Best Ever S’mores Popcorn Balls Recipe: Campfire Magic at Home

Sweet s’mores popcorn balls capture the essence of campfire nostalgia with their irresistible blend of classic flavors.

Marshmallow magic revamps ordinary kernels into a decadent treat that sparks childhood memories.

Crispy, gooey, and utterly delightful, these confections merge the beloved campfire dessert with a crowd-pleasing snack.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of crunchy popcorn and luxurious chocolate-graham elements.

Sticky marshmallow binding brings together graham cracker crumbs and chocolate chips in a whimsical fusion.

You’ll find these treats easier to create than traditional campfire s’mores, with no open flame required.

Ideal for movie nights, parties, or spontaneous sweet cravings, these popcorn balls deliver pure indulgence.

S’mores Popcorn Balls That Hit All the Notes

• Craft an Irresistible Campfire Treat: These s'mores popcorn balls capture the beloved classic campfire dessert in a portable, snackable form that brings nostalgic summer memories right to your kitchen.
• Enjoy Tempting Texture Combinations: The recipe brilliantly blends crispy popcorn, crunchy Golden Grahams, and smooth melted marshmallows, creating a delightful sensory experience that keeps your taste buds excited with every bite.
• Quick and Easy Party Crowd-Pleaser: With just a few simple steps and minimal ingredients, these popcorn balls take less than 30 minutes to prepare, making them a perfect last-minute dessert for gatherings, movie nights, or kid-friendly celebrations.
• Customize Your Sweet Creation: The recipe allows for playful variations like adding extra chocolate chips, drizzling melted chocolate, or incorporating different cereals, giving you creative freedom to make each batch uniquely delicious.

What Goes Into S’mores Popcorn Balls

• Popcorn: Classic base for the recipe, light and airy snack ideal for mixing with sweet coatings.
• Golden Grahams Cereal: Adds graham cracker flavor and extra crunch to mimic traditional s'mores texture.

• Butter: Provides rich, golden-brown depth of flavor and helps create smooth marshmallow mixture.
• Marshmallows: Acts as sticky binding agent that holds popcorn balls together with sweet, soft texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and adds subtle depth to the dessert.

• Mini Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Classic s'mores chocolate element that melts slightly and adds rich chocolate flavor.
• Nonstick Cooking Spray: Helps prevent mixture from sticking to hands during shaping process.

• Waxed Paper, Parchment Paper, or Silicone Baking Mat: Provides clean, non-stick surface for cooling and setting popcorn balls.

How to Roll and Set Popcorn Balls Without the Mess

Step 1: Prepare Popcorn

Pop popcorn according to package instructions and set aside in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Brown the Butter

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, cooking until it turns golden brown and develops a nutty aroma.

Step 3: Melt Marshmallows

• Marshmallows

Stir continuously until marshmallows are completely melted and create a smooth mixture.

Step 4: Add Flavor

Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

• Popped popcorn
• Golden Grahams cereal

Gently mix until everything is evenly coated with marshmallow mixture.

Step 6: Prepare for Shaping

Let mixture cool slightly until comfortable to handle. Lightly spray hands with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 7: Form Popcorn Balls

Scoop about 1 cup of popcorn mixture and shape into a compact ball, pressing gently to maintain shape.

Step 8: Add Chocolate Topping

Sprinkle mini semisweet chocolate chips over each popcorn ball, pressing them in softly to stick.

Step 9: Cool and Set

Place finished popcorn balls on waxed paper, parchment paper, or silicone baking mat to cool and set completely.

Tips to Keep Popcorn Crunchy and Coated

• Control Marshmallow Melting: Stir constantly to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, even consistency for your s'mores popcorn balls.
• Manage Hand Stickiness: Spray hands with cooking spray before shaping to prevent mixture from clinging and ensure perfect ball formation.
• Balance Chocolate Distribution: Sprinkle chocolate chips while mixture is still slightly warm to help them adhere naturally without sliding off.
• Prevent Overcrowding: Work with small batches when forming popcorn balls to maintain proper shape and prevent crumbling.
• Cool Completely: Let popcorn balls rest on parchment paper to set fully, allowing them to achieve the ideal firm yet slightly chewy texture.

