☁️🍬 Cotton Candy Popcorn with Marshmallows
Cotton Candy Popcorn with Marshmallows is a sweet, fluffy snack mix made with cotton candy–flavored coating, crunchy popcorn, and soft marshmallows. Light, colorful, and nostalgic, it’s a fun carnival-inspired treat that’s perfect for parties, movie nights, or whimsical snacking.
Servings 7 servings
Calories 240kcal
Cost $7 for entire batch
Equipment
- Large pot or air popper
- Large mixing bowl
- Small saucepan
- heatproof spatula or spoon
- measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Parchment-lined baking sheet (optional, for setting)
Ingredients
- 10 cups freshly popped popcorn plain, unsalted
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ½–1½ tsp cotton candy flavoring to taste
- a pinch of salt
- Pink and blue food coloring optional
Mix-Ins
- 1½ cups mini marshmallows
- Optional add-ins choose what you love:
- Cotton candy pieces add right before serving
- White chocolate chunks
- Vanilla wafer pieces
- Candy-coated chocolates pastel colors
- Sprinkles or edible glitter
Instructions
Prepare the popcorn
- Place popcorn in a large bowl and remove any unpopped kernels.
Melt the coating
- In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter.
- Add 4 cups marshmallows + corn syrup.
- Stir constantly until fully melted and smooth.
- Whisk in sweetened condensed milk.
Flavor it
- Remove from heat. Stir in cotton candy flavoring and salt.
- Divide mixture into two bowls if using food coloring, tint one pink and one blue.
Coat the popcorn
- Drizzle the coating over the popcorn, alternating colors if desired. Toss gently until evenly coated.
Cool slightly
- Let popcorn cool for 5–10 minutes so it’s no longer hot.
Add marshmallows & mix-ins
- Fold in mini marshmallows and any optional add-ins.
Set (optional)
- Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let set for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use plain popcorn: Start with unsalted, unbuttered popcorn so the cotton candy flavor shines without becoming overly salty.
- Low heat is key: Melt the coating gently to prevent scorching.
- Flavor gradually: Cotton candy flavoring can be strong, so add a little at a time and taste before adding more.
- Cool before marshmallows: If adding extra marhsmallows, let the popcorn cool slightly so the marshmallows don’t melt completely when mixed in.
- Color is optional: Pastel pink and blue add visual charm, but the popcorn tastes just as good without food coloring.
- Add cotton candy last: If using real cotton candy, sprinkle it on right before serving since it melts quickly.
- Storage tip: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days for best texture and flavor.