Deliciously gooey 5-minute Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn is simple, quick, and perfect for parties and holidays!
This gooey Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn takes minutes to make and is a delicious treat for any holiday, party, or movie night. Similar to Rice Krispie Treats and filled with simple ingredients, we have a feeling you’ll love this popcorn as much as we do!
marshmallow Popcorn goodness
Do you like Marshmallows? And do you like Popcorn? How about Caramel?
If you love all 3, then you’ll love today’s recipe for Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn. Believe us when we say that it is beyond addicting!
Turn this treat into Marshmallow Popcorn Balls and the kids will go crazy!
It is so easy to make and takes only 5 minutes. The best part is it’s so gooey good. If you’re looking for a great treat for parties and get-togethers – this is it! Or even a family movie night. We promise it will be a hit!
How to Make Marshmallow Popcorn
Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn takes just minutes to make!
POPCORN. Pop the popcorn and place it in a large bowl, remove unpopped kernels. Set aside.
CARAMEL. Melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Add brown sugar and corn syrup until well blended. Add marshmallows and stir continuously on low heat until all melted.
COMBINE. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and mix well. Spread popcorn on parchment paper or put it on a greased baking sheet and let set.
Recipe Tips
Amount in one bag of popcorn. One 3.28 oz bag of popcorn contains 5 tablespoons of un-popped kernels or about 11 cups of popped corn. There are 3 ways to get popcorn for this recipe:
- Buy 11 cups of plain pre-popped popcorn.
- Pop 5 tablespoons of your own kernels.
- Pop a bag of plain microwave popcorn.
Marshmallows. Substitute large marshmallows for mini marshmallows with a 1:10 ratio. For this recipe use 200 mini marshmallows or about 3 cups. Either way, remember old marshmallows won’t melt well.
Corn syrup substitute. There are a few options though they may alter the taste, but not by much. Substitute a 1:1 ratio of maple syrup or honey. In the UK the closest substitute is “Golden Syrup”.
- Make your own simple syrup: In a saucepan mix ¼ cup of water with 1 cup of granulated sugar. Simmer until the sugar has melted and makes a syrup.
Popcorn. Use any flavor of popcorn, but I prefer plain popcorn for this recipe. Kettle corn, salted popcorn, or lightly buttered popcorn work as well.
Don’t add extra popcorn or there won’t be enough caramel to hold them together. However, if you don’t add enough popcorn, the caramel will “melt” and it won’t hold its shape.
Easy cleanup. Grease your hands with cooking spray before forming the balls to prevent sticking.
Toppings. This popcorn really speaks for itself, but it can be fun to mix in a few colored sprinkles, little candies, chopped nuts, or mini chocolate chips. Do not add too many extras or the ratios will be off and the popcorn ball won’t stick together.
Storing Info
STORE all Marshmallow Popcorn together in an airtight container or wrap individual balls tightly with plastic wrap. The popcorn should last for 7-10 days at room temperature.
For more popcorn recipes:
- White Chocolate M&M Popcorn
- Easy Popcorn Balls
- Cookies and Cream Popcorn
- Birthday Cake Popcorn
- Caramel Popcorn
- Christmas Popcorn
Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (3.2-ounce) bag plain microwave popcorn
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 20 large marshmallows or 3 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Pop popcorn and place in a large bowl, removing any un-popped kernels.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add brown sugar and corn syrup and cook, stirring, until well blended. Add marshmallows and stir continuously until all melted, about 5 minutes.
- Pour mixture over popcorn and mix well. Spread popcorn out on parchment paper or a greased baking sheet and let sit for about 10 minutes to set up.
Video
Notes
Recipe adapted from Raining Hot Coupons.
How much is one bag for the marshmallow popcorn?
Can you tell me how much in cups?
A bag of un-popped popcorn is close to 3 ounces (around that). I’m not quite sure how much it is, popped.
13 cups popped popcorn
Delish!
Wow! Looks amazing! – Melt butter in a medium pot on the oven? I believe you meant stove. Thank you for sharing!
Haha..yes 🙂 Thanks!
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delightfully delishes
Thank you so much!! I am glad you think so 🙂
This is absolutely delicious!!!
I am glad you think so! We love it, too! Thank you 🙂
Can’t wait to try thanks for recipe.
You are welcome! Enjoy!
We make this for almost every movie night! Stays so yummy and gooey to eat the next day if you even have any leftover to eat.
We love it for movie night! Glad you do, too! Thank you!
Subbed corn syrup for honey! Came out great!
Great substitution!! Thanks for sharing that!
Hi Kristyn, thank you for the free ebook!! I love the recipes you INCLUDED. Just wanted to mention your opening paragraph about your family said 5 KIDs but there are 6 pictured.
I am so glad you like it! Not sure what paragraph it is, but it could have been written when I had 5 kids, but I am always updating our picture 🙂
I used 1/2 unpopped kernels in my air popper and added a tablespoon of kosher salt, but I love the caramel and marshmallows together!
Hi Kristyn, could I use marshmallow fluff? If so any idea how much? This looks sooo yummy, going to make & give as gifts for Christmas. Thank you! Have a wonderful holiday season!
I haven’t tried, but I am sure that would work 🙂
I made this recipe, and forgot the karo syrup. However it was excellent without the syrup. What is the purpose of the syrup?
Such a good caramel popcorn ball!!!! Thank you for sharing!
Glad to hear that. It helps make it sweet & stick, but good to know it still works out without it!
My favorite recipe so far!! It’s so ooey gooey delicious! I usually double the recipe cause it goes so fast!
My favorite recipe so far!! It’s so ooey gooey delicious! I usually double the recipe cause it goes so fast!
Just made it. Turned out yummy & gooey !
Thanks. So quick & easy.
Happy you tried it! Thank you for making it & for letting me know!
Love love this it is so awesomely yummy good
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the popcorn!
Interesting recipe. I see you want the syrup done in an oven, have I read well?
The caramel marshmallow mixture from this recipe is actually made in a saucepan over the stove. 🙂
Super easy and made with ingredients already in the pantry and oh so good and gooey !!! 🙂
This is one of my most FAVORITE treats!!!!!