Ghost Popcorn Balls are a fun and spooky treat that’s perfect for celebrating Halloween or any time you want a little ghostly fun. They’re made by mixing crispy popcorn with gooey marshmallows and then shaped into cute little balls that look like friendly ghosts. The sweet and crunchy mix makes every bite a delight, and they’re just the right size for snacking.
I love making these around Halloween because they’re so easy to shape and decorate. You can use chocolate chips or raisins to give each ghost its own personality with eyes and a mouth. It’s always a hit with the kids, and I enjoy seeing how creative everyone gets with decorating their ghost popcorn friends.
These popcorn balls are great for parties or just as a cozy movie night snack. I like to wrap them individually in clear bags tied with a festive ribbon—it makes them feel extra special and perfect for sharing. If you’re looking for a sweet and simple treat that’s a little different from the usual candy, give these ghost popcorn balls a try!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Popcorn: Use plain, popped popcorn without butter or salt. Air-popped popcorn works great and keeps the snack light. If you want, you can swap with kettle corn for a bit of sweetness.
Mini Marshmallows: They create the sticky sweetness that holds everything together. If you’re avoiding marshmallows, a marshmallow fluff or vegan marshmallows could be used, but the texture might change slightly.
Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps melt the marshmallows smoothly. You can substitute with coconut oil for a dairy-free option—it will change the taste but still bind well.
Vanilla Extract: Just a touch enhances flavor. Pure vanilla extract is best, but imitation vanilla works fine too.
Ghost Candy Topping: White chocolate melts or marshmallow ghosts are perfect for decoration. If those aren’t available, you can shape small ghost faces with white fondant or frosting.
Black Candy Eyes: Small candies or mini chocolate chips work well. For a fun twist, you can also use edible black food markers to draw eyes.
How Do I Shape the Popcorn Balls Without Them Falling Apart or Getting Sticky?
Shaping popcorn balls can be sticky but easy if you follow these tips:
- Grease your hands with butter or cooking spray before shaping to prevent sticking.
- Work while the marshmallow mixture is warm but not hot—it’s easier to mold and less likely to burn your fingers.
- Press gently rather than squeezing hard. Too much pressure can crush the popcorn and compact the balls.
- If the mixture cools and becomes too firm to shape, warm it slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and try again.
- Let balls cool completely on a greased surface so they hold their shape.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl – I recommend a big bowl to mix all the popcorn and marshmallows easily.
- Medium saucepan – Perfect for melting butter and marshmallows smoothly.
- Butter or nonstick spray – Keeps your hands and tools from sticking to sticky marshmallow mixture.
- Baking sheet or tray – For shaping and cooling the popcorn balls.
- Spatula or buttered hands – To gently mix and shape the popcorn into balls.
- Small candies or chocolate chips – To make the ghost faces and eyes; a fun detail your kids will love.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap vanilla with cinnamon or pumpkin spice to give a cozy fall flavor.
- Add sprinkles or colored sugar for a festive and colorful look.
- Include chopped nuts or mini candies inside the popcorn mixture for extra crunch and flavor.
- Use milk, dark, or white chocolate for attaching the ghosts to match your color theme or preference.
Ghost Popcorn Balls
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Popcorn Balls:
- 10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)
- 1 package (10 oz) mini marshmallows
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- White chocolate melts or candy melts (for attaching ghosts)
- Ghost-shaped white candy or marshmallow ghosts for topping
- Small black candy eyes or mini chocolate chips for ghost faces
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and shape, plus an additional 30 minutes to let the popcorn balls cool and set. Decorating them with ghost toppings takes just a few extra minutes, making it a fun and easy treat to get ready in less than an hour.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Bowl and Baking Sheet:
Grease a large mixing bowl and baking sheet with butter or nonstick spray to keep the popcorn from sticking during mixing and cooling.
2. Popcorn Preparation:
Place the popped popcorn into the greased large bowl, and remove any unpopped kernels to avoid crunching down unexpectedly.
3. Melt Butter and Marshmallows:
In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add mini marshmallows and stir continuously until smooth and fully melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
4. Mix Popcorn and Marshmallow Mixture:
Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Using buttered hands or a spatula, gently and quickly mix the popcorn until evenly coated with marshmallow. Be careful; the mixture will be warm.
5. Shape the Popcorn Balls:
While the mixture is still warm, shape it into large balls roughly the size of tennis balls. Place these on the greased baking sheet to cool.
6. Let Popcorn Balls Set:
Allow the popcorn balls to cool and firm up for approximately 30 minutes before adding decorations.
7. Decorate with Ghost Toppings:
Attach a ghost-shaped candy or marshmallow ghost on top of each popcorn ball using a small dab of melted white chocolate or candy melts as glue. Then, create eyes and a mouth on each ghost using black candy eyes or mini chocolate chips.
8. Final Touch and Serve:
Let the ghost decorations set for a few minutes. Once firm, enjoy your spooky, sweet Ghost Popcorn Balls!
Can I Use Microwave Popcorn Instead of Air-Popped Popcorn?
You can, but choose a plain, unbuttered microwave popcorn to avoid excess oil and salt. Buttered or flavored popcorn may affect the texture and sweetness of the popcorn balls.
How Should I Store Ghost Popcorn Balls?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigerating, as it can make the popcorn stale or soggy.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Yes! Make the popcorn balls and decorate them a day in advance. Just keep them covered in an airtight container to stay fresh.
What Can I Use If I Don’t Have Ghost-Shaped Candy?
No worries! Use regular marshmallows or shape white fondant into little ghosts. You can also skip the ghost topper and simply decorate the popcorn balls with spooky sprinkles or edible eyes.