Easy Strawberry Popcorn Ball Recipe (Using Jello)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This popcorn ball recipe uses strawberry gelatin and sprinkles to create a fun pink treat! Make this easy dessert today in only 15 minutes. This is an easy recipe for popped popcorn – and a fun one for special occasions! It’s my favorite popcorn mixture.
Forget about old fashioned popcorn balls and make this delicious treat instead. This great recipe brings fond memories of homemade popcorn balls, but with a fun twist.
Homemade treats like this are a special treat that is perfect for fun Halloween treats, birthday parties, fall festivals, and more.
Add some colorful sprinkles to this classic treat to take it to the next level!
The melted marshmallow mixture, paired with the other simple ingredients, creates the perfect fun treat.
It’s the perfect recipe to use when you have popped too much popcorn, or are just in the mood for fun recipes to share.
Just be ready – the first time that you make these fun treats, you’re going to be hooked on the flavor combinations.
This will be your new favorite treat – and you’ll be counting down the days until you can make these easy marshmallow popcorn balls again!
Table of Contents
Popcorn Ball Recipe
Salty and sweet with a hint of fruit flavor is just the kind of fun your snack time needs! Popcorn balls are really fun to make, and they’re great party treats, too!
If you love the taste of these marshmallow popcorn balls, try my holiday “bait” recipes for Easter and St. Paddy’s Day
Or, whip up a batch of peanut butter caramel corn for an extra sweet treat. It makes plenty for movie night and can be packaged into party favors too.
Craving chocolate with your crunch? You’ll love these hot cocoa krispies topped with even more mini marshmallows and chocolate drizzle.
Recipe Tips
- Time-saving tip: Since any popped corn will do, grab a bag from the chip and snack aisle instead of making your own!
Be sure to choose one without additional flavors. You can pop your own popcorn if you want, but to cut down on cooking time and those pesky unpopped popcorn kernels, buying it already popped is a good idea.
The old-fashioned stovetop method of cooking popcorn does work great, though! - Use fresh marshmallows. You’ve probably got a bag in the back of the pantry, but it’s best to grab a new one from the store.
Otherwise, they may not melt down completely and the popcorn ball recipe won’t work. - Change up the flavors! Since the taste of strawberries comes from gelatin powder, try a different one each time or make a batch of each for a rainbow celebration.
- Prevent sticking. Coat your hands in butter or cooking spray before forming each round. A quick wash with dish soap will get the grease off when you’re done.
- Want them more pink? Add a drop or two of gel food coloring for a more vibrant hue.
This simple recipe is also versatile in adding fun mix-ins and toppings! Chocolate chips would be a fun addition to these Jello popcorn balls and also have good flavor!
More fun food ideas would be adding sprinkles or topping with some chocolate syrup!
How To Make Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
- Melt the butter and marshmallows together in a saucepan on the stove until there are no more lumps.
As you melt the butter, be sure that you are stirring so that it doesn’t burn. There is no need for a candy thermometer here. - Remove from the heat and stir in the strawberry gelatin powder. Then, pour the mixture over a bowl of popped kernels and add your sprinkles.
- Gently stir until everything is well coated and combined. Scoop out about ½ cup at a time and roll into a ball with your hands. (you’re going to make 3-inch popcorn balls in terms of size, etc.)
- Place the coated popcorn balls in a lined muffin tin to cool to room temperature and repeat until all of the mixture is gone. Simple popcorn recipes for the win!
Popcorn Ball Recipe FAQ
First, be sure that the marshmallows are completely melted and stir everything together while it’s still hot.
Second, every piece of popcorn needs to be fully coated in order for them to grab onto each other so be sure to mix thoroughly.
Sure you can! Not only are they fun to have on hand, but they are a great alternative to cookies and bars for bake sales or holiday treat bags.
While it’s best to enjoy them within a few days, these should last up to a week when stored in an airtight container.
You’re going to have to be patient and let the popcorn harden to get firm. Don’t worry, as the popcorn cools, it will harden rather quickly. These simple popcorn balls will be ready to eat in a few short minutes of time.
You have options! You can make stovetop popcorn, air-popped popcorn, or a combination of the two. I like using an air popper because the high heat pops the popcorn kernels without the need for hot oil.
If you add the kernels to a medium saucepan to pop, you’ll need just a little bit of oil to create the base for this perfect treat. You can use a large saucepan for a larger batch which will make more easy popcorn balls quickly.
I get it. Once you make this yummy treat, storage is key to keeping it fresh! You can wrap them in wax paper or plastic wrap so that they don’t get stale. You can also put them in a nonstick container!
You should end up with 12 rounds equaling about ½ cup each. Obviously, the amount will vary if you form them larger or smaller.
I’m all about serving them any time you want! They’re perfect for movie nights, but you can also make this during the holiday season. Add some festive sprinkles, and you’ve got a fun Halloween treat or Christmas snack. Make this recipe during a cold winter afternoon as a fun way to pass the time!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Other Scrumptious Strawberry Desserts
Easy Strawberry Popcorn Ball Recipe (Using Jello)
Ingredients
- 8 cups popcorn, popped
- 10 ounce bag mini marshmallow
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jello mix powder
- 1 tablespoon sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the popcorn according to your favorite way. Pour in a big bowl and set aside.
- Prepare a muffin tin with cupcake liner. Set aside
- In a medium size saucepan over medium heat melt the butter and add the marshmallow. Mixing constantly until you have a smooth texture. (5 minutes)
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the strawberry jello powder. Mix until all combine, and you have a smooth pink mixture.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and add sprinkles.
- With 2 wood spoons carefully mix the popcorn until all coated with marshmallow mixture.
- Roll popcorn into a ball. About 1/2 cup per ball.
- Let it cool and enjoy.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2021, updated and republished March 2025
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
Welcome!
We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
I make these all the time for the kids, it is so easy to change the flavor just change the jello!!! The kids just love them!
Made it today for the first time very easy the kids will have fun making these
This recipe is amazing! The strawberry flavor really pops, and the marshmallow makes it perfectly sweet. So easy to make too!
Hi Brooke!
We’re so glad you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn