Halloween Popcorn Balls

These Halloween Popcorn Balls are so much fun to make with kids. Loaded with Reese’s candies, marshmallows, and pretzels for a bit of crunch and of course some candy eyes for extra Halloween fun. Perfect for party favors too!

Halloween Popcorn Balls

Halloween is my second favorite holiday because I have a crazy sweet tooth and I can buy candy bars without coming up with some excuse. I say I’m giving them out to the kids, but really I eat them myself!

The fun sweet treats are great but I love dressing up in costume. And putting out all the spooky decorations are so fun. My friends have a costume party every year and this year we hope to win the costume competition.

I hope to win the award for best party food because this year I am bringing these delicious popcorn balls.

Everyone in our house loves popcorn so I have plenty of popcorn recipes.

Check out my buffalo ranch popcorn, this tropical popcorn snack mix, a white chocolate peppermint popcorn, and the classic caramel popcorn!

With just a few ingredients, these marshmallow popcorn balls are super easy to make and easily customizable with all the fun halloween candies and sprinkles.

Best thing, they don’t use corn syrup and you don’t need a candy thermometer!

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Ingredients Needed

Butter – I like to use salted butter to balance the sweetness but feel free to use unsalted if you prefer.

Marshmallows – You can use 40 regular sized marshmallows or 4 cups of the mini marshmallows.

Popcorn – You can pop your own at home using 1/2 cup kernels. You can also use plain store bought popcorn.

If you want to use microwave popcorn, try and use a brand with the least amount of butter on it. This will keep the marshmallow from sticking to it.

Reese’s Pieces – I like to use a combination of plain and peanut ones for extra crunch! Check out my Reese’s Pretzel cookies if you love peanut butter and chocolate like me:)

Pantry staples –Vanilla extract, pretzel sticks, candy eyes.

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How to Make Popcorn Balls

First: Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter and set it aside. Pop popcorn and place in the buttered dish.

You can also use a parchment paper lined baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray. Add the broken pretzels and half the reese’s candies.

Second: In a large pot or dutch oven melt butter over medium low to medium heat.

Once the butter is melted add the marshmallows mixing occasionally until melted evenly. Remove from heat and add vanilla and stir to combine.

Third: Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn, pretzels and stir to coat using a buttered spatula as it will be very sticky.

When the mixture is cool enough to handle, generously butter clean hands and divide the popcorn into 12 equal sections.

Fourth: Take each section and form it into a ball. Continue until all 12 popcorn balls are formed. Place balls on a sheet of wax paper and add the remaining candy and candy eyeballs to decorate. Allow to cool and enjoy!

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How long do they last?

Store at room temperature in an airtight container and they will stay good and chewy for a few days. Or wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Can I freeze popcorn balls?

Yes, you can! Just make sure you wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in an airtight container. They will last in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just thaw before serving.

Why won’t my popcorn balls stick together?

You need to make sure that you evenly coat the popcorn with the marshmallow because that is what makes the popcorn stick to the other pieces.

You might also have too much butter and it’s coating the marshmallow and making it less sticky.

Tapas Tips & Tricks

• You can use store bought popcorn but making it homemade is the best. Here is a great recipe for popping popcorn. If you use microwave popcorn, it will take two 3.5 ounce bags. Be sure to use plain!
• You can freeze the popcorn kernels to help them pop. Be sure to remove any unpopped popcorn kernels before forming balls. An easy tip for removing them is to pour the popcorn over a cooling rack. The unpopped kernels will fall through leaving the popped pieces on top.
• Chop or break the pretzel sticks into smaller pieces for easier mixing. You can also use the mini twists and break them up too.
• If you use nonstick spray on your hands you might need to spray your hands multiple times while forming the balls to keep them from sticking to the marshmallow.
• Have fun switching up the add-in ingredients! Salted nuts, m&m’s, candy corn, chopped chocolate bars, and chocolate chips would all be great!
• If adding in chocolate, be sure the mixture is cool enough before adding them so they don’t melt. You can also place them in the refrigerator to chill before adding.
• Decorations can also just be added to the outside rather than being mixed in.
• Add in food coloring to change up the look of the popcorn balls.

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These easy and fun halloween popcorn balls are the best holiday treat! Fun for an afternoon snack, a party favor, or a festive snack for a classroom party.

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