Quick and easy mini popcorn balls that are perfect for any party. No boiling required, these popcorn balls are easy to make. Molded into mini popcorn balls with a paper straw to hold them, they are easy to give out as snacks and enjoy at the celebration.
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Mini Popcorn Balls
This sweet treat is an old-fashioned sweet snack that is nostalgic. A yummy snack just like M&M Popcorn Balls, Jell-O Popcorn snack, and Bunny Bait Easter Popcorn Snack
Made with butter, Jell-O, marshmallows, and popped popcorn, these popcorn balls have easy-to-find ingredients and are simple to make.
An Old-Fashioned Recipe
Popcorn balls are childhood treats frequently made by grandmothers and caretakers as a fun, sweet treat. When I made these for my kids, I couldn’t believe they had never had a popcorn ball. Well, that was something that had to be corrected. Just as I suspected, they loved them!
What You’ll Love about these Popcorn Balls
- They are easy to make with very few ingredients
- These are a fan favorite. Loved by kids and adults.
- Change the flavor and the color for any holiday event or celebration. Make them orange for Halloween Popcorn Balls, Pastel for Baby Shower Popcorn Balls or Easter, and Red and Blue for a Patriotic Popcorn Ball treat
Ingredients for Easy Popcorn Balls
- Popped popcorn – enough to fill up a large bowl, being careful to get rid of any UN-popped kernels
- Butter – Unsalted
- Mini Marshmallows
- Jell-O Gelatin – Any flavor and color
Equipment Needed
Disposable Kitchen Gloves – optional
Spray oil
How to Make Jell-O Mini Popcorn Balls
Step One
- Popcorn – Pop popcorn on your stovetop and pour it into a large bowl to keep popcorn kernels from getting into it. If they do, then you can try to remove them or transfer most of the popcorn from the top into another large bowl, leaving the kernels in the bottom.
- This is how I pop popcorn on my stovetop. Pour enough oil to cover my large pot about 1/2 inch deep. Then, pour enough kernels in to cover the bottom of the pan but still submerge in the oil. Place the lid onto the pan and heat the oil over medium-high heat. The popcorn will start popping pretty rapidly. Shake the pan to move the oil around and coat the kernels. Once the popping has slowed to a few seconds between pops, it is probably done. Remove it from heat.
Step Two
- Place butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high for 10-15 seconds or until butter is melted.
- Add marshmallows and cook on high for about 1&1/2 to 2 minutes or until the marshmallow is melted and puffed up.
Step Three
Add Jell-O to the marshmallow and stir until combined
Step Four
Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and toss until coated
Step Five
Using disposable kitchen gloves, spray them with spray oil and shape balls into small popcorn balls.
Set onto wax paper.
Cut paper straws in half and insert them into the middle of the popcorn balls.
Mold the popcorn around the straw.
Step Six
Wrap popcorn balls with clear wrap
Variations
You can mold popcorn balls with silicone molds or paper cups. Cut the paper cups away from the molded popcorn
Add candy like M&Ms or nuts to popcorn balls
Expert Tips
Spray hands with spray oil or put on disposable gloves and spray with spray oil before shaping popcorn balls
Use fresh popcorn. Make popcorn fresh for this recipe. I would not recommend using microwave popcorn for this recipe
Best if served on the same day
Make Ahead and Storage
These popcorn balls are best served on the day you make them, however:
You can make these popcorn balls ahead of time.
Cover with plastic wrap and store for up to five days at room temperature
FAQs
Wrapped popcorn balls can freeze them for up to two weeks. Thaw them at room temperature
Yes. Microwave the butter and marshmallows until the marshmallows are fluffy. Add the flavoring and pour over freshly popped popcorn to make popcorn balls.
More Sweet Treats You’ll Love
Let’s Hang Out
Printable Recipe for Popcorn Balls
Mini Jell-O Popcorn Balls
Equipment
- disposable kitchen gloves optional
- spray oil
- paper straws –
- plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 12 cups popped popcorn
- ¼ cup butter unsalted
- 10 oz. miniature marshmallows
- 3 oz. Jell-O Gelatin Add 1-2 oz. more for a stronger flavor
Instructions
- Popcorn – Pop popcorn and pour it into a large bowl trying to keep popcorn kernels from getting into the bowl. If they do, then you can try to remove them, or transfer most of the popcorn from the top into another large bowl leaving the kernels in the bottom
- Place butter into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cook on high for about 10-15 seconds or until butter is melted
- Add marshmallows and cook on high for about 1&1/2 to 2 minutes or until the marshmallow is melted and puffed up
- Add Jell-O to the marshmallow and stir until combined. If you have more Jell-O powder and want a stronger flavor, add more at this stage.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and toss until coated
- Using disposable kitchen gloves, spray them with spray oil, and shape balls into small popcorn balls
- Set onto wax paper
- Cut paper straws in half and insert them into the middle of the popcorn balls
- Mold the popcorn around the straw
Notes
Nutrition
~Melissa – KidFriendlyThingsToDo.Com
