet treats, dressing up in costume and all the spooky decorations are so fun. My friend’s have a costume party every year and this year we hope to win the costume competition.
I hope to win the award for best party food because this year I am bringing these delicious popcorn balls.
There is plenty of love for popcorn in our house and you can see I have plenty of popcorn recipes like my buffalo ranch popcorn, this tropical popcorn snack mix, a white chocolate peppermint popcorn, and the classic caramel popcorn!
With just a few ingredients, these marshmallow popcorn balls are super easy to make and easily customizable with all the fun halloween candies and sprinkles.
Best thing, they don’t use corn syrup and you don’t need a candy thermometer!
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Ingredients Needed
Butter – I like to use salted butter as it offsets the sweetness of the marshmallow but feel free to use unsalted if you prefer.
Marshmallows – You can use 40 regular sized marshmallows or 4 cups of the mini marshmallows.
Popcorn – You can pop your own at home using 1/2 cup kernels. You can also use store bought popcorn just be wary of seasonings that might be on it.
If you want to use microwave popcorn, try and use a brand with the least amount of butter on it. This might hinder the marshmallow sticking to it.
Reese’s Pieces – I like to use a combination of plain and peanut ones for extra crunch! Check out my Reese’s Pretzel cookies if you love peanut butter and chocolate like me:)
Pantry Staples –Vanilla extract, pretzel sticks, candy eyes.
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How to Make Popcorn Balls
First: Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter and set it aside. Pop popcorn and place in the buttered dish.
You can also use a parchment paper lined baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray. Add the broken pretzels and half the reese’s candies.
Second: In a large pot or dutch oven melt butter over medium low to medium heat.
Once the butter is melted add the marshmallows mixing occasionally until melted evenly. Remove from heat and add vanilla and stir to combine.
Third: Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn, pretzels and stir to coat using a buttered spatula as it will be very sticky.
When the mixture is cool enough to handle, generously butter clean hands and divide the popcorn into 12 equal sections.
Fourth: Take each section and form it into a ball. Continue until all 12 popcorn balls are formed. Place balls on a sheet of wax paper and add the remaining candy and candy eyeballs to decorate. Allow to cool and enjoy!
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Why won’t my popcorn balls stick together?
You need to make sure that you evenly coat the popcorn with the marshmallow because that is what makes the popcorn stick to the other pieces.
How do you keep them fresh?
They will stay good and chewy for a few days if you keep them wrapped tightly.
Can you freeze popcorn balls?
Yes, you can! Just make sure you wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in an air tight container. They will last in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just thaw before serving.
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- You can use store bought popcorn but making it homemade is the best. Here is a great recipe for popping popcorn. If you use microwave popcorn, it will take two 3.5 ounce bags. Be sure to use plain!
- You can freeze the popcorn kernels to help them pop. Be sure to remove any unpopped popcorn kernels before forming balls.
- Chop or break the pretzel sticks into smaller pieces for easier mixing. You can also use the mini twists and break them up too.
- An easy tip for removing them is to pour the popcorn over a cooling rack. The unpopped kernels will fall through leaving the popped pieces on top.
- If you use nonstick spray on your hands you might need to spray your hands multiple times while forming the balls to keep them from sticking to the marshmallow.
- Have fun switching up the add-in ingredients! Salted nuts, m&m’s, candy corn, chopped chocolate bars, and chocolate chips would all be great!
- With the chocolate, add-ins be sure the mixture is cool enough before adding them so they don’t melt! You can also place them in the refrigerator to chill before adding.
- Decorations can also just be added to the outside rather than being mixed in.
- These popcorn balls are best enjoyed the day they are made as the popcorn and pretzels tend to soften after a time.
- They can be stored in an airtight container on the kitchen counter for 1-2 days or wrapped in cellophane for party favors which increases their lifespan by a day or two.
- Use fresh marshmallows for smoother melting.
- Add in food coloring to change up the look of the popcorn balls.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
These easy and fun halloween popcorn balls are the best holiday treat! Fun for an afternoon snack, a party favor, or a festive snack for a classroom party.
Halloween Popcorn Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 40 regular sized marshmallows or 4 cups of mini marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 cups of freshly popped popcorn ½ cup of kernels or the equivalent of
- store bought
- 1/2 cup Reese’s Pieces candies divided
- 1/2 cup Reese’s Peanut candies divided
- 1 cup pretzel sticks broken into 1/4 inch pieces
- Candy Eyes optional
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter and set it aside.
- Pop popcorn according to machine instructions and place it in the buttered 9×13
baking dish. Or use ready-made popcorn. - In a large pot or dutch oven melt butter on medium-low heat.
- Once the butter is melted add the marshmallows mixing occasionally until melted
evenly. - Remove from the heat and add the vanilla.
- Stir to combine.
- Carefully add the marshmallow mixture to the popcorn, pretzels, and half the candy while using a buttered silicone spatula to mix. (It will be very sticky!)
- When the mixture is cool enough to handle, generously butter clean hands or use non-stick spray and divide the popcorn into 12 equal sections. (You can also separate it in the pan by cutting squares with a knife)
- Take each section and form it into a ball.
- Return the ball to the buttered baking dish and continue until all balls are formed.
- Place balls on a sheet of wax paper and add the remaining candy and candy eyeballs to decorate.
- Allow to cool and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
More Halloween Treats
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Allyssa
Friday 20th of August 2021
Highly recommended! This is so delicious and really easy to make! Will surely make this again, thanks a lot for sharing your amazing recipe!
Samantha
Thursday 19th of August 2021
Glenda
Thursday 19th of August 2021
My mom used to make us popcorn balls every Halloween. These are absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing your easy recipe and decorating ideas.
Camille Montemayor
Thursday 19th of August 2021
Love this! Will prolly try this with my fam! Thanks!
Paula
Thursday 19th of August 2021
So stinking cute!! Pinned to make in Oct