There’s something magical about the scent of warm butter and marshmallows filling your kitchen during the holidays. This Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe brings that feeling straight to your hands—sticky, sweet, and bursting with festive colors. It’s one of those treats that’s perfect for sharing, gifting, or just sneaking a bite (or two) when no one’s watching.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe every holiday season for years now. It’s such an easy, no-fuss way to bring bright pops of color and cozy sweetness to the party. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples—popcorn, butter, marshmallows, plus your favorite festive candies.
- Quick to Make: You’ll have a batch ready in about 30 minutes—perfect for last-minute holiday prep.
- Customizable: Swap sprinkles or candies to match your holiday theme or dietary needs.
- Fun to Make with Kids: My niece absolutely adores shaping these popcorn balls—it’s a hands-on craft (and dessert!) that really gets everyone in the festive spirit.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a key role here—popcorn gives that crunchy base, melted marshmallows bind everything together, and the colorful M&Ms and sprinkles add festive flair and texture. When you get the right popcorn—fresh and crispy—you’ll notice just how much it elevates the final treat.
- Unpopped Popcorn Kernels: Using kernels lets you pop fresh popcorn, which is crispier and less salty than pre-popped bags—trust me, it makes a difference.
- Unsalted Butter: This melts smoothly and adds richness without overpowering the sweetness.
- Miniature Marshmallows: They melt quickly and create that gooey, sticky binder that holds your balls together perfectly.
- Red and Green M&M Candies: The classic holiday colors instantly make these festive, plus they add a fun pop of crunch.
- Festive Sprinkles: Adds a playful look and a little extra texture that just screams Christmas cheer.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this recipe to fit whatever holiday vibe I’m going for. Sometimes I swap the M&Ms for crushed peppermint candies—so refreshing! Other times, I add a splash of vanilla extract to the marshmallow mixture to deepen the flavor. Don’t hesitate to experiment; you’ll find your favorite twist in no time.
- No-Candy Version: For a nutty change, try folding in chopped pecans or walnuts instead of candy—adds great crunch and flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Double-check that your sprinkles and candies are gluten-free—most are, but it’s always good to confirm for those with sensitivities.
- Mini Popcorn Balls: Make smaller, bite-sized balls for easy party snacks or stocking stuffers—they’re just as fun to make!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Step 1: Pop the Perfect Popcorn
Start with popping your popcorn kernels the way you like best. I prefer stovetop because it feels homemade and you avoid added oils or salts that sometimes come with microwave bags. Once popped, spread the popcorn on a large sheet pan to cool slightly. This helps unpopped kernels separate easily—trust me, biting into one is a bummer!
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt your butter over medium-low heat. Once melted, toss in the miniature marshmallows and stir frequently. You’re looking for a smooth, glossy mixture with no marshmallow lumps left—this is the glue for your popcorn balls. Patience here pays off for the best texture later.
Step 3: Combine and Coat the Popcorn
Remove your pot from the heat and pour that silky marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Use a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold everything together until each piece is nicely coated. If you stir too vigorously, you risk crushing the popcorn, so be gentle but thorough.
Step 4: Add Festive Mix-ins Then Shape
Allow the coated popcorn to cool just enough so it’s warm but not scalding—this makes handling easier without melting your M&Ms right away. Then fold in your red and green M&M candies along with sprinkles. Spray your hands lightly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking, scoop about a cup of the mixture, and gently press into balls. Keep extra spray handy for sticky moments.
Step 5: Let Them Set
Place your popcorn balls on wax paper or a greased baking sheet and let them cool at room temperature until fully set—usually about 30 to 45 minutes. This step is key for them to hold their shape when you serve or package them.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve found a few simple tricks make a big difference when crafting the perfect Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe. Whether it’s keeping your hands sprayed or waiting for just the right temperature to mix in the candies, these tips have saved me from sticky frustrations and bland batches!
- Use Fresh Popcorn: Older popcorn loses crispness and won’t stay crunchy after coating, so pop fresh kernels each time.
