June 4, 2013

Peanut Butter Popcorn

I don't know about your family, but at our house, as soon as we walk in the door from Church the children act like I've never fed them before and start razing the pantry and fridge. To hold off the hunger tide I made this popcorn on Sunday. I saw the recipe from the Lazy Budget Chef earlier in the weekend and thought it would be worth trying. With the starving kids begging for a snack, I didn't follow the recipe but just threw a few things in a sauce pan, lets them melt together, and poured it over a big bowl of plain air popped popcorn. Lazy, quick after-Church cooking- I love when that works out!

I told my tall man that this was 'healthy caramel popcorn' and he laughed (and grabbed a handful on his way out of the kitchen). I know it's not healthy but it does have healthier ingredients. The butter is replaced by coconut oil and the brown sugar by honey. I'll admit I was skeptical. I don't love honey on it's own and was a little nervous that the final product would have a honey taste. The original recipe suggests a peanut butter variation so I went with that, figuring it would camouflage the honey. I am happy to report this tasted like the real deal. It's sweet and a little (not too) sticky, barely salty, crunchy and delicious. My mom makes peanut butter rice krispy treats that are a lot like these (but I'll take popcorn over cereal any day!)

I should also tell you- I really, really hate coconut but there's no nasty sunblock taste here even when you use the oil. Give it a try.

Please forgive the instagram photo. I have a sparkly new camera but my phone is just so easy when I'm in a time crunch!

Peanut Butter Popcorn
from Anne Strawberry
aka 'Healthy Caramel Popcorn'

1/4 cup of coconut oil
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of smooth peanut butter
2 teaspoons of vanilla
salt, to taste (I prefer Kosher)
one big bowl of plain popcorn (about 2/3 cup kernels, popped)

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut oil, honey, and peanut butter. Stir and cook until melted and combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Carefully pour the hot topping over the popcorn and stir with a big wooden spoon. Season with salt to taste (go easy- the peanut butter is a little salty) and enjoy!

Note- these measurements are approximates. These ingredients are way too sticky for me to measure regularly, I just eyeballed them! I'm sure butter would be a yummy substitute for the coconut oil, too, if you don't have any.

recipe inspired by Lazy Budget Chef's

5 comments:

  1. I just found your recipe on pinterest and went straight to my kitchen and made this! Oh my gosh so stinken good!!! Made it exactly as you had written it. Next time I'll try Agave in stead of honey for fun. Husband was thrilled! Thank you again for a quick yummy treat!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Mel, I'm so glad you liked it!

    ReplyDelete