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.

There is a wooden plate filled with round popcorn balls, each made of light-colored popcorn mixed tightly with small red and green candy pieces and sprinkles, giving them a festive look. The popcorn balls are placed close together, showing their bumpy texture with the colorful candies spread evenly on each one. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with holiday decorations nearby, including red and black checkered cloth, pine cones, a white wooden stand with red snowflake designs, and a few green Christmas ornaments scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe

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.

The image shows twelve round popcorn balls arranged closely on a round wooden board. Each popcorn ball has a light creamy color with colorful red and green candy pieces mixed evenly throughout, adding bright spots of color. The popcorn balls have a slightly bumpy texture from the popcorn and candies. Around the wooden board on a white marbled surface, there are scattered small marshmallows, red and green round candies, and tiny sprinkles. The background includes red and green Christmas ornaments and a cluster of berry-like decorations on branches, giving it a festive look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of a small pile of shiny unpopped yellow popcorn kernels, a few cubes of pale yellow unsalted butter, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with soft miniature white marshmallows, a small white bowl holding bright red and green M&M candies, and another small white bowl with colorful festive sprinkles, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Christmas Popcorn Balls - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use pre-popped popcorn instead of kernels?

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.

What’s the best way to prevent M&Ms from melting?

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.

Can I make these popcorn balls allergy-friendly?

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.

How long do these popcorn balls stay fresh?

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!