Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls

Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls are an American snack time favorite made with sweet kettle corn and gooey marshmallows. This easy recipe mixes salty peanuts and festive candy corn into chewy treats that both kids and adults love.

The first time I made these, I tried to shape them while the marshmallow was still bubbling hot. Now I always wait a few minutes until the mixture is tacky but not painful to touch. If you rush this part, you’ll end up with a mess on your hands and popcorn balls that won’t hold their shape.

Ree Drummond’s method uses a clever trick by making the kettle corn right in the pot with oil and sugar. Most recipes just use plain popcorn, but that extra layer of sugar on the kernels makes a huge difference. It gives the snack a crunch that stands up to the soft marshmallows even after they’ve sat on the counter for a day.

Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls Ingredients

For the Popcorn:

• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 6 tablespoons popcorn kernels
• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar

For the Mixture:

• 4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter
• 4 cups (160g) mini marshmallows
• 1/2 cup (75g) salted roasted peanuts
• 1 cup (170g) candy corn
• Cooking spray

How To Make Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls

• 1. Pop the corn: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the peanut oil and kernels. Once the oil starts to shimmer, pour the sugar over the corn, cover with a tight lid, and shake the pot constantly.

Keep the pot moving until the popping sounds slow down to a few seconds apart. Constant shaking prevents the sugar from burning against the bottom of the hot metal before the corn has a chance to pop.

• 2. Prep the bowl: Move the popped kettle corn into a very large bowl that you’ve coated heavily with cooking spray. Toss in the candy corn and the peanuts so they’re ready for the marshmallow glue.
• 3. Melt the marshmallow: Wipe out your large pot and put it back on medium heat with the butter and marshmallows. Stir this with a spatula until the white lumps disappear and the mixture looks like smooth liquid silk.
• 4. Combine the base: Pour that melted marshmallow over your popcorn mixture and use a greased spatula to stir everything together. Work quickly here so the marshmallow coats every piece of corn before it starts to set.
• 5. Shape the balls: Coat your hands in plenty of cooking spray and grab a handful of the mixture to press into a 3-inch ball. Place each finished ball on parchment paper and let them sit until they feel firm and no longer sticky.

Don’t squeeze the balls too hard when you’re shaping them. If you pack the popcorn too tightly, the treats will be rock hard and difficult to bite into once the sugar cools completely.

Recipe Tips

• Use a heavy pot: A thin pot will hot-spot and burn the sugar before your popcorn kernels even think about popping. A Dutch oven or a thick-bottomed stockpot works best for keeping the heat even.
• Watch the heat: Keep your stove at a steady medium because sugar turns from liquid to burnt black in a heartbeat. If you see smoke before the popping starts, pull the pot off the burner for a few seconds while you keep shaking.
• Grease everything twice: Coat your bowl, your spatula, and your hands with more cooking spray than you think you need. Marshmallow is incredibly stubborn and will stick to any dry surface it finds.
• Add the candy late: Make sure you don’t add the candy corn to the pot while you’re melting the marshmallows. They’ll melt into orange puddles, so always wait to toss them into the bowl with the room-temperature popcorn.
• Store them individually: Wrap each ball in plastic wrap once they’re cool to keep the air out. This stops the marshmallows from getting stale and keeps the popcorn from losing its crunch.

What To Serve With Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls

These are quite sweet, so a cold glass of milk is the best way to wash them down. If you’re serving them at a party, a tray of tart apple slices helps balance out all that sugar.

You could also put these out with a bowl of salty pretzels or some dark chocolate pieces. Something bitter or salty helps make the candy corn and marshmallow flavor pop.

How To Store Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls

• Fridge: Don’t put these in the fridge because the moisture will make the popcorn soggy. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: These are meant to be eaten at room temperature so you shouldn’t need to heat them. If they’ve become too hard, 5 seconds in the microwave can soften the marshmallow just enough to bite.
• Freeze: You can freeze these for up to two months if you wrap them tightly in plastic and put them in a freezer bag. Just let them sit on the counter for an hour before you try to eat one.

Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 of 12):

• Calories: 210 kcal
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 95mg

FAQs

Why is my sugar burning before the popcorn pops?

You’re likely using heat that’s too high or not shaking the pot enough. You’ve got to keep those kernels and sugar moving constantly so nothing stays in contact with the bottom of the pot for more than a second.

Can I use microwave popcorn for Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls?

Yes, you can use plain microwave popcorn, but you’ll miss out on the sweet kettle corn flavor from the original recipe. If you go this route, make sure the popcorn is unbuttered and unsalted so the flavors don’t clash.

How do I keep the marshmallow from sticking to my hands?

The trick is to use a thick layer of cooking spray or even a bit of butter on your palms. If the mixture starts sticking again halfway through, stop and re-apply the grease to your hands immediately.

Why won’t my popcorn balls stay in a round shape?

The mixture might still be too warm, or you haven’t added enough marshmallow to act as the glue. Let the bowl sit for another minute to thicken up, then try squeezing them with a bit more pressure.

Can I substitute the peanut oil in this recipe?

Any oil with a high smoke point like vegetable or canola oil will work fine here. Avoid using butter for the popping stage because it will burn at the temperatures needed to get the kernels to open.

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Red Velvet Cake Balls
• Pioneer Woman Crispy Goat Cheese Balls
• Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls
• Pioneer Woman Protein Balls
• Pioneer Woman Olive Cheese Balls