It’s that time of year when Christmas movies play on tv 24/7 and we’re here for it! There’s nothing cozier than cuddling up on the couch next to a sparkling Christmas tree with your family. And what snack goes better with movies than popcorn? Caramel Popcorn! It’s a fancier feeling treat that’s super easy and soo much healthier than store-bought versions. There’s no butter, no oil and no refined sugar used in the recipe so its gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan! And it’s not just for munching on at home it makes a great gift! It’s great for a hostess gift, gift exchange or for your co-workers.
This recipe is for our basic Caramel Popcorn but you don’t have to stop there! It’s the perfect base for add-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit or nut butter drizzle.
How to Make Caramel Popcorn
Step 1– Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. We prefer to use the baking mat for easier clean up since nothing will stick to the mat
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Step 2– Pop your corn kernels! Place ¼ cup of organic corn kernels in a medium-sized glass bowl. Take a plate (the same width as the bowl) and turn it upside down and place it on top of the glass bowl. Microwave the corn kernels until they stop popping being careful not to cook them too long or they will burn and trust us you do not want the smell of burnt popcorn in your house!
Step 3– Make the caramel sauce in a small saucepan by combining ⅓ cup of maple syrup, ⅓ cup water, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and ¼ tsp salt and bring it to a roaring boil. Cook the sauce until it starts to thicken making sure you stir it so it doesn’t stick to the pan. Then stir in 1 tbsp of unsweetened shredded coconut. The sauce is done when it thickens enough so that it’s still pourable.
Step 4– Add the popcorn to the lined baking sheet and drizzle the caramel sauce over the popcorn either with a spoon or straight from the saucepan. Gently give it all a stir and sprinkle on more coconut if desired.
Step 5– Bake it! It takes around 5-8 minutes. Give it a stir halfway through and be sure to keep a close eye on it. When the caramel sauce starts to brown that’s your cue that it’s done!
A Healthy Homemade Gift
We wrapped up our Healthy Caramel Popcorn in small glass mason jars. Then simply tied a paper card with a colored string to the outside of the jar. It’s a cute little homemade gift that’s healthy, wrapped in eco-friendly materials (the jars are reusable!) and doesn’t take much time to put together. A great way to show the people you care for that you appreciate them during the holiday season!
P.S. We’d love to hear from you! Leave us a comment below. If you’re social and make this recipe be sure to tag #hearthealthygreek. And don’t forget to share it on Instagram, Facebook, or save it to Pinterest.
Healthy Caramel Popcorn
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup organic popcorn kernels
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Place corn kernels in a medium glass bowl and turn a plate upside down and place it on top of the bowl. Microwave until the kernels stop popping.
- Pour the popcorn on the lined cookie sheet. Meanwhile, add the remaining ingredients to a small saucepan and heat over low-medium heat. Cook until the sauce starts to lightly brown and thicken.
- Pour the sauce over the popcorn and gently stir to coat. Bake for 5-8 minutes stirring halfway through.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
