This easy Popcorn Balls recipe comes together fast with simple ingredients. A fun, chewy snack for parties, holidays, or family treats.
Popcorn balls are a classic, nostalgic treat that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat. Made with fresh popcorn coated in a sweet, buttery mixture, these chewy treats come together quickly with simple ingredients. Whether you’re making them for holidays, parties, or a fun kitchen project with kids, popcorn balls are a timeless favorite everyone loves.
If you love easy desserts, this recipe for Popcorn Balls is a must try. The sweet and salty combination is delicious. We love making these and it’s a really budget friendly recipe with only 6 ingredients.
I have been making Popcorn Balls for years. Our family also loves Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe, Caramel Apple Popcorn and White Chocolate Popcorn. We also love Kettle Corn Popcorn, Cookie Butter Popcorn and Cracker Jacks Recipe along with 69 Popcorn Recipes.
Table of contents
What Are Popcorn Balls?
Popcorn balls are a sticky, chewy treat that combines the flavors of popcorn, sugar and corn syrup. These ingredients combined make a holiday treat that is loved by all.
We love making these along with Cotton Candy Popcorn and Pumpkin Spice Popcorn. If you love cookies recipes, try Eclair Cookies Recipe.
Ingredients
- Popped Popcorn. Microwave popcorn works great, but you can also use air-popped popcorn or store-bought popcorn. Whatever you prefer or have on hand.
- Karo Light Corn Syrup. Light corn syrup is our go-to since it keeps the flavor mild and the popcorn balls light in color, but dark corn syrup can be used if you want a richer, deeper taste.
Scroll to the bottom of the post for the complete ingredients.
Variations and Additions
My favorite part of this recipe is that you can easily add in many items. This recipe will work for any holiday or family event.
- Add Candy. Mix in your favorite candy to match the season or holiday. Candy-coated chocolates, gummy pieces, or chopped candy bars all work well. Stir them into the popcorn after the corn syrup mixture has been poured over the popcorn so they’re evenly distributed.
- Sprinkles. Rainbow or themed sprinkles are an easy way to add color and texture. These are especially fun for kids’ birthday parties, classroom treats, or festive celebrations.
- Colored Popcorn Balls. Add a few drops of food coloring to the warm corn syrup mixture to create vibrant popcorn balls. Orange is great for Halloween, while red and green are festive for Christmas.
- Marshmallow Popcorn Balls. For a softer, extra-chewy version, stir 2–3 cups of mini marshmallows into the hot corn syrup mixture until melted. Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn, mix well, and shape into balls.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. First spray a large roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray. Then add popcorn to the pan. Don’t forget to remove any unpopped kernels. Place in the oven at 200 degrees until the popcorn is warm.
Step 2. Next, stir together sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Bring these ingredients to a boil over medium heat stir consistently. Continue stirring and boil for 2 minutes.
Step 3. After this cooking time, remove from heat. Next slowly stir in vanilla. After the vanilla has been combined with the other ingredients, pour the syrup mixture over the warm popcorn stirring to coat popcorn mixture well.
Step 4. Then allow the mixture to cool slightly so that it’s able to be touched. Then spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray and use your hands to quickly shape the mixture into twelve popcorn balls. Work quickly to form the balls because the syrup mixture will harden. Finally, after the forming ball stage, place them on parchment paper and allow the popcorn balls to cool completely.
FAQs
The Karo® Light Corn Syrup is the key ingredient to this popcorn balls recipe to get them to stay together. I have tried using other ingredients and have found that they don’t hold the popcorn together as well.
Based on my experience, I don’t recommend skipping this ingredient or replacing it with something else.
Also, once you pour the corn syrup mixture over the popcorn, allow the syrup to cool slightly before forming the popcorn into balls. If the corn syrup is still too watery, it will be difficult to form the popcorn balls.
These are best to be served the day or the day after they are made. However, they will keep for a week in an air tight container. So you definitely can make these a few days ahead of time for your next party or family get together!
Wrap them individually with saran wrap and place in an airtight container. We recommend placing in a single layer. They will last up to one week at room temperature.
More Easy Popcorn Recipes
- Rainbow Popcorn Recipe
- Jello Popcorn Balls Recipe
- Snickers Popcorn
- Popcorn Cake
- The Best Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe
- Butter Toffee Popcorn
Ready to make these fun popcorn balls? Give the recipe a try and let us know how they turn out! Leave a comment with your favorite variation and don’t forget to rate the recipe so others can enjoy it too.
Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
- 12 cups Popcorn Popped
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup karo light corn syrup
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Spray large roasting pan sprayed lightly with nonstick cooking spray; add popcorn and place in 200ºF oven until warm.
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to boil over medium heat. Continue stirring and boil for 2 minutes.
- Remove syrup mixture from heat; stir in vanilla.
- Pour syrup mixture over warm popcorn stirring to coat well. Add in sprinkles or add ins (all optional) and mix to combine.
- Once mixture has cooled slightly and is able to be touched, spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray. Working quickly to shape twelve 3-inch popcorn balls. Cool completely. Wrap individually in plastic wrap.
