Joy the Baker

Buttery + Salty Marshmallow Popcorn Crunch

by 44 Comments

Buttery + Salty Marshmallow Popcorn Crunch

What if there could be a treat that was like Rice Krispie treats, but also like a bowl of kettle corn, and then also salty, but then dotted with an obnoxious amount of sprinkles?  That would be good news.  Actually, that would be what’s happening here!

It’s success and celebration, all in a popcorn bowl.  

Happy Monday!  Just go for it: sprinkle and marshmallow everything today.   

Related:  I’m really into aggressively-flavored popcorn… Roy Choi’s Furikake Kettle Corn

Buttery + Salty Marshmallow Popcorn Crunch

Here’s how this magic happens.  Fresh popped popcorn (from scratch is my favorite), corn flakes for crisp and crunch, marshmallows and butter because we’re obnoxious geniuses, and sea salt because sweet needs salt.  

Buttery + Salty Marshmallow Popcorn Crunch

Butter and marshmallows are melted down into a syrup.  If you’re thinking that this mixture resembled Rice Krispie Treats, you’re right.  

Related:  Malty and Salty Brown Butter Treats.  

Buttery + Salty Marshmallow Popcorn Crunch

I used a buttered sheet pan to assemble the popcorn.  More marshmallow coverage.  More room to spread and stir.  

Buttery + Salty Marshmallow Popcorn Crunch

Warm buttery marshmallows drizzled over the popcorn and corn flakes and stirred.  Salt and sprinkles too.  Salt for balance and sprinkles for love and happiness.  

Buttery + Salty Marshmallow Popcorn Crunch

I would humbly suggest putting on the movie Step Brothers, pouring yourself a big glass of orange juice (my favorite with popcorn), and maybe a few wet wipes too.  Things could get a little sticky.  

Print

Buttery + Salty Marshmallow Popcorn Crunch

Sweet and salty, crunchy and sprinkled, buttery and perfect.

  • Author: Joy the Baker
Scale

Ingredients

For the Popcorn

  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • heaping 1/3 cup yellow corn kernels
  • (or about 12 cups of popcorn)
  • salt, to taste
  • 2 heaping cups corn flakes

For the Marshmallow Sauce

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing a pan
  • 1–16 ounce bag mini marshmallows
  • salt, to taste
  • rainbow sprinkles, to delight

Instructions

  1. To make the popcorn, in a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the corn kernels in an even layer over the bottom of the pan. Place the lid over the pan, keeping the lid slightly ajar.
  2. Allow popcorn to begin popping. When popping slows, remove from heat and sprinkle lightly with salt. Shake into a large bowl.
  3. Lightly grease a large rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.
  4. In a small saucepan, melt butter and add marshmallows. Stir the mixture until the marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat.
  5. Spread popcorn across the greased baking sheet. Sprinkle corn flakes over the popcorn. Drizzle the warm marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and cornflakes. You may find that you don’t need to use all of the marshmallow mixture. Use enough for a light coating of the popcorn and cornflakes. Use a large spoon to evenly coat all of the popcorn and cornflakes.
  6. Sprinkle generously with salt and sprinkles and enjoy immediately.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stacey

    Hello! I’d like to make this for a baby shower favor, but I’m wondering how long it will keep? Since it says eat right away, I was concerned it might not be the best thing to make as party favors. Thanks so much in advance! Stacey

    Reply

  2. Jennifer Jo

    Hi Joy! I made this yesterday but it didn’t quite work out. There was way more marshmallow sauce to popcorn ratio than what appears in your photos, so the popcorn was unbearably sticky and smooshy. Which makes me wonder: did you really mean to call for 16 ounces of marshmallows? Is that a typo?

    Also, because popcorn is softer than rice krispies, the snack was soft and not very fulfilling, crunch-wise. I ended up pressing them into bars, but they never hardened up satisfactorily.

    Reply

  3. Victoria

    Love the idea of dressing up popcorn like this!!! :) It could be a dangerous snack!

    PS – The links for your avocado fries post are broken. When I click “read more” or the title of the post, it takes me to google. I’ve tried it like three times and just keep getting sent there. Can’t wait to read the rest of that post! :)

    Reply

  5. Nathalie Hrizi

    Yes! Movie night here we come… question? Do you think it would keep for one day or just totally come apart? Dropping my son off at a movie night Friday and I think it would be a huge hit with a bunch of 5-year old but I’d have to make it Thursday night.

    Reply

  11. Caitlin

    I’m all over popcorn everything lately.. this looks so yummy and summery! thanks Jamaica Joy! (been binging on old podcasts sorryyyyy)

    :)

    Reply

  14. essbee

    Hmmm…you got me started. I saw the title/photo first and before I read anything I had in my mind a crunchy toffee thing with popcorn, crushed potato chips and bits of marshmallow. Then I read the recipe and thought, well that could be good too. But I really want to see what I can do with the popcorn and potato chip toffee. I’m afraid the marshmallows would melt in hot toffee, though. Perhaps I shall have to add a chocolate layer for those.

    Pardon me while I slink off to my la-BOR-a-t’ry for some evil scientisting…

    Reply

  17. Wendy

    I truly thought I was the only person who likes popcorn and orange juice. My family thought I was nuts growing up. Haven’t had it in forever!

    Reply

  20. Morgan

    OMG! YES! When I was young, my mom & I would watch Oprah every day after school with popcorn and OJ!!! I thought I was the only one! Love this post

    (and PS…. struggling without my Joy the Baker podcast fix, but I know you two are crazy busy ladies)

    Reply

  28. Amy

    What a fun recipe for a Monday. How long do you think this would keep? I’m thinking it might be a fun treat for lunch boxes.

    Reply

  36. Jenna

    Happy Monday!! This treat made me instantly happier. Those sprinkles alone are enough to brighten up the day. Genius idea to add them to popcorn!

    Reply

  38. Bonnie Mac

    My doctor just told me to go on a gluten-free diet and literally everything I’ve seen since then has had gluten and made me sad at the fun I’m missing out on! But then, on a BAKING site, you give me an awesome recipe I can make and enjoy without the gluten! Hooray for answering my prayers!!!

    Also, when I read “sprinkles, to delight” I said “No, YOU delight.” ???? Thanks for making my morning!

    Reply

    • Nathalie Hrizi

      Hi Bonnie,
      If you can get it, i make everything on here with Cup for Cup flour. Turns out great and it is all gluten free–which I’ve done for years now. Pamela’s baking mix is okay too.
      Nathalie

      Reply

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