Easy Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
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If you’re a fan of salty and sweet, look do further than this perfect allergy friendly treat!
Popcorn is an easy go to snack for my kids, even my nut allergic child. It is such a pleasure to be able to grab a snack that I know is safe! Oftentimes, my kids get tired of the same old snacks. This easy popcorn ball recipe uses pantry staple and skips the corn syrup used in the well circulated recipes for popcorn balls on Pinterest.
How do you make popcorn balls from scratch?
Marshmallow popcorn balls are a simple and delicious snack that are easy to customize. You will find a lot of recipes that use corn syrup, but I am not interested in buying something that I will only use once. This recipe only uses pantry staples!
Here’s how to make my easy popcorn ball.
Ingredients:
Roughly 2 bags popped popcorn
10 oz marshmallows (mini melt faster, but any size works)
5 tbsp butter
3/4 tsp vanilla extract ( sub any extract you like)
1/4 tsp salt
Nonstick spray
Mix-ins
Instructions:
Pop all your popcorn as you chop your mix-ins into bite size pieces. Separate the mix-ins for each flavor that you intend to make (if making multiple) into separate mixing bowls.
Melt butter and marshmallows in a large pot - large enough to fit at least 10 cups of popcorn on top.
Once melted, add popcorn. Mix until completely coated. Add the popcorn slowly, you might need less popcorn than you popped. The big thing is to be sure that the popcorn is coated completely, not that you use all the popcorn that you popped.
Let it cool for 1-2 minutes. Then add some popcorn to each bowl of mix-ins.
Spray your hands with nonstick spray and start forming balls by hand. Start with the mix-ins that are unlikely to have melted, like Oreos or nuts, and finish with things like chocolate chips since those will likely get all over your hands and transfer to any popcorn balls you form next.
Depending on the size you make, this can make anywhere from 10-15 popcorn balls. These definitely taste best the day that they are made, but we ate them up to 3 days afterwards. I’ve read that you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to two weeks, but I have not tried it yet.
This recipe is very forgiving. I didn’t have mini marshmallows, so I used the jumbo ones that I had. I also eyeballed the measurements for marshmallows and butter. But, be warned that should you use too much butter, your popcorn balls might not stick together as well. The oil in the butter negates the stickiness of the mallows.
Like I mentioned, I love this allergy friendly snack - the version that I made was safe for my nut allergy son. However, if you are a big fan of nuts, that could be a fun mix-in to try! Another way to customize these marshmallow balls is for holidays. Here are some suggestions for mix-ins with notes for holiday focused customization.
Mix-ins for Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
Oreos
Chocolate chips (these will melt if you don’t allow mixture to cool)
Butterscotch chips
Chopped caramel (Fall flavor)
Graham cracks + chocolate (s’mores for Fall)
Freeze dried fruit (red, such as strawberries or raspberries, for Christmas or Valentines)
Cinnamon (Fall, Winter)
Pumpkin Spice (Thanksgiving)
Candy eyeballs (Halloween)
Peppermint extract (in place of vanilla, for Christmas)
Cookie dough chunks
Brownie chunks
Coconut
Chopped candy bars
Sprinkles
Easy Valentine Desserts
So many Valentine goodies are unsafe for people with food allergies. They often contain nuts or are produced on shared lines. This being the case, I am always on the lookout for fun treats that my food allergy child can freely consume. But, if you’re looking to spruce easy marshmallow popcorn balls up to serve as an easy Valentine’s Day dessert idea, try one of these ideas!
Add festive sprinkles
Pink, red, heart shaped, the options are endless! This is the easiest way to add some festive colors to your marshmallow popcorn balls!
Think of the traditional valentines flavors
For example, do a variety of chocolate covered strawberries. Pulverize freeze dried strawberries and mix into the popcorn ball. Then drizzle some melted chocolate on top using a Ziploc with a hole snipped in the side.
Mix up the extract
If you’re feeling refined, switch out the vanilla extract for rose extract.
