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Home ยป Recipe Type ยป Kid Friendly
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How To Make Rainbow Popcorn Balls

15 minutes
By: Pamela Reed
Posted:10/20/16
Updated:6/27/23
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How to Make Rainbow Popcorn Balls with marshmallow! This easy DIY recipe walks you through how to make colored popcorn balls using food dye and karo syrup! They’re a great snack and dessert for birthday parties!

How to Make Rainbow Popcorn Balls with marshmallow! This easy DIY recipe walks you through how to make colored popcorn balls using food dye and karo syrup! They're a great snack and dessert for birthday parties!

One taste of these Rainbow Popcorn Balls will have you amazed by how delicious they are, but yet how easy they are to make!   

How to Make Rainbow Popcorn Balls with marshmallow! This easy DIY recipe walks you through how to make colored popcorn balls using food dye and karo syrup! They're a great snack and dessert for birthday parties!

How to Make Rainbow Popcorn Balls Video

Ingredients to Make Colored Popcorn:

  • light corn syrup
  • butter
  • powdered sugar
  • marshmallows
  • water
  • vanilla
  • salt
  • popped popcorn
  • food coloring
How to Make Popcorn Balls with marshmallow! This easy DIY recipe walks you through how to make colored popcorn balls using food dye and karo syrup! They're a great snack and dessert for birthday parties!

Step by Step: How to Make Colored Popcorn Balls

First, gather all your ingredients that the recipe calls for.

Follow these easy step by step instructions to make delicious Rainbow Popcorn Balls! They are fun to make for birthday parties, sleepovers, camping trips and dessert!

If you are wondering 20 cups of popped popcorn equals about 3/4 cup kernels.  I used my air popper which is one of the best kitchen purchases I’ve made! If you are using microwave popcorn this is about 3 bags.

Follow these easy step by step instructions to make delicious Rainbow Popcorn Balls! They are fun to make for birthday parties, sleepovers, camping trips and dessert!

Once the popcorn is made separate it into bowls.  If you are doing 5 rainbow colors use 5 bowls.

Follow these easy step by step instructions to make delicious Rainbow Popcorn Balls! They are fun to make for birthday parties, sleepovers, camping trips and dessert!

Make your corn syrup mixture per recipe directions.

Follow these easy step by step instructions to make delicious Rainbow Popcorn Balls! They are fun to make for birthday parties, sleepovers, camping trips and dessert!

Have your food coloring nearby each bowl.  Divide up the corn syrup mixture into how many bowls of popcorn you have.  Add 2 drops of food coloring into the bowl.  Now mix with a spoon or spatula until all the popcorn is covered.  I was too sticky to take a during picture but this is the after picture.

Follow these easy step by step instructions to make delicious Rainbow Popcorn Balls! They are fun to make for birthday parties, sleepovers, camping trips and dessert!

To make things less messy use food safe gloves sprayed with nonstick spray when forming the balls.  Make sure to use a different pair of gloves for each color so you aren’t mixing colors.

How to Make Popcorn Balls with marshmallow! This easy DIY recipe walks you through how to make colored popcorn balls using food dye and karo syrup! They're a great snack and dessert for birthday parties!

And just like that you have beautiful rainbow popcorn balls to enjoy!

How to Make Popcorn Balls with marshmallow! This easy DIY recipe walks you through how to make colored popcorn balls using food dye and karo syrup! They're a great snack and dessert for birthday parties!

You could put these on a plate or wrap each one individually with plastic wrap.

How to Make Popcorn Balls with marshmallow! This easy DIY recipe walks you through how to make colored popcorn balls using food dye and karo syrup! They're a great snack and dessert for birthday parties!

I hope you like these colored popcorn balls!

How to Make Popcorn Balls with marshmallow! This easy DIY recipe walks you through how to make colored popcorn balls using food dye and karo syrup! They're a great snack and dessert for birthday parties!

