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Home / feat. Snacks / Classic Popcorn Balls
Classic Popcorn Balls

Classic Popcorn Balls

I remember as a kid that there was a store at the mall that sold popcorn balls. They were sold in a variety of colors and looked like they were absolutely delicious. And my mom never let me get one. Thanks mom.

Classic Popcorn Balls

Popcorn is an absolute staple in my house. My favorite way to make popcorn is with our Whirly Pop on the stove and we like to pretend we need an excuse to make a batch. Typically we make popcorn on Saturday nights with new episodes of SNL or we started watching Breaking Bad again which obviously requires popcorn.

Classic Popcorn Balls

I’ve tried a lot of different popcorn kernels and must say that the Bob’s Red Mill White Popcorn is by far the best. It always turns out crisp and delicious. The corn that pops up always seems fresh and fragrant and it comes in white or yellow. I can’t tell you how much we go through on a monthly basis!

Classic Popcorn Balls

So back to that story about how I was the deprived kid that never got the colorful popcorn balls….This recipe is for you, mom. It’s such a fun little treat for kids and you can make them any size that you would like. I wouldn’t advise that kids help make them because the sugar can get pretty hot. But they’ll definitely have fun eating them!

And here’s a little treat for my readers today! Bob’s Red Mill is giving away a bag of white and yellow popcorn to THREE lucky readers today! All you have to do is comment below and tell me about your favorite way to prepare popcorn. Salted, buttered, kettle corn? The sky is the limit! Giveaway is now closed!

4.4 from 12 reviews
Classic Popcorn Balls
 
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Author: April | Food n' Focus
Serves: 20
Ingredients
  • 7 quarts popped Bob's Red Mill White Popcorn
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Place popcorn in a large baking pan; keep warm in a 200° oven.
  2. In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water and salt. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 235° (soft-ball stage).
  3. Remove from the heat. Add the butter, vanilla and food coloring if desired; stir until butter is melted. Immediately pour over popcorn and stir until evenly coated.
  4. When mixture is cool enough to handle, quickly shape into 3-in. balls, dipping hands in cold water to prevent sticking.
3.3.2998

Classic Popcorn Balls This is a sponsored post from Bob’s Red Mill. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Comments

  1. Vera Wilson says

    April 27, 2015 at 7:06 am

    A big bowl of popcorn is great to have for family movie night at home. Can be healthy if not loaded with butter.

    Reply
  2. Kristin Brockman says

    April 27, 2015 at 7:16 am

    My favorite way to make popcorn is in my Whirly Pop!! I have had it for over 15 years! I make it one of two ways: in coconut oil with sea salt & in sunflower oil with sea salt. And, I LOVE my Bob’s Red Mill white popcorn!!!! It’s the best!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Food n' Focus says

      April 27, 2015 at 10:51 am

      The Whirly Pop is the best way!

      Reply
  3. Kristin Brockman says

    April 27, 2015 at 8:03 am

    I LOVE white popcorn seeds!! My favorite way is one of two. In my Whirly Pop with coconut or sunflower oil and sea salt!!!

    Reply
  4. Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming says

    April 27, 2015 at 8:15 am

    kettle corn!

    Reply
  5. Fran Schofield says

    April 27, 2015 at 8:30 am

    Has to be salted…

    Reply
  6. Lisa M says

    April 27, 2015 at 9:02 am

    My favorite way of eating delicious popcorn is salted & buttered. =) yum These popcorn balls look amazing.

    Reply
    • Food n' Focus says

      April 27, 2015 at 10:51 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  7. Sandy Headtke says

    April 27, 2015 at 10:09 am

    I put the corn kernels in a big bowl and place it in the microwave with a dinner plate on top. I pop the kernels and then add grated cheese.

    Reply
  8. Becca Z says

    April 27, 2015 at 10:12 am

    My fave way to make popcorn is to airpop it, then sprinkle it with organic cheddar cheese powder i buy from Frontier. Sooo good!.

    Reply
  9. Alison H. says

    April 27, 2015 at 10:20 am

    My favorite way to prepare popcorn is just basic buttered popcorn!

    Reply
  10. Katie Goehring says

    April 27, 2015 at 10:24 am

    Depends on the day and circumstances but with movies, buttered is the way to go. With TV shows, I go kettle with cinnamon and cloves

    Reply
    • Food n' Focus says

      April 27, 2015 at 10:51 am

      Cinnamon and cloves sounds delicious!

      Reply
  11. Amy C. says

    April 27, 2015 at 10:26 am

    Our family likes to use our air popper and add melted butter, salt and parmesan cheese. Yum!

    Reply
    • Food n' Focus says

      April 27, 2015 at 10:50 am

      This sounds tasty.

      Reply
  12. Paulina says

    April 27, 2015 at 10:35 am

    My daughter loves watching the kernals pop on the stove. And we always have Kernal Season’s ranch popcorn seasoning. Yum!

    Reply
    • Food n' Focus says

      April 27, 2015 at 10:50 am

      Oooh sounds tasty!

      Reply
  13. sharyl wolter says

    April 27, 2015 at 10:45 am

    Just salt and butter for me!

    Reply
  14. Raymond says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:03 am

    Classic sea salt popcorn is my favorite!

    Reply
  15. Kimberly Flickinger (@kaflickinger74) says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:07 am

    I love kettle corn!

