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HomeMealtimeRecipesDessert

Halloween Popcorn Balls

4.86 from 7 votes
Angela SellariBy Angela Sellari
Angela Sellari
Angela Sellari Founder of AboutAMom

Angela is the founder of About A Mom and currently acts as a content creator and editor-in-chief for the About A Mom Team. She has been a professional blogger for over 10 years. Angela has appeared…

Expertise: Content Creation & Editing View all posts →
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I have a love-hate relationship with popcorn balls. I love to eat them but making them… not so much.

Halloween popcorn balls on a white plate, drizzled with chocolate and striped paper straws.

I can make cupcakes that look like popcorn, but have failed miserably at making popcorn balls. Last Christmas I tried to make white chocolate peppermint popcorn balls which turned out to be the most amazing white chocolate peppermint popcorn, but balls they were not. I never could quite get them to hold their shape. I’ve learned a few things about making popcorn balls since then, and was eager to give it another try when asked to create a popcorn ball recipe for Good Cook.

I really wanted to make some orange colored popcorn balls this time, so I used orange flavored jello to give the popcorn both a vibrant orange color and a yummy taste. At my local craft store, I picked up some fun black and white popsicle sticks and orange ribbon that were perfect for this project.

Forming Halloween Popcorn Balls using a red popcorn baller.

One things I have learned about making popcorn balls is that it’s important to have the right tools, like the Popcorn Baller that Good Cook sent to me. My new popcorn baller worked great to keep all the balls the same shape, and to keep me from burning my hands. I simply used a silicone spatula to scoop some popcorn into the baller and pressed it together to form a ball.

A single Halloween popcorn ball on a stick, drizzled with melted chocolate.

Another thing to note is that vegetable cooking spray is your friend. Trust me on this one.

Since I pushed popsicle sticks into my already shaped balls, it was important to grease my hands with cooking spray and scrunch the popcorn back into a tight ball around the stick.

Halloween popcorn balls on a white plate, drizzled with chocolate and festive straws.
Halloween popcorn balls on a white plate, drizzled with chocolate and striped paper straws.

Halloween Popcorn Balls

Angela Sellari
Treat yourself to festive Halloween Popcorn Balls! This fun, under-40-minute recipe gets its spooky orange color from Jello & a chocolate drizzle.
4.86 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Cooling Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 38 minutes mins
Course Dessert/Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 9 balls
Calories 349 kcal

Ingredients
  

Popcorn Balls:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 box orange flavored Jello 3 ounce
  • 1/4 cup corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 12 cups popped popcorn approximately

Chocolate Drizzle:

  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons shortening

Instructions
 

  • In microwavable bowl, melt 1/2 cup butter.
  • Stir in jello and corn syrup.
  • Microwave again until it reaches a full boil (approximately 1 minute). Stir. Mix in baking soda. Stir for 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour syrup mixture over popcorn (in a microwave safe bowl) until it’s covered evenly. Mix well with a spatula until all kernels are coated evenly.
  • Microwave the coated popcorn for 30 seconds more.
  • Use a popcorn baller or well greased hands to form into balls. If desired, push a popsicle stick into the center of each ball. Allow balls to completely cool.
  • In a double broiler or in the microwave, melt chocolate and shortening, stirring until smooth. Using a spoon, drizzle chocolate over balls. Allow to harden before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 349kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 5gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 56mgFiber: 5g
Keyword Halloween Popcorn Balls
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Angela SellariContent Creation & Editing

Angela is the founder of About A Mom and currently acts as a content creator and editor-in-chief for the About A Mom Team. She has been a professional blogger for over 10 years. Angela has appeared in numerous TV segments, advertising campaigns and her work has been featured by many top publications. She lives in Tampa, Florida.

Reader Interactions

Published: Oct 5, 2013 | Updated: May 31, 2026
4.86 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




  1. Mary Withrow says

    Posted on 10/6 at 3:21 AM

    These look simple and cute and the children could help! I would have to add peanuts to mine, lol

    Reply
  2. debra p says

    Posted on 10/6 at 5:02 AM

    Those look so pretty and I bet they taste great. Very festive too.

    Reply
  3. Anne says

    Posted on 10/6 at 7:36 AM

    I am with you on how hard they are to make. Last Christmas I made some for the first time and they worked perfectly, so I thought it was easy. But I have tried a few times since then and realized I just got lucky! A shaper sounds like it would be a huge help.

    Reply
  4. Leilani says

    Posted on 10/6 at 9:02 AM

    I’ve never tried Popcorn Balls before. I bet my girls would love them. I need to get one of those popcorn ballers first!

    Reply
  5. Mum's the word says

    Posted on 10/6 at 9:33 AM

    gosh they look great for any party!! I want one too!!!

    Reply
  6. Kathleen says

    Posted on 10/6 at 10:00 AM

    Yum! Those look so good and I love that you put them on a stick so they aren’t so messy to eat.

    Reply
  7. Anne - Mommy Has to Work says

    Posted on 10/6 at 10:38 AM

    I’ve been looking for a fun treat for our party. Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Kira says

    Posted on 10/6 at 3:08 PM

    OMG, I want that popcorn baller, it’s a time saver and it made the popcorn ball come out perfect.

    Reply
  9. Colleen says

    Posted on 10/6 at 5:13 PM

    Looks like they turned out great! Love the popcorn baller.

    Reply
  10. Jennifer H says

    Posted on 10/6 at 6:59 PM

    How neat!

    Reply
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