Caramel Popcorn Balls
These Caramel Popcorn Balls combine fresh popcorn, caramel sauce, marshmallows, and dark chocolate. This easy snack is perfect to munch on when you need to satisfy those sweet and salty cravings!
Can you believe that Halloween is tomorrow? Where has the time gone? I feel like it was just yesterday that I was making all the summer goodies in my kitchen. And within the blink of an eye, we’re at the end of October.
Instead, let’s think happier thoughts and munch on these Caramel Popcorn Balls. This easy snack combines fresh popcorn, caramel sauce, marshmallows, and some chocolate. This sweet treat is perfect to snack on when you need to satisfy those sweet and salty cravings. After all, what goes better with popcorn than some caramel?
I will be the first to admit that I do not like those store-bought popcorn balls. They seem to pop up everywhere this time of year, and I always do my best to avoid them. Those popcorn balls have a different texture and taste. It’s hard to explain, but it just doesn’t taste like popcorn to me.
Ingredients in Caramel Popcorn Balls
These Caramel Popcorn Balls are nothing like the store-bought kind! With only five ingredients, you can control what goes into this treat and how it tastes. And let me tell you, these popcorn balls are oh-so good.
The caramel coating gives the popcorn a rich and delicious flavor. And because they’re served on a stick, you can having fun eating them, too!
Here’s what you’ll need to make these easy popcorn balls:
- Caramel sauce
- Popped popcorn
- Mini marshmallows
- Powdered sugar
- Chocolate chips
How to Make Popcorn Balls
Did I mention how easy these Caramel Popcorn Balls are to make? So easy, friends.
- Simply warm up some caramel sauce until it just begins to boil.
- Pour it over the popcorn and stir in some mini marshmallows and powdered sugar.
- Grease your hands with some cooking spray (a must if you don’t want sticky fingers) and form into about eight balls.
- Then drizzle some melted chocolate over the balls and let them set for a few minutes.
One bite and you’ll be hooked on these Caramel Popcorn Balls! It’s crunch, salty, sweet and the perfect treat to cure those snack (and Halloween) cravings!
How to Store Popcorn Balls
Store these homemade popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last up to 5 days (but they’re really best eaten the day they’re made).
Tips for Making Caramel Popcorn Balls
- I used my homemade salted caramel sauce to make these easy popcorn balls, but you can use any kind you’d like.
- I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use milk or dark if desired. Or, use a blend of chocolates!
- You can pop the popcorn yourself, or you can buy a bag of pre-popped popcorn at the store. Just make sure it’s not flavored!
Looking for more snack recipes? I’ve got you covered!
- Cookies and Cream Popcorn
- Rosemary Garlic Popcorn
- Garlic Ranch Pretzels
- Strawberry Yogurt Bites
- Coconut Caramel Snack Mix
- Caramel Apple Nachos
- Baked Zucchini Chips
Caramel Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
- ¾ cup caramel sauce
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- ½ cup mini marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips, , melted
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add in popcorn. Set aside.
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, heat caramel sauce until it starts to boil. Remove from heat and pour over popcorn. Let cool for about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in marshmallows and powdered sugar.
- Grease your hands using cooking spray and form mixture into 8 balls. Place onto parchment paper.
- Dip or drizzle each ball into melted chocolate. Let set until chocolate is hardened.
What a great idea, Gayle! They look so delicious and I’m sure they’d make a great treat for Halloween! 🙂
Thanks, Sina! I couldn’t get enough of the chocolate and caramel combo! 🙂
I’m all for a popcorn ball that doesn’t require a candy thermometer! These look so addictive! I’d love these with a giant cup of hot chocolate!
Yes! I don’t even own a candy thermometer, so these popcorn balls are perfect for me! 🙂
Does anyone know if marshmallows are necessary for holding balls together in this recipe, or just for added flavor?
Hi Theresa! The marshmallows definitely hold the balls together, plus add flavor, so they will probably not hold together if you skip the marshmallows. Thanks for stopping by and hope you like these if you try them!
Caramel popcorn is totally my HUGEST snack weakness this time of year so I’m totally all over these popcorn balls! Only problem I see is that I would not be able to stop eating these!
It was SO hard not to devour this entire batch, Sarah! Caramel popcorn is my weakness, too! 🙂
I can never say no to caramel corn! These are calling my name!
Thanks, Kelly!
I don’t even remember the last time I had a popcorn ball…maybe 12 at my friend’s halloween party! I’ve missed so much all these years! Thanks for sharing this fun recipe – love it!!
Thanks, Annie! It’s been so long since I had one too, so I couldn’t wait to make them this year! 🙂
Gayle, oh my gawd, I love this idea!!!! These would be great to hand out on Halloween or for any party!!! I love these popcorn balls!!!!
