There’s something magical about the smell of buttery popcorn mixed with sweet marshmallows and festive colors that just screams holiday cheer. This Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe brings that cozy feeling right into your kitchen and makes for a fun, crunchy treat that’s perfect for sharing (or sneaking). Trust me, once you make these, they’ll quickly become a holiday tradition.

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 Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Every year, I look forward to making these popcorn balls with friends or family because they’re simple, festive, and absolutely delicious. The perfect balance of gooey marshmallows coating every kernel, plus the colorful M&Ms and sprinkles make them extra joyful to eat and gift.

Easy to Make: This recipe doesn’t need any fancy equipment or complicated techniques, perfect for holiday baking newbies.
Customizable Fun: You can swap out sprinkles or candy for your favorites, making each batch uniquely yours.
Great Gift Idea: These popcorn balls make charming, homemade gifts for neighbors, coworkers, or your kid’s holiday party.
No-Bake Convenience: Skip the oven and still get a deliciously sticky, crisp treat everyone will love.

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

Each ingredient in this Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe has a purpose, combining to give you that perfect chewy, crunchy, and colorful holiday snack. When shopping, it’s best to grab fresh popcorn kernels and quality marshmallows for the best melt and texture.

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: Popping your own popcorn lets you control freshness and avoid any pre-popped oils that can make the balls soggy.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness without overpowering sweetness and helps the marshmallows melt smoothly.
Miniature marshmallows: These melt faster than large ones, binding the popcorn gently without becoming too sticky.
Red and green M&M candies: Classic festive colors that add a fun crunch and sweet bursts, making the popcorn balls look and taste like the season.
Festive sprinkles: A final pop of holiday cheer, sprinkles add visual interest and a little extra sweetness.

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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 to add a little sea salt on top before the mixture cools to give a hit of contrast to all that sweetness. You can tailor this recipe by switching up candies or adjusting the size of your popcorn balls to fit your crowd or mood. It’s your party snack canvas!

Variation: One year I swapped out the M&Ms for chopped festive-themed candy canes. It added a cool minty surprise that was a hit at my family party.
Dietary tweak: If you want a vegan option, use a dairy-free butter and look for vegan marshmallows—easy swaps that still get you that sticky, sweet result.

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

Step 1: Pop the Perfect Batch

Start by popping your popcorn kernels—whether it’s on the stovetop, in an air popper, or microwave—you want fluffy popped corn without too many unpopped kernels. Separate any unpopped kernels so nobody bites a hard surprise later. Spread the popped corn in a large bowl and set aside.

Step 2: Melt the Magic Mix

In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the unsalted butter until it’s fully liquid. Then toss in the miniature marshmallows. Stir frequently with a heat-resistant spatula to help the marshmallows melt smoothly without burning at the bottom. The marshmallow mixture should be glossy and pourable—this will coat the popcorn perfectly!

Step 3: Coat and Color

Remove the pot from heat and immediately pour the melted marshmallow mixture over your popped popcorn. Gently stir until every kernel is coated. Once it’s not too hot to touch but still pliable, fold in your red and green M&Ms and sprinkles so the colors distribute nicely without melting too much.

Step 4: Shape and Chill

Spray your hands lightly with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Scoop about a cup of the popcorn mixture and press gently to shape into balls. Don’t squish too hard—just enough to hold together. Place on a parchment-lined tray and let the balls sit at room temperature until fully cooled and firm.

Top Tip

Having made these popcorn balls multiple times now, I’ve learned a few simple tricks that really lift the experience and final texture.

Steady Low Heat: Melting marshmallows too quickly or on high heat can cause burning or clumps, so keep your heat gentle.
Non-Stick Hands: Keep that cooking spray handy! I always re-spray between forming balls to keep the mixture from sticking to my fingers.
Add Candies at the End: Fold in chocolates and sprinkles off the heat to preserve their shape and prevent melting.
Quick Cooling Spot: Leave your formed popcorn balls on parchment or a silicone mat so they don’t stick to surfaces as they cool and set.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe

Christmas Popcorn Balls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For extra festive flair, I often press a few extra red and green M&Ms onto the surface of each popcorn ball right after shaping. It not only looks pretty but gives a perfect chocolate burst with every bite.

Side Dishes

These popcorn balls pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced cider or hot cocoa. They also make a wonderful sweet contrast on dessert tables next to gingerbread cookies and other holiday treats.

Creative Ways to Present

Try wrapping individual popcorn balls in clear cellophane tied with a festive ribbon for charming gifts or party favors. Or arrange them on a holiday platter with some evergreen sprigs and fairy lights—the colors just pop beautifully!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh for up to five days—perfect if you want to batch prep before holiday parties.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t my go-to because the texture can suffer, but if you must, wrap each popcorn ball tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temp before serving for best results.

Reheating

Popcorn balls are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so I typically don’t reheat them. If you want to soften them a little, a few seconds in the microwave can help, but watch closely to avoid melting the candy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use pre-popped popcorn for this recipe?

You can use pre-popped popcorn, but be sure it's fresh and not oily or buttered, as that can cause the popcorn balls to become greasy or soggy. Popping your own kernels ensures the best texture and flavor.

How do I prevent the M&Ms from melting?

To minimize melting, add the M&Ms and sprinkles after you remove the marshmallow mixture from heat. Also, try folding them in gently and not mixing too vigorously. Pressing a few candies onto the outside of the popcorn balls immediately after shaping can also help keep their shape.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Popcorn itself is naturally gluten-free, and most miniature marshmallows and M&Ms are gluten-free as well. Just be sure to double-check ingredient labels to be certain, especially with sprinkles, which sometimes contain gluten.

How big should I make the popcorn balls?

I usually make mine around 3 inches in diameter, using about one cup of the popcorn mixture per ball. This size is easy to hold and share. However, you can adjust depending on your preference—smaller balls make great bite-sized snacks, while larger ones are more filling.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Popcorn Balls Recipe has been a heartwarming part of my holiday season for years, bringing family and friends together around something simple but joyful. It’s not just a treat, it’s a little celebration in every bite. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do—it’s one of those recipes that feels like a hug in food form.