Make Christmas Popcorn Balls for a festive twist on a classic recipe. They are sweet and salty for the best holiday treat.
The entire recipe is so easy to make and really yummy. It is great for gifts or parties and kids love them. This easy recipe will be a hit all around and it’s similar to classic Popcorn Balls.
Another fun twist on a traditional treat is Jello Popcorn Balls that can easily be enjoyed all year long. We love the delicious combination of ingredients in Popcorn Ball Recipes. I also make Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Recipe.
What's in this post: Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Why We Love This Recipe
- Inexpensive to make. Popcorn is the main ingredient and it’s very frugal.
- Sweet and Salty. The combination of these two flavors makes a great recipe.
- Festive for the holidays. With a few sprinkles and M&M’s, the popcorn balls transform for Christmas.
Ingredients
- Popcorn, popped
- granulated sugar
- light corn syrup
- Red and Green M&Ms
- Christmas Sprinkles
Variations
- Food coloring. You can easily coat the popcorn in food coloring if you prefer.
- Toppings. The M&M’s are delicious but feel free to try other candy combinations. Crushed candy canes work great for topping. Other ideas include pretzel pieces, peanuts, chocolate chips, Reese’s Pieces and more. Drizzle white chocolate on top of popped popcorn.
- Seasonal. This treat can easily be made year round. Simply change the candy for other occasions. You can make these for Halloween, Easter and more.
- Mix-ins. Try adding miniature marshmallows, peanut butter or rice kripsies to the popcorn mixture.
Skip to the bottom and find the complete ingredient list.
How to Make Christmas Popcorn Balls
- Step 1 – Preheat the oven. It should be set to 200 degrees F.
- Step 2 – Prepare the pan. Spray a large roasting pan or baking pan lightly with a nonstick cooking spray. Add popcorn and place in a 200ºF oven until warm.
Step 3. Mix together the sugar and corn syrup in a 2-quart saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stirring constantly, bring to boil over medium heat. Continue stirring and boil for 2 minutes.
Step 4. Remove from heat. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5. Coat the popcorn. Drizzle syrup mixture over warm popcorn stirring to coat well. Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Add the topping and combine.
Step 6. From the popcorn balls after the mixture cools. Spray your hands with cooking spray and shape the mixture into twelve popcorn balls. Place on a baking sheet and allow to set.
Jump to recipe below for complete instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store in an airtight container or wrap each popcorn ball in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Stored properly, they will last up to 5 days. However, they are best served fresh as they will soften over time.
Popcorn balls are freezer friendly. They can be frozen up to 2 months.
Just make sure to cover them in plastic wrap. Then place them inside an airtight container.
Then thaw overnight before serving.
You can use microwave popcorn, stovetop popcorn or store bought.
Pro Tips
- M&M’s Candy. The warmth from the syrup mixture can melt the M&Ms when they are mixed in. Make sure that the mixture has cooled before stirring them into the popcorn mixture. You can also press the M&Ms into the popcorn balls once they are formed as well.
- Popcorn. Plain unbuttered popcorn is best. Also, after you pop your popcorn, make sure to remove any unpopped kernels.
- Form the balls. Firmly press the mixture together into balls to help it set.
- Wax paper. You can use wax paper to help form the balls to prevent sticking to your hands.
- Keep the popcorn warm. Don’t skip this step as it helps to prevent the syrup mixture from becoming too cool.
- Decoration. You can add sprinkles and candy to the top instead of mixing in. Either option is fine or you can add them to both.
- Allow to cool. The mixture needs time to cool slightly before adding the candy and sprinkles. If it is too warm, the candy will melt.
More Christmas Desserts
- Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe
- Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
- Christmas Pancakes Ideas
- Crock Pot Christmas Candy Recipe
- Christmas Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
Make this delicious recipe today. Then come back and leave a comment and star recipe rating!
Christmas Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
- 12 cups Popcorn Popped
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup Red and Green M&Ms
- 1/4 cup Christmas Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
- Spray a large roasting pan or baking pan lightly with a nonstick cooking spray. Add popcorn and place in a 200ºF oven until warm.
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a 2-quart saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stirring constantly, bring to boil over medium heat. Continue stirring and boil for 2 minutes.
- Remove syrup mixture from heat. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour syrup mixture over warm popcorn stirring to coat well. Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Then gently add in the M&Ms and the sprinkles and mix to combine.
- Once the mixture has cooled slightly and is able to be touched, spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray. Working quickly, shape twelve 3-inch popcorn balls.
- Cool completely. Then the popcorn balls are ready to serve and enjoy!