Thanks, Alice!
It has been forever since I’ve had a popcorn ball! These would be the perfect treat for a Halloween party! Caramel was a great choice!
Thank you, Jen! I can’t resist caramel anything! 🙂
These are such fun treats! This month flew by so quickly – I just got back from my son’s Halloween school party and we are hoping for good weather tomorrow when we go trick-or-treating. I love these popcorn balls – sweet and salty is the best!!
That will be so fun to go trick-or-treating, Kelly! It’s supposed to be cold and rainy here tomorrow, but I’m still looking forward to passing out candy! 🙂 Thanks for the popcorn love!
This sounds so delicious, perfect for an autumn movie night!
xx, Sofie
http://sofiecharlotte.com
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by, Sofie!
Caramel and chocolate popcorn balls? Yesssss! They’re even better on a stick!
Thanks, Rachelle!
That’s the snack of my dreams Gayle. Popcorn, chocolate and caramel? Doesn’t get much better. Can you believe I’ve never actually made popcorn balls though? And I have 3 kids. I think maybe they’re a little deprived! 🙂
This was my first time making them, so don’t feel too bad, Stacey! 🙂 I think your kids would definitely love these!
Store bought popcorn balls are the worst! I love that you made your own. Plus the addition of caramel is the best thing ever!
Thanks, Mariah! Caramel makes everything better! 🙂
these look so addictive, I won’t be able to stop at 1 or two or more! YUM!
It was SO hard not to eat these all, Manali! I’m a sucker for caramel popcorn! 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of store bought popcorn balls, either. I have never made my own, though! Love that these have marshmallows in them. I bet they give these a great texture!
Thanks, Michelle! These are almost like a popcorn version of rice krispie treats! 🙂
I love caramel popcorn! One of my favorite desserts! Perfect for Halloween!
Thanks, Kelley!
This recipe is absolutely perfect Gayle! I have such a sweet tooth, and I love anything with popcorn, so this delectable treat is something I can see myself getting so addicted to!!! I love the addition of marshmallows. Mmm! <3 I will definitely be making these over the weekend!
Thanks, Harriet! This is the perfect combination for a little sweet an salty. Hope you love these if you try them!
Oh wow it snowed there last halloween!! That’s crazy!!
These popcorn balls are just so fun! Perfect for the holidays! Have a great weekend Gayle!
Luckily there will be no snow tomorrow, so we’re safe this year! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, Ashley! Hope you have a great weekend, too!
Ewwww, snow?! We often have snow here on Halloween too. Luckily, this year we shouldn’t! I’m hoping I get a few more snowless weeks before it looks like a winter wonderland. These are so fun — sweet and salty is my favorite combination lately!
No snow here either for tomorrow! We’re above normal for temps right now, so hopefully it stays that way! Thanks for the popcorn love, Ashley!
I’ve always wanted to make popcorn balls and have yet to do it. I love the sweet and salty thing going on here, and yes to that chocolate drizzle! Forget about the Halloween candy — this is all I need right here. 🙂
Sweet and salty is one of my favorites, especially with a chocolate drizzle! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, Marcie!
Okay, I love this!! popcorn balls? What a great idea!
Thanks, Cathleen! It’s a fun treat to make and eat! 🙂
Salty-sweet combos are THE BEST! And since I’m in love with caramel corn (and chocolate, duh), I know I would adore these treats. So, so yum!
Thanks for the popcorn love, Blair!
Snow on Halloween seems so early in the year for snow! Last year it rained here in Halloween. I felt so bad for all the little kids trick-or-treating. They were all cold and wet when they would come to the door for candy. These popcorn balls look delicious!
It’s cold and rainy here today! I’m hoping it clears up soon because I have a giant bowl of candy and I don’t want to eat it all myself! 🙂
First of all, I hope you had a spook-tacular Halloween, Gayle! And I hope it didn’t snow! 😉 second, I’ve never seen popcorn balls before! Probably thankfully, since I’m sure the store ones are crap! These look fabulous and THIS is how I want to be introduced to them! The caramel sauce, marshmallows, and dark chocolate paired with popcorn sounds like a heavenly treat! And probably dangerous, because I can imagine one you ‘pop’ one of these into your mouth you can’t stop! Love it! Pinned! Cheers, lady! <3
Thank you, Cheyanne! It didn’t snow, but it was cold and rainy! I think you would love these popcorn balls…they’re so delicious to munch on! Hope you had a great weekend, friend!
I’ve never make popcorn balls, because I always buy them. And they don’t taste so good… It is time to make some and try your recipe Gayle! These look perfect!
Thanks, Mira! The homemade kind is definitely better than store bought! 🙂
I know, right? Time is just cruising by! And now it is November! I must be craving popcorn because my mouth is watering looking at these!
Thanks, Izzy!