Soft and Chewy Popcorn Balls
Indulge in the nostalgic charm of Soft and Chewy Popcorn Balls, a sweet and satisfying treat perfect for celebrations, movie nights, or anytime snacking! This easy recipe combines freshly popped popcorn with a luscious homemade caramel made from butter, brown sugar, and sweetened condensed milk, creating a perfectly sticky coating that holds everything together. The caramel is infused with a touch of vanilla and salt for the perfect balance of flavors, while the popcorn balls remain soft and chewy for ultimate enjoyment. Quick to prepare in just 30 minutes, these delightful popcorn balls are great for kids and adults alike. Serve them freshly made, or store them in an airtight container to enjoy their buttery goodness for days. Perfect for parties, holidays, or an afternoon indulgence, these popcorn balls will become a family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 0.5 cups Popcorn kernels
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 0.5 cups Light corn syrup
- 1 cups Granulated sugar
- 0.5 cups Brown sugar
- 0.5 cups Sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil or coconut oil
Instructions
Prepare the popcorn: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2-3 popcorn kernels to test the oil temperature. Once they pop, add 0.5 cups of popcorn kernels, cover the pot, and shake it gently. Continue cooking, shaking the pot occasionally, until the popping slows. Remove from heat and pour the popped popcorn into a large mixing bowl, discarding any unpopped kernels.
Prepare the caramel coating: In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in 0.5 cups of light corn syrup, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 0.5 cups of brown sugar, and 0.5 cups of sweetened condensed milk. Stir constantly while cooking to prevent burning.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches a thick consistency and a light caramel color. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 0.5 teaspoons of salt.
Combine popcorn and caramel: Slowly pour the caramel mixture over the popped popcorn, tossing gently to coat all the popcorn evenly. Be careful, as the caramel will be hot.
Form popcorn balls: Allow the mixture to cool for 3-5 minutes until it's still warm but safe to touch. Lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray, and scoop out portions of the coated popcorn to form into balls, about the size of a baseball. Gently press together without crushing the popcorn.
Let the popcorn balls set: Place the formed popcorn balls on a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper to cool and set completely.
Serve and store: Enjoy immediately, or store the popcorn balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1118 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 78.2 g | 100% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.2 g | 161% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 124 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 1212 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 108.0 g | 39% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.5 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 70.8 g | ||
| Protein | 6.4 g | 13% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 78 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 273 mg | 6% | |
*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.
