Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls are basically my saving grace when Halloween comes barreling around the corner. Look, every year the kids want to make something fun, and I’m definitely not Martha Stewart (no offense to her). Last year, my niece tried to make fancy sugar cookies and, well, disaster struck. That’s why these are my go-to: quick, not fussy, super festive, and most importantly, kids actually want to eat them. Honestly, if you’re tired of broken cookies or store-bought candy, this is your sign to jump on the Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls train. And if you need other snack inspo for the season, check out these creative Halloween treat ideas or these nut-free recipes perfect for little party guests. 
Why Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls Are a Halloween Hit
Besides the obvious—they’re shaped like those cute pumpkin lanterns—these popcorn balls are a hands-on project that’s actually fun. Kids get a kick out of squishing the popcorn together. Adults (like me, possibly with sticky hands) love the nostalgia. Plus, they’re not jaw-breakingly crunchy. Remember those old popcorn balls wrapped in plastic? These have marshmallow, so they’re soft, gooey, and impossible to resist.
Another thing? These are budget-friendly. Seriously, popcorn costs basically nothing, and you can decorate with whatever candy is lying around from other failed Pinterest projects. You don’t need special pans or wild gadgets, either. Just a big bowl, a big spoon, and a willingness to get a bit messy (pro tip: some butter on your hands keeps things from getting way out of control).
Oh—and you can customize them any old way. Jack-O’-Lantern faces, googly eyes, silly grins, spook-tacular fangs, you get it. If your kitchen table turns into a decoration war zone, you’re doing it right. 
Ingredients for Popcorn Pumpkin Balls
Making Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls doesn’t require some five-star restaurant pantry, just a few basics. Here’s what you actually need:
- 10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup kernels, or 3 mini bags microwave popcorn, plain is best)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (plus a little extra for your hands)
- 1 bag mini marshmallows (about 10 ounces)
- Orange gel food coloring (really does make a difference—use a good squeeze)
- Mini Tootsie Rolls or green candy (for the pumpkin “stem”)
- Mini chocolate chips, candy corn, or black licorice (to make those Jack-O’-Lantern faces)
You could get wild and toss in some sprinkles, but that’s up to you. 
How to Make Popcorn Balls Step-by-Step
Ok, here’s where I try to be organized—even if I somehow always spill marshmallows on the floor (the dog is not complaining).
Start by popping your popcorn and tossing out any unpopped kernels. You really don’t want a rogue tooth crack in your holiday memories. Set the popcorn aside in a huge bowl.
Melt the butter in a big saucepan over low heat, then dump in the marshmallows. Stir and stir until totally melted and smooth. At this point, squirt in the orange food coloring (don’t skimp—it’s got to look pumpkin-ish). Give it a good swirl.
Pour that orange goo over your popcorn and mix really fast, but gently. I switch to using a silicone spatula once it gets sticky. Let it cool about a minute, then grease up those hands with butter and form the mixture into balls, just bigger than golf balls (makes about 10-12, depending how chunky you like them).
Stick the Tootsie Roll or green candy on top for the stem while they’re still warm and soft.
For faces, press on mini chocolate chips or candy shapes. Go wild, make them funny, make them grumpy—kids love it when every ball has a different personality. 
Tips for Decorating Like a Pro
Not to brag (okay, maybe just a smidge), but after years of messy results, I’ve picked up a few tricks. First, don’t panic if they look weird at first—smushing candy onto warm popcorn does mean crooked grins happen. Actually, that’s perfect. Real Jack-O’-Lanterns are rarely symmetrical.
Let the balls cool completely before wrapping or plating, or the decorations will just melt off (done that, regretted it). If you want super fancy faces, use edible black marker pens on the chocolate chips. Or, pipe on a little black icing if you’re feeling ambitious.
Crumble a little green-tinted coconut around the “stem” if you want fake leaves. It’s the kind of thing that takes two seconds but looks like a pro did it. Just don’t overthink it—this is supposed to be fun, not Food Network.
Halloween Party Serving & Gifting Ideas
This part is where I sometimes go a little overboard, but hey, it’s Halloween. Here’s what works if you wanna impress guests or pack these Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls as gifts:
- Individually wrapped in clear cellophane bags with rustic twine or wild neon ribbon.
- Stuck on wooden sticks lollipop-style, poking out of a foam pumpkin or bucket.
