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A Healthy Caramel Popcorn Recipe, can you believe it?! Made with real maple syrup and coconut oil, this healthier snack won’t last long.
Caramel Popcorn
I don’t know about you, but Caramel Popcorn (also known as Caramel Corn) and I are BFF’s.
I don’t usually snack on anything late into the night these days, but sometimes I make exceptions and today is that day.
When my friends Christie and Claudia told me about their Clean Eating Caramel Popcorn Recipe, I couldn’t believe how good it was. Not only is this recipe super simple, but it is also:
gluten-free
vegan
unprocessed
contains no sugar
Sound a little too good to be true? Well, believe it friends! Give it a try and you be the judge!
Coconut Oil –There are a ton of articles out there saying that coconut oil may or may not be healthy for you. All I know is that it is way better than plain ol’ butter and that this is what this recipe calls for. You be the judge of this and make this recipe with coconut oil or an oil of your choosing. It’s your body people, you decide what goes in it.
Popcorn Kernels – You can’t make popcorn without those kernels. Freshly popped popcorn just cannot be beaten. No matter how convenient the microwave kinds are.
Vanilla –What good, sweet treat recipe doesn’t have vanilla in it. It adds tons of flavor and the aroma of it just kills me every time.
Maple Syrup –Ok I know maple syrup has sugar in it. By healthy, I mean that this recipe is healthier than the traditional recipe because I don’t use processed sugars in it. Do yourself a favor and buy REAL maple syrup. It is SO good. And that is not just the Canadian speaking in me.
Sea Salt –What is more perfect that sea salt to top off this tasty recipe. It is the perfect compliment to all the sweet.
Looking for more delectable snacks to munch on? Check out these recipes:Deviled Eggs,Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars,Smoothie Bowl Recipe for Kids, andCream Cheese Fruit Dip Recipe.
How to Make Caramel Popcorn
Start with 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels.
Place them into a hot pan with some melted coconut oil and…
…pop the top on! Every 20-30 seconds shake the pan back and forth to make sure the kernels heat evenly so they pop evenly.
After about 5 minutes, all your popcorn should be perfectly popped 🙂 Set this aside.
Now onto the caramel! In a small saucepan, measure out some REAL maple syrup and more coconut oil. I also added in my sea salt to this mixture too, but feel free to save it for the end.
Lightly boil the mixture for 2 minutes until it thickens. Then add in some vanilla and pour over the popcorn.
Stir to coat and then eat immediately, or spread it out onto a baking sheet to set a little more.
Believe it or not, this doesn’t taste too coconutty or maply. The splash of vanilla that you throw in at the end makes such a huge difference! It’s seriously what makes this taste like caramel corn…so don’t forget to add it in 🙂
We scarfed this stuff down in no time and think your families will too. Plus it is practically guilt-free! Holla!
Print the recipe using the button below! Enjoy!
Even More healthy snacks you might like:
Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids
Homemade Protein Snack Boxes
Peanut Butter Energy Balls
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
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Healthy Caramel Popcorn Recipe
A Healthy Caramel Popcorn Recipe, can you believe it?! Made with real maple syrup and coconut oil, this healthier snack won't last long.
Place 1 tablespoon coconut oil into a deep pot or pan with a tight-fitting lid and melt over medium-high heat. Add in popcorn kernels and cover. Shake the pan back and forth every 20 seconds or so to heat kernels evenly. After about 2 minutes, kernels should start to pop. Once popping slows, remove popcorn from heat and pour into a large bowl.
In a small saucepan, place remaining coconut oil with maple syrup and salt. Boil 2 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Drizzle over popcorn and toss to coat evenly. Spread out onto some parchment paper to cool 30 minutes or so. Serve.
While caramel-coated popcorn may be a tempting snack, its simple carbs and high sugar content can lead to spikes in blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of hyperglycemia and other health problems.
Popcorn is a whole grain and a good source of fiber. And 3 cups of plain, air-popped popcorn weighs in at only about 95 calories. For the healthiest results, pop your corn in an air popper or in the microwave.
Adding trail mix to your popcorn can introduce a variety of flavors while also providing a healthy alternative to butter. Peanuts, almonds, and dried unsweetened fruit are good options.
Caramel popcorn is typically high in calories, sugar, and fat, which can contribute to weight gain and increase your risk for developing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Opt for salted or butter popcorn if you have to feed your child healthy. Other popcorns like caramel popcorn is loaded with sugar and will raise the blood glucose levels. Is popcorn good for weight loss? Home-made air popped popcorn without any unhealthy ingredients added can be good for weight loss if planned well.
Walnut, avocado or extra virgin olive oils are best when making popcorn on the stovetop. Canola oil is the next best option. Flaxseed and wheat germ oil shouldn't be heated, so they don't really work for popping popcorn.
Eating popcorn every night is generally not a problem, as long as it is consumed in moderation and prepared in a healthy manner. However, it's important to consider the nutritional content and portion sizes. Plain air-popped or lightly salted popcorn can be a good low-calorie snack option.
While the popcorn is hot, sprinkle the kernels with garlic powder or garlic salt. The seasoning will adhere to the kernels and infuse each bite with savory garlic flavor. Add a few pinches of shredded Parmesan cheese, too. The cheese will turn nice and tender amid the popcorn's heat.
While some people said that she added the egg to absorb extra heat, others had different views. "Whole eggs absorb excess heat so it's an easy way to regulate the temperature balance of the other ingredients," a user wrote.
The egg stays in the whole time till the popcorn pops. After the popcorn is plated, the burnt egg is removed. Some Twitter users said that the egg was added as a way to regulate temperatures, while others said that it was just put in to get people wondering what the hell it was doing there.
In a small saucepan, bring butter, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil, stirring constantly. Working quickly, drizzle popcorn with sugar syrup, and toss. Spread popcorn evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden and shiny, about 40 minutes.
While it's important to consume caramel in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, it can provide a quick energy boost, reduce stress, enhance digestion, boost the immune system, and promote healthy skin and bone health.
Caramel popcorn is generally higher in calories than cheese popcorn. A small serving of caramel popcorn (about 3 cups) can contain around 200-250 calories, while a small serving of cheese popcorn (about 3 cups) can contain around 150-200 calories.
Yes, popcorn is generally healthier than chips. Popcorn is a whole grain food that's high in fiber and low in fat and calories. Chips are generally fried in fat and heavily salted. There are unhealthy popcorn options like movie theater popcorn or caramel corn, and there are healthy chip options.
What's the difference between these two unique crunchy sweets? Caramel corn is made from regular popping corn. Once popped, it is mixed with hot caramel that creates a thin, crunchy, and sweet coating over each popped kernel. Historically, caramel corn was sweetened with molasses.
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Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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