    Reply
  16. Dave P says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:10 am

    Our favorite way is to pop on teh stove, and toss with butter and nutritional yeast…my daughter loves cheese popcron so she adds some cheese powder to hers. We have a popcorn ball recipe, too. I will have to compare it to this and see–it looks similar. Its super yummy but the last time we made it the balls fell apart and stayed too moist so we may try this one next time!

    Reply
  17. Judith says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:10 am

    I love popcorn with coconut oil and coconut flakes!

    Reply
  18. Deb K says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:12 am

    I love popcorn with lots of butter.

    Reply
  19. Heather says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:23 am

    We’re a Whirley Pop couple. Always white kernels (my husband turned me on to these in lieu of the yellow and we haven’t looked back), made with a blend of grapeseed + coconut oils. Plain for me, homemade herb salts for him!

    Reply
  20. capucine says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:24 am

    We love making salt and buttered popcorn for movie nights!

    Reply
  21. MaryB says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:24 am

    I love popcorn and it is a go-to snack for us. Buttered and salted is our favorite but homemade popcorn balls bring back such great memories of my grandfather, who would make them as a special treat for us.

    Reply
  22. Linda S. says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:28 am

    Buttered and salted. Sometimes with cheddar cheese, but usually I’m a purist.

    Reply
  23. ranadurham says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:34 am

    My favorite to make popcorn is with Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs

    Reply
  24. Kyle Swanbeck says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:38 am

    I have an old family recipe for an amazing caramel corn that I would love making with it!

    Reply
  25. Jennifer Meyet says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:43 am

    I lerrv popcorn. But it has to be the real deal. No microwave popcorn for me unles it’s the DIY brown lunch bag, real.popcorn, olive oil way. Otherwise it’s on the stove top, pooped in some oil, with a drizze of butter (just the right amount, I don’t want the popcorn dry, but I don’t want it soggy) and a sprinkle of salt. Perfect.

    Reply
  26. Deb C says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Pop it in my old, but trusty West Bend electric kettle, just salt, no butter.

    Reply
  27. JP says

    April 27, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    kettle corn popcorn balls! yummmmmm!!

    Reply
  28. Bob Flanagan says

    April 27, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    I liked popcorn salted and buttered. If its good when its hot and you smell the fragrance its like walking in a field of corn.

    Reply
  29. Kristin Goodson says

    April 27, 2015 at 1:13 pm

    I love kettlecorn!! I also love to add truffle oil to homemade popcorn.

    Reply
  30. miranda says

    April 27, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    just a little salt for me

    Reply
  31. gary says

    April 27, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    butter and salt for me

    Reply
  32. bill says

    April 27, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    I love caramel popcorn

    Reply
  33. Heather says

    April 27, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    I love to make popcorn on the stove-top with salt and butter!! Nothing special but delicious!

    Reply
  34. Renata says

    April 27, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    I love kettle corn a perfect blend of sweet and salt!

    Reply
  35. L Nood says

    April 27, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    Sea-salted.

    Reply
  36. milaxx says

    April 27, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    This may be considered cheating but I make mine in the microwave inside a paperbag. I season with a little bit of kosher salt, mixed with a bit of cracked pepper and coconut oil.

    Reply
  37. Emily says

    April 27, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    We love popcorn! We pop it every weekend in coconut oil and switch up the toppings. The teenagers like parmesan and chili flakes. I splash vinegar on mine when I need a change from the traditional salt and butter. Popcorn is part of our family life; a tradition passed passed down to each generation!

    Reply
  38. travis zepp says

    April 27, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    kettle corn!!!!!

    Reply
  39. anthony gaussoin says

    April 27, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    white cheddar~

    Reply
  40. Nicole Jubleew says

    April 27, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    Buttered and salted is my fave!

    Reply
  41. Todd Barkelar says

    April 27, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    Classic popcorn made on the stove with a little butter. That is the best!

    Reply
  42. Annette says

    April 27, 2015 at 10:42 pm

    I like to cook mine in coconut oil and season with butter and salt.

    Reply
  43. Kristen says

    April 28, 2015 at 1:22 am

    I like popcorn with a little butter and parmesan cheese.

    Reply
  44. Georgia says

    April 28, 2015 at 7:09 am

    Salt and butter works for me!

    Reply
  45. shaunie says

    April 28, 2015 at 11:17 am

    My favorite way to prepare popcorn is with butter. I love buttered popcorn.

    Reply
  46. julie says

    April 28, 2015 at 2:29 pm

    I love air pop with either butter and parmesan cheese or mixed in with some chocolate chips

    Reply
  47. Angela Arthur says

    April 28, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    We made Smores popcorn!! Popped yellow popcorn, drizzled melted chocolate over the top, and while the chocolate was still warm we sprinkled graham pieces and mini marshmallows over the top. What a treat!!

    Reply
  48. Jordan D. says

    April 28, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    I make so many different popcorn variations since buying a microwave air popper…Sea salt with nutritional yeast, kettlecorn (plain, with cocoa powder, with vanilla protein powder or powdered peanut butter), sriracha, you name it! Love my popcorn lol.

    Reply
  49. latanya t says

    April 29, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I love kettle corn

    Reply
  50. Laura says

    April 29, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    I love kettle corn!!

    Reply
  51. rachel says

    April 30, 2015 at 2:11 pm

    Kettle Korn for sure!

    Reply
  52. jessica w says

    May 2, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    I love kettlecorn or homemade caramel corn

    Reply

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