Red White Blue Popcorn Balls Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s like a burst of nostalgia and creativity, combining the magic of popcorn with gooey marshmallow goodness while getting to play with fun colors. Plus, the addition of candy-coated chocolates makes each bite a delightful surprise, perfect for satisfying my sweet tooth with a playful twist.

I adore the way these popcorn balls of red, white, and blue combine festive colors with delicious flavors. They use what seems like an absurd but actually perfect proportion of deliciously melted butter and marshmallows to 10 cups of nearly flavorless, popped popcorn to achieve a chewiness that rivals any Moon Pie.

Using vibrant red and blue, candy-coated chocolates and hints of vanilla, this recipe yields an indulgent, probably unhealthy, but nearly irresistible patriotic treat.

Ingredients

• Popcorn: A whole grain, low-calorie, high-fiber snack.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a buttery flavor.
• Miniature Marshmallows: Sweet, soft, and makes the popcorn sticky.
• Salt: Enhances flavors and balances sweetness.
• Red & Blue Food Coloring: Provides vibrant, festive hues.
• Candy-Coated Chocolates (M&M’s): Crunchy, colorful, and adds chocolatey sweetness.

Ingredient Quantities

• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Red food coloring
• Blue food coloring
• 1/2 cup red candy-coated chocolate pieces (e.g., M&M’s)
• 1/2 cup blue candy-coated chocolate pieces (e.g., M&M’s)

Instructions

1. A large baking sheet should be prepared by lining it with parchment paper or a non-stick silicone mat.

2. Put the popcorn from the popper in a large mixing bowl. Be careful to leave any unpopped or partially popped kernels behind.

3. In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Once melted, add the miniature marshmallows and stir non-stop until they are completely melted and smooth.

4. Take the saucepan off of the heat and rapidly mix in the salt and vanilla extract until perfectly blended.

5. Separate the marshmallow mixture evenly into two different bowls. To one bowl, add several drops of red food coloring, and to the other bowl, add blue food coloring. Mix well in both bowls. Ensure that the colors are fully incorporated and that no two mixtures are the same.

6. Drizzle the red marshmallow mixture over half of the popcorn and the blue mixture over the remaining popcorn. Stir each batch until evenly coated with the respective colored mixture.

7. Allow the colored popcorn to cool a little. Next, mix in the red, candy-coated chocolate pieces with the red popcorn and the blue, candy-coated chocolate pieces with the blue popcorn.

8. With either greased or slightly wet hands, take a handful of the red and blue popcorn mixture and press it together to form a ball. Repeat until the popcorn is used up, making approximately 12-15 popcorn balls.

9. Set the popcorn balls on the baking sheet you prepared and let them reach room temperature, establishing a firm texture, for 30 minutes.

10. When ready to eat, place the popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature. The popcorn balls will be safe to eat and taste their best for up to three days. Enjoy them while they’re fresh and festive!

Equipment Needed

1. Large baking sheet
2. Parchment paper or non-stick silicone mat
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Popcorn popper
5. Medium saucepan
6. Stirring spoon
7. Measuring cups
8. Measuring spoons
9. Two small bowls
10. Hands (for shaping popcorn balls)

FAQ

• Q: Can I use microwave popcorn for the recipe?A: You can definitely use microwave popcorn, but go with a flavor-free, unsalted type to have better control over the taste and saltiness of the popcorn balls.
• Q: How do I store the popcorn balls?After the popcorn balls have cooled, they can be stored in an airtight container to maintain freshness for as long as 3 days.
• Q: Can I substitute butter with another ingredient?You may use margarine or coconut oil in place of butter, but the taste might change a little.
• Q: Is there an alternative to using food coloring?A: You can attempt to use natural food colorings or leave out the coloring entirely; however, the intensity of color may vary.
• Q: Can I use different types of candy?A: Certainly. You may use additional vibrant confections, like candy-coated sunflower seeds or jelly beans, to better approximate the red, white, and blue palette.
• Q: How do I prevent the popcorn from sticking to my hands?A: To keep the mixture from sticking to your hands while you form the balls, lightly spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray or rub them with a little bit of butter.
• Q: Can I make these popcorn balls ahead of time?A: Of course! You can make them a day ahead. Just make sure to store them correctly in an airtight container.

Substitutions and Variations

For a dairy-free option, you can use coconut oil instead of unsalted butter.
If miniature marshmallows are not on hand, use standard marshmallows cut into smaller pieces or marshmallow fluff.
Swap almond extract for vanilla extract, and you’ll have a whole new flavor profile.
If you want to eat something akin to chocolate-covered candy pieces but can’t because of dietary restrictions, try these substitutes. One bit of colorful dried fruit provides the same amount of energy as two small, candy-coated chocolate pieces.

Pro Tips

1. Popcorn Prep Make sure your popcorn is thoroughly popped and cooled before starting, removing any unpopped kernels to avoid unpleasant bites or dental surprises.

2. Color Intensity Adjust the amount of food coloring to achieve the desired hue. Add a few drops at a time and stir well to ensure an even color distribution without making the mixture too liquidy.

3. Hands-On Assembly When forming the popcorn balls, lightly coat your hands with oil or butter. This will prevent the sticky marshmallow mixture from clinging to your hands and will help in shaping uniform balls.

4. Even Coating To ensure every kernel is coated, consider using two large bowls for different colors when mixing the marshmallow mixtures with the popcorn. This will give you more space to stir thoroughly and avoid breaking the popcorn pieces.

5. Storage Tip If you’re making these ahead of time, separate layers of popcorn balls with wax paper in the airtight container so they don’t stick together. This will also help maintain their shape and texture.