Other Rainbow Recipes You May Like:

  • Rainbow Waffles
  • Sprinkled Butter Cookies
  • Birthday Cake Muffins

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How to Make Rainbow Popcorn Balls with marshmallow! This easy DIY recipe walks you through how to make colored popcorn balls using food dye and karo syrup! They're a great snack and dessert for birthday parties!

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How to Make Rainbow Popcorn Balls

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How to Make Rainbow Popcorn Balls with marshmallow! This easy DIY recipe walks you through how to make colored popcorn balls using food dye and karo syrup! They're a great snack and dessert for birthday parties!
By: Pamela Reed
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time 15 minutes minutes
serves 30

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup marshmallows
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 20 cups popped popcorn
  • Food Coloring of your choice

Instructions

  • In a small pot over medium high heat combine corn syrup, butter, sugar, marshmallows, water, vanilla and salt. Keep stirring until mixture comes to a boil.
  • Separate popcorn into bowls depending on how many different colors you are using. If you are using 5 colors, separate popcorn into 5 bowls – this will make it safer so you don’t mix colors.
  • Carefully (it’s hot) pour your syrup mixture into bowl of popcorn. Make sure to equally distribute into each bowl of popcorn. For example if you are using 5 colors, separate the syrup into 5 equal parts.
  • Add 2 drops of food coloring to the bowl.
  • With a spoon stir popcorn so every piece is coated with syrup mixture. Tip: Use a different spoon for each bowl so you don’t mix colors.
  • Using your hands shape into popcorn balls (whatever size you prefer). You have to do this quickly before the syrup cools off. You can use food safe plastic gloves sprayed with nonstick spray to make this easier to do.

Video:

Notes

Makes about 30 popcorn balls.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 110kcal (6%)
Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: colored popcorn, popcorn balls
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

Similar Recipes

  • Gingerbread Popcorn
  • Caramel TWIX Popcorn
  • Rainbow Waffles
  • Wasabi Popcorn

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  1. Emily Z says

    June 1, 2021 at 5:51 pm

    I am on keto but I don’t think substitutes will work but if I try it out I will let you know. Looks like it might be a cheat day food. Another question, cause I am from the Fluff state MA… which is marshmallow in spreadable form.. I grew up on wicked healthy fluffanutters. My mom still yells at me for eating them… I’ve added sprinkles much to her disgustion. Seems every recipe calls for marshmallows then melting them down. Maybe Fluff is a Boston thing?

    Reply
  2. Kati says

    August 11, 2019 at 7:39 am

    Hi, these look fantastic! How sticky are they, could one serve them in paper muffin forms? We’re doing a Paw Patrol birthday party.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 12, 2019 at 2:37 pm

      Hey Kati, they can def be served in paper muffin cups! I’ve done this before without any problems. PS. Paw Patrol! I won’t tell my daughter or she’ll show up at your house. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
      • Kati says

        August 18, 2019 at 1:24 pm

        Thank you! They worked wonderfully and were a big hit!

        Reply
        • Pamela says

          August 19, 2019 at 1:06 pm

          I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks for letting me know! ๐Ÿ™‚

          Reply
  3. Azel 40 says

    February 27, 2019 at 4:57 am

    Awesome..thanks for the recipie..i juz love to taste it…exclusively colorful..

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      March 4, 2019 at 9:47 am

      Glad you liked the recipe – they really are colorful!

      Reply
  4. Joe says

    December 22, 2018 at 10:55 pm

    2 drops of food coloring might leave the slightest haze of color but to get the colors shown in the photos you would need to mix close to a full container of color!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      December 24, 2018 at 3:22 pm

      Hey Joe – I promise you I only used 2 drops! Food coloring is pretty intense with just the slightest drop. Enjoy the popcorn balls!

      Reply
  5. ANDREA says

    March 30, 2018 at 4:50 am

    My colors didn’t come out vibrant and fully coating. What am i doing wrong?

    Reply
  6. Beth says

    July 22, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    I made these for my sons birthday party and everyone loved them. I used different shades of blue food dye! Thank you!

