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Close-up of caramel-drizzled popcorn balls on a wooden board

Sticky-Sweet Popcorn Balls

Sticky-Sweet Popcorn Balls are the ultimate quick-and-easy treat—sticky, sweet, crunchy, and endlessly customizable! In just 10 minutes, you’ll have a nostalgic snack that’s perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or fun kitchen time with kids.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings: 8 popcorn balls
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups plain popped popcorn about 1/2 cup kernels or 2 microwave bags
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/3  cup honey or light corn syrup
  • 1/3  cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • sprinkles, mini M&Ms, chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips Optional mix-ins

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Saucepan or microwave-safe bowl
  • Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
  • Parchment paper or wax paper
  • Cooking spray or butter for greasing hands

Method
 

  1. Prep the popcorn: Place popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Remove any unpopped kernels.
    Large metal bowl filled with plain, freshly popped popcorn
  2. Make the sticky syrup: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add honey (or corn syrup), sugar, and salt. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
    Combine: Immediately pour the hot syrup over the popcorn. Use a rubber spatula to toss and coat the popcorn evenly.
    Golden syrup being poured over freshly popped popcorn in a metal bowl
  3. Shape the balls: Let the mixture cool slightly for 1-2 minutes. Grease your hands with butter or spray and quickly shape the popcorn into 8 balls. Place them on parchment paper to set.
    Cool and enjoy: Let popcorn balls cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
    Hands forming popcorn into round balls on a parchment-lined tray

Video

Notes

Cooking Tips

  • Don’t overcook the syrup or it will harden too quickly, 2 minutes at a gentle boil is perfect.
  • Grease your hands well before shaping the balls to avoid stickiness.
  • Add mix-ins immediately after combining the syrup and popcorn if using chocolate or candy, they’ll stick better before cooling.
  • You can also press the mixture into a pan and cut it into bars if you prefer not to shape it into balls.