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.

The image shows a wooden plate filled with round popcorn balls that have three layers of visible colors: the main layer is light cream popcorn, the second layer has small round candies in bright red and green, and the third layer includes tiny green and red sprinkles spread all over the popcorn balls. The popcorn balls are unevenly shaped but tightly packed, and the background has a white marbled texture with green ornaments and festive decorations in soft focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe

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.

There are fourteen round popcorn balls placed on a round wooden board. Each ball has a white and slightly shiny popcorn base mixed with small red and green candy pieces and some colorful sprinkles. Around the board on a white marbled surface, there are small white marshmallows, red, green, and gold Christmas baubles, and some loose red, green, and white candy pieces scattered. To the left, there is a branch with red and dark purple berries and part of a black and white checked cloth is visible at the bottom left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of half a cup of unpopped popcorn kernels, a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with miniature white marshmallows, a small white ceramic bowl holding red and green M&M candies, and a small white ceramic bowl containing festive multicolored sprinkles, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Christmas Popcorn Balls - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use pre-popped popcorn for this recipe?

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.

How do I prevent my M&Ms from melting?

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.

Can I make these popcorn balls gluten-free?

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.

How long do homemade popcorn balls last?

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!