    Reply
  7. Anita Maraj says

    July 22, 2017 at 2:13 am

    Hi I made there they taste so good .but they would get hard and they aren’t crunchy .what am I doing wrong .I followed all direction .how do I measure the marshmallow.

    Reply
    • Nancy Lapke says

      November 27, 2018 at 6:28 pm

      Probably over-heating syrup or boiling too long. Heat to 270ยฐ on a candy thermometer. Or until a small amount of syrup dropped into very cold water separates into threads, which are hard but not brittle. Remove from heat.

      Reply
  8. Ginnette says

    July 6, 2017 at 10:19 am

    Oh my goodness this looks so cute can’t wait to make them for my grandkids they are so delicious I love rainbow popcorn ball

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 7, 2017 at 11:35 am

      They are super cute Ginnette! Kids love them! Have fun!

      Reply
  9. yahki Idriemeka Jones says

    April 30, 2017 at 7:06 pm

    How long do they keep

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      April 30, 2017 at 10:54 pm

      If you keep them in the refrigerator, I’d say a week. To be honest though we usually eat them all in the same day!

      Reply
  10. Anna Wright says

    December 23, 2016 at 1:53 am

    Hey! it looks colorful, I think we must enjoy days with snack like this, thanks for sharing your colorful idea!

    Reply
  11. Elsa | the whinery says

    October 24, 2016 at 6:29 pm

    Yum! these look like so much fun! Just looking at them makes me happy. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  12. Rachel says

    October 24, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    Those are so pretty! And the gloves are a great tip — I’m always getting turmeric etc. on my fingers.

    Reply
  13. Victoria Pease says

    October 24, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    Oh my goodness these look so fun and I love that you arranged them like the characters in Inside Out!

    http://victoriaspongepeasepudding.com/

    Reply
  14. Wannabeeverywhere says

    October 24, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    Omg this looks so delicious, I can’t wait to try it out on my Halloween party!

    Reply
  15. Amy (Savory Moments) says

    October 23, 2016 at 12:13 pm

    These are super cute!

    Reply
  16. Debra Eliotseats says

    October 23, 2016 at 12:10 pm

    So nostalgic! What I would give for one of my grandmother’s homemade treats like this!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      October 23, 2016 at 6:30 pm

      Aww thanks Debra, that’s so nice!

      Reply
  17. Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says

    October 22, 2016 at 7:13 pm

    Oh my gosh they are so gorgeously colourful!! I need to try popcorn like this :).

    Reply
  18. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    October 22, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    These popcorn rainbow balls look super cute and intriguing. And what a lovely idea to wear gloves. Love how fun they are. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

    Reply
  19. Mary Pisarkiewicz says

    October 21, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Aw so fun, you make it look so pretty!

    Reply
  20. Wendy says

    October 21, 2016 at 10:08 am

    These are so fun! I would love to send some of these in a care package. Do you have any idea how long these might stay crunchy? I would hate to send soggy popcorn. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  21. Monica says

    October 21, 2016 at 8:14 am

    This is a whole lotta fun, Pamela. I know my son and his friends would love these. Who doesn’t love popcorn and rainbow colors. : ) Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  22. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    October 21, 2016 at 8:01 am

    These are absolutely adorable! Love all the colours and they would be so perfect for Halloween. I can understand why they were the first gone; my niece and nephew would love these ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  23. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

    October 21, 2016 at 4:24 am

    That is a great idea to wear gloves. Something I should try and remember when I work with food dye and turmeric ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      October 21, 2016 at 12:06 pm

      And jalapeno peppers! That’s originally why I bought them. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Michele Dunn says

        December 9, 2019 at 2:14 pm

        If you put lotion on before cutting the peppers it protects your hand from the burn and it doesn’t leave any taste of lotiin

        Reply
  24. Betty says

    October 20, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    These are so pretty- they’d make great party food! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Pamela, an artist Mom who shares family recipes. My farm is a 1,000 sq ft apartment in NYC. Let's make dinner together.

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