These super fun and easy-to-make S'mores Popcorn Balls are possibly the best way to enjoy s'mores this summer! They're great for adults and children alike, perfect for movie nights, a BBQ dessert table, or birthday parties!
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We love s'mores. The combination of crunchy graham crackers, gooey toasted marshmallows, and sweet melty chocolate is the pinnacle of summer evenings and camping trips.
These ooey gooey Marshmallow Popcorn Balls are perfect when you want that s'mores flavor but without the hassle of starting a fire. I love making s'mores-inspired desserts that replicate the classic flavors of graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate, in a different form and these handheld popcorn balls are one of our new favorites.
Popcorn is one of those snacks that you can customize in so many ways, we're never bored of it.
We like to make Rainbow Marshmallow Popcorn Balls and Churro Popcorn for fun popcorn variations. And now these s'more popcorn balls are the perfect treat for your next summer movie night!
For more fun s'mores recipes, check out my S'mores Rice Krispies Treats, S'mores Bars, and these S'mores Cookies for more yummy s'mores treats!
What You'll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Popcorn - I used popped bagged popcorn that was a 4.4-ounce bag. Make it fresh with my guide on How to Make Stovetop Popcorn.
- Cereal - Used Golden Grahams cereal to give your popcorn balls a sweet, cinnamony graham cracker crunch to them. You could also use broken up graham crackers if that's what you have on hand.
- Marshmallows - Miniature marshmallows will work better than larger ones, as they will melt quicker and more evenly.
- Butter - You need some butter for that gooey texture and buttery flavor of these popcorn balls.
- Melting Wafers - White chocolate melting wafers work well for this recipe. You can use an alternative kind of chocolate if you prefer.
- Chocolate Chips - Mini semisweet chocolate chips adds the chocolate element to these popcorn balls but just don't add them until the popcorn balls have cooled a bit of you will have a melty chocolate mess on your hands.
How to Make S'mores Popcorn Balls
- Make marshmallow mixture. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt the 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows, butter, and melting chocolate together.
- Make popcorn mixture. In a large bowl, combine the popcorn, golden graham cereal, and an extra cup of marshmallows.
- Combine mixtures. While the melted marshmallow mixture is hot, pour it over the popcorn, and using a large spoon, mix it until everything is well combined. This mixture cools quickly, so you will need to work swiftly.
- Make marshmallow popcorn balls. Spray your hands with a nonstick cooking spray, grab a handful of popcorn mixture, and shape it into a ball. Place them on parchment paper. Rapidly shape your popcorn balls, and once they are all formed, roll your popcorn ball into the mini chocolate chips. You can do this while the popcorn mixture is still warm as long as you work quickly and don't handle the balls with the chocolate more than necessary or the chocolate will melt and get everywhere. Put them back on the lined baking tray to set.
Recipe FAQ's
If your popcorn balls aren't holding together, it may be due to the marshmallows not being fully melted. Make sure to stir them until they're completely smooth before adding the popcorn to the mixture. Additionally, there may be too much popcorn in the mix. Add more melted marshmallows if this is the case, or only add some of the popcorn at first until you get a stickiness that works for you to shape the popcorn balls.
Popcorn balls will keep for 1-2 days after making them, but they are best enjoyed the day they are made. Wrap them in plastic wrap or put them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Tips for Success
- Pop popcorn as per the package directions and let it cool before you begin or use my guide for how to make popcorn on the stovetop.
- Spray a measuring cup with cooking spray and using it to scoop out evenly-proportioned marshmallow popcorn balls. You may need to re-butter your hands partway through the process.
- If the popcorn balls aren't holding their shape very well, give them a few minutes to cool, then squeeze them together again.
How to Serve S'mores Popcorn Balls
These s'mores popcorn balls are great for snacking. Serve them on a serving plate or bowl with other party or movie night snacks like regular popcorn, and candy, or with other marshmallow snacks like these Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats.
I love making these popcorn balls as gifts for the holidays, but they would make great party favors, and they'd also work well on your Holiday Treat Trays!
Wrap the balls individually in ceran wrap, and tie them with some string or ribbon.
Substitutions and Variations
- Popcorn: I recommend plain popcorn, lightly salted popcorn, or kettle corn for this recipe. I don't recommend using another type of popcorn like buttered popcorn, white cheddar, caramel, or sea-salted popcorn since they would affect the flavor of the popcorn balls.
- Butter: Salted butter will also work unless you have salted popcorn; then it may be too much and you might want to use unsalted butter.
- Chocolate: I used Ghirardelli melting white chocolate wafers, but any good quality white chocolate melting chips will work. Milk chocolate is another option, but I would omit the mini chocolate chips. You could substitute toffee bits, butterscotch chips, or white chocolate chips for different flavors.
- Nuts: Add some chopped peanuts, chopped pecans, or even almonds.
- Chips: Use caramel chips, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips for a different flavor.
- Marshmallow Fluff: I haven't tried this recipe with marshmallow creme, or marshmallow fluff, but let me know if you do!
- Cereal: You can use crushed Graham Crackers instead of Golden Grahams cereal if you prefer, or a different type of cereal like Lucky Charms, or Cinnamon Toast Crunch!
- Sprinkles: Roll the popcorn balls in rainbow or chocolate sprinkles for an extra special finish.
More S'mores Recipes
Brownies and bars
S'mores Rice Krispies Treats
Sweets & Treats
S'mores Dip
Sweets & Treats
S'mores Snack Mix
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
S'mores Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
- 8 cups plain popped popcorn
- 3 cups Golden Grahams cereal
- 1 (10-ounce) bag miniature marshmallows + 1 additional cup
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 cup white chocolate melting wafers
- 2 cups mini semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large skillet over low-medium heat, melt the 10 ounce bag of mini marshmallows, butter and melting chocolate together.
- In a large bowl, combine the popcorn, golden graham cereal and extra cup of marshmallows.
- While the marshmallow mixture is hot, pour it over the popcorn, and using a large spoon, mix it until everything is well combined. This mixture cools quickly, so you will need to work swiftly.
- Spray your hands with cooking spray and grab a handful and shape it into a ball. Place them on parchment paper. Rapidly shape your popcorn balls and once they are all formed, roll your popcorn ball into the mini chocolate chips.
Notes
- Storage: Popcorn balls will keep for 1-2 days after making them, but they are best enjoyed the day they are made. Wrap them in plastic wrap or put them in an airtight container at room temperature.
