Marshmallow Popcorn Balls

Think rice krispy squares but made out of popcorn and round. The orange is just for extra Halloween fun. You can totally leave them white or go with another color. We’ll leave the stylistic choices up to you.

Is it Halloween yet? The countdown begins now!

Yesterday we showed you the full-out step-by-step process of making Traditional Popcorn Balls, complete with photo tutorial. If that was a bit too much for you (we know, candy-making can be overwhelming), today’s popcorn balls are for you!

These guys are made in exactly the same was as rice krispy treats. Except you use popcorn instead of rice krispies. And they’re round instead of square.

We’ve taken these popcorn balls to a whole new level of insane by making them orange and sticking a green candy on top. They totally look like pumpkins, right? But you can leave out the food coloring. Or go with a totally different color. We’ll leave stylistic choices up to you.

This recipe calls for some popped popcorn. You can buy microwave popcorn, or buy already-popped popcorn, or you can make popcorn on the stove like this, or in a paper bag in the microwave like this.

Quick tip: Put a lollipop stick in the pumpkin’s bottom. There will be fewer sticky fingers during and after the treat-eating.

Marshmallow Popcorn Balls

Contributor: Christine Pittman

Think rice krispy squares but made out of popcorn and round. The orange is just for extra Halloween fun. You can totally leave them white or go with another color. We’ll leave the stylistic choices up to you.

• Author: Christine Pittman
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 16 servings 1x

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Ingredients

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• 4 green gummy candy fruit slices
• 4 Tbsp. butter
• 1 Tbsp. neon orange gel food coloring
• 10.5 oz. bag mini marshmallows
• 14 cups popped popcorn

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Instructions

1. Lightly oil a large baking sheet.
2. Cut each gummy candy into 4 curved strips.
3. In a large pot melt the butter over low heat. Whisk in the food coloring until evenly blended. Add the marshmallows and stir continuously until smooth and evenly orange. Add the popcorn and stir gently but thoroughly until all coated. Remove from heat.
4. Moisten hands with water and begin to shape popcorn into 2 and ½ inch balls. You’ll get about 16 of them. Moisten your hands regularly to stop them from sticking to the mixture. (I keep the tap running gently throughout to make it easy to get them wet regularly). Place balls on the prepared baking sheet as you go. Immediately insert the green candy strips into the tops of the balls before they set. Let set for 30 minutes before serving. These are best eaten on the day they were made.