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This Microwave Marshmallow Popcorn is sweet, salty, buttery, and extra gooey, which is exactly how my family likes it. The marshmallow coating melts right in the microwave, so there is no candy thermometer and no dealing with the stove. From start to finish, you can have a huge bowl ready for movie night in about 10 minutes!
The Easiest Gooey Popcorn
My family LOVES gooey popcorn, and this recipe definitely falls into that category. I wanted the marshmallow coating to stay soft and sticky rather than turning into a firm popcorn treat, and this ratio is exactly how we like it.
I also wanted to make the whole thing in the microwave. It is so much faster and easier than cooking a syrup on the stove, and as long as you only heat the marshmallows until they are just melted, the coating comes out soft every time.
The recipe below uses 2 bags of microwave popcorn, or about 20 to 22 cups, which makes it really gooey. I have also made the exact same recipe with 3 bags of popcorn, about 30 to 33 cups. It is still really good, but there is a lighter coating of marshmallow. You can decide how gooey you want to go!
🩷 Heidi
Table of Contents
- The Easiest Gooey Popcorn
- Marshmallow Popcorn Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Marshmallow Popcorn
- What Kind of Popcorn Works Best?
- How Gooey Do You Want It?
- Tips for Soft and Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn
- How to Make Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Sweet Popcorn Recipes
- Microwave Marshmallow Popcorn Recipe
Marshmallow Popcorn Ingredients
- Salted popcorn – I like Orville Redenbacher’s Simply Salted microwave popcorn because it is quick, easy, and gives you that little bit of salt to balance all the sweetness.
- Butter – This melts with the brown sugar and gives the marshmallow coating a rich, buttery flavor.
- Brown sugar – Just enough to give the coating a little caramel flavor without turning it into caramel popcorn.
- Mini marshmallows – Mini marshmallows melt quickly and evenly in the microwave and give the popcorn its soft, gooey coating.
- Vanilla extract – A little vanilla finishes off the marshmallow mixture and gives it that homemade flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
Sprinkles – Add seasonal sprinkles for birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or any other holiday.
Mini M&M’s – Let the popcorn cool for a few minutes before stirring these in so the chocolate doesn’t melt everywhere.
Pretzels – Mini pretzels give it even more of that sweet and salty flavor.
Candy pieces – Chopped candy bars, Reese’s Pieces, or other small candies are fun additions.
How to Make Marshmallow Popcorn
- Microwave the popcorn according to the package directions. Carefully remove any unpopped kernels, then place the popcorn in a very large mixing bowl.
- Add the butter and brown sugar to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir.
- Add the mini marshmallows and stir them into the butter mixture until coated. Microwave for 1 minute.
- Stir well, then microwave for another 30 seconds. Continue microwaving in 15-second intervals only if needed, stirring after each one, until the marshmallows are just melted and smooth.
- Stir the vanilla into the melted marshmallow mixture. Pour it over the popcorn and gently stir until the popcorn is evenly coated.
- Spread the marshmallow popcorn onto parchment paper or wax paper and let it cool slightly. Enjoy it while it is soft and gooey!
What Kind of Popcorn Works Best?
My favorite shortcut is lightly salted microwave popcorn. It saves so much time and gives you that sweet and salty flavor I love. You don’t have to use microwave popcorn, though. Here are a few options:
- Microwave popcorn – Orville Redenbacher’s Simply Salted is my favorite for this recipe.
- Bagged popcorn – SkinnyPop or another lightly salted ready-to-eat popcorn works great.
- Air-popped popcorn – Pop your own and lightly salt it before adding the marshmallow coating.
One VERY important step is to take a minute to remove the unpopped kernels. Once everything is covered in marshmallow, those little kernels are almost impossible to see, and nobody wants to bite into one!
How Gooey Do You Want It?
For really gooey marshmallow popcorn, use 2 bags of microwave popcorn, or about 20 to 22 cups popped. That is how my family likes it because every piece gets plenty of marshmallow coating. If you want it a little less sticky, you can stretch the same marshmallow mixture over 3 bags of popcorn, or about 30 to 33 cups. I have made it both ways and they are both good, but if it is your first time making it, I would start with 2 bags and see what you think.
Tips for Soft and Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn
Don’t overcook the marshmallows. This is my biggest tip. Microwave them only until they are just melted. Since microwaves vary, use the times as a guide and add only 15 seconds at a time if needed. Overheating the mixture can make the marshmallow coating firmer as it cools.
Use a REALLY big bowl. Twenty-plus cups of popcorn takes up more room than you might think, and you need enough space to fold everything together without popcorn flying all over the counter.
Remove the unpopped kernels first. It is so much easier to find them before you pour that sticky marshmallow mixture over everything.
Work fairly quickly. Once the marshmallow mixture is melted, stir in the vanilla and pour it over the popcorn while it is still warm and easy to spread.
Choose your popcorn amount based on how gooey you like it. Two bags give you lots of marshmallow coating. Three bags stretch the recipe further and make it less sticky.
How to Make Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
This recipe also makes the cutest marshmallow popcorn balls, and you don’t need to change the ingredients at all. Make the popcorn according to the recipe, then let it cool just enough that you can comfortably handle it. Grease your hands really well with butter or cooking spray, grab a handful of popcorn, and gently press it together into a ball.
Set the popcorn balls on parchment or wax paper until completely cool. Once set, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap. These are so fun for Halloween parties, birthday parties, school treats, or movie night. You can also add sprinkles or candies before shaping them.
Frequently Asked Questions
The marshmallow mixture may have gotten too hot. Microwave it only until the marshmallows are just melted, stirring well between each short burst of heat. The longer you cook the mixture, the firmer it can become as it cools.
Yes. Use the same 16-ounce weight of large marshmallows. I prefer mini marshmallows because they melt faster and more evenly, but large marshmallows will work too. You may need a little extra stirring or another 15 seconds in the microwave.
It is definitely best the day you make it, especially if you like it really soft and gooey. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 to 3 days.
You can make it earlier the same day. I wouldn’t make it several days before a party because the popcorn is at its best when freshly made.
More Sweet Popcorn Recipes
Have you tried this Marshmallow Popcorn? I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below and let me know how you liked it. And don’t forget to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @favoritefamilyrecipes! 📸🍿
Microwave Marshmallow Popcorn
Ingredients
- 2 bags salted popcorn, 20-22 cups popped (Orville Redenbacher's simply salted)
- 1 cup butter
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 16 ounces mini marshmallows
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Pop micorwave popcorn according to package instructions. Remove all the un-popped kernels. Place in a large bowl.
- In a microwave safe bowl, add butter and sugar. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
- Add mini marshmallows to the bowl and stir to coat. Microwave 1 minute.
- Stir then microwave for another 30 seconds until marshmallows are just melted. You may need to microwave an additional 15 sec at a time and do some extra stirring to get all the marshmallows just melted.
- Stir in the vanilla and pour over the popcorn. Stir to coat.
- Place on parchment paper or wax paper to cool. Enjoy.
Notes
- I prefer to use Orville Redenbacher’s simply salted popcorn because it tastes so good and it’s fast and convenient. You can substitute that with Skinny pop or you can air pop some plain popcorn and salt it yourself making 20-22 cups for this recipe.
- For extra-gooey popcorn, use 2 bags of popcorn, about 20 to 22 cups. Use 3 bags for a lighter coating.
- Don’t overheat the marshmallows. Microwave just until melted so the coating stays soft and gooey.
- For popcorn balls, grease your hands, shape while still warm, then cool and wrap individually.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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