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Halloween Popcorn Balls: Easy Candy Eyeball Treats

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These Halloween popcorn balls are the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy, with a creepy-cute factor that kids and adults absolutely love. They are surprisingly simple to put together, making them a lifesaver when hosting a party.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 10 ounces mini marshmallows (about 5 1/2 cups)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • 1/2 cup candy eyeballs
  • Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Prep your popcorn (5 minutes): Pop your popcorn however you like. I use 1/2 cup of kernels in a bit of oil on the stove. Shake the pot constantly to prevent burning. Once the popping slows down, take it off the heat. Pour the popcorn into your large mixing bowl. Pick out any unpopped kernels—they are a dental hazard. Set the bowl aside.
  2. Melt the butter (2 minutes): In your large pot, melt the 1/2 cup of butter over medium-low heat. Do not rush this. You want it melted but not bubbling or browning. If it browns, it will change the flavor. Swirl the pot to help it melt evenly.
  3. Add the marshmallows (5 minutes): Pour the 10 ounces of mini marshmallows into the melted butter. Stir constantly with your silicone spatula. Keep the heat on low. The marshmallows will puff up and then slowly melt down. Be patient. It takes about 5 minutes. You are looking for a smooth, glossy, completely melted mixture. No lumps allowed.
  4. Season the mixture (1 minute): Once the marshmallows are smooth, take the pot off the heat. Immediately stir in the 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt and the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (if using). Stir until everything is combined. The salt will dissolve into the hot mixture.
  5. Combine with popcorn (2 minutes): Pour the hot marshmallow mixture over the popcorn in the bowl. Use your spatula to gently fold it together. Work from the bottom up. You want every kernel to get a little bit of the sticky coating. It will look stringy at first—that’s normal. Keep folding until it is evenly distributed.
  6. Add the candy eyeballs (1 minute): Sprinkle in 1/2 cup of candy eyeballs. Fold them in gently. You don’t want them all to sink to the bottom. Try to distribute them as evenly as possible. Reserve a few to press onto the outside of the balls later.
  7. Shape the balls (10 minutes): This is the crucial part. Spray your hands generously with non-stick cooking spray. While the mixture is still warm (but not burning hot), grab a handful and gently squeeze it into a ball shape. It should be about the size of a tennis ball. Don’t squeeze too hard, or you will get dense, hard balls. You want them to be light and airy. Place each ball on a sheet of wax paper. Repeat until you have used all the mixture. You should get about 12-14 balls.
  8. Decorate and set (15 minutes): While the balls are still slightly tacky, press a few extra candy eyeballs onto the surface for a fun, spooky look. Let them cool completely on the wax paper. They will set up in about 15 minutes. Do not put them in the fridge—the condensation will make them sticky.

Notes

Use fresh marshmallows for best results. Work quickly as the marshmallow mixture sets up fast. If the mixture gets too stiff while shaping, microwave for 10 seconds to soften. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween popcorn balls, candy eyeball treats, easy Halloween dessert, popcorn balls recipe, spooky treats

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