- Serve on a big tray, then let guests pick their favorite face—kids fight over the silly ones.
- Pack a couple in a decorated lunchbox for a festive school treat.
If you really want to get creative, tie on a tiny tag with a spooky message or even tuck a mini plastic spider in there for extra screams. The possibilities are endless, and no one will judge if you snack on a few during setup.
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Popped Popcorn | 10 cups | Base of the popcorn balls |
| Unsalted Butter | 1/4 cup | Creates a sticky mixture |
| Mini Marshmallows | 1 bag (10 ounces) | Adds sweetness and gooeyness |
| Orange Gel Food Coloring | As needed | For that pumpkin look |
| Mini Tootsie Rolls | A few | Decoration for the pumpkin stem |
| Chocolate Chips/Candy Corn | For decoration | To create pumpkin faces |
Storing & Make-Ahead Advice
Alright, truth time: these Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls actually keep pretty well. If you stash them in airtight containers or wrap tightly in plastic, they’re good for about 3 days at room temp. Any longer and they start to taste a bit weird. Don’t fridge them! That makes them hard and, honestly, less tasty. If you’re prepping for a big Halloween bash, you can make them the night before and they’ll be perfect.
Making them ahead means less stress party day, which I always appreciate. You can even keep the popcorn plain and do the marshmallow bit right before, but I rarely have that much motivation on party day, so I vote for the easy route.
More Festive Halloween Snacks for Kids
If the popcorn balls go over well (and they will), there’s a whole world of simple Halloween snacks worth trying. Think monster rice krispie treats, banana ghost pops, or peanut butter apple “fangs.” My family is weirdly obsessed with anything involving googly eyes right now.
Want to make it a gluten-free spread? Try popcorn trail mix—toss popcorn with pretzels, candy eyes, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips. Or these easy caramel popcorn cups (no candy thermometer needed, score).
And in case you missed ’em, these Halloween treat ideas are a hit for little ones, plus perfect for class parties or when you just need to keep busy kids occupied a little while longer.
Common Questions
Q: Can I make Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls with something other than marshmallows?
A: Yep, you can use honey and peanut butter melted together, but honestly, marshmallows are the easiest and cheapest route (plus kids dig ’em).
Q: Will food coloring stain my hands?
A: If you use a decent gel food coloring, it’s usually fine. Just don’t go wild, and wash up quickly before the orange takes hold.
Q: Can I use microwave popcorn with butter?
A: I wouldn’t. The butter-flavor stuff just makes it a greasy mess. Stick with plain or lightly salted.
Q: How do I keep them from sticking to everything?
A: Buttered hands are key, friend! And a silicone spatula helps HUGE when mixing.
Q: Can I freeze these?
A: I mean, you could, but I wouldn’t really recommend it. The texture is never the same after defrosting.
Ready to Transform Your Halloween Table?
Alright, so that’s my pitch for Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls. Quick, fun, kid-proof, and pretty much the cutest thing you can whip up without a fancy bakery degree. Really, this is the snack that makes you look way more put-together than you probably feel. Even if your candy faces melt or the pumpkin “stems” go sideways—who cares? It’s Halloween chaos, and that’s the fun! For even more inspiration, you can peek at this Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Popcorn Balls guide, check out this cool Halloween Popcorn Ball Decorating Kit, or dive into another marshmallow popcorn balls recipe over on Pip and Ebby. Give it a shot, let me know how sticky your kitchen gets, and happy haunting!
Jack-O’-Lantern Popcorn Balls
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fun and festive popcorn balls shaped like Jack-O’-Lanterns, perfect for Halloween parties.
Ingredients
- 10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup kernels)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (plus extra for hands)
- 1 bag mini marshmallows (about 10 ounces)
- Orange gel food coloring (as needed)
- Mini Tootsie Rolls or green candy (for pumpkin stem)
- Mini chocolate chips, candy corn, or black licorice (for decoration)
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn and remove any unpopped kernels. Place in a large bowl.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, then add the marshmallows. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
- Add the orange food coloring and mix well.
- Pour the melted mixture over the popcorn and stir quickly but gently.
- Grease hands with butter and form the mixture into balls slightly larger than golf balls.
- Press a Tootsie Roll or green candy on top for the stem while warm.
- Decorate with mini chocolate chips or candy to create faces.
Notes
These popcorn balls can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigeration to maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popcorn ball
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg