Nothing says holiday cheer quite like crunchy, sweet, colorful treats — and this Christmas Popcorn Balls with M&Ms Recipe hits all those notes perfectly. These popcorn balls are a fun, festive snack that’s as delightful to eat as they are to make, especially when you get those cheerful red and green M&Ms nestled right inside.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've made lots of popcorn treats over the years, but this Christmas Popcorn Balls with M&Ms Recipe quickly became a holiday favorite. It’s perfect for kids and adults alike, blending that classic popcorn crunch with the gooey sweetness of marshmallows and the festive pop of color from M&Ms. Plus, it’s simple enough that you can make it while listening to your favorite holiday playlist.
- Easy to make: No complicated baking here, just melting marshmallows and mixing — anyone can do this successfully.
- Perfect festive pop: Those M&Ms bring a bright, seasonal touch with their red and green colors, making these popcorn balls party-ready.
- Great for gifting: Wrap these in cellophane with a ribbon and you’ve got an instant, homemade gift that everyone will appreciate.
- Versatile and fun: You can tweak the size, add different sprinkles, or even swap candies to suit your taste or occasion.
Ingredients & Why They Work
When you look at the ingredients, it’s a simple, classic combo, but each part plays a crucial role in creating those perfectly sticky, sweet popcorn balls that hold together while delivering a burst of flavor and texture.
- Unpopped popcorn kernels: Using kernels gives you the freshest popcorn and lets you avoid extra salt or oil. Just pop them your way—air popper or stovetop—and be sure to pick out any unpopped kernels.
- Unsalted butter: Melts smoothly and adds richness without overpowering the sweetness; unsalted helps you control the salt balance.
- Miniature marshmallows: The glue that binds it all together, melting into a smooth, sticky coating that makes the popcorn balls hold their shape.
- Red and green M&M candies: These add festive color and little pockets of chocolatey crunch that contrast beautifully with the soft marshmallow coating.
- Festive sprinkles: A sprinkle of holiday cheer and a fun textural contrast that makes the balls extra eye-catching.
Make It Your Way
I love how adaptable this Christmas Popcorn Balls with M&Ms Recipe is. You can easily switch up the candy or sprinkles to match other occasions, or even sneak in some extra flavors to surprise your guests.
- Variation: One year, I swapped the red and green M&Ms for white chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies—totally delicious and just as festive.
- Dietary tweak: If you or your guests are vegan, try using a plant-based butter substitute and vegan marshmallows to keep the fun going.
- Size matters: For parties, I like making smaller popcorn balls (about half a cup) so everyone can sample a few different snacks without getting too full.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Popcorn Balls with M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Pop Your Popcorn – Fresh and Fluffy
Start by popping your ½ cup of popcorn kernels using your favorite method—whether that’s a stovetop pot, air popper, or microwave. The key here is to get as many popped kernels as possible, but no worries if a few don’t pop. I always pick out those hard kernels before mixing everything, so no one ends up biting into anything unexpected.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows to Gooey Perfection
In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter. Once melted, toss in your 10-ounce bag of miniature marshmallows and stir often. It’s important to keep the heat medium-low and stir frequently to avoid scorching — you want a silky smooth marshmallow sauce that will coat the popcorn evenly without clumps.
Step 3: Combine and Coat Gently
Remove the pot from heat and immediately pour your marshmallow mixture over the popped popcorn. Gently fold and stir with a rubber spatula, making sure every piece is coated without smashing the popcorn too much. Let the mixture cool just a bit before moving on to the next step.
Step 4: Add the M&Ms and Sprinkles
Once the mixture has cooled slightly (so the M&Ms won’t completely melt), fold in 1 cup of red and green M&M candies and ⅓ cup of festive sprinkles. I like folding gently here to keep those candies intact, giving you pops of color and chocolate in every bite.
Step 5: Shape Your Christmas Popcorn Balls
Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Scoop about one cup of the popcorn mixture and gently press it into a ball shape. Don’t squeeze too hard—just enough to hold together. I keep the spray handy and reapply as needed because this step gets sticky fast! Depending on the size, you’ll get about 13 to 16 popcorn balls.
Step 6: Let Them Set
Place the popcorn balls on wax paper or a baking sheet and let them set at room temperature until completely cooled. This ensures they hold their shape instead of falling apart when you bite into them.
Top Tip
Over time, I’ve figured out a few tricks that help make these Christmas Popcorn Balls with M&Ms Recipe turn out perfectly every time—especially when it comes to handling the sticky marshmallow mix and keeping those colorful M&Ms looking their best.
