Name: Ghostly Popcorn Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 10 cups popped popcorn (unpopped kernels removed); 1/4 cup unsalted butter; 1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; Candy eyes or mini chocolate chips (for ghost faces); Butter or cooking spray (for greasing hands)

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Ghostly popcorn balls are a fun, festive treat I love making during the Halloween season. They’re sweet, a little spooky, and super simple to whip up. Made with popped popcorn, melted marshmallows, and a few decorative touches, they’re perfect for parties, trick-or-treating, or just enjoying at home. I like how easy they are to customize, and kids (and adults) always get a kick out of them.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s playful and nostalgic. It brings back childhood memories while still being a hit with everyone today. I don’t need any fancy ingredients or tools, and the whole process takes less than half an hour. Plus, it’s a great recipe to make with kids—they can help shape the popcorn balls and decorate them like little ghosts. Whether I’m making them for a school event or a cozy movie night, they always disappear fast.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

10 cups popped popcorn (unpopped kernels removed)
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Candy eyes or mini chocolate chips for decoration
Cooking spray or butter for hands (for shaping)

Directions

I melt the butter in a large pot over low heat.
I add the mini marshmallows and stir until fully melted and smooth.
I remove the pot from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
I pour the melted mixture over the popcorn and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
Once cool enough to handle, I lightly grease my hands with butter or spray and form the mixture into balls.
I press candy eyes or chocolate chips into each ball to create ghostly faces.
I let them set on a parchment-lined baking sheet until firm.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 12 popcorn balls, depending on the size I shape them. It takes roughly 10 minutes to prepare and another 15 to cool and set, so everything’s done in around 25 minutes.

Variations

I like using different decorations to give each ghost its own personality—black gel icing works great for spooky mouths, and edible glitter adds a fun shimmer. Sometimes I add a pinch of salt or drizzle white chocolate over the top for an extra treat. If I want to go beyond ghosts, I’ll dye the marshmallow mix with food coloring and make monsters or pumpkins instead.

Storage/Reheating

I store the popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I avoid refrigerating them since that can make the popcorn chewy. If they start to get too firm, I wrap them in a slightly damp paper towel and microwave for just a few seconds to soften them up.

FAQs

Can I use microwave popcorn?

Yes, I use plain, unsalted microwave popcorn for convenience. I just make sure to remove all unpopped kernels before mixing.

How do I keep the popcorn balls from sticking to my hands?

I grease my hands with butter or cooking spray before shaping them. It makes the process much easier and cleaner.

Can I make these in advance?

Yes, I make them a day ahead and store them in a sealed container. They hold their shape well and still taste fresh.

What can I use instead of candy eyes?

If I don’t have candy eyes, I use mini chocolate chips or small dots of black icing to make the ghost faces.

Are they safe for kids to help make?

Yes, but I always make sure the marshmallow mixture is cool enough before letting kids handle it. It’s a great hands-on project with some adult supervision.

Conclusion

Ghostly popcorn balls are a quick, creative treat I love making when Halloween rolls around. With just a few pantry ingredients and some spooky touches, I can create a festive snack that’s fun to make and even more fun to eat. They’re sweet, a little silly, and always bring a smile to the table.