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 Video
Ingredients to Make Colored Popcorn:
- light corn syrup
- butter
- powdered sugar
- marshmallows
- water
- vanilla
- salt
- popped popcorn
- food coloring
Step by Step: How to Make Colored Popcorn Balls
First, gather all your ingredients that the recipe calls for.
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.
Once the popcorn is made separate it into bowls. If you are doing 5 rainbow colors use 5 bowls.
Make your corn syrup mixture per recipe directions.
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.
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.
And just like that you have beautiful rainbow popcorn balls to enjoy!
You could put these on a plate or wrap each one individually with plastic wrap.
I hope you like these colored popcorn balls!
Other Rainbow Recipes You May Like:
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How to Make Rainbow Popcorn Balls
PrintIngredients
- 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.
Emily Z says
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?
Kati says
Hi, these look fantastic! How sticky are they, could one serve them in paper muffin forms? We’re doing a Paw Patrol birthday party.
Pamela says
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. 😉
Kati says
Thank you! They worked wonderfully and were a big hit!
Pamela says
I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Azel 40 says
Awesome..thanks for the recipie..i juz love to taste it…exclusively colorful..
Pamela says
Glad you liked the recipe – they really are colorful!
Joe says
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!
Pamela says
Hey Joe – I promise you I only used 2 drops! Food coloring is pretty intense with just the slightest drop. Enjoy the popcorn balls!
ANDREA says
My colors didn’t come out vibrant and fully coating. What am i doing wrong?
Beth says
I made these for my sons birthday party and everyone loved them. I used different shades of blue food dye! Thank you!
Anita Maraj says
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.
Nancy Lapke says
Probably over-heating syrup or boiling too long. Heat to 270° 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.
Ginnette says
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
Pamela says
They are super cute Ginnette! Kids love them! Have fun!
yahki Idriemeka Jones says
How long do they keep
Pamela says
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!
Anna Wright says
Hey! it looks colorful, I think we must enjoy days with snack like this, thanks for sharing your colorful idea!
Elsa | the whinery says
Yum! these look like so much fun! Just looking at them makes me happy. 🙂
Rachel says
Those are so pretty! And the gloves are a great tip — I’m always getting turmeric etc. on my fingers.
Victoria Pease says
Oh my goodness these look so fun and I love that you arranged them like the characters in Inside Out!
http://victoriaspongepeasepudding.com/
Wannabeeverywhere says
Omg this looks so delicious, I can’t wait to try it out on my Halloween party!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
These are super cute!
Debra Eliotseats says
So nostalgic! What I would give for one of my grandmother’s homemade treats like this!
Pamela says
Aww thanks Debra, that’s so nice!
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
Oh my gosh they are so gorgeously colourful!! I need to try popcorn like this :).
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
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.
Mary Pisarkiewicz says
Aw so fun, you make it look so pretty!
Wendy says
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. 🙂
Monica says
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
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 🙂
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
That is a great idea to wear gloves. Something I should try and remember when I work with food dye and turmeric 🙂
Pamela says
And jalapeno peppers! That’s originally why I bought them. 🙂
Michele Dunn says
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
Betty says
These are so pretty- they’d make great party food! 🙂