There’s something utterly nostalgic and festive about these sweet, colorful treats. This Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe turns simple popcorn into a holiday showstopper—perfectly gooey, with a crunchy, candy-studded twist that kids and adults alike adore.

The image shows a wooden plate filled with round popcorn balls that have three layers of visible colors: the main layer is light cream popcorn, the second layer has small round candies in bright red and green, and the third layer includes tiny green and red sprinkles spread all over the popcorn balls. The popcorn balls are unevenly shaped but tightly packed, and the background has a white marbled texture with green ornaments and festive decorations in soft focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made popcorn balls for years, but this Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe is special—it’s festive, easy, and packed with delightful pops of color and texture that brighten any gathering. Plus, it’s a recipe that gets everyone involved, from kids rolling balls to adults sneaking a taste.

Simple ingredients: You probably have everything on hand already, which makes whipping these up less of a chore and more of a joy.
Festive colors: The red and green M&Ms and sprinkles make these popcorn balls visually stunning and perfectly in sync with holiday spirit.
Perfect texture: Chewy marshmallow binds the popcorn just right, without being too sticky or hard—just the way popcorn balls should be.
Great for gifting: These hold up well wrapped in cellophane tied with a festive ribbon—everyone loves them as a homemade holiday gift.

There are fourteen round popcorn balls placed on a round wooden board. Each ball has a white and slightly shiny popcorn base mixed with small red and green candy pieces and some colorful sprinkles. Around the board on a white marbled surface, there are small white marshmallows, red, green, and gold Christmas baubles, and some loose red, green, and white candy pieces scattered. To the left, there is a branch with red and dark purple berries and part of a black and white checked cloth is visible at the bottom left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is straightforward, using ingredients that play off each other to create a balance of sweetness, chewiness, and crunch. Using miniature marshmallows ensures a smooth, easy melt, and the popcorn gives you that light, airy base. M&Ms and sprinkles add bursts of festive color and texture, making these popcorn balls fun to eat and look at!

Flat lay of half a cup of unpopped popcorn kernels, a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with miniature white marshmallows, a small white ceramic bowl holding red and green M&M candies, and a small white ceramic bowl containing festive multicolored sprinkles, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Popcorn kernels: Using unpopped kernels lets you control the size and crispness; just watch out for any unpopped ones when mixing.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness without extra salt, letting the sweet flavors shine.
Miniature marshmallows: Melt easily for a smooth coating and chewy texture.
Red and green M&M candies: These add festive color and a sweet chocolate crunch, making your popcorn balls pop visually and taste-wise.
Festive sprinkles: A sprinkle of extra holiday magic—adds crunch and charm.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe depending on the occasion or who I’m sharing with. Sometimes I add chopped nuts for extra crunch or swap in white chocolate chips for a different sweet note. Feel free to make it your own—popcorn balls are incredibly flexible!

Variation: Adding cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the melted marshmallow mix gives a cozy twist that’s perfect for winter evenings.
Dietary modification: Use dairy-free butter and marshmallows to make this vegan-friendly without losing that chewy goodness.
Easier handling: Chill the marshmallow mixture briefly before mixing in the popcorn to avoid melted M&Ms, which can also be pressed on after shaping.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe

Step 1: Pop Your Popcorn & Prep Your Station

Pop the kernels using an air popper, stovetop, or your preferred method. One quick tip is to carefully pick out any unpopped kernels once it’s done—that surprise crunch when biting down on a kernel can be rough! Set the popped popcorn aside in a big mixing bowl, and have your butter, marshmallows, and candy ready nearby so the melting goes quickly once you start.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter gently—it shouldn’t brown or burn. Once it’s fully melted, toss in the miniature marshmallows and stir often. This step is the key to getting a smooth, velvety coating. When the marshmallows are completely melted and silky—no lumps!—remove the pot from heat right away so you don’t overcook them.

