Rainbow Popcorn Balls
Brighten up your snack table with these colorful and irresistible Rainbow Popcorn Balls! Bursting with buttery caramel flavor and a dazzling spectrum of hues, this easy recipe transforms everyday popcorn into a fun, festive treat perfect for parties, holidays, or movie nights. Made with a sweet caramel coating that’s divided and dyed in vibrant shades, each popcorn ball is a playful mix of sweetness and crunch. With just 30 minutes of prep and cooking time, these handheld snacks come together quickly and are as fun to make as they are to eat. Customize the colors to match your celebration theme, and wrap them individually for a delightful homemade gift or party favor! Perfect for kids and adults alike, Rainbow Popcorn Balls are a must-try treat for anyone who loves a creative twist on classic popcorn.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 10 cups Popped popcorn
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Light corn syrup
- 1 can Sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 5 drops per color Food coloring (various colors)
- 1 small can Cooking spray
Instructions
Prepare your workspace by lightly spraying your hands and a baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Place the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl, ensuring there’s enough room to toss the popcorn with the coating later.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk to the melted butter. Stir well to combine.
Insert a candy thermometer into the mixture and cook it over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it reaches 235°F (soft-ball stage).
Once the mixture has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Divide the hot caramel mixture evenly into separate small bowls, depending on how many colors you wish to use (e.g., 3-4 bowls for 3-4 colors).
Add a few drops of food coloring into each bowl and stir quickly to mix the color evenly.
Working one color at a time, pour the colored caramel over a portion of the popped popcorn in the large bowl. Toss gently with a spatula until the popcorn is evenly coated.
Using your lightly greased hands, scoop a handful of the coated popcorn and gently press it into a ball shape. Place the popcorn ball on the prepared baking sheet.
Repeat the process with the remaining colors and popcorn, washing your hands and reapplying cooking spray as needed between colors.
Allow the popcorn balls to cool and set completely at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes.
Once cooled, wrap each popcorn ball individually in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
527 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.0 g | 32% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.9 g | 65% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 56 mg | 19% | |
| Sodium | 43 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 72.9 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.0 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 67.7 g | ||
| Protein | 3.1 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 94 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 0.4 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 127 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