- Keep the heat low: Melting marshmallows over medium-low heat reduces chances of burning and keeps the mixture silky smooth.
- Spray your hands generously: Don’t be shy! I learned the hard way that a good coating of non-stick spray on your hands makes shaping the balls so much easier and less sticky.
- Add M&Ms after cooling a tad: Incorporating the M&Ms when the marshmallow mixture is just slightly cooled prevents the colors from bleeding or the candy shells from melting.
- Use a rubber spatula: This tool helps fold the popcorn and candies without crushing the popcorn pieces into crumbs.
How to Serve Christmas Popcorn Balls with M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
For me, a quick dusting of extra festive sprinkles over the popcorn balls right after shaping adds a professional, sparkly touch. Sometimes I press a few extra M&Ms right onto the outside to catch the eye—it makes them so giftable and irresistible.
Side Dishes
I love pairing these popcorn balls with other easy snacks like hot cocoa or a simple cheese and fruit platter for holiday gatherings. Their sweetness is perfectly balanced by the fruity and savory bites on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
I once wrapped individual popcorn balls in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons — they made adorable stocking stuffers. Another time, I arranged them in a festive tin lined with holiday tissue paper for a party centerpiece that guests kept reaching for.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh for up to 5 days. Just make sure the container is sealed well so they don’t dry out or get sticky from humidity.
Freezing
In a pinch, I’ve frozen popcorn balls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in freezer bags. They thaw well at room temperature, but the texture softens a bit, so I usually make these fresh when I can.
Reheating
Because these are best eaten cool and chewy, I don’t recommend reheating popcorn balls. Just let them sit at room temperature if refrigerated and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can skip the M&Ms or swap them with other candies or nuts you prefer. Just add the extras after the marshmallow mixture cools slightly to keep everything intact.
To avoid melting, fold the M&Ms into the popcorn mixture when it’s warm but not hot. Also, spray your hands well and shape the balls quickly or press some M&Ms on the outside after shaping to preserve their shape.
Yes, pre-popped popcorn works as long as it’s plain (no butter or salt). Just make sure to remove any unpopped kernels and proceed the same way when coating with marshmallow mixture.
They stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. After that, the texture starts changing and they may become too hard or sticky.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Popcorn Balls with M&Ms Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions. It’s fun, festive, and a sweet little joy to make and share. I hope you have as much fun making it as I do, and that it brings smiles at your holiday parties or cozy nights in. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s a simple way to add some colorful magic to your season.
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Christmas Popcorn Balls with M&Ms Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully festive Christmas Popcorn Balls made with melted marshmallows, buttery popcorn, colorful M&M candies, and sprinkles. These sweet, handheld treats are perfect for holiday parties and gift-giving, combining crunchy popcorn with gooey marshmallow and a pop of holiday colors.
Ingredients
Popcorn
- ½ cup unpopped popcorn kernels
Marshmallow Mixture
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 10 ounce bag miniature marshmallows
Toppings
- 1 cup red and green M&M candies
- ⅓ cup festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn: Pop the ½ cup of unpopped popcorn kernels using your preferred method such as stovetop or air popper. Once popped, separate and discard any unpopped kernels, then transfer the popped popcorn into a large bowl.
- Melt butter and marshmallows: In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt ½ cup unsalted butter completely. Add 1 10 ounce bag of miniature marshmallows to the melted butter and stir frequently until the marshmallows are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Combine popcorn and marshmallow mixture: Remove the pot from heat and immediately pour the melted marshmallow and butter mixture over the popped popcorn. Gently stir with a spatula to ensure all the popcorn is evenly coated.
- Add candies and sprinkles: Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then fold in 1 cup of red and green M&M candies along with ⅓ cup of festive sprinkles using a rubber spatula for even distribution.
- Form popcorn balls: Spray your hands lightly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Scoop about one cup of the coated popcorn mixture and shape it into balls by gently pressing together. Reapply cooking spray as needed during the forming process.
- Set and serve: Place the formed popcorn balls onto a tray and let them cool at room temperature until completely set and firm, about 20 minutes. Serve or store as desired.
Notes
- Store popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Because the marshmallow mixture and warmth from your hands can cause the M&Ms to melt, press a few candies onto the outside of the balls immediately after shaping if you wish to keep them intact.
- The number of popcorn balls depends on size: using 1 cup per ball yields about 16 balls. Larger balls (around 3 inches) will make about 13.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popcorn ball
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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