Step 3: Combine Popcorn and Marshmallow Mixture

Pour the luscious marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Gently stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, folding the popcorn so every kernel gets a glossy coating. Don’t rush or mash—light and gentle ensures the balls will stay airy and not overly dense.

Step 4: Add Your Festive Mix-Ins

Once the popcorn is evenly coated and has cooled slightly (just warm to the touch to avoid melting candies), fold in the red and green M&Ms along with the festive sprinkles. This part is where your Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe really shines—so colorful and fun!

Step 5: Form the Balls

Spray your hands generously with non-stick cooking spray to keep the sticky marshmallow mixture at bay. Grab about one cup of mixture at a time and gently press into balls. If the mix sticks too much or your candies start melting, spray your hands again. You can also lightly warm the mixture to make it more pliable if needed.

Step 6: Let Them Set

Place the popcorn balls on wax paper or a nonstick surface and let them cool completely at room temperature—this usually takes about an hour. Once firm, they’re ready to be enjoyed or wrapped up for gifting!

Top Tip

Making Christmas Popcorn Balls has been a holiday tradition for me, and over time, I've picked up a few tricks that make the process smoother and more foolproof.

Use Fresh Popcorn: Freshly popped popcorn is lighter and fluffier, which makes forming cleaner, fluffier balls.
Don’t Skip the Cooking Spray: Sticky hands can turn this from fun to frustrating quickly. I keep my spray handy and reapply generously.
Cool Slightly Before Adding M&Ms: Adding candy while the marshmallow mixture is too hot causes melting, so give it a moment to cool down.
Press Candies on the Outside: If your M&Ms do melt while forming balls, press extra candies onto the outside once shaped for a perfect finish.

How to Serve Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe

Christmas Popcorn Balls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like sprinkling just a few extra festive sprinkles on top of the popcorn balls once they've set for a little extra sparkle. Sometimes, I tuck in a peppermint stick nearby as a garnish for a cooling contrast—plus it adds to the holiday vibe!

Side Dishes

These popcorn balls pair nicely with a hot chocolate bar or warm apple cider to balance their sweetness. For parties, I serve them alongside savory cheese platters and nuts to provide a salty contrast that guests appreciate.

Creative Ways to Present

Over the years, I've wrapped individual popcorn balls in clear cellophane tied with colorful ribbon for easy gifting. I’ve also arranged them in holiday-themed bowls or stacked them on tiered dessert trays for parties—both instantly festive and inviting!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps them perfectly chewy for up to five days. I usually line the container with wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.

Freezing

If you want to save them longer, popcorn balls freeze well! Wrap each ball tightly in plastic wrap then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature for a few hours—still delicious without losing texture.

Reheating

Popcorn balls are best enjoyed at room temperature, but if they feel a bit hard, I gently warm them in the microwave for 5–7 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat or they’ll get too sticky and lose shape.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use pre-popped microwave popcorn instead of popping kernels?

While you can, I recommend using fresh popcorn popped from kernels because pre-popped bags may contain added oils or salt that can affect the texture and flavor of your popcorn balls. Fresh popped popcorn also clumps better when coated with marshmallow mixture.

How do I prevent my M&M’s from melting?

The key is to wait a few minutes for the marshmallow mixture to cool slightly before folding in the candies. Also, spraying your hands and gently pressing the M&Ms onto the outside of the balls after forming helps maintain their shape and color without melting.

Can I make these gluten-free or vegan?

Yes! For gluten-free, ensure your popcorn and sprinkles are certified gluten-free. To make them vegan, substitute butter with a plant-based variety and use vegan marshmallows, which are available at many health food stores.

How should I store leftover popcorn balls?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to preserve freshness and chewiness. You can also freeze them individually wrapped and thaw before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe brings back such vivid memories of holidays past—joyful messes in the kitchen, kids’ laughter as they roll the balls, and that rewarding sweet treat everyone can’t wait to try. I genuinely hope you enjoy making these as much as I do, and that they brighten your holiday celebrations with every colorful, crunchy bite.