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Popcorn balls on a marble surface.
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Popcorn Balls

Easy-to-make Popcorn Balls are the perfect holiday treat with a sweet candy coating and salty crunch. Ready in under 30 minutes!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cool Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12 balls
Calories 172kcal
Author John Kanell

Equipment

  • Roasting pan or baking pan
  • pot

Ingredients

  • 16 cups popped popcorn (160g)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
  • ½ cup light corn syrup (120ml)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (46g)
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Lightly grease a large baking dish or roasting pan with cooking spray. Spread the popcorn in the pan and place in a 250°F degree oven to warm.
  • In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, water nd salt. Place over medium heat, and stir occasionally until the butter is melted.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and continue boiling while stirring for 2 minutes or until the mixture reaches 235°F. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
  • Drizzle the hot syrup over the warm popcorn and stir with a silicone spatula until the popcorn is well coated in the syrup.
  • Using lightly greased or buttered hands, (see notes on how to do this safely!) shape the popcorn into twelve 3-inch balls, and place them on parchment paper to cool and dry, about 20 minutes. Wrap each one in plastic wrap or place in a plastic treat or sandwich bag.

Notes

  • Use a candy thermometer. To get the syrup mixture to the perfect candy-like texture that’s still chewy in this recipe for popcorn balls, use a candy thermometer. Attach the thermometer to the side of the pot, making sure the tip is submerged in the liquid and not touching the bottom or side of the pot. Bring the sugar, corn syrup, water, butter, and salt to a boil until it reaches 235º F on the thermometer, then turn off the heat and remove from the burner.
  • Carefully shape the balls. If the popcorn and syrup mixture is too hot to touch once combined, stir it a few more times and let it sit until it is cool enough to handle – but still warm. I also recommend wearing latex or nitrile food-safe gloves to shape the balls. They add some insulation from the warm syrup and also make clean-up much easier! Grease the gloves with butter or cooking spray before you start shaping.
  • Make colorful popcorn ball treats! Add a drop or two of liquid food coloring to the syrup mixture before drizzling over the popcorn to make balls that are festively colored for any occasion.
  • Add mix-ins. You can add sprinkles, chopped nuts, chopped dried fruit, mini M&Ms, or other candies for a pretty and flavorful addition to homemade popcorn balls. Once the syrup and popcorn are about halfway combined, add the mix-ins and continue stirring together until well coated.
  • Include marshmallows. Add a deliciously gooey, chewy texture similar to rice krispie treats to the popcorn ball recipe. Mix ¼ cup of mini marshmallows into the syrup mixture when you add the vanilla. Then coat the popcorn in the sweet marshmallow mixture until well combined.

Nutrition

Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 116IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.5mg