Indulge in the joy of crafting with your little ones by creating these delightful Homemade Popcorn Balls. Perfect for family movie nights or festive occasions, these sweet treats are quick and easy to make, turning ordinary popcorn into a golden ticket of deliciousness.

Easy Popcorn Balls.

Offer my kiddos popcorn, and they think they’ve won the golden ticket.

Prepopped popcorn makes crafting fun.

Especially if the popcorn itself is plump and fluffy!

We love this recipe with salted popcorn, but plain might be the option for you.

Homemade Popcorn Balls

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12 popcorn balls
Cuisine: American

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (400g) sugar
• 1 1/3 cups (320ml) water
• 1/2 cup (120ml) light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Candy Flavoring to taste (optional)
• 18 cups (about 432g) popped corn

Expanded Ingredients:

For added flavor and creativity, consider trying different candy flavorings or mixing in fun additions like chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed nuts.

How to Make Homemade Popcorn Balls

1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, syrup, vinegar, and salt.
2. Cook over high heat until the mixture reaches 255 degrees F (hard-ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
3. Add vanilla and candy flavoring to achieve the desired taste (optional).
4. Line a large flat surface with greased aluminum foil.
5. Spread the popped corn on the greased aluminum foil in a flat bed.
6. Pour the syrup mixture over the popped corn, tossing gently with a spoon to ensure even coating.
7. Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, use lightly greased hands to press the popcorn into 3-inch balls.
8. Cool completely on waxed paper.

Expert Tips:

• Experiment with different candy flavorings to customize the taste of your popcorn balls.
• Consider mixing in chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed nuts for added creativity before forming the balls.
• Use a greased spoon to avoid sticking when tossing the popcorn with the syrup mixture.
• Read our Quick Tips for Making Great Popcorn

You may also like Piggy Popcorn, which uses this recipe plus bacon!

I cooked bacon, cut it into small pieces, and mixed it with the popcorn.

I added a tablespoon of bacon fat to the hot sugar mixture poured over the popcorn that was flat on a baking sheet and let it sit until cooled (you can make popcorn balls with it instead).

I finished mine by adding the mixture to popcorn boxes with a strip of crispy bacon as garnish. 

Recipe FAQs:

Q: Can I use plain popcorn instead of salted? A: Yes, you can opt for plain popcorn if you prefer a less salty taste. The recipe is versatile and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences.

Q: How long do these popcorn balls stay fresh? A: When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these popcorn balls can stay fresh for up to one week.