Ingredients
- ▢½ cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- ▢½ cup unsalted butter
- ▢1 10-ounce bag miniature marshmallows
- ▢1 cup red and green M&M candies
- ▢⅓ cup festive sprinkles
Instructions
- pop the popcorn
Start by popping your popcorn kernels. Use your preferred method, whether it’s stovetop popping, an air popper, or microwave popcorn (just make sure it’s unflavored). After popping, separate any unpopped kernels to ensure they don’t sneak into your popcorn balls. - melt the marshmallow mixture
In a large pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Once fully melted, add the miniature marshmallows. Stir frequently to prevent burning, heating until the marshmallows melt into a smooth, velvety consistency. - combine the popcorn and marshmallow mixture
Remove the melted marshmallow mixture from the heat and pour it evenly over the popped popcorn. Using a spatula, gently stir the popcorn to coat every kernel in the sticky sweetness. - fold in the candies and sprinkles
Allow the mixture to cool slightly before folding in the M&M candies and sprinkles. This step adds pops of color and a crunchy, chocolatey contrast to the chewy popcorn base. Be gentle to avoid crushing the candies. - form the popcorn balls
Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Scoop about one cup of the coated popcorn mixture and press it gently into a ball. Repeat until all the mixture is used. If the mixture starts sticking to your hands, reapply the cooking spray. - cool and set
Place the formed popcorn balls on a parchment-lined tray and let them cool at room temperature until fully set. Once hardened, they’re ready to enjoy!
Notes
- avoid melting candies: The marshmallow mixture’s warmth might melt the M&Ms slightly. To prevent this, press the candies onto the outside of the popcorn balls after shaping them.
- size matters: The recipe yields around 16 popcorn balls if each ball contains about 1 cup of the mixture. For larger popcorn balls, expect a slightly smaller yield.
- non-stick tools: Keep a small bowl of water nearby to lightly wet your hands if you prefer not to use cooking spray.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes