Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
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Christmas popcorn balls add a playful touch to the season. They’re sweet, a little chewy, and always a hit with kids and adults. They work well for parties, casual movie nights, or as a simple homemade gift you can pack up and share.
Everyone adores the spooky-cute party popcorn balls I make every Halloween, so I knew I had to make a Christmas version.. These are so easy to make and so fun to decorate!
You only need a handful of pantry staples and about 25 minutes from start to finish, which makes it perfect for last-minute treats. Keep a batch at home or wrap a few individually for a homemade gift or stocking stuffer.
How to Make Christmas Popcorn Balls
Once the freshly popped corn is ready, pour the warm syrup over it and stir gently until everything starts to stick together. Mix in your candies or sprinkles, then shape the warm mixture into balls. Set them on a lined tray to cool, and they’ll be ready to enjoy.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Sugar
- Light corn syrup: Helps create the chewy texture and shiny coating.
- Butter: Use unsalted. You’ll also want a little extra for greasing your hands when shaping the balls.
- Water
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Popped popcorn: Freshly popped is ideal, but lightly salted bagged popcorn works just fine.
Festive mix-in ideas:
- Red and green M&M’s (in recipe)
- Christmas sprinkles (in recipe)
- Red and green mini gummy bears (fun for kids!)
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed candy canes or peppermint bits
- White chocolate chips
- Crushed pretzels for a sweet-salty twist
- Dried cranberries or chopped dried cherries
- Chopped nuts like almonds or pecans
- Mini peanut butter cups or chocolate chunks
- Toffee bits or caramel bits
- Shredded coconut
- Mini gold or silver candy pearls
Step-By-Step Instructions
Turning plain popcorn into Christmas popcorn balls has a hands-on charm to it. The syrup thickens on the stove, the popcorn gets coated, and before long you’re shaping fun and festive little rounds. Follow the steps below and you’ll have a batch ready before you know it.
Step 1: Make the syrup
Combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, water, and salt to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat while stirring until the mixture reaches a steady boil. Stop stirring and continue cooking until it reaches 270 F on a candy thermometer.
Step 2: Add the vanilla
Take the pan off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Step 3: Coat the popcorn
Carefully pour the hot syrup over the warm popcorn. Use a fork or spatula to mix until the popcorn is evenly coated.
Step 4: Add the Christmas mix-ins
Let the coated popcorn cool for a moment, then mix in 1 cup of red and green M&Ms and ¼ cup of Christmas sprinkles. Mix until combined.
Step 5: Shape into balls
Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, grease your hands lightly with butter and shape the popcorn into balls.
Substitutions
- Flavoring: Swap the vanilla with peppermint or almond extract.
- Popcorn: Kettle corn works, but slightly reduce the sugar in the syrup.
Expert Tips
- Split the batch if needed: If you’re making a large amount, coat the popcorn in two rounds. This helps the syrup spread evenly.
- Work quickly: The mixture firms up as it cools, so shape the popcorn while it’s still warm and easy to handle.
- Add mix-ins at the right moment: Let the popcorn mixture cool briefly before adding candies or sprinkles so they stay bright and don’t melt.
- Package for gifting: After the popcorn balls cool, wrap each one in clear cellophane or parchment and tie with a simple ribbon for a cute homemade treat.
- Make them easy to grab: Add a lollipop stick or a peppermint stick to each one. They’re great for parties, school events, and movie nights.
- Don’t pack too tightly: Press the popcorn together gently. Too much pressure can make the balls firm instead of pleasantly soft and chewy.
How to Store This Recipe
Let the popcorn balls cool, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap or parchment and place them in an airtight container. They keep well at room temperature for about 5 days as long as they’re stored away from heat and moisture.
How to Serve Christmas Popcorn Balls
Enjoy these holiday popcorn balls with cozy drinks like peppermint hot chocolate, apple cider cocktail, or a warm seasonal coffee. You can also add them to a snack or dessert board alongside Christmas cookies, fudge, or other small treats to make a fun centerpiece for gatherings.
More Easy Holiday Treats To Try
Fun Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup butter
- ⅓ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 cups popped popcorn keep warm in a large bowl in a 250 °F oven
Festive mix-in ideas:
- red and green M&M’s in recipe
- Christmas sprinkles in recipe
- crushed candy canes or peppermint bits
- mini marshmallows
- white chocolate chips
- Crushed pretzels for a sweet-salty twist
- Dried cranberries or chopped dried cherries
- Mini peanut butter cups or chocolate chunks
- Toffee bits or caramel bits
- Red and green mini gummy bears fun for kids!
- Chopped nuts like almonds or pecans
- Shredded coconut
- Mini gold or silver candy pearls
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, water, and salt to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat while stirring until the mixture reaches a steady boil. Stop stirring and continue cooking until it reaches 250 °F on a candy thermometer.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Carefully pour the hot syrup over the warm popcorn. Use a fork or spatula to mix until the popcorn is evenly coated.
- Let the coated popcorn cool for a moment, then mix in 1 cup of red and green M&Ms and ¼ cup of Christmas sprinkles. Mix until combined.
- Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, grease your hands lightly with butter and shape the popcorn into balls.
Notes
- If you’re making a large batch, coat the popcorn in two rounds so the syrup spreads evenly.
- Shape the popcorn while it’s still warm, since the mixture firms up as it cools.
- Let the mixture cool briefly before adding candies or sprinkles so they stay bright and don’t melt.
- Once the popcorn balls are cool, wrap each one in clear cellophane or parchment and tie with a simple ribbon for gifting.
- Add a lollipop stick or peppermint stick to make them easy to grab at parties, school events, or movie nights.
- Press the popcorn together gently so it holds its shape without becoming too firm.