Storage Tips That Preserve Texture

• Refrigerate: Store popcorn balls in an airtight container, separating layers with wax paper to prevent sticking. Keep them refrigerated for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and texture.
• Freeze: Wrap individual popcorn balls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 weeks for longer storage.
• Reheat: Unwrap frozen popcorn balls and let them thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Gently warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if desired, being careful not to overheat and lose the crispy texture.

Sweet and Salty Pairings for S’mores Popcorn Balls

• Craft Chocolate Martini Pairing: Blend a rich, dark chocolate martini with hints of vanilla to complement the s'mores popcorn balls' sweet and toasty flavors, creating a decadent dessert experience.
• Brew Caramel Espresso Match: Serve a smooth caramel-infused espresso alongside the popcorn balls, letting the coffee's deep notes enhance the marshmallow and chocolate elements.
• Mix Creamy Baileys Delight: Pour a chilled glass of Baileys Irish Cream to match the popcorn balls' creamy marshmallow texture, adding a luxurious Irish cream undertone that bridges the dessert's graham and chocolate profiles.
• Serve Cold Milk Classic: Offer a tall, frosty glass of cold milk to balance the sweet and rich s'mores popcorn balls, providing a nostalgic and refreshing counterpoint to the treat's intense flavors.

Fun Popcorn Ball Variations Worth Trying

• Campfire Crunch: Replace Golden Grahams with toasted graham cracker pieces and add a drizzle of melted milk chocolate for an extra layer of classic s'mores flavor.
• Nutty S'mores Blast: Mix in chopped roasted almonds or peanuts to the popcorn mixture for added crunch and a protein boost.
• Rocky Road Remix: Incorporate mini marshmallows and dark chocolate chunks directly into the popcorn balls for a rich, decadent version of the original treat.
• Salted Caramel S'mores: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the popcorn balls and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt to enhance the sweet and salty combination.

Smores Popcorn Balls Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Gooey marshmallow meets crispy popcorn in these irresistible s’mores popcorn balls from campfire memories. Graham cracker crumbs and chocolate chips create a nostalgic twist you’ll devour with pure summer joy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 2 cups Golden Grahams cereal
• 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Binding Ingredients:

• 10 ounces (283 grams) mini marshmallows
• ¼ cup (57 grams) butter

Flavor Enhancer:

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare freshly popped corn kernels according to package instructions, ensuring even and light texture.
2. In a spacious cooking vessel, transform butter over medium flame until it develops a rich, nutty golden-brown hue.
3. Introduce marshmallows into the heated butter, continuously stirring until they melt into a smooth, glossy consistency.
4. Carefully remove the saucepan from heat and incorporate vanilla extract, infusing the mixture with a delicate aromatic essence.
5. Gently fold the popped corn and crushed Golden Grahams cereal into the marshmallow base, ensuring each kernel and cereal fragment is evenly coated.
6. Allow the mixture to cool momentarily, reaching a temperature comfortable for hand manipulation.
7. Lightly coat hands with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and facilitate smooth shaping.
8. Carefully construct compact spheres by scooping and gently compressing the popcorn mixture, maintaining structural integrity.
9. Embellish each popcorn ball by delicately pressing miniature semisweet chocolate chips across the surface, creating a decorative and tasty exterior.
10. Position the completed popcorn balls on a clean, nonporous surface like waxed paper or silicone mat, permitting them to solidify and cool completely.

Notes

• Quickly coat hands with cooking spray to prevent sticky marshmallow mixture from clinging while shaping popcorn balls.
• Brown butter adds a rich, nutty depth of flavor that elevates the classic s’mores taste profile.
• Work with warm mixture for easier molding, but let it cool slightly to avoid burning your hands.
• Use gentle pressure when forming balls to ensure they hold together without crumbling.
• Chocolate chips will slightly melt from residual warmth, creating delicious pockets of gooey chocolate throughout the treat.
• Store popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days to maintain freshness and texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg