Nothing quite captures the joy of the holiday season like a batch of cozy, colorful treats. That’s why I’m excited to share this Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe with you—sweet, slightly crunchy, and packed with those shiny red and green candies that make it feel truly special.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Making popcorn balls might sound like a little throwback, but this festive twist has quickly become a family favorite of mine during the holidays. They’re fun to make, look stunning, and the best part—you can totally customize them to fit your vibe this Christmas season.
- Easy and Quick: Ready in about 30 minutes, these popcorn balls come together faster than cookies in the oven.
- Messy Hands, Happy Hearts: The marshmallow coating holds everything together while keeping things soft and chewy.
- Perfect Holiday Colors: The red and green M&Ms plus festive sprinkles add that instant Christmas cheer.
- A Crowd-Pleaser: They’re great for parties, gift-giving, or just snacking by the twinkling lights.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a crucial role here, balancing texture and flavor. I keep things simple so the popcorn stays the star, but with enough sweetness and color to make it feel special.
- Unpopped popcorn kernels: Using kernels to pop fresh popcorn rather than pre-popped ensures you get fluffy, crisp popcorn with fewer unpopped pieces.
- Unsalted butter: Melts smoothly and blends perfectly with marshmallows; going with unsalted keeps the sweetness balanced.
- Miniature marshmallows: Provide the sticky, gooey coating that binds the popcorn—big marshmallows can get tricky to melt evenly.
- Red and green M&M candies: These add festive color and a crunchy chocolate surprise packed inside each bite.
- Festive sprinkles: Tiny, pretty pops of color that make the popcorn balls adorable and Instagram-worthy.
Make It Your Way
I love playing around with this Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe depending on the mood and who I’m sharing it with. Feel free to get creative—you’ll find a lot of fun in making it your own.
- Variation: Once, I swapped the M&Ms for chopped peppermint candies and added a drizzle of white chocolate on top—it was an instant holiday hit and smelled incredible!
- Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free option, try coconut oil instead of butter and use vegan marshmallows—this took me a few tries but totally worked.
- Texture twist: Toss in some chopped nuts or pretzels for an unexpected crunch that balances out the sweetness perfectly.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Step 1: Pop and Prep Your Popcorn
I like to use an air popper or stovetop method to keep things light and crispy. Once popped, spread the popcorn on a large baking sheet to cool slightly, then pick through to remove any stubborn unpopped kernels—trust me, nobody wants a surprise crunchy bite later!
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows to a Gooey Perfection
Turn your stove to medium-low and melt the butter gently in a big pot. Add miniature marshmallows and stir often so they melt evenly without burning. You'll know it’s ready when the mixture is smooth and shiny—patience here is key!
Step 3: Combine and Coat Your Popcorn
Pour this luscious marshmallow butter mixture right over your popcorn. Use a big rubber spatula or wooden spoon and gently fold it in so every kernel gets a sweet hug—but take care not to smash the popcorn into mush.
Step 4: Fold in M&Ms and Sprinkles
Once your popcorn is coated and still warm but not hot, carefully fold in those festive M&Ms and colorful sprinkles. This step adds personality and crunch, so don’t rush it!
Step 5: Form Your Balls (Hands Spray Ready!)
This is where the fun (and a bit of stickiness) comes in. Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray—have it handy to reapply as needed—and scoop about a cup of mixture at a time. Gently press into balls, but try not to over-handle or squeeze too hard, or your M&Ms might start melting from the warmth.
Step 6: Let Them Set and Enjoy
Place your popcorn balls on wax paper or a greased tray and let them cool at room temperature until firm—usually about an hour. After that, they’re ready to be devoured or wrapped up as thoughtful gifts!
Top Tip
Having made these popcorn balls several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make the process smoother and the results better every time.
- Use Medium-Low Heat: Melting marshmallows too quickly can burn them or make them tough. Keep your heat gentle for a silky, sticky texture.
- Spray Hands Often: Don’t be shy with the non-stick spray; it keeps your hands from getting coated and keeps the popcorn balls beautiful and intact.
- Add Candies Last: Mixing M&Ms too early while it’s piping hot can cause them to melt. Fold them in after the mixture cools down slightly.
- Press M&Ms on Outside: If your candies get a little melty, press a few fresh ones onto the surface for extra colour and crunch.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it classic and adorn a few popcorn balls with a sprinkle of extra festive colored sugar or tiny star-shaped sprinkles. Sometimes I tie a little ribbon around each one for gifting—it turns these tasty treats into precious holiday decorations too.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside a mug of steaming hot cocoa or spiced cider. These popcorn balls also pair wonderfully with a platter of assorted nuts and cheeses for a holiday snack table that has everyone reaching for seconds.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve wrapped mine individually in clear cellophane tied with twine and a sprig of holly—adds that rustic charm. Another fun idea: arrange them on a festive plate shaped like a Christmas wreath surrounded by candy canes. It’s a surefire conversation starter!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep my popcorn balls stored in an airtight container at room temperature on the counter. They stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days, which happens to be a perfect window before everyone devours them.
Freezing
Freezing popcorn balls isn’t my favorite because the texture can change, but if you’re making a big batch early, wrap each ball tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
Leftovers don’t really need reheating, but if you prefer a softer ball, pop one in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Just watch closely so it doesn’t melt or get all gooey!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can use pre-popped popcorn, but be sure it’s plain and fresh for the best texture. Pre-popped popcorn can sometimes have added oils or seasoning that might affect how well the marshmallow mixture sticks. Also, using fresh popcorn lets you remove any unpopped kernels, so it’s safer to eat.
To keep your M&Ms from melting, wait until the marshmallow mixture cools down slightly before folding them in. Also, spray your hands well with cooking spray and handle the mixture gently to prevent extra heat transfer. Pressing fresh M&Ms onto the surface of the balls right after forming them is a helpful trick too.
Absolutely! For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free margarine or coconut oil instead of butter, and make sure to pick vegan mini marshmallows (several brands offer these). You can skip the M&Ms or substitute with allergy-friendly candies or dried fruit.
When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these popcorn balls stay fresh and chewy for up to five days. Beyond that, they might start getting a bit stale or lose their shape.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe has a special place in my holiday traditions—it’s nostalgic, colorful, and endlessly fun to make with family and friends. I hope it finds a spot in your kitchen and heart this season, bringing a little extra warmth and sweetness to your celebrations. Give it a try, and don’t forget to share the joy (and maybe a few popcorn balls) along the way!
Print
Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Christmas Popcorn Balls are a fun and colorful treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with buttery melted marshmallows, crunchy popcorn, red and green M&M candies, and festive sprinkles, they are easy to make and sure to delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Popcorn
- ½ cup unpopped popcorn kernels
Marshmallow Mixture
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 10 ounce bag miniature marshmallows
Toppings
- 1 cup red and green M&M candies
- ⅓ cup festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn: Pop your popcorn kernels using your preferred method. Separate any unpopped kernels and set aside the popped popcorn.
- Melt butter and marshmallows: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. When the butter is completely melted, add in the miniature marshmallows. Heat the marshmallows, stirring often, until melted and smooth.
- Coat the popcorn: Remove the marshmallows from the heat and pour the melted mixture over the popped popcorn. Gently stir to coat all the popcorn evenly.
- Add candies and sprinkles: Once the popcorn is well-coated and the mixture has cooled slightly, use a rubber spatula to fold in the red and green M&M candies and festive sprinkles.
- Form popcorn balls: Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray, and keep spraying as needed to prevent sticking. Scoop about one cup of the popcorn mixture and gently press it together to form balls.
- Cool and set: Allow the popcorn balls to sit at room temperature until completely cooled and set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Store the popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- The warmth of the marshmallow mixture and your hands may cause the M&M's to melt slightly. To avoid this, press a few candies onto the outside of the balls after forming.
- The number of popcorn balls depends on their size; using 1 cup of mixture per ball yields about 16 balls, but larger balls (about 3 inches) will result in about 13 balls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popcorn ball
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Leave a Reply