Halloween Popcorn Balls
These Halloween Popcorn Balls are a fun mix of sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy, packed with colorful Halloween candy and festive sprinkles. Easy to shape and decorate, they make a spooky treat for Halloween parties, school celebrations, or trick-or-treat night.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Large saucepan
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 10 cups popped popcorn
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- ¾ cup candy corn
- ½ cup Reese's Pieces or Halloween-colored candy-coated chocolates
- ¼ cup Halloween sprinkles
- Orange food coloring optional
- Candy eyes for decorating
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl, making sure to remove any unpopped kernels.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low to medium-low heat. Add the mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth.
- If desired, stir a few drops of orange food coloring into the melted marshmallow mixture to give the popcorn balls a festive Halloween color.
- Pour the warm marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Gently stir until the popcorn is evenly coated.
- Fold in the candy corn and Reese's Pieces, working carefully so the candies remain intact.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly until it is warm enough to handle. Lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray.
- Scoop out portions of the popcorn mixture and firmly press them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- While the popcorn balls are still sticky, press candy eyes onto them and decorate with Halloween sprinkles and additional candy corn or Reese's Pieces.
- Allow the popcorn balls to cool completely and firm up before serving.
Notes
- Remove all unpopped kernels before shaping the popcorn balls.
- Lightly greased hands make the sticky mixture much easier to handle.
- Add the candy and sprinkles while the popcorn mixture is still slightly warm so they stick properly.
- For a stronger Halloween look, use orange food coloring and a mixture of black, orange, purple, and green sprinkles.
- For a jack-o'-lantern variation, shape the balls with slightly flattened sides and decorate with candy to create eyes, a nose, and a spooky grin. Orange-colored popcorn balls are particularly suited to this style.