Go Back
The popcorn balls cool completely on the white marble cooktop, ready to be wrapped individually in plastic wrap for storage. The golden, crispy popcorn balls are perfectly formed and ready to enjoy.

Popcorn Balls Recipe

This classic American popcorn ball recipe combines sweet and salty flavors for a delicious and portable treat. It’s perfect for parties, movie nights, or anytime you need a sweet snack!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 181 kcal

Equipment

  • Large roasting pan or microwave-safe bowl
  • Heavy 2-quart saucepan
  • Plastic bags (for shaping)
  • Cooking spray

Ingredients
  

  • 12 cups popped popcorn
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ½ cup Karo light or dark corn syrup
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter or margarine
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract such as Spice Islands
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

Instructions
 

  • Preheat and warm popcorn: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Spray a large roasting pan with cooking spray and add the popped popcorn to the pan. Warm in the oven for about 5 minutes. (Alternatively, you can warm the popcorn in a large microwave-safe bowl on High for 1-2 minutes.)
    A large roasting pan, sprayed with cooking spray, is filled with popped popcorn on the white marble cooktop. The oven is preheated to 300°F (150°C), and the pan is ready to be placed inside to warm for 5 minutes.
  • Prepare caramel coating: In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup unsalted butter (or margarine), and ½ teaspoon salt. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and allow it to boil for 2 minutes.
    A heavy 2-quart saucepan sits on the white marble cooktop as sugar, corn syrup, unsalted butter, and salt are stirred together. The mixture is boiling gently over medium heat, with a spoon stirring constantly to combine the ingredients for 2 minutes.
  • Add vanilla and baking soda: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon baking soda. The mixture will foam up slightly.
  • Coat popcorn: Pour the caramel mixture over the warm popcorn, stirring well to coat evenly.
    The caramel mixture is poured over the warm popcorn in the roasting pan, with a large spoon stirring to ensure each piece is evenly coated in the golden caramel.
  • Shape into balls: Cover your hands with two plastic bags and spray them lightly with cooking spray. Quickly shape the coated popcorn into twelve 3-inch balls, pressing gently to hold the shape.
    Hands covered in two plastic bags, lightly sprayed with cooking spray, gently press the caramel-coated popcorn into twelve 3-inch balls. The popcorn balls are being shaped on the white marble cooktop, holding their form.
  • Cool and wrap: Allow the popcorn balls to cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap for storage. Enjoy!