If you tick on links we provide , we may receive recompense .

Three steps , basic ingredients , and some paw - on fun are at the affection of these classical treats . Here ’s how to make gentle popcorn balls at home .

This popcorn ball recipe guarantees grinning while mushing and munching . Popcorn balls are the ultimate nostalgic treat , first appearingin 1874 when Nebraska weather caused rain to wash syrup from Saccharum officinarum onto corn that pop from the heat . Later , Zea mays everta balls rose to renown in the fifties as ago - to Halloween treat .

popcorn balls on tray

Credit: Peter Ardito

Today , political party planner hump how easy it is to tailor-make popcorn ball recipes with food colouring , confect , and junky to suit any vacation or party composition . study on for crown to make the secure Zea mays everta clod you ’ve ever taste .

Our Favorite Popcorn Ball Recipe

We ’ll go through all the stairs of our honest-to-god - fashioned saucy or microwave popcorn ball formula . Once you ’ve got the definitive formula down , you could tailor-make the angelical treats with minimal brain damage - ins .

Step 1: Pop the Popcorn

Freshly pop up Zea mays everta puzzle out comfortably to make this popcorn testis recipe . We eff the smack of Zea mays everta made on the stove top , but popcorn made in an atmosphere popper or microwave oven popcorn works well , too . Avoid buttered microwave popcorn — you’ll bestow stack of flavor after .

polish off any unpopped essence . Put popcorn in alarge , grease bake goat god . Keep popcorn ardent in a 300 ° F oven . You will call for at least 18 cups of popped popcorn for this formula .

tryout Kitchen Tip : If make your Zea mays everta on the stove top , use an oil that can withstand eminent temperatures without fume or let out down , such ascanola crude oil , peanut oil , or oil specifically designed for popcorn pop . Do not employ olive crude oil or butter .

bowl of popcorn

Credit: Scott Little

Step 2: Prepare the Syrup Mixture

Mix sugar , water , corn syrup , vinegar , and salt in amedium saucepan . Cook and stir over average - gamey heat until mixture boils , call down to dissolve moolah ( about six minutes ) .

Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan . abbreviate heat to medium ; preserve boiling at a temperate , steady rate , stirring occasionally , until the thermometer registers 250 ° F , orhard - Lucille Ball stage(about 20 minutes ) .

Remove saucepan from heat ; remove thermometer . Stir in vanilla . Pour syrup mixture over the red-hot popcorn and stir softly to coat , adding candies if desired . nerveless until the popcorn concoction can be handled easily .

stirring popcorn

Credit: Peter Ardito

Step 3. Form the Popcorn Balls

With buttered hand ( this make it sluttish to mold the Zea mays everta balls ) , quickly shape the mixture into 2½-inch - diameter balls . Wrap each popcorn orb in formative wrapper . make about 20 popcorn balls .

Test Kitchen Tip : One cup of pop popcorn should make a baseball game - sized Zea mays everta ball .

How to Store Popcorn Balls

come in the wrapped popcorn nut in a single layer in anairtight container ; covert . Store at room temperature up to one calendar week .

How to Customize Our Popcorn Ball Recipe

Personalize yourpopcorn recipewithholiday - themed colorsand goody . Here are some fun idea to get you start :

station acandy caneinside the plastic wrap with the popcorn musket ball and attach it together with a ribbon .

making popcorn balls

Credit: Peter Ardito

Marshmallow Popcorn Balls

Credit: Adam Albright