This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

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!

Deliciously gooey 5-minute Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn is simple, quick, and perfect for parties and holidays!
Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

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!

Popped kernels ready for making caramel marshmallow popcorn.

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.

Gooey Caramel marshmallow popcorn on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

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:

  1. Buy 11 cups of plain pre-popped popcorn.
  2. Pop 5 tablespoons of your own kernels.
  3. Pop a bag of plain microwave popcorn.ย 

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 โ€œGolden Syrupโ€.

  • Make your own simple syrup: In a saucepan mix ยผ cup of water with 1 cup of granulated sugar. Simmer until the sugar has melted and makes a syrup.ย 

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 โ€œmeltโ€ and it wonโ€™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. 

Close up of a red bowl filled with caramel marshmallow popcorn.

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:

4.98 from 71 votes

Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Deliciously gooey 5-minute Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn is simple, quick, and perfect for parties and holidays!
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (3.2-ounce) bag plain microwave popcorn
  • ยฝ 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

Choose Your Favorite Popcorn: One 3.28-ounce bag of microwave popcorn contains 5 tablespoons of un-popped kernels, which makes 10โ€“11 cups of popped popcorn. So for this recipe, you can buy 11 cups of plain pre-popped popcorn, pop 5 tablespoons of your own kernels, or pop 1 bag of plain microwave popcorn.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 270kcal, Carbohydrates: 43g, Protein: 0.5g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 26mg, Potassium: 41mg, Fiber: 0.03g, Sugar: 39g, Vitamin A: 355IU, Calcium: 27mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe adapted from Raining Hot Coupons.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

Get my cookbook!

My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!

4.98 from 71 votes (45 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




84 Comments

  1. Angela says:

    5 stars
    I stumbled across this and just happened to have the ingredients on hand, so My daughter and I made it. So delicious and sticky because I couldn’t wait for it to set.

  2. Kay says:

    5 stars
    This looks amazing! I want to make it but..I don’t really want to use corn syrup…is there anything else I can sub it for? D: I want some of this so badddd lol

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      I’ve always made it with corn syrup, but this may help. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      1. Kay says:

        5 stars
        Oh wow Thank you!! :]

      2. Lil' Luna says:

        You’re welcome! ๐Ÿ˜€

    2. Terri says:

      I use pancake syrup!

  3. Jodi says:

    I am so glad that you had fun with Alexandra Lily and that is cool that Gavin does t-ball

  4. Josalyn Brown says:

    I mad this is weekend a d think I messed something up…. My Carmel poppopcorn ended up hard as a rock! Did I maybe heat the sugar mix too long? I love yourrecipies BTW! I’ve tried a few of them! My favorite so far is your glazed lemon zuchinni bread! Delicious!

  5. Tracy carpenter says:

    How many mini-marshmellows would I use?

    1. liz says:

      I’m interested in the number of mini marshmellows too! That is what I always have on hand ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Lil' Luna says:

        I’d say it’s just under half a bag of mini marshmallows. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  6. candice says:

    Looks scrumptious! Can you tell me what size of bag of popcorn you used and better yet, how many cups of popped popcorn (instead of using microwave popcorn) it would equal? Thanks.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      I used a regular bag of popcorn which seemed to make about 3 – 3.5 cups of popcorn. ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Kiki Parr says:

    Lily has an ADORABLE smile!! And that caramel popcorn looks delicious, too. I HAVE to try this someday!! (If I remember)