Birthday Marshmallow Popcorn Balls

Birthday Marshmallow Popcorn Balls are sweet and salty and so addicting! They are so easy to make and they will be a crowd favorite!

We are continuing on with the birthday celebrations over here! Next up, my brother 🙂 He is one of the greatest cooks I know. His flare is fresh ingredients and it's always unbelievably flavorful. He has the ability to create elaborate and ornate dishes that will impress the President himself. I have never successfully recreated something of his the way he does. I am always excited when Matt prepares dinners because I know it is going to be something healthy, new & full of flavor.

But don't let him fool you. He may be able to woo you with his inventive spreads but this kid has a sweet tooth deep down and when it comes out watch out! Not with all sweets, just some but these marshmallow popcorn balls he has zero self-control with. 😉 I don't blame him. How can you limit yourself with something so addicting? They are crunchy and soft, sweet and salty, sticky but easy to eat. It is pretty much all the satisfying flavors in one sweet concoction.

How to Make Marshmallow Popcorn Balls

Think Rice Krispie treats but made with popcorn instead (oh, I am thinking about Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats now and just thought about adding brown butter to marshmallow popcorn balls....oh man!!), it is the same concept.

So easy to make and feeds a crowd.

1. To start you need to pop your popcorn. I always recommend using freshly made popcorn because it is 1000 times better than using a bagged microwavable kind. It is a lot easier to make than you think (I am using the same method I did for my Loaded Salted Caramel Corn recipe). I love using my Whirlypop but a large pot and a lid work just fine too.
2. Just place on the stove on high heat and add a tablespoon or two of oil.
3. Sprinkle generously with salt then add your kernels.
4. Place the lid over top and shake the pot over the burner to keep the kernels constantly moving. This helps prevent them from burning.
5. Continuing shaking even after you begin to hear the first couple pops.
6. Stop shaking and turn off the burner once the kernels are consistently popping and wait. Once you hear a couple seconds in-between each pop, remove from the stove and pour into a large bowl.

Now for Marshmallow Goodness

Next, place your butter and marshmallows in a large pot over medium heat on the stove. Stir occasionally as it starts to melt making sure to get all the lumps out. Once smooth pour the marshmallow and butter mixture over popcorn and mix thoroughly with a spoon, making sure each kernel is covered.

At the very end add in nonpareil sprinkles because these are birthday themed and sprinkles make everything better! You can change up the sprinkle colors based on the holiday or celebration or leave out all together.

Now, if you want to be like Matt go ahead and enjoy as is. Eat this warm straight out of the bowl. No extra requirements needed besides snuggling up on the couch with a cozy blanket and a movie. You are set!

Shaping the Marshmallow Popcorn into Balls

But if you want to shape these into balls, go ahead and spray your hands with a bit of nonstick spray (to prevent the marshmallows from sticking to you) and grab about a handful of popcorn. Gently start packing into a ball shape. Think like you are packing a tight snowball to pelt somebody with.... it's the same concept. Reapply the nonstick spray as needed.

That is it!

So simple and easy but completely addicting and delicious. One of my brothers most favorite sweet treats of all time and you better believe I already packed him up with a gallon sized bag full of this batch and left it for him in his room 🙂 This is perfect for any birthday celebration or just a movie night at home. It will be a go-to staple sweet treat recipe for you for many years to come.

Happy birthday Matt! Love you bunches & can't wait to celebrate you, even more, this weekend!

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