Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls

The Pioneer Woman’s Popcorn Balls are a nostalgic holiday treat that strikes the perfect balance between chewy, sweet, and salty. Ree Drummond avoids the rock-hard texture of old-school recipes by using a combination of marshmallows and a boiled sugar syrup. This creates a binder that holds the popcorn together but remains soft enough to bite into without breaking a tooth. They are messy, fun to make, and infinitely customizable with candies or sprinkles, making them a fantastic kitchen project for families.

Try More Desserts Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Shortbread Cookies Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Zucchini Cookies

🧡 Why You Will Love This Popcorn Balls Recipe:

• Soft & Chewy: The addition of marshmallows keeps them pliable and gooey, unlike traditional syrup-only balls which can be brittle.
• Sweet & Salty: The salted popcorn cuts through the sweetness of the sugar syrup perfectly.
• Customizable: You can mix in anything from crushed pretzels to mini M&Ms or festive sprinkles.
• Budget Friendly: It makes a huge batch of treats using inexpensive pantry staples like corn, sugar, and syrup.

🌽 Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls Ingredients

• 2 bags Microwave Popcorn: (Or approx. 12–14 cups popped corn). Butter or plain flavor is fine.
• 1 bag (10 oz) Mini Marshmallows
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 cup Light Corn Syrup: (e.g., Karo).
• 1/4 cup Butter: (Plus extra for greasing hands).
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• Optional Mix-ins: Sprinkles, nuts, or chocolate chips (add these last).

🧆 How To Make Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls

1. Prep Popcorn: Pop the corn and sift through it carefully to remove any unpopped kernels. Place the popped corn in a very large, greased bowl (or a roasting pan for space).
2. Boil Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat. Let it boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
3. Melt Marshmallows: Stir in the butter, marshmallows, salt, and vanilla. Stir constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
4. Combine: Pour the hot marshmallow syrup immediately over the popcorn.
5. Toss: Using two greased spoons or spatulas, gently toss the popcorn until every kernel is evenly coated in the sticky mixture. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes until it is cool enough to handle but still warm and pliable.
6. Shape: Heavily grease your hands with butter (or cooking spray). Grab a handful of the mixture and gently press it into a ball about the size of a baseball. Do not squeeze too hard, or they will be dense and tough.
7. Cool: Place the balls on parchment paper or wax paper to set completely (about 30 minutes).

💡 Recipe Tips

• Grease Everything: This mixture is incredibly sticky. Grease your bowl, your spoons, and most importantly, your hands. Re-grease your hands every 2–3 balls.
• Work Fast: The mixture sets as it cools. If it gets too stiff to mold, you’re too late. Have everything ready before you pour the syrup.
• The “Old Maid” Hunt: Nothing ruins a popcorn ball like biting into a hard kernel. Shake the bowl so unpopped kernels fall to the bottom, then scoop the fluffy corn off the top into a clean bowl.
• Color Pop: Add a few drops of food coloring to the melted marshmallow mixture for themed holidays (orange for Halloween, red/green for Christmas).

🥃 What To Serve With Popcorn Balls?

The Pioneer Woman’s Popcorn Balls are intensely sweet and sticky, so they pair best with beverages that cleanse the palate, like a cold glass of milk or warm, spiced apple cider. To balance the sugar rush at a party, serve them alongside salty snacks like pretzels, roasted nuts, or sharp cheddar cheese cubes. For a cozy winter treat, they are delicious dipped into a mug of rich hot chocolate.

🎚 How To Store Leftovers Popcorn Balls?

• Room Temp: Wrap each ball individually in plastic wrap (cling film) to keep them soft. They will last at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze them wrapped tightly, but they are best eaten fresh.

🥵 How To Reheat Popcorn Balls?

Room Temperature: If they are hard from the cold, simply let them sit on the counter for 30 minutes before eating.

• Microwave (Best Method): Unwrap the ball and heat on a microwave-safe plate for just 5–10 seconds. This softens the marshmallow binder immediately—any longer and they will melt into a puddle.
• Oven: Not recommended, as the sugar syrup can overheat and burn easily.

FAQs

More Desserts Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Texas Sheet Cake Cookies
• Pioneer Woman Molasses Cookies Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Red Velvet Cake Balls

📊 Popcorn Balls Nutrition Facts(Per ball, approx)

• Calories: ~180 kcal
• Total Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Sugars: 22g
• Protein: 1g

Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls

Recipe by Imen DridiCourse: Dessert, SnackCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Yields

12-15

Balls

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Calories

180

kcal

The Pioneer Woman’s chewy, sweet-and-salty treats bind popcorn with a marshmallow-butter syrup. Fun to make and perfect for parties.

Ingredients

• 2 bags Microwave Popcorn: (Or approx. 12–14 cups popped corn). Butter or plain flavor is fine.

• 1 bag (10 oz) Mini Marshmallows

• 1 cup Sugar

• 1 cup Light Corn Syrup: (e.g., Karo).

• 1/4 cup Butter: (Plus extra for greasing hands).

• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

• 1/2 tsp Salt

• Optional Mix-ins: Sprinkles, nuts, or chocolate chips (add these last).

Directions

• Prep Popcorn: Pop the corn and sift through it carefully to remove any unpopped kernels. Place the popped corn in a very large, greased bowl (or a roasting pan for space).
• Boil Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat. Let it boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
• Melt Marshmallows: Stir in the butter, marshmallows, salt, and vanilla. Stir constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
• Combine: Pour the hot marshmallow syrup immediately over the popcorn.
• Toss: Using two greased spoons or spatulas, gently toss the popcorn until every kernel is evenly coated in the sticky mixture. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes until it is cool enough to handle but still warm and pliable.
• Shape: Heavily grease your hands with butter (or cooking spray). Grab a handful of the mixture and gently press it into a ball about the size of a baseball. Do not squeeze too hard, or they will be dense and tough.
• Cool: Place the balls on parchment paper or wax paper to set completely (about 30 minutes).

Notes

• Grease Everything: This mixture is incredibly sticky. Grease your bowl, your spoons, and most importantly, your hands. Re-grease your hands every 2–3 balls.
  Work Fast: The mixture sets as it cools. If it gets too stiff to mold, you’re too late. Have everything ready before you pour the syrup.
  The “Old Maid” Hunt: Nothing ruins a popcorn ball like biting into a hard kernel. Shake the bowl so unpopped kernels fall to the bottom, then scoop the fluffy corn off the top into a clean bowl.
  Color Pop: Add a few drops of food coloring to the melted marshmallow mixture for themed holidays (orange for Halloween, red/green for Christmas).