White Chocolate Popcorn Balls are the perfect addition to any holiday treat tray. White chocolate and marshmallows make a delicious coating. Holiday sprinkles add a festive touch.
This Christmas popcorn recipe is an easy no-bake, gluten-free treat that makes an awesome food gift too.
Here it is, December. The busiest month of the year. How is your “to-do” list coming along? Is the tree trimmed, stockings hung, shopping at least started?
What about baking? I am making my grocery list as we speak. All those holiday treats are just around the corner.
December is such a whirlwind month. It just doesn’t stop from now till January. Parties, shopping, baking. Running all over town just trying to gather all your goodies for the big day. We all need quick and easy recipes to help us out this time of year.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for these old fashioned popcorn balls are at the bottom of the post.
These easy popcorn balls are just that. In fact, this is a great treat for the kids to help you with.
Now that December is officially here, it’s time to get things (like so many things) in order. From now till Christmas, time will fly by, and before we know it Santa will be making his way around the world.
What Is In Popcorn Balls?
These are super easy to make. I don’t know anyone that would turn down a handmade treat. I love they are made without corn syrup. You will need:
- plain popcorn
- butter
- mini marshmallows
- white chocolate
- *(affiliate) holiday sprinkles
These are fun to make and more fun to eat. You can even create your own holiday sprinkle blend.
Holiday Treats
Everyone has their favourite holiday foods. Cookies, treats, drinks, so many totally delicious things to indulge in during the season. What are some of yours?
We can’t go without eggnog. Rum & Eggnog Latte happens to be our favourite festive latte drink.
I absolutely LOVE gingerbread! Chewy Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies are at the top of my holiday cookie list.
Hubby’s favourite is Boozy Bourbon Fudge.
I know this holiday popcorn treat is on my grandkids list of things for gramma to make.
Check you this post for some awesome food gift ideas for the holidays.
How to Make White Chocolate Popcorn Balls
- Place your popcorn in a large bowl.
- Melt butter and marshmallows in a pot.
- Melt white chocolate.
- Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn, and mix well.
- Shape into balls.
- Dip in melted chocolate and then in sprinkles.
Is White Chocolate Really Chocolate?
This is a HUGE debate among foodies. White chocolate is made with cocoa butter, milk solids, and sugar. It DOES NOT contain cocoa solids found in milk or dark chocolate. So technically most people would say NO it is not chocolate.
I LOVE white chocolate, so I am the rebel and say YES it is!!
I love it in my Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate & Pistachios.
Quick & Easy Festive Holiday Croissants would not be the same without that white chocolate drizzle.
Recipe Tips
- Be sure to use a *(affiliate) silicone mat to place your coated popcorn balls on. They will stick to wax paper. Alternatively, you can use *(affiliate) parchment sheets if you prefer.
- Spay your hands with *(affiliate) cooking spray before forming the balls. This will prevent them from sticking to your hands.
- Use good quality *(affiliate) white chocolate for this recipe. It will make a world of difference.
- Air-popped popcorn is the BEST for this recipe. Making fresh popcorn is best, but if you are in a pinch, you can use ready-made popcorn (not flavoured).
- Melting white chocolate can be a bit tricky. It can seize and turn grainy. The BEST way is placing it in a bowl over hot water. If you choose the microwave method, be sure to use LOW POWER and mix it every 20-30 seconds until melted.
These White Chocolate Popcorn Balls are festive and fun. A holiday treat loved by kids big and small.
What is YOUR favourite holiday treat?
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White Chocolate Popcorn Balls
Ingredients
- 8 cups plain popcorn
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- 4 ounces good quality white chocolate
- Assorted holiday sprinkles (to decorate)
Instructions
- Lay out a silicone mat on the counter.
- Place popcorn in a large bowl.
- In a pot melt the butter and marshmallows.
- Pour over popcorn, and mix well.
- Spray hands with cooking spray.
- Squeeze popcorn into 1 1/2″ balls and place on silicone mat.
- Place your sprinkles in bowls.
- Melt the white chocolate (either on the stove or microwave).
- Dip each popcorn ball into the melted chocolate enough to cover the top half of the ball.
- Immediately dip the popcorn ball into the sprinkles.
- Place on silicone mat to harden.
Jo
Those white chocolate popcorn balls looks so festive and so delicious! My kids love anything popcorn, this will be a real treat for them.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These are a fun and festive treat for sure.
Sam
These are so festive and cute! My son would be so excited if I made this. I’ll have to give it a try!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Yes he would love these for sure. My grandkids sure do.
Jamie
What a clever way of using popcorn to make these fun treats! I know my niece will love making these so I’m saving this for this weekend!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
The kids love helping with this holiday popcorn treat.
Alex
This looks awesome but boozy bourbon fudge?! I need to make that. Like right now. Booze + chocolate sounds like what I need for the next 3 weeks. 😆
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am making my fudge this weekend….then I have to hide it so it does not disappear before the holidays. ENJOY!
Erin
What a fun treat! My kid would love this. And my to-do list… hmm. Nothing’s gotten done and Wednesday is the start of a hard lockdown. Yay! Great times. At least I have what I need to make this. 🙂
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You will have fun with this recipe for sure. ENJOY and Happy Holidays!!
Nicole
Im so glad I found this post! I’ve been feeling so uninspired lately and I have no idea what to make for treats for Christmas. Cookies are always good but I wanted something different. I’ve always loved popcorn balls, so making these and adding festive sprinkles is exactly what I need!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
They are a fun and festive holiday treat. ENJOY!
Denise
Your White Chocolate Popcorn Balls look absolutely delicious and addicting! I can’t wait to give it a try.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
They are fun to make and fun to eat. Happy Holidays.
Kate
I really love the idea of using popcorn for cookies. It will be on our menu very soon. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome. Hope you enjoy these on your treat tray this holiday season.
Amy Liu Dong
Such a cute and delicious treats to make for the kids this holiday, love it!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
The kids love to help with these super cute treats.
Chef Dennis
Ooooh! White Chocolate Popcorn Balls! My sons new favorites! They all look soo yummy and beautiful.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
They are a fun little holiday treat for sure. ENJOY!
Tracy
I love the size of these. They’re perfect for a cookie tray when I want to eat everything but just small bites of each so I can have more! My girls are going to love dipping them in the sprinkles!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Kids have lots of fun helping with these ones. Bite-sized perfection.
Marisa Stewart
Right now I’m collecting recipes for my Christmas gift boxes and these Holiday White Chocolate Mini Popcorn Balls are adorable. Now, who doesn’t like popcorn? And add all those delicious goodies to it, it will be a welcome addition to the gift box.
Homemade & Yummy
These are a fun addition to any party treat try. You can even get the grandkids to help you make them.
Katrin
These popcorn balls look just sooo christmassy! Love the idea
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. They are a fun and festive little treat.
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Oh that looks good! So colorful, fun and festive!
Homemade & Yummy
They are fun to make and fun to eat.
Julie
These cookies are so pretty. I love popcorn with the white chocolate.
Homemade & Yummy
They are super easy to make…and delicious too.