- Don’t Overheat Marshmallows: Melt marshmallows on medium-low heat to avoid scorching or clumping, which can ruin smooth coating.
- Spray Hands Often: Keeping your hands lightly coated with cooking spray lets you shape balls effortlessly without the sticky mess.
- Press Candies onto the Outside: If your M&Ms melt too much when mixed in, try pressing a few on the ball’s surface after shaping—it looks adorable and keeps them intact.
How to Serve Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Garnishes
I usually add a sprinkle of extra festive sugar on top right after I form each ball—reds, greens, and whites make them sparkle. Sometimes I even toss a few mini candy canes around for an extra holiday crunch and shimmer. It’s all about that visual pop that excites you before the first bite.
Side Dishes
These popcorn balls are sweet on their own but go wonderfully alongside hot cocoa or mulled cider. For holiday parties, I like to serve them next to a cheese board—sweet and savory balance each other so nicely. They’re also adorable little gifts paired with a mug or cookie tin.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I sometimes wrap individual popcorn balls in clear cellophane tied with ribbon—it makes a charming take-home favor. You can also stack them in a festive bowl or arrange them on a tiered stand for a fun dessert centerpiece. Kids love unwrapping their own “popcorn snowball” at parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (not likely!), store your popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and crunchy for up to 5 days—just keep them away from heat and humidity as that will make them sticky and soft.
Freezing
I’ve frozen popcorn balls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in freezer bags. When ready to eat, I let them thaw at room temperature. The texture holds up pretty well and it’s a great way to prep treats ahead of a busy holiday week.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat popcorn balls, but if you want the marshmallow gooeyness back, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave (wrapped in wax paper) softens them nicely. Just don’t overdo it or they’ll get too sticky and hard to handle.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but fresh popcorn popped from kernels is best for texture and taste. Pre-popped popcorn is often coated in oil or salt, which can affect the sweetness and the way it sticks together.
To avoid melting, let the marshmallow mixture cool slightly before folding in M&Ms, or press them onto the outside of each popcorn ball after forming. Also, spray your hands well to minimize heat transfer.
Yes! The basic recipe is gluten-free, but always check that your M&Ms and sprinkles don’t contain any gluten additives, especially if you’re baking for friends with celiac disease or sensitivities.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they last up to 5 days. Avoid refrigeration as it can make popcorn chewy and the marshmallow coating sticky.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe is more than just a festive snack—it’s a sweet tradition I love sharing every year. The ease, the colors, and that perfect marshmallow chew have a way of bringing everyone together, from kids giggling over sticky fingers to adults nostalgic for holidays past. Give it a try—you just might find yourself making it every season, too!
Print
Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Christmas Popcorn Balls are a fun and colorful holiday treat made with buttery popcorn, melted marshmallows, and decorated with red and green M&M candies along with festive sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties or gifting.
Ingredients
Popcorn
- ½ cup unpopped popcorn kernels
Marshmallow Mixture
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 10 ounce bag miniature marshmallows
Decorations
- 1 cup red and green M&M candies
- ⅓ cup festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Pop Popcorn: Pop your popcorn kernels using your preferred method. Separate any unpopped kernels and set aside the popped popcorn.
- Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. When the butter is completely melted, add in the miniature marshmallows. Heat the marshmallows, stirring often, until melted and smooth.
- Coat Popcorn: Remove the marshmallow mixture from heat and pour it over the popped popcorn. Gently stir to coat the popcorn evenly.
- Mix in Candies and Sprinkles: When the mixture has cooled slightly, use a rubber spatula to fold in the red and green M&M candies and the festive sprinkles carefully without melting the candies too much.
- Form Balls: Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray, reapplying as needed. Scoop about one cup of the coated popcorn mixture and form into balls by gently pressing the mixture together.
- Set the Popcorn Balls: Allow the popcorn balls to sit at room temperature until completely cooled and set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To prevent the M&M’s from melting, you can press some onto the outside of the popcorn balls immediately after forming them.
- The number of popcorn balls depends on size; using 1 cup per ball yields about 16 balls. Larger balls (about 3 inches) will yield about 13 balls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popcorn ball
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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