There’s something magically nostalgic about a good Christmas popcorn treat, and this Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe is just that — a festive, colorful snack that brings out smiles at every holiday gathering. Soft marshmallows, crunchy popcorn, and candy make it feel like a celebration in every bite.

There is a wooden plate filled with round popcorn balls, each made of light-colored popcorn mixed tightly with small red and green candy pieces and sprinkles, giving them a festive look. The popcorn balls are placed close together, showing their bumpy texture with the colorful candies spread evenly on each one. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with holiday decorations nearby, including red and black checkered cloth, pine cones, a white wooden stand with red snowflake designs, and a few green Christmas ornaments scattered around. 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 honestly look forward to making this Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe every year because it’s quick, fun, and instantly festive. It’s one of those recipes where everyone — kids and adults alike — can join in the fun without much fuss in the kitchen.

Simple to Make: You just need a few pantry staples and no fancy equipment.
Delightfully Festive: The red and green M&Ms and sprinkles add an irresistible holiday vibe.
Easy to Customize: You can switch out candies or add nuts to suit your family’s favorite flavors.
Great for Gifting: Wrapped up in cellophane, these popcorn balls make charming, homemade presents.

The image shows twelve round popcorn balls arranged closely on a round wooden board. Each popcorn ball has a light creamy color with colorful red and green candy pieces mixed evenly throughout, adding bright spots of color. The popcorn balls have a slightly bumpy texture from the popcorn and candies. Around the wooden board on a white marbled surface, there are scattered small marshmallows, red and green round candies, and tiny sprinkles. The background includes red and green Christmas ornaments and a cluster of berry-like decorations on branches, giving it a festive look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here are simple but intentional — each one plays its part in making these popcorn balls sweet, sticky, and festive. When shopping, I always grab the freshest popcorn kernels and quality marshmallows to get the best texture and flavor.

Flat lay of a small pile of shiny unpopped yellow popcorn kernels, a few cubes of pale yellow unsalted butter, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with soft miniature white marshmallows, a small white bowl holding bright red and green M&M candies, and another small white bowl with colorful festive 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: Fresh kernels pop crisp and fluffy, which creates the best base structure for the balls.
Unsalted butter: Adds rich flavor without overpowering and keeps the marshmallow mixture smooth.
Miniature marshmallows: These melt down perfectly to act as the sweet, sticky glue binding everything together.
Red and green M&M candies: They don’t just add pops of holiday color but a fun crunch when you bite in.
Festive sprinkles: For that extra cheerful holiday sparkle—perfect for bringing the party vibe.

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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

One of the things I love most about this Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe is how easy it is to put your own spin on it. I often swap out the candies depending on what’s on hand or add a pinch of cinnamon to the marshmallow mix for a warm holiday twist.

Variation: I once mixed in some crushed peppermint candies with the sprinkles for a cool minty crunch that was a hit with the family.
Dietary Modification: For a nutty twist, chopped toasted almonds blend in beautifully without overwhelming the rest of the flavors.
Color Theme: Swap the red and green M&Ms and sprinkles for blue and silver ones to adapt the recipe for other winter holidays.

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

Step 1: Pop the Perfect Popcorn

I usually pop the kernels on the stovetop with a little oil — it gives me perfect control to avoid burnt popcorn. Once popped, I carefully sift out unpopped kernels because biting into one is never fun during the holidays.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

In a large pot over medium-low heat, I slowly melt the butter, then toss in the miniature marshmallows. Stirring often is key here — I want them silky-smooth but definitely not scorched. I learned the hard way that rushing this step can give you burnt marshmallows and a bitter taste.

Step 3: Mix & Coat the Popcorn

Once the marshmallow mixture is ready, I quickly pour it over the popcorn, folding gently so every kernel gets coated but without squashing the popcorn too much. You want that fluffy texture inside your popcorn balls!

Step 4: Add the Festive Touches

After the popcorn cools just a bit, I fold in the red and green M&Ms and sprinkles with a rubber spatula. This part is so satisfying — seeing those bright colors peek through is a guaranteed mood lifter.

Step 5: Form Your Christmas Popcorn Balls

To prevent sticky fingers, I spray my hands with non-stick cooking spray before scooping about a cup of the mixture and gently pressing it into a ball shape. I keep the spray handy and reapply as needed because trust me, it makes the process way easier and less messy.

Step 6: Let Them Set

I let the popcorn balls cool completely at room temperature so they firm up just right before digging in. If you press M&Ms onto the outside right after shaping, they avoid melting from the warmth of your hands—something I recommend if you want those candies to stay crisp.

Top Tip

From my many holiday popcorn ball sessions, I've learned that handling the sticky marshmallow mixture is all about preparation and timing. These tips really make the experience enjoyable and your results beautiful.

Hands Spray Hack: Always keep that non-stick spray nearby and don’t be shy about respraying your hands often to keep things from sticking.
Don’t Rush Cooling: Let the popcorn balls set fully at room temp; cooling them too fast can make them crumbly.
Fold Gently: When mixing the marshmallows with popcorn, fold with care to preserve popcorn fluffiness.
Watch Your Heat: Melt marshmallows on low to avoid scorching, which affects flavor and texture.

How to Serve Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe

Christmas popcorn balls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and sprinkle extra festive sugars or tiny edible glitter on top for holiday sparkle. On occasion, I’ve pressed small candy canes or mini peppermint swirls on the outside, which adds a cool crunch and seasonal aroma.

Side Dishes

These popcorn balls pair wonderfully with hot cocoa or spiced cider, making for a cozy holiday snack spread that feels warm and inviting. I also like serving them alongside gingerbread cookies for a sweet, crunchy contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or party favors, wrap each ball individually in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon that matches your holiday colors. I’ve also arranged them in festive bowls or stacked them pyramid-style on a platter for a fun centerpiece everyone can nibble on.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep nicely for up to 5 days, staying soft yet holding their shape well. Just make sure to keep them away from moisture.

Freezing

Freezing popcorn balls isn’t something I’ve done often, but when I tried, wrapping each ball tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container worked well. Just thaw them at room temp before enjoying—they maintain their flavor but might lose a little crunch.

Reheating

Since these popcorn balls are best enjoyed as-is, I don't typically reheat them. If you prefer a softer texture, a few seconds in the microwave (about 10 seconds) helps soften without melting the candies too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use pre-popped popcorn for this recipe?

While you can use pre-popped popcorn, be sure it’s fresh and not stale. Also, pre-popped popcorn might be more fragile, so handle gently to prevent breaking when coating with marshmallow mixture.

How do I prevent the M&Ms from melting when forming popcorn balls?

Spraying your hands with non-stick cooking spray before shaping helps a lot. If candies do start to melt, try pressing a few M&Ms onto the outside of each ball immediately after forming to keep their shape and texture.

Can I make these popcorn balls ahead of time?

Yes! They actually hold up beautifully if made a day or two ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Just make sure they’re completely cool before storing to avoid sogginess.

What’s the best way to melt the marshmallows smoothly?

Always melt butter and marshmallows on medium-low heat and stir constantly. Removing from heat as soon as the marshmallows have melted helps prevent scorching and keeps the mixture silky smooth for coating the popcorn evenly.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe always reminds me of cozy holiday afternoons, surrounded by family chatter and festive tunes in the background. It’s simple, fun, and always brings a joyful sweetness to the season. I hope you’ll give it a try and enjoy making your celebrations a little tastier — it’s the kind of treat that creates warm memories every time.