Description
Learn how to make colorful and fun Rainbow Popcorn Balls with a sweet syrup coating. This treat combines buttery, marshmallow-infused syrup with vibrant food coloring and lots of popped popcorn for a delicious snack perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime you want a playful, sweet popcorn treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Syrup Mixture
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup marshmallows
- 2 teaspoons water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Popcorn and Coloring
- 20 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
- Food coloring of your choice (approximately 2 drops per color)
Instructions
- Make the syrup mixture: In a small pot over medium-high heat, combine the corn syrup, butter, powdered sugar, marshmallows, water, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a boil, ensuring the marshmallows fully melt and the syrup is smooth and combined.
- Divide popcorn by colors: Separate the popped popcorn into bowls based on how many different colors you plan to use. For example, if using five colors, divide the popcorn evenly into five separate bowls to keep the colors distinct.
- Distribute syrup carefully: Once the syrup is hot (be very careful as it is hot), pour it evenly into each bowl of popcorn. For multiple colors, divide the syrup into equal portions matching the number of popcorn bowls to ensure even coating.
- Add food coloring: Add approximately two drops of your chosen food coloring into each bowl of popcorn with syrup. This will create the vivid colors of your rainbow popcorn balls.
- Mix thoroughly: Using separate spoons for each bowl to avoid color mixing, stir the popcorn carefully so every piece is coated with the colored syrup. This helps achieve bright, evenly colored popcorn.
- Form popcorn balls: Using clean hands or food-safe plastic gloves sprayed with nonstick spray, quickly shape the coated popcorn into balls of your preferred size. Work swiftly before the syrup cools and hardens to ensure the popcorn sticks well together.
Notes
- Use food-safe gloves or lightly coated hands to prevent sticking while shaping popcorn balls.
- Work quickly once syrup is mixed into popcorn, as it hardens fast when cooled.
- Separate bowls for each color prevent color bleeding and maintain vibrant rainbow hues.
- Store popcorn balls in an airtight container to keep them fresh and crunchy.
- Pop your own popcorn without oil or butter for a less greasy final treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: rainbow popcorn balls, colorful popcorn balls, sweet popcorn snack, marshmallow popcorn balls, party treats
