Homemade ghost popcorn balls were a total happy accident during a movie night gone spooky. I had leftover popcorn, a bag of marshmallows, and a craving for something sweet but simple. So, I whipped up a quick sticky mix, shaped the popcorn into balls, and added candy eyes. Then it hit me—they looked like little floating ghosts! Ever since that night, these ghostly treats have become a must-make every Halloween.

What I love most is how easy and mess-free they are, especially for little hands. The gooey marshmallow coating holds everything together, and the candy eyes give each ghost a cute (or spooky!) personality. Whether for parties, trick-or-treat bags, or a Halloween movie marathon, these popcorn ghosts are the perfect sweet-and-salty treat.

Ingredients

Here’s what I use for this recipe. You can always make substitutions if you prefer!

Popped popcorn – The light, crunchy base for these adorable ghosts
Mini marshmallows – Melted down, they act as the sweet and sticky glue
Butter – Helps melt the marshmallows smoothly and adds flavor
Vanilla extract – Gives a warm, sweet undertone
Candy eyes – The key detail that brings these ghost faces to life
White candy melts or white chocolate – Optional, for dipping or coating the front of the ghosts
Cooking spray or oil – To keep your hands from sticking while shaping

Tools You’ll Need

Large pot – For melting the marshmallows and mixing everything together
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula – Perfect for stirring the sticky mixture
Mixing bowl – To hold the popped popcorn before combining
Baking sheet – Great for setting the finished balls
Wax paper or parchment – Prevents sticking as they cool
Spoon or ice cream scoop – Helps portion out uniform sizes
Small bowl of water or oil – To coat your hands for shaping

Instructions

Step 1:

I start by popping the popcorn and placing it in a large bowl, making sure to remove any unpopped kernels.

Step 2:

In a large pot, I melt the butter over medium heat, then stir in the mini marshmallows until fully melted and smooth. I add the vanilla extract once it’s off the heat.

Step 3:

I pour the gooey marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and stir gently with a spatula until every piece is coated.

Step 4:

To shape, I lightly grease my hands with oil or cooking spray, then scoop and press handfuls of the sticky popcorn mixture into balls. I set them on parchment paper to cool slightly.

Step 5:

If I’m using white candy melts, I dip the front of each ball and place it back on the sheet to set—it gives that smooth ghost face effect.

Step 6:

While still tacky, I gently press two candy eyes onto each popcorn ball to create little ghost faces.

Step 7:

I let them cool completely until firm and ready to serve!

Tips

If you want to add more personality, try using mini chocolate chips or black gel icing for different expressions. I’ve also used caramel corn as a twist for a deeper flavor. And if you’re short on time, pre-packaged popcorn and microwave marshmallows work just fine!

Ways to Serve

I like to serve these on a Halloween platter with other themed treats, or wrap them in clear treat bags with a festive ribbon for party favors. They’re also a hit in lunchboxes during spooky season, and perfect for school parties or bake sales!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make homemade ghost popcorn balls ahead of time?

Yes! Store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Can I freeze ghost popcorn balls?

Not recommended—freezing changes the texture of the popcorn and makes it chewy.

How do I keep ghost popcorn balls from sticking to my hands?

Lightly oil your hands or use water to prevent sticking while shaping them.

See You in the Kitchen

I hope you give these homemade ghost popcorn balls a try! They’re spooky, sweet, and so much fun to make—especially with kids. If you create your own batch of ghostly treats, I’d love to see them floating around your Halloween table!

Happy Cooking!